NBA Draft 2014: Cleveland prefers Andrew Wiggins over Jabari Parker
No you are not dreaming or reading a typo: the Cleveland Cavaliers will be selecting first overall in the NBA Draft for the third time in four seasons (Kyrie Irving -2011; Anthony Bennett – 2013).
Shortly after Chad Ford of ESPN linked Jabari Parker to the Cavs in the instance they land the number one pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, it seems that tune has switched in favor of Kansas product Andrew Wiggins.
Our new Mock is my faithful editors hands. Think Andrew Wiggins is odds on favorite to go No. 1 to Cavs
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) May 21, 2014
I know, but good source in Cleveland just corrected me RT @440shane: Pre lotto you said they liked Parker?
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) May 21, 2014
Regardless of who the Cavaliers want, they have options. Andrew Wiggins seems like the best fit between he and Andrew Wiggins as he’s shown to be a high-quality defender and can play off of Kyrie Irving into the starting lineup. If they choose to pass up on the wings and take center Joel Embiid, he’d be an excellent fit also, although injuries to his back make this an unlikely option.
Last year there were questions around the number one overall pick, especially with Nerlens Noel having a torn ACL. That eventually led to the selection of Anthony Bennett, passing up on a talent like Victor Oladipo or Noel who would’ve been perfect fits for a youthful Cavs team. Prior to the 2013 NBA Draft, Cleveland passed up on talents like Andre Drummond, Jonas Valunciunas, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, etc. for the likes of Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters.
But unlike those years, you can’t go wrong with choosing either Parker or Wiggins. If David Griffin and company prefer Wiggins, that’s fine as he’s been a long coveted prospect, but the odds of them making a colossal mistake as they look to become a force in the Eastern Conference.