For months we’ve heard how deep the 2014 NBA draft class will be, but when it comes to the decision makers, they don’t sound as enthusiastic.
Sure, the upcoming draft may be top heavy with players like Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker likely to find themselves atop many team draft boards, but what about the players that come after them? Say a Marcus Smart or Dante Exum? And what about even later in the middle first round? There’s some solid depth available, right?
Not according to two of the more trusted men in league front offices as both Jerry West and Danny Ainge recently downplayed the talent in the 2014 NBA draft.
“Everyone is talking about a great draft class this year,” Golden State consultant Jerry West told ESPN Radio. “I think it’s just the opposite. I think it’s a poor one, myself.”
“It’s not even close to one of the best draft classes in the last 10 years,” Celtic GM Danny Ainge told the Boston Globe.
Both West and Ainge have rather solid track records, especially regarding the NBA draft and scouting, so there words aren’t to be taken lightly. It is a little strange to hear such considering the praise the current draft class has received, though it’s going to take a few years to see how it all shakes out.