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2014 NBA Draft Questions: A Hardwood Paroxysm round table

By HP Basketball Network

Feb 4, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid (21) warms up before the game against the Baylor Bears at the Ferrell Center. The Jayhawks defeated the Bears 69-52. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid (21) warms up before the game against the Baylor Bears at the Ferrell Center. The Jayhawks defeated the Bears 69-52. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Adreian Payne (5) reacts after a three pointer against the Connecticut Huskies during the second half in the finals of the east regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Adreian Payne (5) reacts after a three pointer against the Connecticut Huskies during the second half in the finals of the east regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2. What is your favorite potential non-lottery team/player match?

Miles Wray (@mileswray): Easy: Thanasis Antetokounmpo to the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis’ older brother is a projected second-round pick and the Bucks are loaded with selections there, picking at 31, 36, and 48. This sentimental pick would also serve a clearly productive purpose: it’s easy to see that Giannis would feel far more comfortable and supported by his team if they brought his brother — and therefore the rest of the Antetokounmpo clan — to Milwaukee. It doesn’t matter if Thanasis is suited on the sideline for all 82, he would still add value to the team by propping up Giannis.

Brian Schroeder (@Cosmis): Probably Chicago and Adreian Payne. He’s basically the same thing Taj Gibson was coming out of school, only better in almost every regard. If he’s going to get any better is the question, but that’s not really as important at the #16 as it would be at, say, the #5.

Eric Maroun (@ejmaroun): Either Shabazz Napier or Tyler Ennis to the Bulls. Who knows how many games Derrick Rose will play next year? Either Napier or Ennis would be capable backups to Rose if he’s healthy but are also able to start should Rose go down again.

Dane Carbaugh (@danecarbaugh): I like Chicago and Cleanthony Early. I’m not sure you’re going to find a suitable replacement/backup ball handler ready to play for a playoff team at that spot. Getting offensive bench production for the Bulls would be a good use of their pick.

Kevin McElroy (@knickerbacker): I really love Rodney Hood and think he will be the mid-late first round steal of the draft. I love him for all four of the teams at 18-21 (Phoenix, Chicago, Toronto, and especially Oklahoma City).

Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles): P.J. Hairston and the Oklahoma City Thunder (21st pick). The Thunder need floor spacers who can open up lanes for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and they’re in desperate need of a scoring punch off the bench (preferably a two-guard because Jeremy Lamb is still a work in progress and who knows what’ll happen to Thabo Sefolosha this off-season). Hairston doesn’t have the biggest upside in the draft but he’s fresh off of a good season with the Texas Legends in the D-League, where he averaged 21.8 points per game, and he should be able to make in impact from day one. Plus, he likes to shoot a lot of threes, so he’d fit right in.

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