1. Minnesota Timberwolves (projected trade with Cleveland Cavaliers): Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
The Timberwolves are going to trade Kevin Love and there will be many suitors but the Cavs, in an attempt to woo LeBron James back to Ohio when he options out of his current contract in Miami, can offer the top overall pick as part of a package for Love. Cleveland could offer the first overall pick this year, a future first round pick, Anthony Bennett (last year's top overall pick), Tristan Thompson, Dion Waters, and Spencer Hawes (who makes this work financially) for Love and J.J. Barea.
That would pair Love with Kyrie Irving, which might be enough to entice LeBron to return to the Cavs.
2. Milwaukee Bucks: Dante Exum, PG, Australia
The tall and athletic Exum can run the point on offense and defend shooting guards, which makes him a nice complement to Brandon Jennings.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Jabari Parker, SF, Duke
There are doubts about Parker's defense but he is a good scorer with a polished offensive game.
4. Boston Celtics (projected trade with Orlando Magic): Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas
Having lost out on Love in this mock draft, the Celtics opt to "blow it up" and will trade Rajon Rondo and the 2015 first round pick they are owed from the Clippers for the fourth pick, Jameer Nelson, and Moe Harkless.
Nelson gives the C's a veteran presence in the back court, Harkless gives them a potential piece at small forward, and they get to draft Wiggins as the potential cornerstone of their future.
5. Utah Jazz: Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
The Jazz need to add some size and the pick should come down to Randle, Aaron Gordon, and Noah Vonleh. Randle is not as athletic as the other two but he showed himself to be a tough low post scorer in leading Kentucky to the NCAA title game.
6. Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
Smart would become the Celtics point guard of the future and my projected trade with Orlando would provide him a mentor in Jameer Nelson.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Aaron Gordon, SF, Arizona
Gordon is an explosive athlete who could thrive early with the Lakers as a defender and transition scorer.
8. Sacramento Kings: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Harris is a good scoring guard and can also handle the point guard duties.
9. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit Pistons): Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan
The Hornets (it feels good to call them the Hornets again) need shooting to provide relief for Al Jefferson when he's double-teamed in the post and to provide perimeter balance for the defensive-minded Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
A year after adding Nerlens Noel, a Boston-area center, the 76ers draft Vonleh, who is from Haverhill, MA. He is a project but is big and mobile and provides another nice piece for Philly's rebuilding process.
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