Good morning, the 2014 NBA Draft is for the children
The day has finally arrived. Let’s newsletter.
Good morning. Let’s go crazy.
DRAFT DAY! It’s here, and it promises to be wild. Who will the Cavaliers pick at No. 1? Will it be the versatile stud Andrew Wiggins, the elite scorer Jabari Parker or the gunner with the heart of gold Aaron Craft? We’ll know soon enough. The draft is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The poor Cavs. Jabari predicted he’ll be taken No. 2 by Milwaukee even though he’s clearly in play for No. 1. Dante Exum is unsure he wants to be taken No. 1 and may or may not have refused a last-minute jet ride to Cleveland to work out for Dan Gilbert. Kevin Love killed a potential trade to Cleveland because he won’t re-sign there. The poor Cavs.
TRADES! Two trades went down on Wednesday, too, and one had nothing to do with the 2014 Draft.
The Rockets sent Omer Asik to the Pelicans for a protected 2015 pick. (Yes, that’s the third straight first New Orleans will have dealt.) I explained why the Pelicans are trading picks in an attempt to win now.
In the other deal, Tyson Chandler went back to the Mavericks for Jose Calderon with a bunch of other assets changing hands. Most relevant outside of those two players and Raymond Felton are two picks in the second round of tonight’s draft, which gets the Knicks into the party. The No. 34, in particular, could be fruitful.
FASHION IS DANGER: A review of the best NBA Draft fashion of the ‘90s. I love this video.
DIRK THE RECRUITER: Nowitzki says that LeBron can have the “keys to Dallas,” to which Monta Ellis probably replied “Says who?”
SPEAKING OF BRON ... The Big Three reportedly met in Miami to discuss things. Important Things.
TEAM NEEDS: The SB Nation NBA team previewed the needs and desires of all 30 teams ahead of the draft and free agency.
ALL ABOUT INTERNATIONALS: I did my best to explain the vagaries of selecting international prospects in the draft, including why so many more foreign-born players get taken in the second round.
OLD MAN GAME: Ricky O’Donnell on UCLA prospect Kyle Anderson, who is tall, big, slow and really intriguing.
AN AD STARRING KEVIN DURANT AND DICK GREGORY. You’ve already clicked, right?
WELP: Bill Simmons repicked the last 20 drafts to prove the draft is a crapshoot. I’m convinced.
REMINDER: SB Nation NBA Draft Live Show at 7 p.m. ET! Sandwiches (maybe)!
SBNation.com/NBA will have comprehensive coverage of all of the madness, all day and all night. Tune in and turn out.
Happy Draft Day.
