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The 2014 NBA Draft has one of the most talented draft classes in years. As expected, the top three draft picks included Andrew Wiggins (No. 1), Jabari Parker (No. 2) and Joel Embiid (No. 3).
Here’s what you need to know about what went down:
1. Andrew Wiggins Went to the Cleveland Cavs As the No. 1 Pick
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The Cleveland Cavaliers had the No.1 pick for the second consecutive year and third time since 2011. Wiggins was expected to be the top draft, but there were questions surrounding whether they might take Jabari Parker or Joel Embiid instead.
2. Isaiah Austin Got to Participate in the Draft
All his life, ex-Baylor basketball star Isaiah Austin worked hard to accomplish his most coveted dream- to hear his name in the NBA Draft.
His dream were crushed when he found out he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder call Marfan Syndrome that prevents him from playing basketball. On the Sunday before the draft he announced that he would know longer be participating in the sport he loved.
Despite his inability to compete anymore, NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Austin up to the stage to draft him in the 16th round in order to honor his impressive basketball that was tragically cut short.
Watch the video above to see his Austin’s reaction.
3. Here Are the 1st Round Picks
No. 2 pick in the first round draft, Jabari Parker goes to the Milwaukee Bucks. (Getty)
1. Cleveland:
-Andrew Wiggins
2. Milwaukee:
-Jabari Parker
3. Philadelphia:
-Joel Embiid
4. Orlando:
-Aaron Gordon
5. Utah:
-Dante Exum
6. Boston:
-Marcus Smart
7. Los Angeles:
-Julius Randle
8. Sacramento:
-Nik Stauskas
9. Charlotte (via Detroit Pistons):
-Noah Vonleh
10. Philadelphia (via New Orleans Pelicans):
-Dario Saric (traded)
11. Denver:
-Doug McDermott
12. Orlando (via New York Knicks):
-Elfrid Payton (traded)
13. Minnesota:
-Zach Levine
14. Phoenix:
-T.J. Warren
15. Atlanta:
-Adreian Payne
16. Chicago:
-Jusuf Nurkic (traded)
17. Boston:
-James Young
18. Phoenix:
-Tyler Ennis
19. Chicago:
-Gary Harris (traded)
20. Toronto:
-Bruno Caboclo
21. Oklahoma:
-Mitch McGary
22. Memphis:
-Jordan Adams
23. Utah:
-Rodney Hood
24. Charlotte:
-Shabazz Napier (traded)
25. Houston:
-Clint Capela
26. Miami:
-PJ Hairston (traded)
27. Phoenix:
-Bogdan Bogdanovic
28. Los Angeles:
-CJ Wilcox
29. Oklahoma:
-Josh Huesitis
30. San Antonio:
-Kyle Anderson
4. A Lot of Previous 1st Round Picks Were Traded
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Because a lot of the 2014 draft picks are held at high value, there has been an unusually large amount of trades from previous years’ first-round picks. The draft class of 2014 is strong enough to match past years’ 1st round pick values, give them trade value too.
Last night, the Knicks announced they traded Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington and Samuel Dalembert along with 2 of the Mavericks’ second round draft picks.
The Knicks gave up their first-round pick and their future ability to trade 2016 first-round picks in order to get Carmelo Anthony when they did while the Magic their 2014 first pick along with a future 76ers pick and the Lakers’ first pick for the 2017 draft because of their blockbuster four-team deal with Howard.
Celtics received a bunch of picks too starting in 2014 thanks to their deal with the Nets over Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. The Oklahoma City swapped for Toronto’s 2013 first-round draft pick too.
Click here for a full list of updates trades and transactions in the 2014 NBA.
5. 10 of the First Round Picks Were International
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the 2014 NBA Draft tied for 2nd most all-time internationals picked in the first round. In 2013 there were 12 and in 2011 there were also 10. The list includes
Nik Stauskas and Andrew Wiggins were both born and raised in Ontario, Canada while Joel Embiid is a native of Cameroon in Africa. and Dante Exum hails from Melbourne, Australia.
Wiggins was the No. 1 pick for the Cavaliers, followed by Joel Embiid as the No. 3 pick for the Philadelphia 76ers. Exum was the No. 5 pick and will be joining the Utah Jazz. Stauskas was the No. 8 pick in the first round for the Sacramento Kings.
Dario Saric (Croatia), Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Tyler Ennis (Canada), Bruno Caboclo (Brazil), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia) and Clint Capela Switzerland were also taken in the first round.
