NEW YORK—The 2014 NBA Draft was held on June 26, and the first overall pick went to the Cleveland Cavaliers who selected Andrew Wiggins to join their rooster, the small forward from Kansas. Grabbing the second selection was the Milwaukee Bucks who nabbed small forward Jabari Parker from UCLA. That allowed the Philadelphia 76ers to take advantage of Joel Embiid, the center from Kansas.
The Orlando Magic took Aaron Gordon, the power forward from Arizona for the #4 pick, while Dante Exum, the power guard from Australia landed in the hands of the Utah Jazz. The Boston Celtics took Marcus Smart with the #6 pick from Oklahoma State, and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of Julius Randle, the power forward from Kentucky, for the seventh overall pick of the draft.
University of Michigan star Nik Stauskas was snatched by the Sacramento Kings, while power forward Noah Vonleh from Indiana went to the New Orleans Hornets. Some of the big trades of the day consisted of the Chicago Bulls trading No. 16 and No. 19 selections to the Denver Nuggets to grab hold of Doug McDermott from Creighton. The Orlando Magic traded Dario Saric to the 76ers to nab Elfrid Payton.
The Miami Heat nabbed University of Connecticut star Shabazz Napier after the Hornets traded the player for No. 26 and No. 55 and future second round selections. The Utah Jazz let go of Jarnell Stokes to the Memphis Grizzlies to obtain a 2016 second-round selection. Basketball fans can expect plenty more trades and moves to be made as free agency went into effect on July 1.
By LaDale Anderson
