Kevin O'Connor's 2014 NBA Draft Big Board 6.0

Reasoning: The mixed thoughts from the media on Dante Exum have been quite interesting to follow in recent days. There seems to be a true "love-hate" relationship with his style of play, but I tend to lean towards the "love" side. If he improves his jumper, which he probably will considering his terrific work ethic, then he could become a lethal scorer.

Reasoning: You already know my thoughts on Aaron Gordon if you've been reading my material for months; I love him. I think he's an absolute menace on the defensive end of the floor. If he adds bulk, he'll probably be able to effectively defend all five positions, and defend at least three at a high level. He's that good, smart, and athletic. Offensively, his progression as a shooter has been impressive, and I have confidence he'll be able to add a jumper, giving him potential to be a very good all-around player.

Reasoning: I might be underrating Marcus Smart considering his tenaciousness on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he can easily defend multiple positions because of his unique combination of size and speed. And on the offensive end, he puts that strength to good use by bullying his way to the rim and drawing fouls at a very high rate. But he must improve his shooting and pure point skills for him to warrant a higher ranking.

Reasoning: Vonleh's length combined with his shooting skills bodes well for his potential as a "safe" pick this year. While he may never live up to the high expectations of a top 4 pick, I would feel very comfortable selecting him between #5 and #8, as long as people don't expect him to be a superstar.

Reasoning: McDermott is one of the draft's top scorers, as he's certainly not just an ace from three. Dougie Fresh will be able to stretch the floor, but he'll also provide complimentary scoring in transition and the half court because of his incredible instincts. McDermott gets knocked for his defense, but he's actually a very good team defender that coaches can rely on from day one.

Reasoning: Nik Stauskas could conceivably become one of the better scorers from this draft if he's able to continue improving his dribble moves. He's already one of the best pure shooters in the draft and might be closer to Stephen Curry territory than he gets credit for. The only reason he's behind McDermott on the rankings is because he's currently a poor individual and team defender.

Reasoning: I fell in love with Dario Saric this year after I was quite low on him in early 2013. His progress over the course of one calendar year has been remarkable and I look forward to seeing him have success in Europe over the next two years before he makes the jump to the NBA. Truly, the only reason he drops from #6 to #10 on my board is because of the fact teams will have to wait one or two years for him to come over.

Reasoning: Elfrid Payton has been rising on my board, just like he has on nearly everyone else's. I had him at #22 in April before he jumped to #17 in May and up to #12 earlier this month. He's a true point who can create space with ease by using advanced dribble moves. Even though he's not a great shooter, he has solid form and could develop his shot in time. On the defensive end of the floor, he's a baller and can defend multiple positions. Once he gets into a professional weight room and fills out his frame, I look forward to seeing his improvements on the court.

Reasoning: Harris has sort of floated around my board all year long, as I had him at #9 at one point and as low as #15 another time; now he settles right into the #12 slot. At worst, I think we're looking at a guy who can defend two positions and provide secondary scoring. However, his lack of half efficiency really hurts my confidence in him being more than a role player offensively. Of my top 14 "lottery" ranked players, I might be the least confident about him.

Reasoning: Jusuf Nurkic has sexy low post moves, including a fantastic quick spin into a jump hook or layup. Even though he's quite chubby, he has quick enough feet to be a very good pick-and-roll defender.

Reasoning: Most draft evaluators have K.J. McDaniels ranked in the 20s of their big board, which I believe makes him a tad bit underrated. With his immense potential on the defensive end of the floor as an instinctive man-to-man and team defender, he must just improve his shooting to find his niche in the league.

Reasoning: Let me make something clear: Julius Randle was my #2 player before the season began. Like a lot of people, I was in love with what I saw from his high school clips, but over the course of the college season I saw who he really was: a massively poor defender with an offensive skillset that often doesn't translate to the pros. He'll have a role in the NBA because of his energy and rebounding, which is why I have him ranked as a borderline lottery pick, but he has a lot further to go as a player than people think.

Reasoning: Warren really needs to add a jump shot if he wants to be anything more than a complimentary scorer on offense. He's going to need some seriously appropriate coaching for that to happen though, since during pre-draft workouts he has constantly said he needs to "just be more confident." No...wrong. What he needs is a complete overhaul mechanically.

Reasoning: After seeing what Boris Diaw did in the NBA Finals, you've got to get a little excited about Kyle Anderson's potential in the pros. Yes, it will take the right system for him to flourish, but I don't think anyone drafts him unless they see him working for their specific team, which is precisely why I have him at #17.

Reasoning: Dinwiddie has been one of the greatest risers on my board, making his first appearance at #23 in late May, before rising to #20 in my guide, and now to #18. If it weren't for a torn ACL, he'd be a lottery pick, and rumors around the league indicate that Oklahoma City may draft him at #21. Maybe I'm not so crazy.

Reasoning: Since publishing my draft guide on June 12th, my feelings on have Tyler Ennis have soured a bit, but primarily because a handful of other players have grown on me. He was #14 earlier this month and now I've got him at #19. I still like what he brings as a reliable point general, but I'm not seeing the high upside that players like Dinwiddie, Payton, Smart, or even Harris can bring.

Reasoning: I really like what Hairston brings as a shooter, but he needs to add more to his game if he wants to stick in the league for a long time. Regardless, the man can sling it from long range and has flashed defensive potential.

Reasoning: Capela has fantastic upside as a shot blocker and rebounder, but he might be a draft-and-stash unless placed into a situation that can allow him to work things out on the court. People criticize him for not being able to score off the post, but who really cares? All I care about is his ability to set screens, roll to the rim, and slam home dunks, and I think he'll develop that in time. What keeps him from a higher ranking is his rawness.

Reasoning: I look forward to seeing where Damien Inglis gets selected since I think he is far more talented than a comparable player like Jerami Grant. He's a fantastic defender, can defend two or three positions, and can already shoot it as one of the youngest players in the draft.

Reasoning: Napier might never be a full-time starter in the NBA, but he's an explosive scorer and should be able to provide a spark off the bench without being a total liability on defense.

Reasoning: I'm not nearly as high on Payne as I am other bigs in this year's class, and I think it's be a huge mistake to pick him in the lottery. However, I still love what he brings in his ability to shoot the ball and play with energy. But if I'm spending a lottery pick on a big, I want him to bring more than that and Payne doesn't since he struggles defensively and on the boards.

Reasoning: Bogdanovic has "San Antonio" written all over him. It's a cheap comparison, but he's like a poor man's Manu Ginobili.

Reasoning: Adams isn't very athletic but does enough good things on both ends of the floor to warrant consideration as a first round pick. However, he'll need to improve his explosiveness if he wants to be anything more than a role player.

Scouting report: Jokic does everything well, but his skills as a shooter are what give him the edge over some of the other late first round prospects. Even though his percentages are average, he has fantastic touch and pretty good form; I think he'll develop it at some point.

Scouting report: How can you feel comfortable drafting Zach LaVine until the late first round considering the fact all he can do is shoot the ball at an average clip? He's an unbelievable athlete, but that's about it. He's a true project and should be looked at like many of the classic "draft-and-stash" players are: a huge gamble.

Scouting report: It's easy to love Mitch McGary because of the hustle, grit, and attitude he pays with. He'll dive on the floor for loose balls and will seldom make mistakes, but his lack of upside as a defender and scorer limits him.

Scouting report: Stokes will probably be drafted by a winning team and come in and make an impact right away. The things he does at a high level (rebound, hustle, finish at the rim) all translate to the NBA very well, especially because he has an unbelievable work ethic.