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Top 5 Players From 2014 NBA Draft

By Carter Johnson

Mar 4, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine competes during the dunk contest during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine competes during the dunk contest during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves

2014 Draft Selection: Round 1, No. 13 (MIN)

2015-16 Stats: 14.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.8 SPG

Accolades: 2x NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion (2015-16), All-Rookie Second Team (2015), Rising Stars Challenge MVP (2016)

Zach LaVine’s got swagger. He’s got immense talent as a scorer. He’s got all the bounce in the world, as evidenced by his array of magnificent dunks and back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest crowns.

However, what separates him from the top two players on this list is opportunity.

Former head coaches  Flip Saunders and Sam Mitchell just couldn’t figure out how to use LaVine, rotating him in and out of the starting lineup and switching him between the point guard and 2-guard spots.

With Tom Thibodeau taking the reins and point guards Ricky Rubio and Kris Dunn in tow, it looks as if LaVine will finally find a permanent home at the starting shooting guard slot and will get to focus on what he does best — scoring.

It’s known that LaVine is a monster in transition and is at his best when he’s attacking the basket. However, he has a solid shooting stroke from midrange and from deep, posting a 44.3 field goal percentage on spot-up shots and a 38.9 mark from three point range last season.

If LaVine can continue to consistently develop as an efficient inside-and-out scorer, his showstopping dunks may be the least of defenders’ worries in the future.

Next: No. 2