Re-drafting the 2014 NBA Draft: Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic

Re-drafting the 2014 NBA Draft — 14. Kyle Anderson

There are some bigger names still available here: Jordan Clarkson, who won Sixth Man of the Year in 2021, and T.J. Warren, who looked a lot like a star in the Bubble before suffering a foot injury and spending the subsequent two years working his way back. Both would have a strong case here, but Kyle Anderson gets the nod — essentially, because he’s the most bankable option.

Anderson has never reached the individual heights of Clarkson or Warren, but he has been mostly healthy and extremely consistent. Clarkson can score with the best of them, but he’s a terrible defender who can drag down the offense with poor decision-making. Warren spent the early portion of his career playing inefficient, ineffective basketball, and then as soon as he made his break, injures struck.

With Anderson, you know what you’re getting: high level wing defense and a slippery, smart, and too often underrated offensive player. He understands his role and his limitations. He doesn’t do too much. He makes an effort to elevate teammates, he competes hard, and even when the numbers aren’t there, he’s typically finding a way to impact winning.