Eastern Conference Draft Needs
As has been the recent case, the Eastern Conference was overshadowed by the teams out west, but they will have another shot this year at adding some much-needed talent to many of the conference’s bottom-dwellers. Orlando and Boston have good chances to add to their young cores; Philadelphia can add another piece from the top-three; the Knicks are just looking for anything to help; and teams like Miami, Charlotte and Detroit will all be able to add players who can contribute immediately. If the East starts to get these pick rights, the momentum may eventually change.
Click here to see the Western Conference draft needs.
Atlanta Hawks
Picks: Round 1 - #15; Round 2 - #50, #59
Needs: Frontcourt depth and scoring
Coming off a 60-win season and the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks were unceremoniously swept by Cleveland in the conference finals. Starters DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap are both free agents, with no guarantee that either will return, and the NBA’s best shooter, Kyle Korver, will be recovering from ankle surgery, with no known timetable to when he’ll be ready. The Hawks are in a good position at #15 to add a player who could contribute immediately. Forwards like Sam Dekker, Kelly Oubre, or Trey Lyles could help them, or they could jump at a big man like Bobby Portis to give some skills similar to Millsap.
Boston Celtics
Picks: Round 1 - #16, #28; Round 2 - #33, #45
Needs: Frontcourt depth and defense
Things are looking up in Boston under Brad Stevens, with a seventh-place conference finish in his first season as coach. There is a lot of young talent, especially in the backcourt, and all of the key players from last season are back. James Young may be ready to contribute next season, though the Celtics still may look for an upgrade at the small forward position with a guy like Sam Dekker, or with more defensive potential, like Kelly Oubre. They may also look to add some versatility to the power forward position, with guys like Trey Lyles or Bobby Portis offering some different skills and abilities than Jared Sullinger. At #'s 28 and 33, the Celtics will be able to add some more depth in the frontcourt, if they choose, possibly with players like Jordan Mickey, Christian Wood, or Chris McCullough, who may not be available next season as he recovers after ACL surgery.
Brooklyn Nets
Picks: Round 1 - #29; Round 2 - #41
Needs: Young, cheap talent at all positions; shooting; defense
One more year, and the Nets could be rid of many of the salary burdens, with a lot of money tied up in players whose skills are declining. At #29, they are really just looking at the best talent available, no matter what position, though if they can possibly find their point guard of the future with guys like Delon Wright or Terry Rozier, that may be their best move. They could opt for someone to help with shooting and/or defense at both #29 and #41, with a look at a versatile forward like Christian Wood or Jarrell Martin, or a shot-blocker like Jordan Mickey. The Nets could also reach for a shooter like Michael Frazier or Tyler Harvey to help them stretch the floor.
Charlotte Hornets
Picks: Round 1 - #9, Round 2 - #39
Needs: Perimeter shooting; bench depth
The Hornets were not able to build off their surprising year two seasons ago; though there is still enough talent to make another run at the Eastern Conference playoffs next season. The signing of Lance Stephenson didn’t work out, at all, and he was shipped to the Clippers this week for Matt Barnes, who will likely be waived, and Spencer Hawes, who gives them the versatile big man they lost when Josh McRoberts left. The one area the Hornets really lack is perimeter shooting, ranking last in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage. At #9, the guy they need may be waiting for them in Devin Booker, one of the top shooters in the draft. If somehow Booker is gone, they could look at a wing with some shooting potential, Stanley Johnson or Kelly Oubre. At #39, they can address depth in many areas, though with Bismack Biyombo a free agent, they may look for a back-up big man. They can find a player like Dakari Johnson, Mouhammadou Jaiteh, or Guillermo Hernangomez here. Of course, they could add more shooting with a guy like Michael Frazier, Tyler Harvey, or Joseph Young.
Chicago Bulls
Picks: Round 1 - #22
Needs: Shooters; point guard depth
The Tom Thibodeau era is over and Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg is in. Hoiberg is known for his innovative and efficient offensive sets, which will help a team which struggled to score at times. The prospect of losing free agent Jimmy Butler is real, and replacing his production on both ends will be tough. A guy like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could help on defense, though his offensive ability leaves a lot to be desired. They could hope that a point guard prospect like Jerian Grant or Tyus Jones is available, or reach for a guy like Delon Wright. With Hoiberg’s offensive spacing, shooting will also be important, and while a guy like Doug Mcdermott will benefit, they may look to add more with guys like R.J. Hunter, Rashad Vaughn, or Justin Anderson.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Picks: Round 1 - #24; Round 2 - #53
Needs: Depth
What a difference a year makes. Last season when writing this, the Cavaliers needed to add any kind of talent around Kyrie Irving. Then, LeBron James came back to Cleveland, and Kevin Love was acquired for the last two #1 picks, Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. Injuries to Love and Irving in the playoffs, along with the loss of Anderson Varejao to a torn Achilles in December, highlighted the lack of depth on the bench. Even with the addition of Timofey Mozgov, the workload that needed to be carried by James was unreal to watch. With all the key players expected to return next season, with the possible exception of free agent Tristan Thompson, the Cavaliers will just look to shore up their bench, in case the injury bug bites again next season. If Thompson leaves, they may have a very close replacement available in Montrezl Harrell, if he’s available, giving them a high energy rebounder and defender, who is fine finding his offense in any way he has to. Perimeter shooting is another area where they could use some help, and guys like Justin Anderson or R.J. Hunter could be available for them here.
Detroit Pistons
Picks: Round 1 - #8; Round 2 - #38
Needs: Perimeter shooting, frontcourt depth
Stan Van Gundy continues to overhaul the Pistons’ roster, including last week’s trade where he added Ersan Ilyasova as a likely replacement for free agent Greg Monroe at the power forward spot. The centerpiece of the team is still big man Andre Drummond, though there was some improvement last season from second-year shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Pistons will have the option to go in a few different directions at #8, with a possibility they can see good wing prospects in Mario Hezonja or Justise Winslow drop to them. They could also look to add some more consistent shooting with a guy like Devin Booker, or add some athleticism and potential in Stanley Johnson. They can address some depth in the frontcourt at #38, with a chance of some good power forwards/centers available. The Pistons may be looking at guys like Jarrell Martin, Jordan Mickey, Rakeem Christmas, or Dakari Johnson, or possibly take a chance on Robert Upshaw, if he’s cleared medically.
Indiana Pacers
Picks: Round 1 - #11; Round 2 - #43
Needs: Frontcourt and point guard depth; bench scoring
With Paul George missing all but the last six games of the season due to a broken leg suffered while training with the US National Team, the fact that the Pacers still almost made the playoffs is a credit to the toughness of the players and coaches. Still, the loss of George highlighted some weak areas for the Pacers, which they could address in some way at #11. The inconsistent play of big man Roy Hibbert was maddening, and with Larry Bird wanting the team to play at a faster pace, they may look to address a more agile big man in the lottery. Texas freshman Myles Turner may be what they are looking for, giving them a skilled, but still full of potential, seven-footer who can shoot and protect the rim. If he’s not available, they may look to address the four-spot with a guy like Trey Lyles, but they may also want to shore up the point guard position with Murray State sophomore Cameron Payne, a dynamic scorer and distributor. They can look to add one of these positions also at #43, as well as address some bench scoring. Florida junior Michael Frazier could give them added shooting, or guards like J.P. Tokoto or Olivier Hanlan could give them some versatile guards. They can also hope that one of the second-round big men drops to them, maybe a young, but raw prospect in Dakari Johnson.
Miami Heat
Picks: Round 1 - #10; Round 2 - #40
Needs: Perimeter shooting; energy from the bench
Things were looking up for the Heat last year when they added Goran Dragic at the trade deadline, and Hassan Whiteside emerged as a much-needed presence in the middle, but the team then lost Chris Bosh for the season shortly afterward due to blood clots in his lungs. Bosh is expected back for the start of the upcoming season, and though Dragic has a player option, there is a chance that Pat Riley can entice him to return next to Dwyane Wade in the backcourt. Even if they lose Dragic, they won’t find his replacement at #10, so look for them to try and help their poor perimeter shooting. There are some good options that may be available, including one of the draft’s top shooters, Devin Booker. Arizona freshman Stanley Johnson is another option, though if neither of those two is available, they may reach for a wing like Sam Dekker or Kelly Oubre, Jr. They could find some talent at #40, especially to help provide a spark off the bench. If J.P. Tokoto is available, he would be a solid pick, giving the team some defense and playmaking ability, or Florida’s Michael Frazier could add some more shooting.
Milwaukee Bucks
Picks: Round 1 - #17; Round 2 - #46
Needs: Wing scorer; added depth in frontcourt
Milwaukee took a giant leap forward in Jason Kidd’s first season, making the playoffs and giving the Bulls a tough first round series. The core of the team is back, though emerging two-way start Khris Middleton is a free agent, and he could be expected to command some major money, which the Bucks may not want to commit, though they have some cap space. Plus, the team will get Jabari Parker returning from a torn ACL suffered in December, 2014. At #17, the Bucks will have some options, especially on the wing, including a strong defender in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Wisconsin star Sam Dekker, or possibly raw Kansas freshman Kelly Oubre, Jr. The Bucks were only 25th in defensive rebounding, and 24th in total, so they may look to go a bit bigger if a player is available. There’s a possibility that power forwards Bobby Portis, Trey Lyles, or Kevon Looney, a Milwaukee native, could be available. There could be some scoring options available at #46 for the Bucks, as well, with players like Olivier Hanlan, Michael Frazier, or Joseph Young players worth looking at, as well as the option of going with a draft-and-stash player.
New York Knicks
Picks: Round 1 - #4
Needs: Best player available
After winning just 17 games last season, seeing the team drop out of the top two of the draft lottery was a major blow to Knicks fans. There isn’t much on the roster right now, other than Carmelo Anthony and Tim Hardaway, Jr., plus two promising young players in Cleanthony Early and Langston Galloway, so the Knicks can go in many directions at #4, though a player who can fit the Triangle system would be ideal. With the idea that Kristaps Porzingis could break up what was long assumed as a top three of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell, there’s a chance that the Knicks could see Russell or Okafor somehow drop to them. If Porzingis doesn’t go to Philadelphia, he may be an option for the Knicks at 4, as could big man Willie Cauley-Stein. The Knicks could add a solid two-way player in Duke’s Justise Winslow, instantly giving the team some much-needed defense on the perimeter. The last thing to watch for is a trade down, with the Knicks hoping to stay in the lottery while adding some more assets to fill out their roster.
Orlando Magic
Picks: Round 1 - #5; Round 2 - #51
Needs: Depth; scoring
Things are looking up in Orlando with a nice core of young talent in Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon, though one key player, Tobias Harris, is a free agent this summer. At #5, the Magic will have options to add some frontcourt help, especially if they expect to lose Harris. Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein will definitely shore up the team’s defense, giving them a legitimate rim protector, and his lack of offensive ability can be hidden if the team looks to quicken the pace, as he runs the floor very well and can finish in transition. Kristaps Porzingis could be another option, if available, giving the team a big man who can stretch the floor, opening it up for Oladipo, Payton, etc. Croatian wing Mario Hezonja could add some shooting and athleticism to replace Harris, if he doesn’t return, or they can look to add a strong defender and versatile offensive weapon in Justise Winslow. There could be some depth available at #51, though the options are really too numerous to speculate further on what they may do.
Philadelphia 76ers
Picks: Round 1 - #3; Round 2 - #35, #37, #47, #58, #60
Needs: Continue to add talent in all areas
The emergence of Nerlens Noel almost softened the blow of last year’s tragedy of a season, one in which starting point guard Michael Carter-Williams and emerging rookie K.J. McDaniels were both traded during the season. The team recently got some more bad news with word that last year’s #3 pick, Joel Embiid, is still having issues with his foot, which caused him to miss his rookie year. The team is hoping to bring over last year’s #12 pick Dario Saric from Europe, though it may not happen until his contract is up at the end of next season. This all leaves the 76ers in the position where they just need to add anything that will continue to give fans hope that this team will improve. It was widely assumed that they would draft point guard D’Angelo Russell at #3, if available, though the emergence in the last two weeks of Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis has made him a popular option. There is also the chance that Duke center Jahlil Okafor could fall to them, which is something they would need to consider, especially in light of the Embiid news. The 76ers also have five second-round picks, which can be used to try and facilitate deals for another possible first-round pick, or they can just look to add more talent, especially with some skilled, ready players likely to be available. Guys like Jordan Mickey, Robert Upshaw, Rakeem Christmas, or Jonathan Holmes could all help in the frontcourt, while guards like Terry Rozier, Delon Wright, or Andrew Harrison may be looked at as backcourt options. Also, if they keep all five second-round picks, expect a couple of draft-and-stash players, with some decent options in Turkish forward Cedi Osman or Serbian center Nikola Milutinov.
Toronto Raptors
Picks: Round 1 - #20
Needs: Defense and rebounding; backcourt depth
Though the team won the Atlantic Division last season, the Raptors never seemed to gel, leading to a sweep by Washington in the first round of the playoffs. There are rumors that just about any player is available to be moved, and the team has key rotation pieces in Amir Johnson, Tyler Hansbrough and Lou Williams, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, all hitting free agency. The team finished 25th in the league in defensive rating (107.7) and 26th in total rebounding, so you would guess that these areas could be a priority heading into the draft. At #20, guys like Montrezl Harrell, Kevon Looney, or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could help them in those areas, and each of those guys will already be more prepared to help out than last year’s pick at #20 for them, Bruno Caboclo. If they can’t re-sign Williams, they may look to add some bench scoring with guys like R.J. Hunter, Rashad Vaughn, or hope that a guy like Sam Dekker falls to them.
Washington Wizards
Picks: Round 1 - #19; Round 2 - #49
Needs: Frontcourt depth; backup point guard
The Wizards’ backcourt duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal continue to improve, and Otto Porter started to show flashes of what he can do for the team down the stretch and in the playoffs, where they took the top seed Atlanta to six games before losing. The team isn’t losing much from their rotation, with just Kevin Seraphin a free agent, and Paul Pierce holding a player option for next season. With Wall shouldering a lot of minutes, adding a solid backup could be a priority in this draft, and at #19, the Wizards may have some good options in players like Jerian Grant, Delon Wright, or Tyus Jones. The team also has a thin frontcourt behind Nene and Marcin Gortat, so adding some energy, defense and rebounding off the bench may be a direction they want to go in the first round. A guy like Montrezl Harrell can give them exactly that, as well as a player who can run the floor well with guys like Wall and Beal. Another name to watch is young forward Kevon Looney, a raw prospect with good length and ability to hit the boards on both ends. At #49, they may not get a rotation piece, but there is some talent available to add some depth, especially in the backcourt. Guys like Norman Powell, Olivier Hanlan, Joseph Young, or the nation’s leading scorer Tyler Harvey could all be options there.
