AK-47
Years ago
Pre-draft NBA draft write up
What each Lottery team must do to get most out of stacked draft: Pick by Pick
1.Cleveland Cavaliers - Pick Jabari Parker
The Cavs need to show some positive signs and need to show it now or they risk a 'Melo' drama, Howard-esque situation with Kyrie Irving. They simply CANNOT afford to get this pick wrong and by picking Parker they tick all the boxes. Parker is the most NBA ready prospect. He’ll be an instant impact on the offensive end and shoulder a large portion of the scoring responsibilities that primarily fall on Irving. The thing that makes this pick so good is that Parker’s long term potential is sky high as well. No too far down the road you have a projected All Star and genuine superstar of the game. Parker fills many of the long list of needs in Cleveland, the Cavs should not hesitate.
2.Milwaukee Bucks – Draft Wiggins/Parker
The Milwaukee Bucks have been mediocre forever and a day. They are not a stop for top level free agents so their only opportunity to add a genuine star is through the draft. The Bucks must take whoever drops to 2 out of Parker and Wiggins. Forget that you have Antetokounmpo, he isn’t going to turn into the superstar that Wiggins or Parker will. Sit where you are Milwaukee and take your superstar.
3.Philadelphia 76ers – Trade up and draft Parker or Wiggins
The 76ers have got to do their best to add some wing talent. At this stage they seem to favour Wiggins over Parker. The 76ers have all the time in the world to let Wiggins develop into the superstar he is meant to become. The 76ers must make sure they get one of these two to continue to build on their young core.
4.Orlando Magic – Draft big here
The consensus pick here seems to be Dante Exum. This isn’t too surprising as Exum has close to the most upside in this draft and also fills a need at point guard for the Magic. However, with Exum comes a lot of risk. Despite seeing him at the Nike Hoops Summit a little while ago, nobody really knows what to expect from Exum. The Magic are armed with pick 4 and 12. Chances are there will still be some very good point guards available at 12 so using pick 4 to go for a safer option will be much more beneficial. Lucky for the Magic, two of the top and safest prospects left on board also fill needs. Both Vonleh and Randle are legitimate starting 4 men in this league, few will disagree. Both will be available here and the Magic could use some help at the Power Forward. Both would be very solid picks here and would allow the Magic to be more flexible with their second lottery pick.
5.Utah Jazz – Trade up for Parker
The Utah Jazz have got to get a superstar or a player with superstar potential on the roster. Currently the Jazz’s roster oozes young talent who should all carve out solid NBA careers. What the Jazz lack is that go to guy, the guy who can lift them from mediocrity and lead them to deep playoff runs. They need a guy who is loaded with natural scoring talent who can carry a significant scoring burden. That guy is not going to come through free agency. Utah is not usually the first stop on a free agent’s destination so the Jazz’ best opportunity is through THIS draft. Pick 5 is going to get you a stud and future All Star but the Jazz need to turn this into Parker. A deal including any combination of picks as well as Favors and/or Burks should be seriously thrown out there. Being a Mormon suggests he’s a guy who would stick around Utah for a very long time. Get on the phones Utah, get that man.
6.Boston Celtics – Pick the best player left
The Celtics need to draft on talent rather than need and for me that is going to be one of Randle, Vonleh and Smart. Exum and Gordon both project to have significant upside but the first 3 are safer and smarter studs. I think it’s Smart who drops to the Celtics and I think that suits them well. Smart could come off the bench to back up either of Rondo or Bradley in a similar way to James Harden back in his OKC days. Smart will have an immediate impact in Boston and will prove to be a very, very good pick.
7.LA Lakers – Dante Exum
It’s seemed to be a partnership that both parties have been very keen on from the start. Exum would provide the Lakers with some much needed help at the point guard position and Kobe would be able to mentor him into the Lakers next big thing. Who knows how Steve Nash goes next year health wise and I’m sure Kendall Marshall is not the teams long term solution at the 1. Exum could receive a pretty significant role early and may just take it and run with it the same way Michael Carter-Williams did this year.
8.Sacramento Kings – Draft Aaron Gordon
The Kings would probably love a point guard here and would be spewing that Exum almost fell. Unfortunately, every point guard left on board is a huge reach at 8 and so they must take the best talent on bad. That is not even a bad thing as they can take Aaron Gordon. Gordon is a very good fit next to DeMarcus Cousins. He’s that defensive minded big that will really help take a bit of pressure off guys like Cousins in and Rudy Gay and will give Cousins in particular some real support on the boards. His hustle and athleticism will help get the Kings some easy points inside. Throw in his two-way upside and the Kings have a gem at 8.
9.Charlotte Hornets – Get a shooter on the wing
The Charlotte Hornets could really do with a perimeter shooter/scorer to ease the pressure on Al Jefferson and to help spread the floor. Lucky for the Hornets, pick 9 should leave them plenty to choose from. I think Nik Stauskas is the man to take here. He can handle to ball a bit and is an absolute elite shooter. Stauskas is an underrated athlete who is more than just a 3 point shooter. Stauskas will really strengthen the bench in his rookie year and will be the long term option at the 2 ahead of Gerald Henderson as he starts to get some experience.
10.Philadelphia 76ers – Continue to build the roster
If the Sixers can add Wiggins to the puzzle with their first pick, they will look to address the remaining holes in their starting 5 with pick 10. The two locks to start are Carter-Williams at the 1 and Wiggins at 3. Nerlens Noel will lock down either the 4 or 5 in the long term and with Thad Young likely to be traded out to move up and get Wiggins there is an opening in the front court. A legit big man is tough to find at this point with Adreian Payne the only real stand out, albeit a reach for 10. That leaves the starting shooting guard spot and similarly to Charlotte, the 76ers will have a few options. At this stage, Zach LaVine, Gary Harris and James Young are all still on the table. LaVine is too similar to MCW so I’d rule him out and at this stage Young is a bit too raw. Gary Harris is a legit two-way guard right now. He can lock down on opposing two-guards AND point guards and can spread the floor with a nice shooting stroke from 3. Add in his developing offensive arsenal and you have your future starting 2 man. Brett Brown will LOVE Harris. Too good a fit here I think.
11.Denver Nuggets – Go for upside and take LaVine
With virtually every sure thing prospect off the board, the Nuggets are in a position where they can draft on upside and basically avoid most criticism. Zach LaVine has more upside than most players in this draft. He’s drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook even though he’s 3 inches taller. LaVine can shoot, penetrate and recorded the highest vertical at the combine, showing he has the tools to be a truly complete player. Denver doesn’t have any desperate needs so adding the exciting LaVine is a solid move here.
12.Orlando Magic – Trade back for value or reach for Tyler Ennis/Elfrid Payton
After passing on Exum at 4 the Magic are in the hunt for their point guard of the future. At this stage Ennis, Payton, Anderson, Clarkson and Napier are all still on the board. The Magic have a few options here. Shopping this pick isn’t a bad idea. You would expect that both Ennis and Payton would still be available a few picks back and if they can deal with Phoenix or Chicago and steal another first rounder it would be a wise decision. Having said that, it’s unlikely that Chicago would part both their picks considering the depth in this draft and Phoenix would be looking for seasoned talent in return for their picks. If a trade back or even out with worthwhile value is not there then the Magic could reach for Ennis or Payton. Whilst most wouldn’t have these two going in the lottery, both would be lottery locks in most other drafts. Ennis would be first choice as he’s a much better offensive scorer and distributor, however Payton is considerably bigger (6’4) and has a massive wingspan (6’7) for a point guard that would make a scary defensive back court when paired with Oladipo. Orlando must survey its options here, but will add a worthy piece to its rotation.
13.Minnesota Timberwolves – Draft Rodney Hood
This Kevin Love business has to be dealt with ASAP. Sure the T-Wolves need to get the best deal, but the options for them are going to significantly decrease after the draft. If no move is made the T-Wolves should go for Rodney Hood. Hood has great size and athleticism for the 3 spot and has enough upside to be an All Star someday. Hood adds much need scoring from the wing for the Wolves and provides Rubio with a good running partner.
14.Phoenix Suns – Draft the best pure scorer
The Suns could go with about 5 different guys here. Any combination of TJ Warren, Cleanthony Early, Doug McDermott or James Young would make sense here. The Suns pick again at 18 so they have to decide which player they covet the most and which they think will still be around in 5 picks. McDermott seems to be the consensus pick but probably doesn’t have the same upside as the others. James Young probably has the highest ceiling but is the least NBA ready and both Early and Warren have question marks that’ll probably see them available at 18 or maybe even 27. Neither Young or McDermott will make it to 18, it has to be one of them.
