Nerlens Noel |
With Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters the Cavaliers scoring backcourt is fine. Now, they work on their frontcourt by adding the excellent shot-blocking Noel.
2. Orlando Magic Ben McLemore, SG
The Magic may be the least talented team in the NBA. They need help everywhere including their backcourt where they lack shooting.
3. Washington Wizards Anthony Bennett, SF/PF
Much like the Cavaliers, the Wizards backcourt is fine with improving stars Brad Beal and John Wall. They work on their frontcourt where they are relying on aging vets Nene and Emeka Okafor.
4. Charlotte Bobcats Otto Porter, SF
Charlotte was one of the worst shooting teams in the league last year so they pick up Porter, who is a great shooter and has the size to fill a number of roles.
5. Phoenix Suns Victor Oladipo, SG/SF
Oladipo will bring some life to a Phoenix team without much excitement surrounding them. He also brings a physical defender to build around on the wing.
6. New Orleans Pelicans Trey Burke, PG
Greivis Vasquez is a quality player but he isn't talented enough to be a NBA starter. If Burke is more consistent he could turn into the best player in this draft.
7. Sacremento Kings Shabazz Muhammed, SF
With a weak fan base and little scoring help, the Kings need Muhammed here even if it is a little bit of a stretch.
8. Detroit Pistons C.J. McCollum, PG/SG
Detroit is looking to return to their glory years and with McCollum, they have the guard that can take them there. With his scoring ability and mid-major background, he will remind many of Damian Lilliard.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves Alex Len, C
If Len falls all the way to the T-Wolves here it would be nearly impossible to resist the 7-1 center from Maryland. Plus, the addition of Len will free up Kevin Love to play power forward full time where he is more comfortable.
10. Portland Blazers Kelly Olynyk, C
The Blazers have a solid team at the moment and are just waiting for Lilliard to develop and others to step in so Olynyk has time to develop, which he'll need. Although he had an excellent year for Gonzaga last year he still has some holes in his game.
11. Philadelphia Sixers Cody Zeller, PF/C
Although I have already expressed my concerns about Zeller (short wingspan, weak mid range game) the Sixers need some frontcourt help and who knows maybe Zeller could be their guy.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder Michael Carter-Williams, PG
Carter-Williams, a massive 6-5 point guard with great passing ability and an evolving shot needs some time. Behind a healthy Russell Westbrook he will get just that.
13. Dallas Mavericks Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
Time isn't on the Mavs' side as Dirk, Shawn Marion and Vince Carter will soon be gone. They need this pick to count, so Caldwell-Pope should be their guy. Although inconsistent at Georgia he has scoring ability only matched by Muhammed and Burke in this class.
14. Utah Jazz Dennis Schroeder, PG
The Jazz have a ton of issues for a team that barely missed the playoffs. The German Schroeder brings plenty of risk but his quickness should help him in the NBA.
15. Milwaukee Bucks Mason Plumlee, PF
The Bucks backcourt looks pretty solid but they need some help up front. Plumlee is an athletic, double-double machine who has proven he can play well around big names (Austin Rivers, for example).
16. Boston Celtics Dario Saric, SF/PF
Kevin Garnett is done soon and the Celtics enter this draft looking for a replacement. The huge, gritty 6-10 Saric from Croatia is hopefully that guy.
17. Atlanta Hawks Steven Adams, C
It appears that the Hawks will move away a lot of last year's playoff team. They are going to need a center for the future and they are hoping Pitt's Adams could be a building block. He disappointed at Pitt his freshman year but has the tools to improve.
18. Atlanta Hawks Lucas Nogeira, C
If Adams isn't a building block, the seven-foot Brazilian Nogeira could be. Other than his size, Nogeira is athletic and has the raw potential to be successful.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers Giannis Adetokubo, SF/PF
International talent is at a premium in this year's draft with every team hoping they have landed the next Dirk. The Cavs pick up Noel, then help him out with a Greek forward in Adetokubo.
20. Chicago Bulls Tony Mitchell, PF
Chicago lacks depth and needs all the help they can get up front with Carlos Boozer appearing to be on the decline. A forward from North Texas, Mitchell may not end up being a superstar but he will be a quality player for years to come.
21. Utah Jazz Tony Snell SG/SF
The Jazz fill a need by picking up Snell, a big imposing guard/forward hybrid with a fantastic jump shot.
22. Brooklyn Nets Gorgui Dieng, C
Dieng has proven to be an effective rebounder and shot-blocker at Louisville and has nowhere to go but up in the NBA.
23. Indiana Pacers Sergey Karasev, SF
Yet another International star, Karasev could end up reminding a lot of people of a Russian Reggie Miller with his great jump shot. Though, Karasev is a little bit rough around the edges.
24. New York Knicks Rudy Gobert, C
New York isn't very young anywhere and the team may take a look to the future soon. A French product, Gobert could be a solid player some day for New York.
25. Los Angeles Clippers Erick Green, SG
I'm really high on Green, a Virginia Tech star who can score any time he touches the ball. And it is clear that the Clippers have a lot of areas to improve after an early exit.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves, Tim Hardaway, SG
Although Alexey Shved is a great shooter, Minnesota would love Hardaway here if he is available. They would love his shoot and great size at the shooting guard position.
27. Denver Nuggets Shane Larkin, PG
It was a mistake for Larkin to go pro this year. He doesn't have an NBA body and he forces shots. But, he should fit in well with Denver's system.
28. San Antonio Spurs Allen Crabbe, SG
The Spurs appear to be looking for their future shooting guard (assuming Danny Green doesn't replace Manu) and Crabbe, a talented guard from Cal, should do the trick.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder James Ennis SG/SF
If the Thunder have any holes in their starting lineup, it is probably at the shooting guard position where Kevin Martin doesn't appear to be a long term fix nor Jeremy Lamb. Ennis, a 6-7 wing player, should be a long term fix.
30. Phoenix Suns Jamaal Franklin, SG
After picking Oladipo the Suns continue to work on their backcourt by selecting San Diego State guard Jamaal Franklin who is a great athlete.
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