This year’s NBA Draft will be a crapshoot as team’s scour a weak crop of players in search of frontline talent.
At least one question was answered Tuesday when the draft order was determined via lottery.
Teams were also given a chance to get a closer look at prospects last week as the NBA held its combine in Chicago.
The Toronto Raptors do not have a pick in the upcoming draft at the moment but considering the team’s youth and the lack of depth in this draft — that may not be the worst thing.
With the updated draft order, it’s time to take another look at how this year’s NBA Draft could shake out.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers — Nerlens Noel 6’11”, 225 lbs, PF/C, Kentucky, Fr.
Many believe Nerlens Noel will go first overall but the Cavaliers have pulled a surprise or two off at recent drafts so we will see how this thing unfolds. While Noel is a fantastic defender with upper-echelon shot-blocking skills, he will need to put on some weight and develop a post game to be effective at the next level.
He may not be available for quite some time after tearing his ACL in February. Many have also linked Otto Porter and Ben McLemore with the Cavs.
2. Orlando Magic — Ben McLemore, 6’5″, 195 lbs, SG Kansas, Fr.
The Magic are said to be intrigued by Michigan point guard Trey Burke but it would seem to be a little high to be pulling the trigger here. Adding a scorer on the wing to build around, someone like Ben McLemore would make more sense than an undersized shoot-first point guard here. Questions persist about McLemore’s willingness to take over games but he certainly has all of the gifts.
3. Washington Wizards — Otto Porter, 6’8″, 205 lbs, SF, Georgetown, So.
The Wizards have stocked up the backcourt with John Wall and Brad Beal but could use some help along the wing or up front. Local product Otto Porter or Canadian Anthony Bennett could help add some much-needed scoring.
4. Charlotte Bobcats — Victor Oladipo, 6’5″, 215 lbs, SG/SF, Indiana, Jr.
Many seem to love Oladipo’s leadership, athletic ability and strong defence but his inability to shoot has got to be a question mark. Still, in a draft like this one, he is good value in the Top 10.
5. Phoenix Suns — Anthony Bennett, 6’7″, 240, lbs, SF/PF, UNLV, Fr.
When Bennett gets drafted, it will mark the third consecutive season a Canadian has been selected in the first round. Kelly Olynyk is expected to go in the lottery as well but will Myck Kabongo make it a record three in the opening round?
6. New Orleans Pelicans — Alex Len, 7’1″, 250 lbs, C, Maryland, So.
Despite being on crutches heading into last week’s combine, Alex Len seems to intrigue scouts with his combination of size and skills. The Wizards are said to be fans of the Ukrainian centre so don’t be suprised if he is gone by the time the Pelicans pick. He would be a nice big body to pair with Anthony Davis up front for years to come down in New Orleans.
7. Sacramento Kings — Trey Burke, 6’0″, 190 lbs, PG, Michigan, So.
An undersized point guard who is a bit trigger happy? Hello Sacramento. Seems like the perfect fit here for a team that usually makes questionable selections. With new owners on the way, things may finally change down in Sac-town. Burke believes he will be off the board at this point but he could slip. That said, he won’t slip past Detroit at No. 8.
8. Detroit Pistons — Shabazz Muhammad, 6’6″, 225 lbs, SF, UCLA, Fr.
The Pistons have been the beneficiaries of plenty of players slipping down draft boards in recent years. Muhammad was considered by some to be a top-five pick until UCLA exited the NCAA tournament early and alarm bells went off about over his age and his family. Muhammad is a solid scorer who will need to develop the other areas of his game.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves — Rudy Gobert, 7’1″, 230 lbs, C, France, Intl
The Timberwolves need insurance in case Nikola Pekovic becomes too expensive this summer. Enter Rudy Gobert. One thing that is certain about him is that he can defend but the long-armed Frenchman still needs to develop an offensive game.
10. Portland Trail Blazers – C.J. McCollum, 6’3″, 190 lbs, PG/SG, Lehigh, Sr.
Is C.J. McCollum this year’s Damian Lillard? He doesn’t quite possess the same size Lillard but he does share a similar small-school pedigree. McCollum proved in the NCAA tournament two years ago that he can score with the best of them but does he have the passing skills? If Portland were to add him, he might be a nice back-up off the bench behind Lillard and Nicolas Batum.
11. Philadelphia 76ers — Cody Zeller 6’11”, 240 lbs, PF/C, Indiana, So.
There’s a new sheriff in Philadelphia as Sam Hinkie was recently named the Sixers general manager. The former Rockets assistant GM will definitely use all of the numbers at his disposal before making a pick. Zeller, who could have been a high pick a year ago, would be a good insurance policy in case the team parts ways with Andrew Bynum.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Toronto) — Dario Saric, 6’10”, 223 lbs., SF, Croatia, Intl
The Thunder could use a bruiser to help faze out Kedrick Perkins but Saric has a unique offensive game and the Thunder may look beyond the bulk and look at how he will help spread the floor. Of course, they may also try and package this pick in order to add more veteran depth to play with their current roster.
13. Dallas Mavericks — Michael Carter-Williams, 6’6″, 185 lbs, PG, Syracuse, So.
Whispers indicate the Mavericks would like to move this pick to save money for free agency but rookie talent is a nice way to plug holes relatively cheaply these days and boy do they have plenty of holes to fill. Carter-Williams will provide a nice option in the backcourt in Dallas as he is surprisingly quick for his size although he does tend to make poor decisions at times.
14. Utah Jazz — Kelly Olynyk, 7’0″, 240 lbs, PF/C, Gonzaga, Jr.
It will be interesting to see how Olynyk pans out at the next level. He isn’t long but is a legitimate seven-footer with solid offensive skills. He may have trouble competing at the next level against opposition with the same height and gifts he possesses. The Jazz are in need of point guard help with Mo Williams set to hit free agency but they can address that hole on the market or with their other pick. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson are both free agents this summer so they could use a big body as well.
15. Milwaukee Bucks — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 6’6″, 205 lbs, SG, Georgia
With Monta Ellis, J.J. Redick and Brandon Jennings all set to test the free agent market, the Bucks need to get some backcourt help. Caldwell-Pope is a shoot-first guard who makes questionable decisions but he could grow out of that with experience.
16. Boston Celtics — Steven Adams, 7’0″, 250 lbs, C, Pittsburgh
This pick will be based upon potential as Steven Adams has as much as anyone but will need time to develop. The Celtics could decide to look for a more-polished player rather than take a chance on a guy who will need some seasoning before he is ready to compete. He does have some solid intangibles which could be tough to pass on.
17. Atlanta Hawks — Mason Plumlee, 6’11”, 240 lbs, PF, Duke, Sr.
Danny Ferry, who took over as the Hawks GM last summer, has back-to-back picks to play with here. He has done a good job getting Atlanta’s salary-cap situation under control but still has to prove himself at the draft table. Plumlee’s older brother was a bust a year ago but Mason has more athleticism and may make a bigger impact. The Hawks appear likely to lose Josh Smith this summer and might be best served to move Al Horford over to power forward. Plumlee may allow him to do so and preserve his body.
18. Atlanta Hawks (From Houston) — Jamaal Franklin 6’5″, 205 lbs, SG/SF, San Diego St., Jr.
Once again the Hawks could fill a hole here by grabbing a wing player. They also could try to package the picks and move up but it might be hard to find a taker during this year’s draft.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers) — Allen Crabbe, 6’6″ 210 lbs, SG, California, Jr.
For the umpteenth straight year, the Cavaliers will have multiple picks in the first round of the draft. If they land Noel with the top pick, it would be a good idea to grab some wing help or a backup point guard here. Teams can be too young and the Cavs are starting to look like a team that may have that issue. They could try and deal this pick for some veteran leadership as well.
20. Chicago Bulls — Glen Rice Jr., 6’6″ 211 lbs, SG, Michigan, Jr.
If and when Derrick Rose returns to action, the Bulls will become a contender. The one hole on the roster is at shooting guard though and Rice could be the man to fill it. Like his old man, he can shoot the ball from long range but will also need to work on his decision making. He is an aggressive player which would suit Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau to a tee.
21. Utah Jazz (From Golden State) — Dennis Schroeder, 6’2″ 168 lbs, PG, Germany, Intl.
Schroeder is a super-quick point guard who lacks height but has good length to help cover up that deficiency. He’s a decent shooter who will need to work on becoming a better distributor. The Jazz will need to look at drafting a lead guard with one of their two picks in the opening round.
22. Brooklyn Nets — Gorgui Dieng, 6’10”, 245 lbs, C, Louisville, Jr.
The Nets need a capable defender who can grab boards next to incumbent centre Brook Lopez. They ended up using Reggie Evans in that role this season but he is aging and a tad undersized. The Nets do not lack scoring but need help on their own end.
23. Indiana Pacers — Shane Larkin, 5’11”, 162 lbs, PG, Miami, Fr. >
With Pacers big men David West and Tyler Hansbrough set to become free agents this summer, they may need to go big with this pick but the team is also in dire need of some bench scoring. Larkin proved to be a tremendous leader down in Miami this season as he led the Hurricanes to the ACC title. He will fit in and be useful wherever he ends up.
24. New York Knicks — Jeff Withey, 7’0″, 235, lbs, C, Kansas, Sr.
The Knicks really don’t have many holes on a veteran roster but they could definitely use a fresh pair of legs in the frontcourt to give aging centre Tyson Chandler a break. Withey needs to develop some post moves but he will block shots and pull down boards as well.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Memphis) — Tim Hardaway Jr., 6’6″, 190 lbs, SG, Michigan, Jr.
Flip Saunders is pulling the strings in Minnesota now and he has a pair of picks at his disposal. The team is shaky at the wing positions, especially at shooting guard, so that should be the focus of their draft.
26. LA Clippers — Lucas Nogueira, 7’0″, 220 lbs, PF/C, Brazil, Intl.
The slate will be pretty clean for the Clippers as they don’t have a lot of players tied to long-term contracts. They could go in any direction here although adding another big body like Nogueira wouldn’t be the worst idea.
27. Denver Nuggets — Tony Mitchell, 6’8″, 235 lbs, SF/PF, North Texas, So.
The Nuggets could use a little muscle along their front line. Mitchell is a bit of a raw ‘tweener but he can shoot and run the floor which is key in George Karl’s system.
28. San Antonio Spurs — Sergey Karasev, 6-7, 197 lbs., SG/SF, Russia, Intl.
Has a few kinks to work out in his game but Karasev might be the perfect fit in San Antonio one day as a spot shooter. They have a history of looking overseas for fresh talent but, as of late, they have been looking to add NBA-ready college talent.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder — Giannis Adetokunbo, 6’9″, 196 lbs, SG, Greece, Intl
If the Thunder don’t end up dealing at least one of their picks, it would surprise no one if they took a foreign player here and stashed him overseas for a while. They are in win-now mode and don’t need to try and develop two rookies at once.
30. Phoenix Suns (From Miami) — Archie Goodwin, 6’4″, 198 lbs, SG, Kentucky, Fr.
With a pair of first-round picks the Suns can add a couple of young pieces to develop while remaining in tank mode for next year’s banner crop of youngsters. Goodwin is just that type of prospect. He is an elite athlete who will need to work on his fundamentals if he is to develop into a solid NBA player going forward.