The 2015 NBA Draft Thread: Draft Day Is Here

Wouldn't be mad at Oubre either

If Heat gets a top 3 pick... 

huell-594x351.jpg
 
If the Wolves miss on Okafor or Towns...they should grab Winslow.

Wiggins and Winslow on the break... Jesus Christ.
 
Last edited:
Draft fixes for Wolves, Knicks, 76ers and Lakers

ESPN Insider's Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton return to provide the kind of discussions that are happening in front offices around the NBA -- where scouts and statistical experts are breaking down NBA draft prospects using their "eyes, ears and numbers."

Kevin Pelton: Well, Chad, the NBA's regular season is in the books and the 14 teams that missed the playoffs are looking ahead to the NBA draft lottery. Last week, I previewed their offseasons in my Roster Reload series. Over the next few weeks, we'll take a look at the biggest need I identified for each team in reverse order of finish and how they might be able to fill it in the draft.

Here's a look at the needs and potential draft solutions for the four worst teams this season: the Timberwolves, Knicks, 76ers and Lakers.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

Pelton: I went with "patience" as the Timberwolves' biggest need, which won't be available even if Minnesota wins the lottery. But lots of good players will be available. The Timberwolves are in an interesting position. They have promising young pieces like Ricky Rubio, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng and, more speculatively, Zach LaVine. At the same time, I think 2014 No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins is the only player on the roster who will surely be part of the next great Minnesota team. I'd say power forward is the biggest need for the Timberwolves, but they shouldn't be thinking of anything other than best player available.

Chad Ford: That's fair, Kevin. I actually think the Wolves have a very promising core going forward. Wiggins, to me, could be a superstar. Rubio, Muhammad, Dieng, LaVine -- and even Anthony Bennett -- all still have upside. But adding this No. 1 pick could easily give the Wolves two stars to build around. I also think power forward is probably their biggest need. I won't assume they get the No. 1 pick, since the team with the highest odds rarely does (remember, there's a 75 percent chance they don't get No. 1), but two players really seem like good fits: Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis. Both are good rim protectors and can stretch the floor as well. I know the Wolves traded for Adreian Payne to provide those skill sets, but both Towns and Porzingis do it better. My third choice for Minnesota would be D'Angelo Russell -- if he declares, and most believe he will. I think shooting is another area the team could really improve upon, and it appears Russell could be a stud.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. New York Knicks

Pelton: My choice for the Knicks was "talent." With just six players under contract, and only one of them (Carmelo Anthony) a sure-fire building block, New York could use help everywhere. Do you see a need it should specifically look to fill?

Ford: The Knicks have needs everywhere, and I agree that they take the best player available. If they get the No. 1 pick, I think Towns is a no-brainer for them. If they don't, it gets harder. I can make the case for Jahlil Okafor, Emmanuel Mudiay, Russell and Porzingis. But I'd probably grab Okafor if Towns is off the board. Big centers who can score in the low post are very hard to come by. Mudiay is the wild card for me. I love him; I think he'd be great in New York, and I believe his style of play would electrify Madison Square Garden more than Okafor's. But he's a bigger gamble, and I'm not sure the Knicks can afford to gamble.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Pelton: Two years into their rebuild, the 76ers are in an interesting position entering the 2015 lottery. Their future frontcourt could be set with Nerlens Noel coming off a promising season and Joel Embiid scheduled to take the court next fall after missing all of 2014-15 coming off a navicular fracture, not to mention Europe-based Dario Saric coming over at some point. To me, Philadelphia's biggest need is at point guard after trading away Michael Carter-Williams. That leaves the question I'm sure you've been asked 1,000 times this season: Will the 76ers take one of the centers at the top of the draft board if they pick in the top two?

Ford: I think the Sixers grab Towns if they get the No. 1 pick. I think he's the top talent in the draft and given his ability to stretch the floor, you can play Noel, Embiid and Towns in a rotation that allows all of them to get minutes. Saric complicates things, but I just don't think you draft for need with the No. 1 pick. After Towns, however, I think either Mudiay or Russell would be a no-brainer pick for the Sixers. Mudiay is more of a point guard in the super-athletic Derrick Rose mold, while Russell is more in the James Harden mold. Philly could actually use both types of players, and I would love to see them together. But I'd lean Mudiay. I think Okafor is much less of a fit given their current personnel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Pelton: I highlighted "a reason for free agents to believe they can win with the Lakers," and that can very much be addressed through the draft -- assuming the Lakers land in the top five and retain their pick. We know they'll pick 27th via a trade with the Houston Rockets. The Lakers have young talent at power forward (Julius Randle) and point guard (Jordan Clarkson). Can we rule out those positions, or is anything a possibility for the Lakers?

Ford: I hope the Lakers aren't sold on either guy. Randle hasn't played and Clarkson, despite his strong play this season, was getting huge minutes on an awful team. I remember a few years ago when the Blazers passed on drafting Chris Paul because they had a young, talented Sebastian Telfair. Unless you're convinced Clarkson is a future All-Star, you don't hesitate to draft Mudiay or Russell if he's your guy. Obviously, the Lakers have a bigger need in the middle and either Towns or Okafor are perfect fits. But Mudiay and Russell are interesting as well. In short, you're right: The Lakers need talent and any of the players in our top five would immediately, in my mind, be the most talented player on their roster going forward.
Click to expand...
http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2015/in...ns-timberwolves-knicks-76ers-lakers-nba-draft
 
Knicks take Porzingis & you can find me on the edge of the Verrazano
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

therealest1
Puma Scoot Henderson Thread
Replies
19
Views
4K
kingjay718
kingjay718
proplayer
Both Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson gone from NBA on ESPN/ABC
Replies
10
Views
769
jesusshuttlesworth34
jesusshuttlesworth34
Mister Meaner
NBA Lites🧵[Hi/Lo] | 🇨🇦 •🗽| NY Gritty w/ 50
11 12 13
Replies
301
Views
186K
Mister Meaner
Mister Meaner
therealest1
Sun Day Red Thread (Tiger Woods/TaylorMade)
Replies
0
Views
388
therealest1
therealest1
aNYone
OFFICIAL NFL OFFSZN THREAD 2023-24: Vol: Draft SZN
1543 1544 1545
Replies
39K
Views
2M
g-time
g-time

The ultimate sneaker enthusiast community.

NikeTalk was created as a way of giving back to both the sneaker enthusiast community and to the greater global community of which we are all a part.

NikeTalk is NOT affiliated with Nike Inc. in any way, shape, or form. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Nike, Inc.

© 1999-2024 NikeTalk.com

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom