Draft Preview: 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.
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.
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