The NBA Draft will provide the opportunity for each team to invest in a quality young player that will help them build towards their goals over the next few years. Some teams will take the best available player on the board while others will focus on their biggest position of need. Here is a look at the biggest NBA Draft team need for each Atlantic division team.
Toronto Raptors (56-26)
Biggest Draft Need: Power Forward
The Raptors registered a franchise-record 56 wins while winning the Atlantic Division and finishing with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference in 2015-16. However, for as good as their season was Toronto’s weaknesses were exposed in a matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Luis Scola and James Johnson were mostly relegated to the bench against the Cavaliers and Patrick Patterson was exposed in a starting role. The Raptors could shift directions if they feel they can’t bring back unrestricted free agent shooting guard DeMar DeRozan but right now their biggest need is a true power forward that can support Jonas Valanciunas at both ends of the floor and provide them with an element they were clearly missing in this year’s playoffs.
Boston Celtics (48-34)
Biggest Draft Need: True Big Man
Boston took another step in the right direction under head coach Brad Stevens this season but they are still looking to land a superstar player and they could certainly benefit from the addition of a standout big man at the NBA Draft. Amir Johnson was the lone Celtics’ big man to average at least 1.0 block per game this season but he is much better suited to come off the bench in a supporting role. Boston needs a true big man that can help stop opponents from attacking them in the paint while also providing some support at the offensive end of the floor.
New York Knicks (32-50)
Biggest Draft Need: Point Guard
It certainly feels like the Knicks have reached a crossroads and will be forced to make a decision in the near future on Carmelo Anthony and what direction they want to take moving forward. New York didn’t improve enough to make the playoffs despite spending some significant money last offseason and it will be interesting to see how they approach things this summer. The Knicks may have hit big with the addition of power forward Kristaps Porzingis but they need to follow it up with another strong addition. New York is thin at the point guard position with Jose Calderon and Aaron Afflalo getting up there in years and they would really be smart to invest in a young, talented true point guard. They need more talent if they’re to climb in the Atlantic Division.
Brooklyn Nets (21-61)
Biggest Draft Need: Best Player Available
The Nets have no shortage of holes heading in to the offseason and there is a good chance they get worse before they get better as they look to rebuild without many assets to help accelerate that process. Brooklyn will have some tough decision to make in terms of what to do with veteran Brook Lopez and there is a good chance they will move him in order to invest in some tangible assets that can help them moving forward. The Nets will enter this NBA Draft with a ton of uncertainty but their focus has to remain on acquiring the best available player on their board as they look to build from the ground up.
Philadelphia 76ers (10-72)
Biggest Draft Need: Point Guard
The consensus is that the 76ers, who finished dead last in the Atlantic Division, will make a trade this offseason in order to acquire a veteran guard with one of Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel or Joel Embiid likely on the move. Philadelphia is in an excellent position moving forward with a talented young nucleus, a ton of draft picks and a boatload of money to spend so they can afford to enter this NBA Draft with a focus on selecting the best player available. Their biggest need is at the point guard position but there is a good chance they will draft the top player on the board in Ben Simmons with the first-overall pick and then go shopping for a point guard with a later pick. A trade for a veteran point guard would allow them to bring whomever they draft along slowly and allow that player to develop while having to earn a bigger role coming off the bench.
