The 2014-15 season is heading down the home stretch but for a bunch of teams that have been tanking, they’ve had their eye to the summer for quite some time. With that in mind, let’s have a look at the teams that will be picking at the top of the 2015 NBA Draft and who they might be targeting:
New York Knicks
This is a team with an obvious need for a big man. It’s not going to be a tough decision for the Knicks, who will either go with Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, assuming both come out for the draft. The team ranks 29th in the NBA in terms of rebounding with 40.4 per game.
It’s really the pick following the first one that will be tougher for the Knicks, but it’s not going to be remarkably difficult. The team is not going to have Langston Galloway as its starting point guard next season – that much we know. While he’s a serviceable backup, the team will be looking to find a starting point guard.
Philadelphia 76ers
It is part of the plan for the Philadelphia 76ers: this organization wanted to load up on draft picks, so that it could build a team from scratch. Well, here is the team’s chance to make good on what it has accumulated. The Sixers have all sorts of draft picks available after their extensive wheeling and dealing, including at least a couple of picks in the lottery.
Where should they start? They should start with the big man they might need since Joel Embiid, the previous year’s big draft pick, is continuing to have setbacks with his recovery. Remember how the Sixers got burned by Andrew Bynum a few years back? They should have known better than to take Embiid with his health issues, but Philadelphia wouldn’t listen. Now, the Sixers need to pounce on a big man who can be healthy and play alongside Nerlens Noel. They’ll have multiple options near the top of the draft board. Then, the Sixers can look for an elite-scoring small forward and a tough, rugged power forward to help whichever big men they get. Jahlil Okafor and Trey Liles would be good fits.
Orlando Magic
The Magic need two players but one need is much greater than the other. Elfrid Payton is a project at the point guard spot and his passing is certainly good enough that the Magic can learn to grow as he does. He’s been strong this month, averaging 12.3 points per game along with 7.1 assists. With him and Victor Oladipo in the backcourt, the Magic could use some help on the wing. Small forward is a gaping hole on this team, one which Stanley Johnson might fit.
The other big need for this team is a power forward, which it sought last year with Aaron Gordon. The thing about Gordon is that he’s not much of a shooter. He works hard, but he is not especially skilled. He gets what he gets through effort, not ability. Those are all of the descriptions of a player who is better suited as a backup – even if the Magic had other intentions.
Los Angeles Lakers
It is obvious the Lakers need to get a top wing scorer. Kobe Bryant’s days are numbered and his body just doesn’t have much of anything left. However, they could protect him by finding a reasonable small forward or point guard that can step in, score and play big minutes. They spent a high draft pick on Julius Randle in last year’s draft and are expected to go after big man DeAndre Jordan in free agency, so it really leaves either point guard or small forward as their two biggest needs. They’ve been linked to Emmanuel Mudiay and he should be an NBA-ready option who can take some pressure off of Kobe.
Minnesota Timberwolves
A team with Ricky Rubio at the point, Andrew Wiggins on the wing and Nikola Pekovic at center needs one thing: a power forward. They were hoping Anthony Bennett would fill that void but that’s proven to be false logic. They could also target someone to help Wiggins on the wings because – as he’s shown this season – he can’t do it on his own. Kevin Martin is clearly on the downside of his career. Look for someone like D’Angelo Russell to be among their targets.
