The Cleveland Cavaliers are on top of the NBA world as champions following an unprecedented comeback from down 3-1 to beat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Cleveland will spend this summer celebrating its first championship in decades but the focus for management and the team will shift to the future and what they have to do to keep the franchise on top. Here is a look at the biggest NBA Draft team need for each Central Division team.
Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25)
Biggest Draft Need: Pure Scorer
The Cavaliers are NBA champions but they aren’t perfect and they will need to add to their core if they are going to successfully defend their title next season. A lot of people are surprised that this core could even get the job done.
There has been a lot of talk about the potential for them to trade Kevin Love in order to address other areas of need but their focus heading in to the NBA Draft has to be on improving their shooting with the addition of a talented young player. The hope was that Love would be able to provide an interior presence but also provide outside shooting, but that hasn’t worked. He need to leave and be a star somewhere else and the Cavs need to get a wing player that spot up and shoot, and consistently hit three-pointers.
Different players have filled this need over time – whether it was Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert, Matthew Dellavedova last year or even J.R. Smith – but they need someone steady. Speaking of which, Smith, who was the steadiest of that group, is a free agent, so he might be on his way out of town.
Indiana Pacers (45-37)
Biggest Draft Need: Center
Indiana hit big with the addition of Myles Turner at the power forward spot and assuming they are able to keep Paul George in the fold they should be good at the forward positions. The Pacers could certainly use some guard help but the bigger area of need is at the center position. Ian Mahinmi was serviceable but a true center that can play at a high level at both ends of the floor would really change the complexion of the Indiana lineup and make them a more complete team.
Detroit Pistons (44-38)
Biggest Draft Need: Pure Scorers
The Pistons have some quality pieces in Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond and Stanley Johnson, but they need to do a better job of surrounding them with talent. Detroit’s biggest need is a pure scorer that can stretch the floor with his shot. The Pistons’ offense was far too predictable last season and the addition of a spot up shooter that can stretch the floor with the three-ball would provide some needed help. That could help them climb in the Central Division.
Chicago Bulls (42-40)
Biggest Draft Need: Center
The fact that the Bulls finished just two games above .500 despite a pretty talented roster has to be alarming and it will be very interesting to see how management approaches this offseason. Chicago will certainly have plenty of options but we will assume they keep both Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose for at least one more year. The biggest area of need for the Bulls is on the boards where the addition of a pure center will really help. Joakim Noah is a free agent and Pau Gasol can opt out of his contract so Chicago will be pressed to add a talented young big man at the NBA Draft. This team could slide down in the Central Division unless they can refocus.
Milwaukee Bucks (33-49)
Biggest Draft Need: Shooting Guard
Milwaukee is in a similar position to the Pistons in that they have a talented young cast but also a severe lack of pure scorers that can consistently stretch the floor and open up room for the other players. The Bucks desperately need a consistent three-point shooter that can step in and contribute right away and they will have a couple of options to consider with their first-round pick. Milwaukee certainly appears to be headed in the right direction but the team must add at least one or two pure scorers before it will be ready to contend for a playoff spot again and move up the ranks in the Central Division.
