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1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jahlil Okafor C, Duke
My original pick for the Timberwolves was Karl Anthony-Towns because I thought that he was a better fit for their athletic team. But recently there has been lots of buzz that Minnesota and Flip Saunders prefer Okafor instead Anthony-Towns as their top pick. With Okafor they would be getting a national champion that compares to a poor man’s Tim Duncan. He has the veteran level post moves and uses his size to his advantage on rebounds. The only drawbacks with Okafor are that he can sometimes lack effort on defense, has very limited range offensively, isn’t really athletic, and is a prime candidate for the Hack-a-Shaq.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Karl Anthony-Towns C/PF, Kentucky
The Lakers are pumped that they even got a draft pick, let alone as the number 2 pick in the draft. So they would be ecstatic if the player that most teams would pick #1 overall fell right into their lap. Anthony-Towns could instantly plugged into the starting lineup and would give them another young talent with tons of potential to pair with the Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Towns instantly upgrades their post presence as a two-way player that can bang with the bigs in the paint and protect the paint with the versatility to step out for a jumpshot.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell PG/SG, Ohio State
This is a dream scenario for the 76ers, because they desperately need a point guard and someone who can score from all over the court. Already having Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid filling up the frontcourt, they now have the decision of the guard that they want for their backcourt. They can go with the athletic Mudiay or with the multitalented Russell. By drafting Russell the Sixers would be killing two birds with one stone because he is versatile enough to play point and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. Russell wound instantly upgrade their last ranked offense and bring Philly fans a potential star to follow. While if they chose Mudiay, fans would be wondering why they got rid of Michael Carter-Williams who has the same strengths and weaknesses.
4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay PG, China
The Knicks need some influx of young talent in a bad way. The only player that anyone knows will be good is Carmelo Anthony. They could go with Justice Winslow here because of his defense, but he is not the kind versatile scorer that they need. I have them picking Mudiay because he has the most potential on the board. With Mudiay running the point, the Knicks would be getting a player that can drive to the rim at will, facilitate to others, and has the potential to be a good defender. The Knicks’ best draft strategy should be to pick the best player available, and the best way to do that is by drafting Mudiay.
5. Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis PF, Latvia
Right now the Magic have point guard that can’t shoot to save his life, a slashing shooting guard with an inconsistent jumpshot, and an uber athletic tweener in Aaron Gordon. The only people that can shoot in Orlando is Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris, who is a free agent this summer. Here’s where Porzingis comes into play as someone who can shoot the basketball as a stretch 4, and can even block a couple of shots with his length. Even though he can’t rebound very well and needs to add a lot of weight, it won’t matter with Vucevic being a monster on the boards. Place him next to Vucevic and he has best chance at reaching his potential of becoming the next Dirk Nowitzki.
6. Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein PF/C, Kentucky
Willie Cauley-Stein is definitely one of the best defenders in the draft. He has the athletic ability and skill to guard all five positions. That defensive ability perfectly complements the offensive juggernaut that is DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings wouldn’t need Cauley-Stein to develop his offensive game, he could just focus all his energy on becoming the Kings’ version of DeAndre Jordan. The Kings have always been able to score, but have never had the post protection to stop anyone. Drafting Cauley-Stein would bring an end to that.
7. Denver Nuggets: Justice Winslow SG/SF, Duke
Wilson Chandler is a free agent after this year and Danilo Galinari hasn’t looked as effective since his ACL injury. So the Nuggets should looking at a two-way player with the versatility to play either shooting guard or small forward. Most likely the pick will come down to either Justice Winslow, Mario Hezonja, or Stanley Johnson. My nod is to Justice Winslow because he has the better defensive capabilities out of all the other choices. He was also a pretty good spot-up shooter in college and has the innate ability take the ball coast to coast.
8. Detroit Pistons: Mario Hezonja SG/SF, Croatia
Mario Hezonja has all the tools you want in a prospect for the shooting guard and small forward positions. He’s athletic, can score with a long range shot, dribbles pretty good, and has potential to become a pretty good defender with that athleticism. Yet there is some hesitation because he is known to be a little selfish in his passing with a hot and cold motor. If he can become more consistent with his work habits and incorporates with playing team basketball, then he will be a steal at this pick.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Stanley Johnson SG/SF, Arizona
Jordan will be ecstatic if Stanley Johnson is still available. The Hornets already have addressed the frontcourt in the last two drafts with Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh to complement Al Jefferson. So now they will be looking to add a shooting guard or small forward to complement the electric Kemba Walker since the Stephenson experiment didn’t work. Stanley Johnson is the best all-around player for them to pick. He can defend, has a developing jumper, and is a complete train in transition at 240 pounds. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the starting small forward right now, so pairing him with Johnson would give the Bobcats a formidable backcourt.
10. Miami Heat: Frank Kaminsky PF, Wisconsin
When Chris Bosh wasn’t able to play basketball indefinitely, that is when Miami’s season really took a turn for the worst. They had absolutely no spacing from the power forward position to replace Bosh. The Heat have a starting lineup of good players, from the surprising Hassan Whiteside, the returning Chris Bosh, the creative Goran Dragic, and productive Deng, to the ageless wonder of Dwayne Wade. Last year they draft a point guard in Shabazz Napier, so in my opinion they should be looking for a stretch 4 as insurance for Bosh. Enter 2015 National Player of Year Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky who has the perfect stretch 4 capabilities. He has the capability to score with post moves and the ability to hit a shot beyond the three point line, but will need to add on some more meat to his bones if he wants to improve. Kaminsky’s has improved every year in college, so I have little doubt that will have all the right tools in his game to become a productive NBA player.
11. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Payne PG, Murray State
Larry Bird and the Pacers shouldn’t panic over not making the playoffs. Pretty soon Paul George will be back to full health and everything will be fine at small forward. They’ll probably make the playoffs next year if they get this pick right. Indiana wants an upgrade at point guard, and the word is that they are really high on Cameron Payne. Depending on who you ask, some rank Payne as their 3rd ranked point guard after Russell and Mudiay. The Pacers would get a guard that has one of the best handles in the draft, and has showed a terrific blend of variety in scoring along with his passing ability.
12. Utah Jazz: Devin Booker SG, Kentucky
The Jazz are a young team with tons of potential. Someday they will make the playoffs as their young core develops, but right now only one of them can shoot. Other than Gordon Hayward, they have the inconsistent jumpshots of Trey Burke, Alec Burks, and Dante Exum. Booker is the best shooter in the draft, and reminds some people of Klay Thompson. Why wouldn’t they pick him?
13. Phoenix Suns: Myles Turner PF/C, Texas
People think that the Suns will be looking to draft a point guard here, but I think that the Suns go a different direction. The Morris twins were recently arrested for felony assault, so most likely they will be suspended. The information that the twins might be suspended will weigh heavily on Suns’ minds during the draft. Their best option is to find a possible replacement for the stretch 4 they will be losing to suspension. Myles Turner has all the potential in the world to become that stretch 4 for them.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kelly Oubre SG/SF, Kansas
Last year the only thing that really hurt the Thunder was the multitude of injuries that plagued them all season. Whether it was Kevin Durant being hampered by a foot or Serge Ibaka and his knee, the Thunder suffered with the injury bug. This season they will all be healthy again and will be back to the dominant team we all come to expect. Oklahoma City already has the best isolation players in the league in the explosive Russell Westbrook and Durant. So they need a player that has the potential to play effective defense and hit an open three. The player with the most potential in succeeding in achieving this idea at this position would have to be Kelly Oubre. He is one of the most athletic prospects in this years draft and has shown the dedication in trying to become more consistent with his jumpshot. With consistent minutes and more refinement, Oubre could become the perfect complementary piece for the Thunders’ amazing isolation players.
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