Save for the Golden State Warriors, every NBA team will head into the 2017 Draft needing something. This doesn’t necessarily mean their answer lies in the 60 players that will be selected on draft night. It could mean that a team needs a plan for the future, to trade for an already-established player, or to make sure its scouting department is ready for undrafted free agents to market.
Really, this is what makes the draft such an exciting night. Not only are you watching college players make the jump to the pros, but you’re watching teams make such massive investments in their future. Front offices get cleared out because of the draft, while executives build up reputations for being brilliant based on what they do in the second round. It’s always fun, it’s always thrilling, and it’s always one of the best nights of the year in the basketball world.
This year, we know one thing: The Philadelphia 76ers are going to take Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick. Beyond that, there are 29 teams that are kind of just figuring out how to react after various dominoes fall, even the ones that don’t have picks. We decided to help all of these teams out by letting them know what they need to do at this year’s draft.
Eastern Conference — Brad Rowland
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics: Decide on a timeline
It might be too late for Boston to choose a specific timeline since, well, they already moved on from Markelle Fultz. Still, the Celtics must decide whether to go “all in” on a Jimmy Butler-Paul George pursuit or simply build for 2019 and beyond by using their stockpiled assets on real, live draft prospects. The 2017 draft is a pivot point in that regard.
Brooklyn Nets: Talent, talent, and more talent
Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson are, by all accounts, doing a good job. With that said, the Nets’ cupboard of future assets is still relatively bare and Brooklyn just needs to go “best available player” with their picks. No position is off-limits, even with Brook Lopez, Jeremy Lin, and company already on the roster.
New York Knicks: Run away from the Triangle
French guard Frank Ntilikina might be the best player available when the Knicks go on the clock on Thursday. New York should only take him if absolutely no part of the evaluation has to do with running the Triangle moving forward. For instance, Dennis Smith might be available for New York and, if he is, it should be a no-brainer despite the fact that he isn’t close to a “Triangle Point Guard.” Just take talent.
Philadelphia 76ers: Draft Markelle Fultz
The Sixers already made their big move and, now, they just have to execute it. Fultz is the best player available in this class and, in my mind, he is in a tier by himself. Throw in the fact that the former Washington guard is a perfect on-paper fit with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid and we have ourselves a no-brainer.
Toronto Raptors: Search for upside
Buzz is building that Kyle Lowry could walk away and, if he does, the Raptors will be forced to retool on the fly. Conventional wisdom dictates that a power forward makes sense in Toronto given that Patrick Patterson and P.J. Tucker are free agents but they shouldn’t pigeonhole themselves into a single position. Take a big swing and hope to connect.
Central Division
Chicago Bulls: Youth in the backcourt
The Bulls gave up a haul to add Cam Payne at the trade deadline and, well, Chicago still needs a backcourt of the future. Speculation about Jimmy Butler being on the trade block isn’t stopping and, if they pivot away from the “win now” core, it’s time to go young and the backcourt is currently barren for the future.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Buy a pick … or two
The Cavs don’t have a single pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. They can, however, spend some of Dan Gilbert’s money to add a player or two by purchasing second round selections. Unfortunately, Cleveland’s front office is a mess right now and that seems to lean in the direction of stagnation on Thursday.
Detroit Pistons: Floor-spacing would be nice
The Pistons are built around Andre Drummond, for better or worse. Detroit has some talent but, aside from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (who is a restricted free agent), there isn’t a ton of spacing to speak of at this point. Drafting for pure need isn’t always a good idea but a player like Luke Kennard would look good in Michigan.
Indiana Pacers: Find the next Paul George
Okay, that won’t be easy. Paul George was the 10th overall pick and that went pretty well. This year, the Pacers pick at No. 18 overall and, given that a rebuild appears imminent, it’s time to pick the best available non-center to build with Myles Turner.
Milwaukee Bucks: Looking at the pillars
The Bucks are loaded with versatile, athletic talent. In the same breath, Milwaukee has weaknesses at point guard and, to a lesser extent, center. Thon Maker might be “the guy” for the Bucks but John Henson has fallen out of favor and Greg Monroe can become a free agent. At the point, the Matthew Dellavedova experiment hasn’t gone swimmingly.
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks: Upside and spacing
More than half of Atlanta’s 15 roster spots are unoccupied due to massive free agency question marks. In fact, only Dwight Howard is a functional big man on the roster and, at the moment, there isn’t a single plus shooter. The Hawks have picks at 19, 31, and 60 to work with, but they have a ton of needs. The Travis Schlenk era might begin with a high-upside swing or two.
Charlotte Hornets: An injection of athleticism
The Hornets are well-coached and they are constructed in reasonable fashion. However, this is an increasingly expensive roster without a ton of upside. There is only so much ceiling to be found with the No. 11 pick but swinging for the fences would be a good idea, especially if a top-tier prospect falls.
Miami Heat: Forwards galore
Pat Riley’s team has a ton of free agents but, aside from Dion Waiters, they are almost all in the frontcourt. Justise Winslow should be back and healthy but Miami could use some insurance in the event that they lose a few guys to big paydays elsewhere. If all things are equal, offense-leaning prospects might be nice if (and only if) the Heat still buy Winslow as a long-term piece.
Orlando Magic: Improve the entire perimeter
The Magic have a ton of money invested in centers and Aaron Gordon should be the power forward of the future. Everything else is wide open. Have a point guard available? Sure, send them to Orlando. How about a big-time wing? Yep, that works too.
Washington Wizards: Depth
The Wizards have one more pick than the Cavs do but, sadly, it comes at No. 52 overall. That usually isn’t a spot to grab a rotation-quality player but Washington’s bench was dreadful this season and they could use talent of any kind. Just take the best player available.
Western Conference — Bill DiFilippo
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors: Enjoy a nice, relaxing Thursday
There is literally no reason for the Golden State Warriors to get flustered on draft night. They are the champs, their core is still together, and they have zero picks. Maybe everyone should go out for a nice dinner together and watch the draft.
Los Angeles Clippers: Get in the first round and find someone who can help out now
If Chris Paul and Blake Griffin come back, the Clippers will more or less head into next year with the same rotation as last year sans J.J. Redick. Somehow, someway, it’d be wise for the pickless Clippers inject some new blood. Even if it’s a guy with a high floor and a low ceiling, that’s all Los Angeles would need if they run it back.
Los Angeles Lakers: Figure out who the Draft’s biggest non-Fultz star is, then take him
The only guarantee with the No. 2 pick is that Markelle Fultz won’t be on the board. Other than that, there are a number of really, really good basketball players on the board, and all of them fill a need for a Lakers roster that needs talent and star power. Is Lonzo Ball the guy? Josh Jackson? De’Aaron Fox? Whomever the Lakers pick, they need to make sure he’s a star and let him thrive.
Phoenix Suns: Keep building the core, in more ways than one
Phoenix has a really interesting young core of Devin Booker, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss. It will add someone to said core with the No. 4 pick. If they really want to invest in the future, the Suns will go even further and try to get another pick — potentially in the lottery — for Eric Bledsoe. The team’s youth movement is exciting, and it can continue to grow in a big way on draft night. Oh, and if Bledsoe is traded, picking another Kentucky product in De’Aaron Fox seems like a no-brainer.
Sacramento Kings: Make the smart picks
The Kings have a habit of trying to swing for the fences in the draft. This year, they should do the conservative thing and play it safe. With two top-10 selections, the Kings can get two potential cornerstones for their franchise to build around. If Vivek Ranadive and Vlade Divac get the urge to play it fast and loose with one of these, they should take a step back, take a deep breath, and just play it safe instead. A conservative draft strategy is good sometimes.
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks: Find the guy to get them back to the postseason …
… and try to make sure that guy plays point guard. Sitting at No. 9, Dallas could be in prime position to take French import Frank Ntilikana or, if they’re lucky, NC State’s Dennis Smith. The Mavs have some good young pieces in Harrison Barnes and (if he re-signs) Nerlens Noel, a solid group of veterans led by Dirk Nowtizki and Wesley Matthews, and one of the best coaches alive in Rick Carlisle. They just need the piece to bring it all together.
Houston Rockets: Round out the roster. You know, just in case.
The big thing Houston can do in the next few weeks is make a move for someone like Paul George or Jimmy Butler. If this happens, they’ll likely have to lose Eric Gordon and some other pieces. Add in the fact that Nene is a free agent and the Rockets should use their two second round selections to identify young talent that can kind of fill those roles.
Memphis Grizzlies: Need something? Get something. Otherwise, chill.
Memphis’ scouting department and its front office need to sit down and discuss every potential free agent in the draft. The team doesn’t have a single pick, so if anyone is identified as a player that fits in with their roster and culture and they won’t make it to free agency, the Grizzlies should do something. Otherwise, it’s all good.
New Orleans Pelicans: Any guard/wing will do
New Orleans’ frontcourt is stellar. Its backcourt, well, not so much. With pick No. 40, the Pelicans need to find someone who can help step in and provide some kind of scoring punch on the perimeter to make life easier on Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, especially if the team loses Jrue Holiday this offseason.
San Antonio Spurs: Find the next great Spur
Ok, San Antonio doesn’t have to do this, but they don’t really have to do anything and the Spurs have the second-to-last pick in both rounds. Seeing as how it’s the Spurs, I have zero doubt one of those two guys will make it to the Hall of Fame some day. And if the team wants some insurance in the event Chris Paul returns to Los Angeles and Patty Mills leaves in free agency, a point guard at one of those spots would be wise.
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets: Some frontcourt help for Nikola Jokic
Denver could lose both Danilo Gallinari and Mason Plumlee in free agency. Picking at 13, someone like Wake Forest’s John Collins, Texas’ Jarrett Allen, or if they’re feeling extra risky, Duke’s Harry Giles, could give Jokic a pal in the frontcourt. Is a core of Jokic, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Emmanuel Mudiay, and one of those players good enough to win the Northwest in a few years? If all goes right, it’s possible.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Go for broke
Why not? The Wolves can probably put together a really appealing package for someone like Jimmy Butler — can a deal centered around Kris Dunn, the No. 8 pick, and Nikola Pekovic’s expiring contract eventually win out? Unless someone like Jonathan Isaac falls to them, the young Wolves should see if they can pair a star with its already exciting trip Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Zach LaVine. If that’s not possible, a floor-spacing player like Lauri Markkanen makes sense for the team that attempted the fewest threes in the league last season.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Get Russ help
Kinda obvious, but Oklahoma City needs to find someone at 21 who can make Russell Westbrook’s life a little easier, whether it be through the draft or through a trade. A shooter like Luke Kennard if he has an unexpected fall would be nice, as is someone like Harry Giles, who can give the Thunder’s frontcourt some support.
Portland Trail Blazers: Frontcourt depth
No team has to be savvier with the draft than Portland, as the Blazers will spend more money on its roster next year than any team in the league at about $142 million. The backcourt is fine, but the frontcourt could use some bodies, especially if Jusuf Nurkic bolts in free agency next offseason. With picks 15, 20, and 26 in their back pocket, the Trail Blazers could add some solid young big men or possibly move up and target someone in the lottery.
Utah Jazz: Look to the future
Utah could lose Gordon Hayward, George Hill, and Joe Ingles this offseason. After next offseason, the only players under contract as of right now are Alec Burks, Rudy Gobert, Joel Bolomboy, and Trey Lyles if the Jazz exercise his team option. Basically, with picks 24, 30, 42, and 55, Utah has to prepare for its future in the event most of its core is gone after next season. The good news is Utah has a system that values smart, hard-nosed, team-oriented players, and you usually find a few of those when you’re in the late-first round or anywhere in the second round.
