NBA Draft 2012: Ideal Prospects for Conference Final Participants

Imagine the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat with more youthful skill and energy.

Visualize the makeover both the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics may be forced to undergo whenever their 2012 seasons conclude. 

They aren't so fortunate to have their core still in its 20s. 

All four conference final participants have clearly accomplished much this year, but they'll need to have strong drafts in late June to remain legitimate title contenders—although each club could be searching for prospects who'll bring something slightly different to the hardwood. 

Boston Celtics - Picks No. 21 and No. 22 

Due to the Eric Bledsoe trade, the Celtics hold the Clippers' No. 22 overall selection. They've maneuvered their way into prime position to begin formulating a new nucleus around Rajon Rondo if and when the original "Big Three" is disbanded in the near future.

If Vanderbilt's Jeffery Taylor is available, he'd be an ideal wing with star potential playing alongside Rondo. 

At 6'7'' and 226 pounds, Taylor's a superb athlete with great body control and plays the game with an explosive nature when he attacks the hoop. 

His jump shot isn't as steady as it could be, but he's not afraid to fire away from deep. His size and length would be welcomed by the defensive-minded Doc Rivers. 

Terrence Jones of Kentucky has a little Kevin Garnett to him, when he's motivated. Though Garnett's a few inches taller and has shown a deft ability to knock down mid-range jumpers throughout his career, Jones exudes athleticism and moves extremely well for a 6'8'', 245-pounder. 

His teammate, Doron Lamb, could help fill the void that will eventually be left by Ray Allen. Though Lamb isn't a highly touted prospect and isn't flashy, he's got big-game experience and is a knockdown outside shooter, having shot nearly 47 percent beyond the arc last season. If they deem No. 22 to be too high for Lamb, Taylor's teammate John Jenkins, another three-point assassin, could fit the bill in Boston. 

Miami Heat - Pick No. 27 

The Heat get by with one of the most formidable triumvirates in NBA history, and they have decent role players, too. 

Miami could go in a variety of directions with their first pick in this year's draft, as they need a true point guard, center and quality depth. 

Kentucky's Marcus Teague is raw, but he significantly matured during his only season with the Wildcats, and was a great catalyst on a team loaded with talent. 

He understands how to play with supremely gifted scorers around him. 

Syracuse center Fab Melo was having a remarkable comeback year for the Orange before he was ruled academically ineligible. 

After slimming down, the 7'0'' center is around 255 pounds, a great weight for him that allows him to bang down low and run the floor in transition. 

Playing with the run-and-gun Orange last season certainly improved his endurance, something he'd need to have playing with the up-tempo style of Wade and James. 

Oklahoma City Thunder - Pick No. 28 

The Thunder have the most established roster from top to bottom, and are exceptionally young. Russell Westbrook is labeled as the team's point guard, but he's a proficient scorer who's more of a playmaker than anything else. 

James Harden occasionally takes over at point guard, but veteran Derek Fisher is the only true backup to Westbrook. 

Tony Wroten, a rather unheralded point man from Washington, would be an exquisite fit in the Thunder's offense. 

He's a willing slasher with good size (6'5'', 205) but his feel for the game and court vision are ideal for Oklahoma City. 

There's actually a lot of Westbrook to his game, in that he's not a terrific jump-shooter, but he's easily a more natural point guard, more skilled at passing and more willing to get the ball to his teammates before looking for his shot. 

If they want to add more to their front court, St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson should be on their radar. 

At 6'9'' and 225 pounds, Nicholson will enter the league as a forward with an NBA-ready jumper and a vast array of post moves. 

Though he could add some strength to his frame, he'd be a fine complement to Durant at small or power forward and could fight for rebounds in the paint with his nice length. He has the raw ability to be molded in a fine starter in OKC for many years.  

San Antonio Spurs - Pick No. 59 

The Spurs don't have a first-round choice because of a deal with the Golden State Warriors, in which they took on Richard Jefferson's full contract. 

Projecting a prospect to them isn't as easy in the end of the final round. 

Tim Duncan's a free-agent at the end of the season, but chances are he'll be brought back for the 2012-2013 season. 

The Spurs are an aging, but still capable, club and probably always will be that way as long as Greg Popovich is the team's head coach. 

Gonzaga's Robert Sacre is an interesting prospect, in that he has the size and mobility to become a great power forward/center hybrid if he learns the intricacies of the game from Duncan. 

One has to believe San Antonio would be intrigued by Czech Republic youngster Tomas Satoransky, a combo guard who may take time to transition to the NBA. He has tremendous upside as a slashing No. 2 and could learn a great deal from Manu Ginobili. 

Satoransky is 6'6'', plays with a lot of hustle and is a fine finisher at the rim, just like the Spurs' Argentinian star. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso