Top 10 Teams That Must Make a Move for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
As the NBA Draft approaches, teams are looking for superstars to build their team around and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is just that guy for almost any team in the league.
Kidd-Gilchrist is an immense talent as the heart and soul of the 2012 Kentucky National Championship team. Anthony Davis is the best prospect in the draft and will be taken first overall by the New Orleans Hornets, making Kidd-Gilchrist arguably the second best player available.
Whatever team lands Kidd-Gilchrist will benefit significantly from the athleticism, defensive prowess, tenacity and hustle that he will provide on a nightly basis. That being said, here are the top 10 teams that must make a move to draft Kidd-Gilchrist's services.
No. 10 Charlotte Bobcats
1 of 10The Charlotte Bobcats own the No. 2 pick in the draft and have the largest say as to where Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will land.
Adding Kidd-Gilchrist will solve a major problem on this team that ended the season with the lowest winning percentage in league history. Charlotte is desperate for success in the draft and Kidd-Gilchrist would help Charlotte immediately; the problem is that Charlotte needs to accumulate multiple picks and develop a unit if they want to best improve their team.
If GM Michael Jordan wants to help his Bobcats the most, he should look to distribute his second-overall pick to the highest bidder and cash in on one of the deepest and most balanced drafts in league history.
No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers
2 of 10The Clippers need depth at small forward and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would provide the spark they need to take a step forward next season.
Small forward is arguably the biggest position of need for Los Angeles, and Kidd-Gilchrist would solidify this defensive unit. Caron Butler was exposed in the playoffs as a lousy post defender, especially on Rudy Gay, and Kidd-Gilchrist would immediately change that reputation.
If the Clippers land the 6'7" small forward, they could develop into an elite defensive unit. The problem is that the Clippers own no first-round draft picks, making the acquisition of Kidd-Gilchrist very unlikely.
No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves
3 of 10The Minnesota Timberwolves will be a playoff contender next season if they drafted Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
When the Timberwolves drafted Wesley Johnson fourth overall in the 2010 Draft, they expected to find a superstar and elite small forward. Instead Johnson has played very inconsistently, leaving a huge need for this team who is very close to contending in the West.
The Timberwolves own the 18th pick in this year's draft, which will make it hard to trade up for his services; but if they could, the addition of Kidd-Gilchrist would be the final piece to send Minnesota back to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
No. 7 Milwaukee Bucks
4 of 10Last season the Milwaukee Bucks had no trouble scoring, but struggled mightily on the defensive end. The Bucks allowed 98 points per game, which ranked near the bottom of the league. It was a different story offensively with Milwaukee leading the Eastern Conference in scoring at 99 points per game.
If the Bucks want to build off their strong second half, they must look to draft Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Kidd-Gilchrist would fit in well in Milwaukee, bringing an immediate defensive tenacity and effort that has been missing from this team ever since Andrew Bogut was traded to Golden State.
Making a move for Kidd-Gilchrist would improve the Bucks' roster significantly by bringing a tenacious hard-nosed defender to a team on the cusp of playoff contention.
No. 6 Sacramento Kings
5 of 10The Sacramento Kings have a superstar in 22-year-old Tyreke Evan; unfortunately for Kings fans, these two players would not mesh well together.
Kidd-Gilchrist is a 6'7", athletic, tenacious player who dominates opponents with suffocating defense and pure hustle on offense, making him basically the defensive equivalent of Evans.
This contrast in playing styles will make it tough for the Kings to draft Kidd-Gilchrist. Don't worry Kings fans, expect Sacramento to break conventional wisdom and look for a player of positional need like Bradley Beal instead of going after the equally talented small forward from Kentucky.
No. 5 New Jersey Nets
6 of 10Starting small forward Gerald Wallace is a free agent this offseason and is not expected to re-sign with New Jersey, making this team desperate for an elite defender like Kidd-Gilchrist.
The Nets do not own a first-round pick, which was given to Portland in the Wallace deal. New Jersey cannot afford to pass up on the opportunity to draft a player who has very similar size and skills to Wallace.
With the Nets moving to Brooklyn next season, the organization is desperate to draft players that will be solid professionals to represent their franchise. Kidd-Gilchrist may not be a franchise player, but his assets and abilities could convince Deron Williams, a franchise player, to sign a long-term deal with Brooklyn.
No. 4 Phoenix Suns
7 of 10If the Phoenix Suns are serious about keeping Steve Nash, then they must trade up to sign Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Nash wants to play for a playoff contender and Phoenix, who only missed the playoffs by three games last season, is one or two pieces away from becoming one.
The issue for Phoenix has always been defense, insert Kidd-Gilchrist and maybe this Phoenix team can make a run in the Western Conference. Jared Dudley is the starting small forward, but he is a very flexible player who can be used in multiple positions, giving Kidd-Gilchrist immediate minutes.
Nash, Gortat, Frye, Dudley and Kidd-Gilchrist would be a very respectable starting five. The Suns, who own the 13th pick in this year's draft, must make a move to snag Kidd-Gilchrist if they want to improve their playoff hopes for next season.
No. 3 Washington Wizards
8 of 10The Washington Wizards hold the third overall pick of the 2012 Draft. This team has been through years of turmoil and has not had a consistently competitive unit since the days of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison in 2008.
John Wall is the future of this franchise but he needs help, something Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would provide. The Wizards struggled to play with passion and effort for much of the season and Kidd-Gilchrsit will bring a hard-nosed tenacity to this team, raising the level of play in Washington.
Kidd-Gilchrist will improve the roster with stats, but what makes him valuable to the Wizards is that he is a class act who will work hard all season and demand the same from his teammates. That alone makes him extremely valuable to a team desperate for leadership and continuity on both ends of the court.
No. 2 Golden State Warriors
9 of 10The Warriors are one defensive piece away from taking their talent and Mark Jackson's scheme to the next level.
Andrew Bogut and David Lee are two quality defenders who would love to play with the athletic, tall, nasty defender in Kidd-Gilchrist. Adding him to this unit will only improve the Golden State defense by presenting a formidable threat to guards who drive to the dish.
The Warriors own the seventh and 30th pick in this year's draft and should look to barter with Charlotte for Kidd-Gilchrist's services.
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers
10 of 10How do you rebuild for the loss of a superstar like LeBron James? Draft well for years and build a young developing core. Adding a team player in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be the perfect fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kidd-Gilchrist not only fills a position of need for Cleveland, who start Alonzo Gee at small forward, but brings toughness and success to a team searching for more of it this season. Combine Kidd-Gilchrist with Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving and you have a solid duo who can lead this team to relative success.
The Cleveland Cavaliers must find a way to either have Kidd-Gilchrist fall to them at No. 3 or trade up, because this man will be a key piece to a team desperate to satisfy the diehard Cleveland fanbase.
