Every NBA Team's Biggest Draft Need Entering 2015 Calendar Year
As January unfolds and we approach the midway point in the 2014-15 NBA season, it's time to check every team's biggest draft needs.
It's important to note that not every front office will make its selections based on positional wants. In fact, many franchises will aim to add the "best player available" on the board.
We must also remember that some team's deficiencies are more dire than others, and some clubs' needs are more specific and demanding than others. "Draft needs" often differ from free-agency needs or trade aspirations.
After examining each roster, rotation and future payroll, here's a look at each squad's foremost draft need.
Atlanta Hawks: Rebounding Forward
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Moving forward, the Atlanta Hawks are well-equipped with shooters, facilitators and a dependable low-post anchor in Al Horford.
What they must address in the offseason is the forward spots. Their ideal draftee would be a competitor who can rebound productively while supplying some offense within the system. Head coach Mike Budenholzer could use a 3 or a 4, but in the event Paul Millsap doesn't re-sign in free agency, the 4 spot is more pressing.
The Hawks are consistently getting out-rebounded by their opponents so far this season, and that can become an issue during grind-it-out games or tight situations in the playoffs. Millsap is their top board-getter, and if he walks, it will take multiple players to fill the void.
Potential targets (mid-first round): Cliff Alexander, Chris McCullough, Bobby Portis, Montrezl Harrell
Boston Celtics: True Center
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Brad Stevens' Boston Celtics are on pace to land a late lottery draft pick, and they should use it on a big fella—preferably a center who can wall off the paint and play the 5 spot on offense.
Kelly Olynyk is listed at center, but he's a stretch player who spends much of his time away from the hoop. Jared Sullinger is too short to regularly compete against 7-footers, and Tyler Zeller is more suited as a peripheral piece.
No matter how skilled or promising Boston's current frontcourt is, it's incomplete. The Celtics should be eyeing Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein if he falls outside the top five.
Potential targets (late lottery): Willie Cauley-Stein, Jakob Poeltl
Brooklyn Nets: Skilled Offensive Power Forward
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With holes and oldness everywhere, the Brooklyn Nets won't likely be drafting according to need with the Atlanta Hawks' pick late in the first round. They're going to take the most promising and prolific prospect on the board.
But if Deron Williams and Joe Johnson stay relatively healthy, and the Mason Plumlee-Brook Lopez tandem holds down the center spot, the Nets may look at a combo forward or power forward.
Kevin Garnett is likely on his final lap, and Mirza Teletovic is a restricted free agent this summer. Brooklyn should look to replace some of the skill and savvy it will lose with those potential departures.
Fortunately, this draft class will yield several options at the 3 and 4, even late in the first round.
Potential targets (late first round): Kelly Oubre, Trey Lyles, Bobby Portis, Sam Dekker
Charlotte Hornets: Versatile Small Forward
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The Charlotte Hornets have an assortment of wings, none of whom are truly versatile.
At small forward specifically, the club could use added depth and an upgrade. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has improved marginally since his rookie year, but he's not multidimensional enough offensively to rely on as a future star. It doesn't look like he'll ever be more than a 10-12 point scorer, and he's not going to stretch defenses out to the three-point line.
Charlotte needs someone with size who can splash from the perimeter in addition to attacking the basket, so the Hornets should target a wing in the neighborhood of 6'7" to 6'9".
Potential targets (late lottery): Mario Hezonja, Stanley Johnson
Chicago Bulls: Creative Guard
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Derrick Rose is not reliably durable. Kirk Hinrich is past his prime. Aaron Brooks' future is uncertain. And Jimmy Butler can't do everything by himself.
Moving forward, the Chicago Bulls will need another dependable guard.
He could be a creative 2-man, a point or a combo guard; it doesn't matter, as long as he can take some of the ball-handling burden off the superstars.
When Chicago is running its offense fluidly, the ball movement and execution are picturesque. But as with any other team, the Bulls rely on creators to freelance when things break down late in the shot clock.
If Rose is hobbled and Butler is being checked by the opponents' top dog, it would be nice to deploy a dynamic guard.
Potential targets (late lottery): D'Angelo Russell, Tyrone Wallace, Delon Wright, Rashad Vaughn
Cleveland Cavaliers: Backup Small Forward
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Thanks to the recent trade that brought Timofey Mozgov from the Denver Nuggets to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the center position is no longer the chief concern for Cavs general manager David Griffin.
Cleveland's most pressing deficiency to address in the long term is now at small forward.
Behind LeBron James, the squad has no attractive assets to rely upon in the future. Shawn Marion will be a free agent this summer, and Mike Miller and James Jones are one-dimensional artifacts at this juncture.
No one cherishes the opportunity to add youth and depth to this veteran team more than Griffin (per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin):
"What I’m most proud of...is that we’ve put together a team that we believe can compete at the highest level. And we feel like we’ve done it without completely mortgaging the future. People look at the number of picks we’ve given away and everybody thinks, ‘Oh, my goodness, they’ve given away the farm!’ Well, we had an unbelievable farm, so we were putting it to work and we’re really pleased with where we are now. We’re going to make a first-round pick this year and we feel good about the situation we’re in.
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Potential targets (late first round): Sam Dekker, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Dallas Mavericks: PF-C Depth/Development
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Despite their failure to land a marquee free agent the past couple of summers, the Dallas Mavericks have assembled a playoff-caliber rotation and are in the top tier of the Western Conference. Head coach Rick Carlisle has a roster that doesn't need major tinkering via the draft because the franchise is hunting a championship.
But unless the Mavs trade away their picks, they will have to select someone in each round. And that someone should be a young power forward or center.
It could be a big body to provide some minutes behind Tyson Chandler or Dirk Nowitzki, but it could also be a draft-and-stash post player. ESPN.com's Chad Ford (subscription required) suggests that Dallas might need to pluck someone like Turkey's Egemen Guven.
Potential targets (late first round): Jakob Poeltl, Christian Wood, Egemen Guven, Dakari Johnson
Denver Nuggets: Scoring Forward (3 or 4)
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Although the Denver Nuggets have a talented bunch, the forward corps isn't impressively skilled offensively. The 3 and 4 spots are both yearning for some versatility.
Kenneth Faried still makes his living opportunistically, Danilo Galinari is a shell of his former self and Wilson Chandler isn't efficient enough on the wing.
This summer is the perfect time to pick up a creative, rangy forward who can put pressure on opponents throughout the game.
Potential targets (late lottery): Kevon Looney, Stanley Johnson, Kelly Oubre, Trey Lyles
Detroit Pistons: Stretch 4
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Now that the Detroit Pistons have parted ways with Josh Smith and forced their way back into the playoff picture, it's tough to chart where they will land in the 2014 draft. Either way, they should be on the lookout for a capable stretch 4.
You know, a tall 4-man who has range out to three-point land...unlike Smith, who connected on just 24.3 percent of his triples before the trade.
A small forward could work, too, as Detroit needs to shore up that slot as well. But since Greg Monroe is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, it would be wise to bolster the frontcourt while also stretching the floor.
Potential targets (mid-to-late lottery): Kristaps Porzingis, Myles Turner
Golden State Warriors: Reserve Big Man
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Throughout the first half of the 2014-15 campaign, Steve Kerr's Golden State Warriors haven't shown any concerning weaknesses on the court.
However, they're not a problem-free squad. Andrew Bogut and David Lee have both missed chunks of time with injuries, leaving the team with a less-than-ideal lineup and weaker depth.
With their only pick of this draft, the Dubs should address the low-post vulnerability and scoop up a center.
That is, if any are still available by the time they pick. The top four or five pivot men could already be gone, but a cog like Kentucky's Dakari Johnson might be there toward the end of the first round.
Potential targets (late first round): Dakari Johnson, Damian Jones, Amida Brimah, Robert Upshaw
Houston Rockets: Point Guard
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Whether they make an upgrade at the starting point guard spot or find a nice backup, the Houston Rockets should look to add a floor general if possible.
Patrick Beverley is a terrific defender who can knock down threes, but he's not nearly as creative as most NBA quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the diminutive, speedy backup Isaiah Canaan is a tough size matchup to use for extended minutes.
Houston doesn't need an electrifying orchestrator, as James Harden does the lion's share of playmaking for head coach Kevin McHale's squad. The Rockets just need someone who can better enhance the distribution process and help them improve upon their 20.7 assists per game.
They owe their own first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers if they make the playoffs, but they'll receive the New Orleans Pelicans' first-rounder as long as it falls between selections four and 19. Thus, if they have a first-rounder this year, it's likely to be in the late lottery or mid-first-round.
Potential targets (late lottery/mid-late first round): Tyus Jones, D'Angelo Russell, Delon Wright, Tyrone Wallace
Indiana Pacers: Playmaker
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The Indiana Pacers' draft need is similar to the Houston Rockets', although it's not necessarily confined to the point guard spot.
George Hill is signed through the 2016-17 season, but he's not explosive enough on his own, and Donald Sloan is a free agent come July. The shooting guard depth is underwhelming outside of C.J. Miles. It's not surprising that Indy is in the bottom half of the Association in assists and the bottom five in scoring.
The Pacers need an athletic creator who presents a dual threat of energetic scoring and efficient distributing.
Several mock drafts are pointing to Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell as someone who can meet Indiana's needs.
"A team like the Indiana Pacers might want to target Russell, who's got the potential to offer some much-need backcourt firepower and versatility," said B/R's Jonathan Wasserman.
Potential targets (late lottery): D'Angelo Russell, Tyrone Wallace, Rashad Vaughn, Terry Rozier
Los Angeles Clippers: Small Forward
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Doc Rivers' Los Angeles Clippers have been hurting for a small forward all season.
Matt Barnes is the only 3-man who gets significant minutes. Aside from decent shooting numbers, his work has been relatively uninspiring, as he's the least-productive and least-imposing player in the starting lineup. He's well past his prime (34 years old) and doesn't give L.A. enough firepower on the wing.
If only the Clippers had a first-round pick.
As of right now, they don't have one, and they would need to trade assets to get into the first round. Their draft wants are merely dreamful wishes unless they find a way to land a substantial pick.
Potential targets: Justin Anderson, Branden Dawson, Justin Jackson
Los Angeles Lakers: Small Forward
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Lacking talent and pedigree at almost every spot in the rotation, the Los Angeles Lakers won't use their high lottery pick (which is top-five protected) based on a predetermined positional need. General manager Mitch Kupchak will select the most promising young stud available.
If we had to pinpoint their greatest area of need, we'd flip a coin between center, small forward and point guard.
Let's focus on small forward for now, because it's the area they could most likely address with their pick. There are some highly coveted prospects at that position in the 2015 class, even if they're not franchise-altering scorers.
If the Lakers land in the top five, expect them to target a two-way wing like Justise Winslow or Stanley Johnson.
Potential targets (top five): Justise Winslow, Stanley Johnson, Mario Hezonja
Memphis Grizzlies: Backup Point Guard
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With their late first-round pick, the Memphis Grizzlies could potentially address two needs with one player.
Their style of play works for their personnel, and it's a stretch to say this unit has any dire draft needs entering the offseason. But it wouldn't hurt them to shore up their backup point guard situation, and they can always use shooting help.
Beno Udrih's 2015-16 contract isn't a guaranteed deal, and even if he returns, Memphis can bring in a young apprentice to gradually become part of the backcourt. They're reportedly set to acquire Russ Smith in the three-way trade that will net them Jeff Green, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein, but his contract also is not guaranteed past the 2014-15 season.
As the Grizzlies search for a new facilitator, they will also look closely for one who can connect from three-land.
Potential targets (late first round): Tyus Jones, Jerian Grant, Terry Rozier
Miami Heat: Rebounder
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When Chris Bosh is your most productive rebounder at 7.8 boards per game, and no one else averages more than five per game, your team has a serious problem on the glass.
During the Big Three era it wasn't as much of an issue, as the Miami Heat exhibited better shot selection and greater shooting efficiency.
But now, they need to show up on the boards, and they're not doing it enough. Miami is getting out-rebounded by four caroms per game, and that margin takes its toll over the course of a long season.
The Heat owe their first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers if it falls outside the top 10, so they're likely to only have a second-round pick this year. Though they probably won't salvage their frontcourt in the draft, they should look for a big man so they can move in the right direction.
Potential targets (second round): A.J. Hammons, Ilimane Diop, Moussa Diagne, Kaleb Tarczewski
Milwaukee Bucks: Point Guard
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Among the handful of rebuilding franchises in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the most encouraging. Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo are on an upward trajectory toward stardom, and there are some promising pieces in the post.
Jason Kidd also has some gifted point men, but a couple of them might be on their way out in 2015. Kendall Marshall is an unrestricted free agent in July, and Brandon Knight will be a restricted free agent.
Therefore, Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports tabs the floor general position as the team's biggest privation entering the draft:
"The Bucks have an awful lot of options on the wing and in the frontcourt now, so it might make some sense to pick up a true point guard like (Tyus) Jones in this draft — especially since Brandon Knight is a free agent in the offseason. And even if the Bucks retain him, Jones and Knight would seem to be a pairing that could work on offense in one of Jason Kidd's interesting lineup combinations.
"
Potential targets (mid-first-round): Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, Tyrone Wallace
Minnesota Timberwolves: Stretch 4
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With a lousy record fueled by an even lousier defense, the Minnesota Timberwolves are still in the early stages of rebuilding.
They're young, but that doesn't mean they lack a promising core. Don't forget that Ricky Rubio has been shelved, and that most of the remaining rotation is comprised of teenagers (Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine) or second-year standouts (Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Muhammad and Anthony Bennett).
What this group needs is a stretch 4. Minny won't be able to quickly replace the inside-out impact Kevin Love provided, but it would love to find someone in that general mold.
If the Wolves are bad enough and land high in the lottery, Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis should be their primary candidate.
Potential targets (late lottery): Kristaps Porzingis, Karl Towns, Myles Turner
New Orleans Pelicans: Shooting Guard Depth
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The New Orleans Pelicans don't have much of a respectable bench to begin with, and the vast majority of their reserves aren't signed past 2015. That includes guards like Luke Babbitt and Jimmer Fredette.
Thus, the paramount offseason task is to add a quality shooting guard.
Unfortunately, the Pels don't currently own a 2015 draft pick if their first-rounder falls between selections four and 19, so they will have to reshape their bench through other avenues.
If they do sneak their way into the draft somehow, they'll be eyeing the top 2-guards, even if this year's backcourt class isn't incredibly potent or star-laden.
Potential targets: Aaron Harrison, Jabari Bird, E.C. Matthews
New York Knicks: Point Guard
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If the hapless New York Knicks are bestowed with the No. 1 overall pick, they should take the best player, Duke's Jahlil Okafor.
In other scenarios, they could draft based on need, in which case they may opt for the point guard route. Jose Calderon is on the back end of his career, and according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger, he might soon be on his way out of New York.
"With the Knicks now owners of the worst record and perhaps worst roster in the league as Phil Jackson hits the reset button in New York, league sources say the next player on the move could be point guard Jose Calderon," Berger reported.
A top-three placement in the lottery would make explosive playmaker Emmanuel Mudiay the team's coveted prize. It seems like ages since the Bockers had someone that exciting to run their offense.
Potential targets (top-five range): Emmanuel Mudiay, D'Angelo Russell
Oklahoma City Thunder: Power(ful) Forward
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With one more year of drafting a post player, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have completed the reshaping of their frontcourt.
Both Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison are free agents after this season, so it would behoove general manager Sam Presti to find help for Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams and Mitch McGary.
OKC needs a physical presence in the paint, someone (in addition to Adams) who can pound on the inside while Ibaka shoots or McGary operates from the high post.
The Thunder could go a couple of different ways with this pick, which heads to Denver if it falls outside the top 18, but fortifying the post will give Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Dion Waiters an extra enforcer.
Potential targets (mid-first round): Montrezl Harrell, Cliff Alexander, Bobby Portis
Orlando Magic: Swingman
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On their gradual rise back toward relevance, the Orlando Magic have assembled a cast of promising up-and-comers who own tangible skills at their positions. Both the frontcourt and backcourt have sturdy building blocks with which to form a playoff-caliber rotation.
One of the few noticeable weaknesses on the roster? A lack of wings with positional flexibility. In other words, they don't have a true swingman who can operate at the 2 or 3.
"The Magic could really use a shooter that can play both wing spots to give them some lineup versatility," said Vecenie.
There should be an enticing collection of swingmen on the board in the middle of the lottery for Orlando.
Potential targets (mid-to-late lottery): Stanley Johnson, Caris LeVert, Mario Hezonja
Philadelphia 76ers: Shooting Wing
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Much like the other rebuilding lottery clubs, the Philadelphia 76ers are hoping for a high lottery selection, preferably the No. 1 pick.
With that (likely) top-five slot, general manager Sam Hinkie should obviously choose the most talented and impactful youngster ripe for the plucking. He can't pass up a star or potential superstar.
With their other potential first-round pick (a top-10-protected selection from Miami via Cleveland), the Sixers will be more inclined to draft for need. And that need is efficient shooting from a swingman.
Apologies to the 2-guards and wings currently competing for Philly: There are some swingmen in the 2015 draft who are better shooters and better fits for the future.
Potential targets (mid-first round for second pick): R.J. Hunter, Caris LeVert, Rashad Vaughn
Phoenix Suns: Frontcourt Depth
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Sporting a nine-man rotation and a healthy blend of athleticism and skill, the Phoenix Suns are well-constructed. They won't have to make any massive alterations through the draft.
The spot that could use sprucing up, however, is the frontcourt depth, particularly the big men.
Miles Plumlee and Alex Len are both exciting young role players, and Len's development has been particularly encouraging. But they can't do all the paint work in a given game. The Morris twins help a little bit, but they spend a lot of time on the perimeter, and the newly acquired Brandan Wright is an unrestricted free agent come July.
It's time for Phoenix to find another big man.
Potential targets (mid-first round): Christian Wood, Montrezl Harrell, Cliff Alexander, Frank Kaminsky
Portland Trail Blazers: Center
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The futures of both Robin Lopez and Chris Kaman in Portland are uncertain, so it would be wise for the Blazers to tab the best available center.
Even if Lopez does re-sign with Rip City—he'll be an unrestricted free agent in July—the newly drafted pivot man can serve as a robust backup.
It might seem strange to assign the center spot as Portland's area of need, especially when Joel Freeland and Meyers Leonard are also in the mix. But this squad needs assets who predominantly operate deep in the post (unlike Freeland and Leonard), and the Blazers can address the other positions via free agency.
Some late first-round big men could turn out to be the sleepers of the draft.
Potential targets (late first round): Dakari Johnson, Guillermo Hernangomez, Amida Brimah
Sacramento Kings: Two-Way Power Forward
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General manager Pete D'Alessandro and the Sacramento Kings won't have any 2015 draft picks if their first-rounder falls outside of the top 10, so this exercise might be somewhat hypothetical.
But if they do stumble their way into the party, what roster additions and upgrades would they aim for?
They have a solid, if unspectacular, point guard rotation, and Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins give them star power at the forward and center spots. The offseason need they might want to prioritize is power forward.
Sac-town is plain underwhelming at that spot, with no big man other than Boogie averaging more than eight points or seven rebounds. Derrick Williams will be a restricted free agent who could see the door, and Reggie Evans' contract is up this summer as well.
If they land in the top 10, they could make a nice upgrade in the frontcourt.
Potential targets (mid-lottery): Myles Turner, Montrezl Harrell, Chris McCullough
San Antonio Spurs: Shooter
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One of the key attributes of the San Antonio Spurs corps of role players is shooting prowess. It's what makes the team's ball movement and execution so lethal.
This summer, several of their long-range threats will be free agents. The potential goners include Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Marco Belinelli and Matt Bonner.
It will be difficult to re-sign all those parts for 2015-16 and beyond—even for the Spurs. That means they must view this draft as a chance to reload. It doesn't necessarily matter what position they draft, as long as it's a smart youngster who can shoot consistently from beyond the arc.
Potential targets (mid-first round): Caris LeVert, R.J. Hunter, Frank Kaminsky, Justin Anderson
Toronto Raptors: Backcourt Depth
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In 2015-16, the Toronto Raptors will need a notch of additional depth across the board in order to remain title contenders.
Lou Williams' free agency is the most concerning issue. If he bolts elsewhere, the Raps are going to miss his 15-plus points per game off the bench.
Dwane Casey can't afford to let Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross do all the shot-creating and shooting. DeRozan (39 percent on field goals) and Ross (42 percent) aren't efficient enough as playmakers and scorers to sustain success while carrying the team.
Toronto needs to replace at least some of the production Sweet Lou provides.
Potential targets (late first round): Sam Dekker, Justin Anderson, Justin Jackson, Ron Baker
Utah Jazz: Versatile Swingman/Forward
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Gordon Hayward is a terrific swingman and a capable featured weapon for the Utah Jazz. But he needs some help.
The squad has a wide assortment of role players, but none of them is an athletic small forward or versatile swingman. So when it comes to creativity, production and defense on the wing, the Jazz rely heavily on Hayward.
Head coach Quin Snyder would love to be able to bring an explosive small forward off the bench to help wear down opponents, or even use alongside Hayward in certain lineups. It would make the fifth-year pro more dangerous and give the team more flexibility defensively.
The great news is that one or more of the following heavyweights should be available for them early in the first round.
Potential targets (mid-lottery): Justise Winslow, Stanley Johnson, Mario Hezonja, Kevon Looney
Washington Wizards: Power Forward
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In the starting lineup and primary rotation, the Washington Wizards are set up comfortably at the 1, 2, 3 and 5 slots.
Power forward stands out as the position thirsting for an upgrade or youth infusion.
Both Nene and Kris Humphries are capable contributors on this playoff unit, but they're the weak links of the future. Nene is a slower, more injury-prone version of himself, and Humphries can do little more than basic tasks on a regular basis.
While the likes of Kristaps Porzingis, Myles Turner and Kevon Looney will be long gone by the time they pick, the Wizards will still have a strong stable of 4s to choose from.
Potential targets (late first round): Christian Wood, Chris Walker, Bobby Portis, Cliff Alexander
Note: All statistics gathered from Basketball-Reference.com and are current through games played on Saturday, Jan. 10. All salary/payroll information gathered from Shamsports.com.
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