The Ideal 2015 Lottery Prospect for Each Rebuilding NBA Team
Every general manager likely enters the NBA draft with the hopes of landing a specific someone.
Based on talent, positional needs, style of play and 2015-16 roster projections, we matched up each rebuilding team with an ideal target prospect.
However, as ideal as Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell would be for a team like the Pacers, we're going to assume he won't be on the board when Indiana is on the clock, considering it's currently projected to select No. 9 overall.
If a prospect is projected to be chosen in the top four (Duke's Jahlil Okafor, Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns, China's Emmanuel Mudiay and Russell), only teams expected to realistically compete for a top-four pick were ruled eligible as suitors.
New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, Duke, 6'11", C, Freshman
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Knicks' projected draft pick: No. 1
Though the New York Knicks are currently rebuilding, the plan is to make it quick. Their next window isn't very big. At 30 years old coming off knee surgery, Carmelo Anthony may only have a few superstar years left in the tank.
Assuming the Knicks keep their pick, they could use a rookie who can contribute right away. And Jahlil Okaor gives them that NBA-ready body, as well as a potential long-term center to build the future around.
Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns makes sense on paper, particularly for the triangle, given his passing and shooting potential—not to mention his higher defensive upside. But Towns has had trouble staying on the floor at Kentucky, averaging 5.7 fouls per 40 minutes. He's more of a project the Knicks don't have time to develop right now.
And as good as Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell and China's Emmanuel Mudiay might be, I'm not sure Phil Jackson will want a teenage point guard running the show.
With Okafor, the Knicks get an option they can feed in the post, as well as an overall high-IQ, high-character individual who would fit the new culture Jackson is looking to establish.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, 6'11", PF/C, Freshman
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Timberwolves' projected draft pick: No. 2
Unlike a team such as the Knicks, who are looking to build quickly and mostly through free agency, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in no rush. They're building through the draft. They can afford to develop a project like Karl-Anthony Towns, whose upside might be as high as any prospect's in this year's field.
With Nikola Pekovic anchoring the middle, the Timberwolves rank dead last in the NBA defensively in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim. Towns might help solve that issue in time, thanks to his 7'4" wingspan and impressive athletic ability.
Of current NBA big men, only Hassan Whiteside and Nerlens Noel finished their final year of college with higher block percentages than Towns' 12.8 percent, per Sports-Reference.com.
And with Towns' offensive versatility, the Wolves could even play him alongside Pekovic up front, where his ability to stretch the floor and run it would also work at power forward.
As good as Okafor is, I'd question his fit alongside Pekovic, another center who plays strictly inside the paint.
Russell would certainly work, and it would be tough to argue against him. But the potential of adding an inside-out scoring rim protector just sounds too ideal for Minnesota.
Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State, 6'5", PG/SG, Freshman
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Sixers' projected draft pick: No. 3
You'd like to imagine that general manager Sam Hinkie had D'Angelo Russell somewhere on his mind when he traded Michael Carter-Williams.
Russell has emerged as one of the top freshman guards we've seen in years. Averaging 19.1 points, 5.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds, he's flashed everything from takeover scoring ability to spectacular passing skills and vision.
He's played both backcourt positions at Ohio State, and at 6'5", he'd offer Philadelphia that same versatility. Russell has demonstrated the command to run an offense at the point, as well as the shooting stroke (43.1 percent on threes) and range to slide off the ball.
The Sixers need a floor general, some backcourt firepower and, most importantly, a potential leader. And that label has Russell's name written all over it.
ESPN's Fran Fraschilla recently praised Russell for his "unique ability to control a college basketball game with his scoring, passing, basketball intelligence and leadership.
"But most impressive is that he already possesses the poise and countenance of a 10-year NBA veteran," wrote Fraschilla.
“Leadership is something you can’t teach. I feel like I’ve been blessed to have that trait,” Russell told Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News.
"Whatever it is, I feel like I’m trying to lead. It could be anything, I feel like I’m going to step up to the plate and be, "Alright guys, this is what we need to do." If I’m in an office with Obama and George Bush, or if I’m with Thad Matta and Coach K, I still feel like I have the edge to step up, "This is what we need to do." I don’t know what it is.
"
With Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel up front, acquiring another center would just add to the clutter. Meanwhile, Russell's ability to play both backcourt positions gives the Sixers more flexibility to build with moving forward.
Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, Duke, 6'11", C, Freshman
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Lakers' projected draft pick: 4
With Nick Young and Julius Randle the only noteworthy names sure to return, the Los Angeles Lakers will essentially be starting from scratch heading into draft season. They shouldn't be too picky when it comes to making a selection. The Lakers just need to grab the best available prospect.
Cue Jahlil Okafor, arguably the top option on the board at No. 1 and the most NBA-ready.
Karl-Anthony Towns would work as well, but his lengthier developmental timetable has to diminish his appeal to the Lakers. They aren't the Timberwolves or 76ers. They'll be looking to ink high-priced free agents in hopes of getting back into contention as quickly as possible. And acquiring a post scorer who can contribute on a rookie deal right away could go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell would also both make sense, but like the Knicks, adding a teenage point guard to run the offense may be a risky proposition. Plus, we've already heard, via ESPN.com's Baxter Holmes, that Kobe Bryant plans to continue recruiting Rajon Rondo.
Okafor could potentially give the Lakers a big man to build around for the future, as well as an option to feature in the short term.
Orlando Magic: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, 6'11", C, Freshman
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Magic's projected draft pick: No. 5
Orlando would likely need to fall into the top four to have a shot at Karl-Anthony Towns, but as of the All-Star break, the Magic only have one fewer loss than the Lakers in the tanking standings.
While Stanley Johnson makes most sense based on positional needs, Towns is the better all-around prospect. And he'd fit nicely in Orlando as well, where his promising shooting stroke and inside-out versatility could work alongside Nikola Vucevic at the 4.
Towns could also offer the rim protection Vucevic does not. Only two teams in the league allow their opponents to shoot a better percentage at the rim, per NBA.com. Towns ranks No. 1 in the country in defensive rating and in the top 10 nationally in block percentage, according to Sports-Reference.com.
After the Magic drafted Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo to form their backcourt and then added combo forward Aaron Gordon, Towns would look like an ideal 2015 target from both a fit and upside perspective.
Sacramento Kings: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, 6'11", PF/C, Freshman
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Kings' projected draft pick: No. 6
The Kings have been looking for another big man to pair with DeMarcus Cousins since they drafted Jason Thompson. If it all comes together for Karl-Anthony Towns, he'd be an ideal frontcourt complement.
Towns could offer a little rim protection to a defense that ranks No. 26 in efficiency, per ESPN.com. His size, 7'4" wingspan, athleticism and instincts have translated to 4.7 blocks per 40 minutes and the best defensive rating in the country, according to Sports-Reference.com.
He's also flashed a promising jumper, which could allow him to play off Cousins in a stretch 4, pick-and-pop role.
Towns' offensive versatility fuels all sorts of upside, while his presence would make Sacramento tougher to score on.
As good as D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay could be, I'm not sure adding a rookie point guard to the mix in Sacramento is the answer.
The Kings may need to luck out in the lottery, but Towns would be an ideal get if the opportunity arises.
Utah Jazz: Stanley Johnson, Arizona, 6'7", SF, Freshman
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Jazz's projected draft pick: No. 7
Based on current standings and projected lottery odds, we'll assume Jahlil Okafor, D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay and Karl-Anthony Towns won't be on the board when the Jazz are on the clock.
In that case, Stanley Johnson should become their target as arguably the best available prospect and fit in the lineup.
Both Johnson and Gordon Hayward offer the versatility to play off each other on the wing. And at 6'7", 245 pounds, Johnson gives the Jazz a physical, active defender at the 2-guard or small forward position.
He's averaging 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, making one three-pointer per night. Johnson has the ability to score from all three levels in the defense, with a strong attack game, touch in the mid-range and a promising outside stroke.
Utah is still trying to figure out what it has in Trey Burke, Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert. There shouldn't be too much overthinking in this year's draft. The Jazz must take the top player on the board regardless of position.
Johnson would be ideal for Utah, assuming it lands outside the top four.
Denver Nuggets: Stanley Johnson, Arizona, 6'7", SF, Freshman
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Nuggets' projected draft pick: No. 8
With the Denver Nuggets having shopped Wilson Chandler, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, and Danilo Gallinari (injuries) just too difficult to trust, Stanley Johnson would seem like an ideal prospect for Denver to target in the lottery.
Given his ability to guard both 2s and 3s, Denver could even move Johnson over to shooting guard and let him play alongside Chandler or Gallo.
Johnson, a 6'7", 245-pound athletic wing, has come along quickly at Arizona, where he leads the team in scoring as a freshman. He's averaging 14.2 points and 6.8 boards while making one three-pointer per game.
In terms of ceiling projections, Johnson reminds you a little bit of Paul Pierce on offense with a young Ron Artest's defensive tools.
Outside of Okafor, Russell, Towns and Mudiay, Johnson could really be the top prospect on the board. And he just happens to fit nicely into Denver's lineup, where the Nuggets could use his two-way skill set as well as the toughness he brings to the table.
Indiana Pacers: Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia, 7'0", PF, 1996
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Pacers' projected draft pick: No. 9
Though more of a project, Kristaps Porzingis' mismatch potential could attract top-five interest this June.
He's a 7-footer loaded with athleticism, something that should be welcomed by a frontcourt consisting of Roy Hibbert, David West and Luis Scola—three below-the-rim big men.
He's really a unique prospect when you take into account his size and perimeter ball skills. Porzingis' ability to stretch the floor as a shooter, face up and attack or score in the mid-range plays to his offensive versatility.
He entered the year with expectations, and he's performed well in the face of them, averaging 10.1 points on 33.3 percent shooting from downtown overseas.
West has one season left on his deal. The Pacers could let Porzingis develop another year, whether it's here or abroad, and then unleash him in 2016-17 as their power forward of the future.
Adding a new point guard would really be the ideal play for the Pacers, but with D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay expected to go in the top four, they'd need to luck out in the lottery.
Detroit Pistons: Mario Hezonja, Croatia, 6'8", SG/SF, 1995
10 of 11Pistons' projected draft pick: No. 10
Arizona's Stanley Johnson might be the ideal play for Detroit, but it's tough to envision him on the board if the Pistons are on the clock at No. 10. They could have a better shot at Mario Hezonja, who's arguably the higher-upside prospect to begin with.
Having traded Kyle Singler, the Pistons don't have much firepower to unload from the wing. Quite frankly, they didn't have much before the deal, either.
At 6'8", Hezonja is a stud athlete with mismatch versatility for a 2-guard or small forward. And he's shooting it 42.9 percent from downtown overseas.
With Hezonja, it's not just spot-ups—he is dangerous shooting off screens and pindowns, as well as off the dribble, where he can create his own shot using pull-ups and step-backs.
Barcelona even runs Hezonja as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, given his passing skills and driving ability.
He also has terrific defensive tools (size, length, strength, quickness) that play to his two-way NBA appeal.
Hezonja could get looks in the top five, but he'd be an ideal fit for the Pistons if he happened to fall to them late in the lotto.
Boston Celtics: Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, 7'0", C, Freshman
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Celtics' projected draft pick: No. 11
Between Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, Brandon Bass and Tyler Zeller, the Celtics have to have the least athletic frontcourt in the NBA. The group ranks No. 29 in blocked shots.
Willie Cauley-Stein would be able to change that from his first day on the job. At 7'0", he runs, jumps and catches like an NFL wide receiver.
He's arguably the top defensive prospect in the draft, with the versatility to protect the rim, switch onto guards and pressure full court.
Based on current standings, along with the addition of Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics are now more likely to end up picking toward the back of the lottery. Cauley-Stein could be a steal at No. 11, as well as an ideal fit in Boston, given his particular strengths and the Celtics' limitations.
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