NBA Lottery 2015: 1st-Round Draft Order Results and Underrated Teams to Watch
In the aftermath of the 2015 NBA draft lottery ahead of the actual draft in June, it's easy to get carried away and focus on the big guys.
General manager Mitch Kupchak and the Los Angeles Lakers scored big with the No. 2 selection, giving them their pick of the top big men or guards, depending on how they want to tackle the order and upcoming free agency.
Folks will also gravitate toward president Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks, who most hail as losers after landing at No. 4.
What about the little guys? After a look at the order, let's examine a few of the underrated teams capable of making major upgrades while the spotlight focuses elsewhere on draft day.
Underrated Teams to Watch
Orlando Magic
Sitting at No. 5, the Orlando Magic are an annual playoff contender in the making if they hit their pick out of the park.
The team already features a young core, with Elfrid Payton at the point after a promising rookie campaign and Victor Oladipo next to him one year removed from averaging 17.9 points per game. Orlando might choose to hold onto restricted free agent Tobias Harris, too.
Add a top-five pick, and Orlando has one of the best young rosters in the league.
“We feel good about it,” general manager Rob Hennigan said, per Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. “We stayed where we expected to stay. Luckily, we didn’t move back, so we’ll take the hand that was dealt to us and certainly make the most of the pick we have.”
Orlando has plenty of options at such a high spot. It could add a surefire scorer with Justise Winslow or even build for the future beneath the rim with Willie Cauley-Stein or Myles Turner.
No matter which way they go, the Magic continue to stick to their long-term plan and deserve attention.
Philadelphia 76ers
Sandwiched right between the Lakers and Knicks, it's easy to forget about the Philadelphia 76ers.
The question pops up again—is this the year the 76ers stop rebuilding, grab another top prospect and gun for the postseason?
It seems like it should be with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid down low. At No. 3, the 76ers might have their choice between the top guards. Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell can pour it in all over the court, whereas international sensation Emmanuel Mudiay can get others involved in a John Wall-esque manner.
There's no wrong answer for the 76ers, although there always seems to be the chance the front office decides to make another trade and rebuild for another year.
Regardless, the possibilities when it comes to the pick and the team's actions mean fans will want to pay close attention.
Miami Heat
Don't ever forget about Pat Riley and the Miami Heat.
Had the lottery worked out in their favor, the Heat would be the talk of the Association right now. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel explains:
Don't expect Riley to feel bad for himself.
Instead, the No. 10 slot gives the Heat a wealth of options. It's hard to imagine Goran Dragic leaving, especially with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh figuring to stick around.
This means the team could grab a dynamic rotational scorer such as Stanley Johnson, Cameron Payne or Devin Booker to help ease the burden on Wade. One of Cauley-Stein or Turner might make it to No. 10, too, giving Riley options both in the present and down the road.
It wouldn't even be outlandish to see the Heat move up if a team willing to trade pops up.
For a team with two aging stars who want a shot at a title and Riley in control, it's never wise to turn away. The Heat seem to miss the one piece necessary to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference, and this draft might provide it.
Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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