NBA Draft 2015: Team-by-Team Needs and Predictions
At this point in the offseason, with the results of the NBA Finals so fresh in our memories, no team is complete. Not even the Golden State Warriors, who finished their historic season in strong fashion against the Cleveland Cavaliers, can boast perfection as we move into another summer of shifting personnel.
The 2015 NBA draft will be the first opportunity for teams to fill in holes by adding intriguing young players on June 25 before free agency begins. Not every squad will make its picks to work on needs, but those who do will have to hit on their selections in order to take that proverbial next step forward.
What is a team's biggest need? It's the most glaring problem for the roster, given what we know about the incumbent players, as well as the expected changes in free agency that are determined through expiring contracts and plenty more. Usually, holes in the starting five will trump empty spots for the second unit, since the players who open games on the floor are typically the most important ones.
Trust me. Your team has a need somewhere, no matter how perfect you think the roster may already be.
Draft Order and Jonathan Wasserman's Big Board
1 of 31If you need a quick glance at the order of selections or resident draft guru Jonathan Wasserman's big board, we've got you covered above.
Atlanta Hawks
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 15
Biggest Need: Shooting small forward
The Atlanta Hawks don't have any glaring needs unless Paul Millsap or DeMarre Carroll leaves as an unrestricted free agent. But even if both remain on the roster on reasonable deals, the Eastern Conference's reigning No. 1 seed could use a bit more depth on the wings.
Carroll could be a long-term keeper if he's brought back, but Kyle Korver won't be around forever. Sure, he just made his first All-Star squad, but he'll turn 35 years old before the end of the 2015-16 campaign. He's eventually going to see his skills erode—his unbelievable perimeter stroke serving as the possible exception.
The Hawks can think about both the present and the future by drafting either Sam Dekker or Kelly Oubre with the first non-lottery pick of the proceedings. The former is more NBA-ready and can contribute in virtually every area imaginable, while the latter is brimming over with upside and just needs to iron out his mental game before he can start tapping into his Paul George-like ceiling.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Devin Booker, Sam Dekker or Kelly Oubre
Boston Celtics
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2015 First-Round Draft Picks: No. 16 and No. 28
Biggest Need: Perimeter shooting
During the 2014-15 campaign, the Boston Celtics connected on only 32.7 percent of their looks from beyond the arc, which left them ahead of just the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Hornets. But they still loved to shoot them, firing away more often than all but 12 teams throughout the Association, even though most of the shooters in Beantown were limited.
It's time to change that.
Fortunately, the C's have multiple opportunities to land a stellar shooter during the first round. They can target one with the No. 16 pick, looking at Devin Booker if he slips out of the lottery or Bobby Portis if they want a stretchy big man. But even if none of their primary targets are available with that initial selection, there's a solid chance a player such as R.J. Hunter will be available at the back end of the opening 30 picks.
Of course, general manager Danny Ainge can just chase shooters with both selections. It would be hard to complain about that strategy, given the woes of the incumbent snipers.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Devin Booker, R.J. Hunter or Bobby Portis
Brooklyn Nets
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 29
Biggest Need: A new point guard
The Brooklyn Nets will need to replace quite a few veteran players eventually, but finding a new franchise point guard is going to be the top priority. Deron Williams is quite clearly on the decline, and not just because he'll turn 31 years old this month.
Williams averaged only 13 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists during the 2014-15 season while shooting 38.7 percent from the field and submitting a player efficiency rating that checked in at a mediocre 15.7—his worst mark since his rookie go-round with the Utah Jazz. And that's when he's healthy enough to play, not falling prey to nagging injuries.
Finding a franchise floor general is a tough proposition at No. 29, but a few candidates could be available. If Delon Wright slips down that far, Brooklyn should snatch him up without a second thought, but Olivier Hanlan or Terry Rozier wouldn't be a bad consolation prize.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Olivier Hanlan, Terry Rozier or Delon Wright
Charlotte Hornets
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 9
Biggest Need: A shooting wing
"There was hope Lance Stephenson would serve as a third scoring option, but he hasn't worked out ideally thus far," Bleacher Report's Stephen Babb wrote about the Charlotte Hornets in early June, and the team has since traded Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes. "That means the need for purer scorer remains just as acute as it was a summer ago."
The new additions will help add some semblance of perimeter shooting ability to a roster wholly devoid of consistent floor-spacing threats, but pursuing a scoring stud on the wing is the top priority in the draft. Though Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gerald Henderson deserve to hold onto their starting spots for now, they have to be balanced out by an offensively tilted shooting guard or small forward who can knock down shots from the outside.
Fortunately, the back end of the lottery figures to be brimming over with that type of player. If Mario Hezonja and Stanley Johnson fall to No. 9, one of them would make for rather easy additions by GM Rich Cho. But even if they're not, Devin Booker would be a strong pick and could serve as the perfect complement to Kidd-Gilchrist's lockdown ability.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Devin Booker, Mario Hezonja or Stanley Johnson
Chicago Bulls
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 22
Biggest Need: Depth on the perimeter
Under new head coach Fred Hoiberg, not every single player on the roster will need to boast a defensive tilt. It would be nice to have a team filled with two-way contributors who could keep up the grinding mentality so often employed by the Chicago Bulls, but it's no longer vital.
And still, it makes sense for the Bulls to pursue some defensive depth at the perimeter.
The all-offense nature of Doug McDermott's game should force them to lean more toward defense than offense, and that allows two players to emerge as primary targets—Virginia's Justin Anderson and Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Neither would be anything less than ideal as a situational complement to McDermott, and both should be available at No. 22 (or taken off the board only shortly before, which keeps them in the realm of realistic predictions). If they're not, the Bulls can reach for another wing—Rashad Vaughn, for example—but they can also fill in a secondary need like shoring up the rotation at point guard.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Justin Anderson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Rashad Vaughn
Cleveland Cavaliers
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 24
Biggest Need: Backup point guard
Given the cult-hero status that Matthew Dellavedova achieved in Northeast Ohio with his effort-driven play in the NBA Finals, this might not be a popular stance. But the Cleveland Cavaliers need a backup point guard who can spell Kyrie Irving and actually make positive contributions on both ends of the floor.
Dellavedova's defense was sharp, particularly in off-ball situations, but he also benefited from his men missing open looks. He was easily beaten off the dribble, couldn't guard bigger players and would have had trouble finding the ocean with a beach ball if he were standing in the surf. During the Finals, he actually shot just 28.3 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from beyond the arc, and RealGM.com shows that his PER was a putrid 3.7, better than only James Jones'.
Keeping him as the primary backup is not a good idea, and the Cavs won't have any other glaring holes to fill unless a marquee free agent spurns them during the hottest months of the year. Targeting Tyus Jones is the best course of action, and the Cavs can still go after Terry Rozier or Delon Wright if the Duke product is already off the board.
At No. 24, they can afford to pick for depth, especially with a roster that already figures to be one of the strongest in the Association.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Tyus Jones, Terry Rozier or Delon Wright
Dallas Mavericks
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 21
Biggest Need: Point guard of the future
Much like the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Dallas Mavericks need a point guard. However, they don't boast the services of anyone quite as good as Kyrie Irving, and it's not even close. GM Donnie Nelson might actually be left with only Raymond Felton and Devin Harris at the position, which isn't exactly what you want when trying to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The good news is that the Mavs are picking three spots earlier than Cleveland, so they can take a floor general before the reigning Eastern Conference champions snatch one off the board.
And since they're also higher up in the order, they have a shot at taking Notre Dame's Jerian Grant, who has size (6'5", 198 lbs), NBA readiness after a full collegiate career and, as DraftExpress.com's Jonathan Givony explains, playmaking ability:
"Grant's best attribute from an NBA standpoint clearly revolves around his playmaking ability. He is a decisive passer and an extremely unselfish player overall, making reads automatically and whipping the ball impressively all over the court. He has a tremendous natural feel for finding the open man regardless of where they are on the floor, being capable of making every pass in the book, be it high or low, and to cutters, rollers or shooters. Unlike many big guards, he's not a combo looking to make the transition to the point, he's already a tremendous distributor.
"
Grant may not last until the 20s, but even if he doesn't, there will be other options for this Texas-based franchise.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Jerian Grant, Tyus Jones or Delon Wright
Denver Nuggets
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 7
Biggest Need: A wing star
The Denver Nuggets have plenty of holes on the roster, and they'll have even more if they elect to engage in a complete rebuild by trading Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried for more draft picks or young players. But right now, no need is more obvious than finding a wing player with star potential.
Lucky for the Mile High City, the 2015 class has quite a few of those, and there will likely be at least one available when the Nuggets are on the board at No. 7. Watching Duke's Justise Winslow slip down the lottery would be ideal, but it's not as if the front office should engage in collective panic if the two-way small forward is taken off the board earlier.
Mario Hezonja is a fantastic option, given his shot-creating ability and confidence on the offensive end. So too is Stanley Johnson, who already profiles as an excellent three-and-D wing with enough athleticism to thrive as a slasher in both transition and the half-court set. So long as all three aren't inexplicably taken in the first six picks, the Nuggets will be just fine.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Mario Hezonja, Stanley Johnson or Justise Winslow
Detroit Pistons
10 of 312015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 8
Biggest Need: Small forward
"I think both the draft and free agency now we know sort of where our focus has got to be—the small-forward spot and backup centers," Detroit Pistons president and head coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters after he traded for Ersan Ilyasova, per MLive.com's David Mayo.
Power forward is no longer a need, but those two remain. And there's no way that Detroit will be addressing the hole in the second unit with a top-10 pick in this draft class; that will be saved for the second round or free agency.
As a result, it's all about small forward, and there are plenty of options at No. 8.
Justise Winslow is a mere pipe dream, especially with the Denver Nuggets looking to fill in the same hole one spot earlier. But Mario Hezonja and Stanley Johnson should be primary targets, and the Pistons could also look to the sharpshooting ability of Devin Booker, who would fit in nicely with Van Gundy's perennial desire to surround bigs with perimeter threats.
It's a good time and a good spot to need a small forward.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Devin Booker, Mario Hezonja or Stanley Johnson
Golden State Warriors
11 of 312015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 30
Biggest Need: Shooting depth
"With Leandro Barbosa and Justin Holiday hitting free agency this summer, the Golden State Warriors will look to maintain their shooting depth. That's something Rashad Vaughn will likely specialize in as a pro," Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman wrote in a late-May mock draft while projecting the eventual NBA champions to take the UNLV standout with the final pick of the first round.
The Golden State Warriors are in a nice spot here, as they'll retain so many of the pieces that brought the Bay Area its first title in four decades. But as Wasserman pointed out, there's no reliable backup 2 on the roster, and it makes sense for GM Bob Myers to add another shooter.
Vaughn would do just fine after hitting 38.3 percent of his three-point attempts as a freshman. The same is true of R.J. Hunter, though it's not certain he'll still be on the board for the last selection of the initial round. And since he has deep range as a spot-up shooter, Cedi Osman, a 6'8" swingman from Turkey, could fit the bill as well.
There should be plenty of options for the Warriors. And even if all three are gone when they're on the clock, the reigning champions can justify reaching for a nice fit who's lower down on most draft boards.
Need-Fixing Predictions: R.J. Hunter, Cedi Osman or Rashad Vaughn
Houston Rockets
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 18
Biggest Need: Point guard
Patrick Beverley is a restricted free agent, while Jason Terry is hitting the open market in unrestricted fashion. That means the Houston Rockets are left without a single point guard on the roster, and that's problematic for a team that needs someone to help James Harden with some of the ball-handling responsibilities.
"Yeah definitely, that's one of the conversations that me and Daryl [Morey] are going to have," Harden explained to ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins earlier in the Houston offseason. The conversation he's referring to? The one in which he expressed his desire for the squad to add another quality piece to the backcourt.
Given the limited finances that Morey will have at his disposal, the draft is the best place to appease the bearded shooting guard. And to be clear, selecting a 1-guard won't just be done to please Harden but rather to fill in the most crucial hole on the roster.
Hoping and praying that Cameron Payne somehow falls out of the lottery will probably be the first course of action, but that's highly unlikely. Instead, the Rockets will be left with Jerian Grant and Tyus Jones, two point guards who have shown up for a few other teams already, as the primary targets on the realistic big board.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Jerian Grant, Tyus Jones or Cameron Payne
Indiana Pacers
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 11
Biggest Need: Frontcourt help
Roy Hibbert's future with the Indiana Pacers is uncertain. He could opt into his contract and accept a potentially diminished role with the organization he's played for ever since entering the league, or he could choose to travel down the path of free agency and look for a new landing spot. Meanwhile, David West will turn 35 years old this summer, and it's tough to see him remaining a key piece for too much longer—and that's assuming he doesn't opt out as well.
No matter what the two do, it would behoove the Pacers to pursue a big man of the future. George Hill and Paul George will be entrenched in the starting five, and a handful of decent rotation members are capable of filling out the remaining backcourt spots.
It has to be a 4 or 5 for Indiana, and there should be plenty of options at No. 11.
If the Pacers want another game-changing defensive presence, they can look to Willie Cauley-Stein. If they want a perimeter threat with plenty of upside, Texas' Myles Turner looms as a high-risk, high-reward selection. And if they want an interior presence who can remind them of the Toronto Raptors version of Chris Bosh, Bobby Portis could be the choice.
At least one of the three will be available at No. 11.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Willie Cauley-Stein, Bobby Portis or Myles Turner
Los Angeles Clippers
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: None
Biggest Need: Frontcourt depth
The Los Angeles Clippers will have to continue working via trades, as they're not going to have any money to spend if they bring back DeAndre Jordan, and they have no draft picks to work with in either round.
So while they need frontcourt depth—even more so after trading Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes to the Charlotte Hornets for Lance Stephenson—they're not going to remedy that in the draft.
Let's move on.
Need-Fixing Predictions: None
Los Angeles Lakers
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2015 First-Round Draft Picks: No. 2 and No. 27
Biggest Need: A star
The Los Angeles Lakers just need talent.
Kobe Bryant (for what could be his last season), Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson are the only true keepers on the roster right now, and that leaves the Lakers with the flexibility to draft just about anyone. Power forward might be off limits, but with Bryant able to play either wing position and Clarkson serving as a combo guard, everything else is on the table.
Los Angeles could justify taking D'Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay at No. 2, so long as it makes the choice because the prospect taken was the best in the class. Otherwise, it has to roll with Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, and which of the two is dependent on which big man the Minnesota Timberwolves leave on the table.
There's no bad choice. Both have All-Star potential, as Okafor profiles as a dominant interior threat with nightly double-double potential, while Towns could be the rare stretch 5 who also thrives as a rim-protector.
They can both be stars.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns
Memphis Grizzlies
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 25
Biggest Need: Frontcourt depth
"There's going to be players there at 25. It always works out," Memphis Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace said after a set of predraft workouts, per Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "It's never a neat and tidy process. But there will be guys that go on and have noteworthy careers taken later in this draft. It just always happens."
The Grizz could justify taking a player at just about any position. But especially with Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos both entering into the free-agency pool, landing another big man has to be the top priority, and plenty of them should be flitting around at No. 25.
Jarnell Stokes, whom Memphis acquired on draft day in 2014, is a nice fit for the grit-and-grind mentality, but he's not going to be enough. Adding a big who complements his interior toughness would be advantageous for a team that is trying to get over the hump in the Western Conference, and there's a trio of frontcourt players who could do exactly that.
"Hernangomez reminds a lot of a mix between Felipe Reyes and a shorter Marc Gasol in the way he moves and uses his body," Rick Pietro wrote about Guillermo "Willy" Hernangomez for NBADraft.net. "He was impressive during the 2013 Eurocamp, as he plays like a much older and experienced player and he is as polished as you will find at 21 years of age."
The Spaniard isn't the typical draft-and-stash candidate you often find when picking an international player at the tail end of the first round. But even if Memphis isn't convinced with the 6'11" big man's game, players such as Kevon Looney and Chris McCullough would be good fits as well.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Guillermo Hernangomez, Kevon Looney or Chris McCullough
Miami Heat
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 10
Biggest Need: A future starter on the wings
Let's assume that Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng both return to South Beach for the 2015-16 campaign and beyond. That's by no means a guarantee, but let's pretend it is for the sake of argument.
If they are back with the Miami Heat, this squad will boast one of the NBA's best starting fives next season, trotting out Goran Dragic (another player who would have to return in free agency), Wade, Deng, Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside. But the depth here would still be rather troubling, and no more so than on the wings, where James Ennis is the best option for the second unit.
That's the best-case scenario. If Deng or Wade flees, the Heat will need an immediate replacement.
No matter what, those two aren't going to be around forever. Both are on the wrong side of 30 and starting to show some wear and tear on their well-worn tires.
Any way you look at it, shooting guard and small forward are the positions of need during the draft, and Miami should simply look to snatch the best player available at either of those two spots in the lineup.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Devin Booker, Sam Dekker or Stanley Johnson
Milwaukee Bucks
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 17
Biggest Need: Frontcourt scorer
We're going to play a quick game that involves looking at two stats and seeing how easy it is to identify which end of the court the Milwaukee Bucks need to improve on.
- Stat 1: The Bucks scored 102.7 points per 100 possessions, which left them ranked No. 26 throughout the Association, ahead of only the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
- Stat 2: The Bucks allowed 102.2 points per 100 possessions, which left them ranked No. 3 throughout the Association, behind only the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.
Pretty obvious, right?
The Bucks, assuming they retain Khris Middleton, need to find offensive firepower that comes from the frontcourt. They don't need more players capable of protecting the rim but instead someone who can capably step out to the perimeter and stretch out a defense for the driving attacks of Michael Carter-Williams and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Filling this hole with local hero Frank Kaminsky would be ideal, but there are options even if the Wisconsin product is off the board. Bobby Portis has shown some floor-spacing tools, and Myles Turner profiles as a stretchy big, so long as he continues to hone a shooting stroke that produced inconsistent results during his brief tenure at Texas.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Frank Kaminsky, Bobby Portis or Myles Turner
Minnesota Timberwolves
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 1
Biggest Need: Franchise center
Sure, head coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders reportedly prefers Jahlil Okafor, sticking to the sentiment he's seemed to hold throughout the entire process, according to ESPN Insider Chad Ford. That doesn't mean the Duke product is the right choice for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will lead off the June 25 festivities with the first pick of the night.
Minnesota needs a big man who can replace Nikola Pekovic and thrive in two different areas: spacing the court with a threatening jumper and protecting the rim to shore up a porous defense.
Okafor does neither of those things, though he'd settle in as a potential All-Star for the Wolves. Karl-Anthony Towns does both, and he could be even more than a potential All-Star in this situation.
For the sake of the Minnesota rebuild, here's hoping Saunders' sentiments are simply smoke screens. If you're a Los Angeles Lakers fan, though, you're probably rooting for the opposite.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Karl-Anthony Towns, Karl-Anthony Towns or Karl-Anthony Towns
New Orleans Pelicans
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: None
Biggest Need: Three-and-D wing
The New Orleans Pelicans could use a three-and-D wing to help shore up the perimeter-oriented portion of their roster, but new head coach Alvin Gentry isn't going to have any first-round prospects to tutor during his initial season by the bayou.
Barring a draft-day trade, New Orleans won't come onto the clock until the No. 56 pick of the proceedings, and that's a time when teams take the best player available or look for upside. It's not when they draft to fill a primary need.
Need-Fixing Predictions: None
New York Knicks
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 4
Biggest Need: Best player available
The New York Knicks just need talent.
Sure, they're trying to find players who can fit next to Carmelo Anthony and thrive in the triangle offense that Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson will continue running. But more than anything else, they need to land rotation members who can play key parts when the team is actually competitive again.
It doesn't matter what position they're comfortable suiting up at.
For that reason, it would be terrific if Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns inexplicably slipped outside of the top three. But that's inconceivable enough that we're not even listing them among the predictions; instead, we focus on the next tier of prospects, two of whom should be around when the Knicks are on the clock.
Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell could both function as the franchise point guard of the future, while Kristaps Porzingis is an intriguing power forward with plenty of potential on both ends of the floor. Reaching for someone such as Willie Cauley-Stein isn't as ideal, since this is all about acquiring the biggest and best talents possible.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Emmanuel Mudiay, Kristaps Porzingis or D'Angelo Russell
Oklahoma City Thunder
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 14
Biggest Need: Depth behind stars
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a rare position.
With the exception of Enes Kanter, none of their crucial pieces are poised to hit the open market. Kyle Singler is the only other restricted free agent; there are no unrestricted free agents, and not a single player has an option or non-guaranteed contract. This team is basically set, and it's going to look like a championship contender again when Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka are all healthy.
But after the disaster that was the 2014-15 campaign, the Thunder should be aware of how vital depth can be, and that's why it's so important to find capable backups for both Westbrook and Durant.
Cameron Payne, the standout point guard from Murray State who's rocketing up draft boards, would be the ideal selection if he's still on the board. If he's not, no other point guard is worth taking in the lottery (other than D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay, who will be long gone), and that means the Thunder should turn to either Sam Dekker or Kelly Oubre.
But no matter who they draft, they'll be right back in contention next year. How's that for a nice luxury?
Need-Fixing Predictions: Sam Dekker, Kelly Oubre or Cameron Payne
Orlando Magic
23 of 312015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 5
Biggest Need: Floor-spacing or rim-protecting big
The Orlando Magic are a strange team right now. GM Rob Hennigan has done a fantastic job of acquiring talent, but it's still unclear how everything is going to fit together.
Even if Tobias Harris signs with a new team, there's a keeper at every position. Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo are clearly the backcourt of the future, while Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon should be entrenched at the biggest positions on the court. And at small forward? Evan Fournier and Maurice Harkless can both line up there, and Gordon can slide over in a pinch.
But the team is desperate for some shooting, and a floor-spacing big (or a rim-protecting one to account for Vucevic's shortcomings) would be a quality find at No. 5. That means drafting Kristaps Porzingis, who looks confident letting it fly from just about anywhere and has already shown off a plethora of one-footed fadeaway jumpers, is a worthwhile course of action. Trey Lyles would be a strong backup plan.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Willie-Cauley Stein, Trey Lyles or Kristaps Porzingis
Philadelphia 76ers
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 3
Biggest Need: Best player available
Even a week ago, the Philadelphia 76ers had to take a point guard or a stud on the wings. But now that we have more information on Joel Embiid's enduring rehab, that's no longer the case, and the Sixers could once against justify taking a big man.
"76ers center Joel Embiid may not be available to play at the start of the NBA season after the latest setback in the healing of his right foot, an NBA source said Sunday," Keith Pompey reported for Philly.com. "There's also a legitimate chance that the 7-footer could miss the entire season."
All of a sudden, Kristaps Porzingis is back on the board. So too are Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns, should one of the two slip past the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers. Adding a member of that frontcourt triumvirate wouldn't have made sense with both incumbent bigs (Embiid and Nerlens Noel) healthy and ready to go at the start of the 2014-15 campaign, but this uncertainty changes everything.
It's all about finding the best player available. If he's at the top of Philadelphia's draft board, he should soon be in Philly.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Emmanuel Mudiay, Kristaps Porzingis or D'Angelo Russell
Phoenix Suns
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 13
Biggest Need: Depth at center
The Phoenix Suns have needs, but none of them are dire.
After parting with Tyler Ennis, Isaiah Thomas and Goran Dragic midway through the 2014-15 campaign, they could use another point guard, especially with Brandon Knight entering restricted free agency. Another wing would help, and ideally one who can contribute on both ends of the court (aka not Gerald Green). But the biggest need of all comes in the frontcourt, where they need another big man who can produce offense.
Alex Len looked promising during his sophomore season, but it's tough to count on him for more than 25 minutes per game, and his offensive arsenal is rather limited. Adding Frank Kaminsky or Myles Turner would help remedy this issue, even if the latter is a project player who would require years of work.
Fortunately for the Suns, they aren't ready to compete for a title yet. Turner would have time to improve and come into his own before the championship push was fully underway.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Willie Cauley-Stein, Frank Kaminsky or Myles Turner
Portland Trail Blazers
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 23
Biggest Need: Best player available
It's impossible to figure out what the Portland Trail Blazers need right now.
LaMarcus Aldridge will be available this summer as an unrestricted free agent, and the same is true for Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez, Joel Freeland, Alonzo Gee and Dorell Wright. Arron Afflalo and Steve Blake could join them in that category if they decline their player options.
Rip City is mired in uncertainty, and that makes the fact the draft comes before free agency rather unfortunate. All that's known is that the bench will require work no matter what, and it will need to come at every position but point guard and center.
That leaves the Blazers to take the best player available with the No. 23 pick and then move on to the primary focus of the offseason—figuring out the free-agency market.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Justin Anderson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Rashad Vaughn
Sacramento Kings
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 6
Biggest Need: A forward
Rudy Gay's versatility makes the Sacramento King's draft process a bit easier. Since the team will likely play him at both forward positions, it can afford to target the 3 or the 4 with the No. 6 pick, thus expanding the number of advantageous selections it can make.
If small forward is the position of choice, Sacramento will be looking for someone who can knock down shots from the perimeter and help space the court for the interior threats. Both Arizona's Stanley Johnson and Duke's Justise Winslow can do so rather nicely, but they also possess the slashing ability that could help turn them into stars.
If power forward is what the Kings settle on, they can hope Kristaps Porzingis falls down past the first five picks, since he'd be a nice complement for DeMarcus Cousins. After all, the incumbent center needs to play next to either a rim-protecting 4 or a stretchy player who can create space for him and draw away double-teams—and Porzingis' shooting ability should do exactly that.
Mario Hezonja and Willie Cauley-Stein would both be fits here as well, but only if the Kings aren't totally sold on whichever of the three aforementioned players is left when they're on the clock.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Stanley Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis or Justise Winslow
San Antonio Spurs
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 26
Biggest Need: Frontcourt depth
Ultimately, we should just trust whoever the San Antonio Spurs draft. GM R.C. Buford, as well as the rest of the organization, has a great track record, and this franchise doesn't usually spend its picks foolishly.
But the Spurs actually have a need they can address at No. 26 this year.
Tim Duncan isn't going to stick around forever (we think), Tiago Splitter had trouble with injuries all year, and a trio of frontcourt players is hitting the open market (Jeff Ayres, Aron Baynes and Matt Bonner). Adding some depth to the biggest positions would be the smart course of action, even if the new faces aren't going to be rotation stalwarts for a while.
Guillermo Hernangomez would be a solid addition, and the same is true of Syracuse's Chris McCullough. But for these Spurs, no one fits better than UNLV's Christian Wood, who, based on many mock drafts, is admittedly a slight reach at the tail end of the first round.
Wood won't turn 20 until just before the 2015-16 campaign kicks off, but he's already talented as a face-up power forward. He needs to develop strength and a deadly arsenal of moves with his back to the basket, and there's no better mentor for that type of play than Duncan.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Guillermo Hernangomez, Chris McCullough or Christian Wood
Toronto Raptors
29 of 31
2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 20
Biggest Need: Power forward help
Tyler Hansbrough, Chuck Hayes and Amir Johnson will all be unrestricted free agents this summer, and that leaves the Toronto Raptors with a significant hole at power forward. Patrick Patterson is a serviceable option, but if this team hopes to contend, it can't be content to leave the position with only one player there.
Sure, Toronto could pursue some free agents who line up at the 4, but it's also drafting in the sweet spot for this position. At No. 20, GM Masai Ujiri is in the perfect slot to take a run at a plethora of 4s, as he can look at Montrezl Harrell, Guillermo Hernangomez, Jonathan Holmes, Kevon Looney, Chris McCullough or Bobby Portis.
Options abound, and the Raptors need to take one. They could justify picking a small forward here, giving up on Terrence Ross as a high-upside starter of the future, but that's a secondary concern with such a chasm at the 4.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Montrezl Harrell, Kevon Looney or Bobby Portis
Utah Jazz
30 of 31
2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 12
Biggest Need: Frontcourt scoring
The Utah Jazz, even if they failed to make the playoffs during the 2014-15 season, don't have too many big needs. They have a player with a strong level of potential at each and every position—Dante Exum at point guard, Alec Burks at shooting guard, Gordon Hayward at small forward, Derrick Favors at power forward and Rudy Gobert at center. Plus, there's already a decent amount of depth.
But if the Jazz are missing one thing, it's versatile scoring out of the frontcourt.
Gobert is a rim-protecting stud who can capably roll to the hoop and finish plays at the rim. Favors can work out of the post and bully smaller defenders, but he doesn't love to stretch out the court. And that makes it tough for the Jazz to hand major minutes to both of them at the same time.
The good news for Utah is how many frontcourt players can play on the perimeter in this draft class. Frank Kaminsky, Bobby Portis and Myles Turner have had various levels of success in such a role, but they all show the tools necessary to develop into potent players outside the paint.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Frank Kaminsky, Bobby Portis or Myles Turner
Washington Wizards
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2015 First-Round Draft Pick: No. 19
Biggest Need: Stretch 4
Picking seven spots behind the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards won't have access to the same players that their Western Conference competitors will. However, they have the exact same need—a power forward who can knock down shots from the outside and space out the court for the drives of the smaller players.
In Washington's case, that's John Wall, who thrives when he's bursting toward the basket and keeping his head up to look for open spot-up shooters standing outside the arc or in deep mid-range zones. Unless the Wizards are planning to give Drew Gooden more playing time (and that's a bad idea), they don't really have a frontcourt threat with a consistent jumper.
Frank Kaminsky and Bobby Portis can be primary targets here, just as they were for the Jazz. But Myles Turner is virtually guaranteed to be off the board by No. 19, which means we need a third choice. That's where Kevon Looney comes into play, just months removed from finishing up a campaign with UCLA that saw him average 11.6 points per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 41.5 percent on his three-point attempts.
Need-Fixing Predictions: Frank Kaminsky, Kevon Looney or Bobby Portis
All stats, unless otherwise indicated, come from Basketball-Reference.com.
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @fromal09
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