Monday, May 23, 2005
2005 NBA Draft team needs
By Chad Ford
Play the 2005 Draft Lottery!Should teams draft to fill their needs or should they take the best player available when they draft?
Most teams will tell you that they choose the latter, but history shows that when they do it, disaster seems to strike. There's nothing worse than having a high draft pick sitting on the bench picking his nose.
The truth is that team needs matter. Some teams have glaring needs that must be filled through the draft. Only when a team is very deep, or has multiple picks, or the best player on the board is head and shoulders above the player who fits a need does it really have the luxury to draft the "best player available."
With the draft lottery set for Tuesday along with the debut of our first mock draft of the year, today Insider breaks down the team needs of every team with a first-round pick.
Atlanta HawksPick(s): 25% chance for No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
Power Forward For the last two years, the Hawks have come to the same conclusion in the draft ... they need a swingman. Their last three first-round picks (Boris Diaw, Josh Childress and Josh Smith) along with two of their second-round picks (Travis Hansen and Donta Smith) all just so happen to play either the two or the three. So, when the rumblings started coming out of Atlanta that Billy Knight was in love with Marvin Williams, it's tough to say we were surprised. With that said, the Hawks can't afford to go that direction right now. They have nothing at either the point or at center and with Andrew Bogut and Chris Paul available, it's hard to see how they can justify selecting Williams.
New Orleans HornetsPick(s): 17.8% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Small Forward
Power Forward The Hornets are set at center (Jamaal Magloire) and have nice, promising young prospects at the two (J.R. Smith) and the point (Speedy Claxton, Dan Dickau). However, they have a pretty big hole at the three and will eventually need to replace the aging P.J. Brown at the four. If they get No. 1, it will be Marvin Williams all the way. If they can't get their hands on Williams, it will be interesting to see what they do. They could either make a run at Bogut and trade the unhappy Magloire, or they can upgrade at the point, and pass on re-signing Dickau this summer. Or, they could throw caution to the wind and grab Gerald Green. Green has as much upside as anyone in the draft and could fit nicely with Smith.
Charlotte BobcatsPick(s): 17.7% chance at No. 1, 13
Team NeedsThe Skinny Point Guard
Small Forward Brevin Knight was fantastic for Charlotte last season, but he's not the long-term solution. If the Bobcats can get their hands on Chris Paul, he'd be the perfect fit in Charlotte. They also love Marvin Williams, who'd be a huge upgrade at the three. If neither is available, don't be surprised if the Bobcats grab Green. While a guy like Deron Williams or Raymond Felton would be an upgrade at the point, it will be tough to pass on Green's upside and versatility.
Utah JazzPick(s): 11.9% chance at No. 1, 27Team NeedsThe Skinny Point Guard Athletic center
Sharp shooter The Jazz shocked everyone early in the season when they dumped Carlos Arroyo. The team never seemed to recover after that. After decades with John Stockton running the show, that duty fell to Raul Lopez, Keith McLeod and Howard Eisley. All three struggled. If Paul is on the board, he'd be a perfect fit in the Jazz's offense. So would Illinois' Deron Williams. The team is also high on Andrew Bogut, though he duplicates a lot of what Mehmet Okur does. The only really athletic big guy in the draft is Chris Taft, but the Jazz wouldn't touch him. They'll probably have to fill their second need via free agency. With the 27th pick, look for them to either go with a young European that they can leave overseas or grab a sweet-shooting swingman who can extend the defense a little.
Portland TrailblazersPick(s): 8.8% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Shooting Guard
Center
Backup point The team is going into the summer with just one decent two guard, Derek Anderson. They'll add another if last year's first-round pick, Sergey Monya, comes over from Russia. Still, if a player like Gerald Green is on the board, they'll be hard-pressed to pass on him here. Green has the athleticism and the shooting touch to turn into a big-time two guard if the Blazers are willing to be patient (I'm told they are and they better be with Sebastian Telfair running the show). They've also shown an enormous amount of interest in big man Martynas Andriuskevicius. He's being personally tutored by Arvydas Sabonis in Lithuania. Center is a less important need with the emergence of Joel Przybilla, but long-term, Andriuskevicius's upside is much higher. They're also going to need some help behind Telfair, though they'll likely look to a veteran given Telfair's immaturity.
Milwaukee BucksPick(s): 6.3% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Power Forward
Center The Bucks' backcourt should be set as long as Michael Redd re-signs and T.J. Ford returns to the team next season. Redd has said he plans to re-sign in Milwaukee and Ford, who sat out the entire season, has been medically cleared to start playing again. So, the Bucks can begin concentrating on their frontcourt. Their three-headed center of Dan Gadzuric, Zaza Pachulia and Calvin Booth was pretty good last season. However, both Gadzuric and Pachulia are restricted free agents. Their biggest need is at the four. Joe Smith was OK this year. What they really need is an athletic scrapper who crashes the boards hard, blocks some shots and can score in the paint. They've been high on Fran Vasquez for months and he seems to fit the bill.
Toronto RaptorsPick(s): 3.6% chance at No. 1, 16Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
Swingman The Raptors were so desperate for a center last year that they over reached dramatically and took Rafael Araujo. Araujo struggled terribly for the Raptors last season and now they find themselves in the same place again. Unfortunately, unless they get a shot at Bogut, they'd be over-reaching again if they took a center at No. 7. Instead look for them to either shore up the point guard position with Deron Williams or Raymond Felton (Rafer Alston wore out his welcome quickly there) or to take a flier on Gerald Green if he's on the board. They want to get rid of Jalen Rose badly and Green would be an excellent replacement. So could New Mexico's Danny Granger. With the No. 16 pick, the Raptors might start thinking big. Centers like Johan Petro, Randolph Morris, Andrew Bynum are stretches at that range, though all three are a few years away from being major contributors.
New York KnicksPick(s): 3.5% chance at No. 1, 30Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Power Forward
Small Forward For $109 million in payroll, you'd think the Knicks would have most of their bases covered. They do in the backcourt, where Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston and Penny Hardaway will earn a combined $57 million next season (that's more money than half the teams in the league spend on their ENTIRE rosters). However, the frontcourt is pretty weak. The Knicks will try to trade Tim Thomas this summer. They have a plethora of undersized fours and traded away their only legit center (Nazr Mohammed) for yet another biggie small (Malik Rose) right before the trade deadline. The tallest guy on the team that can actually play (sorry Bruno Sundov) is Kurt Thomas, who stands just a hair over 6-foot-9 in shoes. If they can't land Bogut, Thomas will be tempted heavily by Taft. He has the size and athleticism that Thomas loves. If he had played well this season, he would've been the No. 1 pick in the draft. However questions about his work ethic on and off the court have killed him. Don't expect it to deter Thomas. He needs the size badly and has shown an affinity for guys whose talent doesn't always match their production on the court.
Los Angeles LakersPick(s): 1.4% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Point Guard
Center The Lakers are chock full of talent from two to four, but are paper thin at the point and in the middle. Chucky Atkins was the Lakers' only point guard last season and he's much better in a backup role. If Deron Williams or Raymond Felton are around at this spot, they'll be hard to pass up. They also need a lot of help in the middle. Chris Mihm was solid this year, but he had to do it alone. With Vlade Divac leaning toward retirement, they need a big. Guys like Fran Vasquez, Johan Petro, Tiago Splitter, Andrew Bynum (whom sources say they are in love with) and Randolph Morris will get a look here. Nine is probably too high for all of them but Vasquez, but the prospects on the draft board are better than the potential free agent bigs out there.
Golden State WarriorsPick(s): 1.4% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Athletic shot blocker
Low-post scorer For the first time in a decade, it looks like the Warriors are ready for a playoff run. The addition of Baron Davis at the trade deadline, combined with the development of players like Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy and Mickael Pietrus give them a formidable core. Last year's first-round pick, Andris Biedrins, looked very promising toward the end of the season, but they are still a tough, athletic big man away from dominating. A player like Chris Taft would be perfect if he were available (this is why Insider's been maintaining he's a top-10 pick). So would guys like Fran Vasquez. However, if both are off the board, they may have to reach a little to get a player that fits that bill. So, they could just grab the best player left on the board. Though Dunleavy improved last season, sources claim they're high on Danny Granger. Granger is tougher, more athletic, a much better defender and has the same versatility that Dunleavy does. If they went with Granger, they might be able to package Dunleavy in a deal that got them size back in return. Maybe a Dunleavy for Chris Wilcox swap?
Orlando MagicPick(s): 0.8% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
With John Weisbrod reportedly on his way out the door, you wonder if his "I only take tough guys" approach to everything will follow him out the door. The Magic are actually pretty deep, but have a number of chemistry issues that must be solved. Their centers, Tony Battie and Kelvin Cato, are dinosaurs and don't fit well into their up-tempo system. It seems like Steve Francis's future is at the two, meaning that the Magic need to get a big, defensive-minded point guard to pair in the backcourt with him. Jameer Nelson was good last season, but he doesn't fit any of the above criteria. A guy like Deron Williams would be perfect, but he'll probably be off the board. Jarrett Jack is a possibility, though 11 is awfully high for him. At this point in the draft all of the big guys left (Johan Petro, Randolph Morris, Andrew Bynum, Tiago Splitter, Channing Frye) are stretches at this draft range. Maybe they'd be better off moving Francis back to the one and adding a big, unselfish two guard like Antoine Wright or Martell Webster to the mix.
Los Angeles ClippersPick(s): 0.7% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Sharp shooter
Athletic, physical center The Clippers, like the Warriors, appear to be on the verge of leaving lottery hell behind and making a serious run at the playoffs next year. Assuming they re-sign Bobby Simmons and Marko Jaric this summer, the team is pretty solid at every position. What they need is a great three-point shooter in the backcourt and some depth and athleticism in the middle. Guys like Antoine Wright and Martell Webster fit the bill as shooters. The team is very high on Martynas Andriuskevicius and would grab him here if he were still on the board. Johan Petro and Channing Frye are both possibilities in the middle.
Minnesota TimberwolvesPick(s): 0.5% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
Shooting Guard It's been a while since the Timberwolves even sniffed the first round, let alone the lottery. They've had just one first-round pick (Ndudi Ebi) in the last five years thanks to Joe Smith. A reprieve from their penalty couldn't come at a more critical time. The team has holes everywhere that they need to fill. Michael Olowokandi is their only center. Given that he's injury prone and hasn't played very well, they need a lot of help there. Latrell Sprewell is headed to free agency and it appears the Wolves aren't too interested in re-signing him. They're also trying to dump starting point guard Sam Cassell, and there's been talk they're willing to swap him for the Grizzlies' Jason Williams. And it's not out of the question that the team tries to trade Wally Szczerbiak this summer. That pretty much leaves the draft field wide open considering that the one guy that isn't going anywhere, Kevin Garnett, can play just about any position you want him to. Look for Kevin McHale to try to find a player who can come in and contribute immediately.
New Jersey NetsPick(s): 15Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
3-point shooting
Backup point The loss of Kenyon Martin last summer threw the Nets into a tailspin that lasted for the first half of the season. The great play of Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and rookie Nenad Krstic down the home stretch should give Nets fans a lot of hope for the future. What the Nets need now is some athleticism and toughness in their frontcourt. Krstic has the potential to be a very good player for them. The rest of their front line, including Jason Collins, should really be coming off the bench. The Nets don't have a lot of time to fool around so drafting a project like Andrew Bynum or Johan Petro is probably out of the question. However a player like Channing Frye, Sean May or Hakim Warrick could fit the bill for them. If none of them are around, they could use a solid backup for Kidd. He plays way too many minutes given his age. A player like Jarrett Jack might be a solid pick-up at this point in the draft. The team also needs 3-point shooting and could grab a player like Martell Webster, Rashad McCants or Marko Tomas here.
Indiana PacersPick(s): 17Team NeedsThe Skinny 3-point shooting
Backup point The Pacers are one of the two or three deepest teams in the league and don't have a lot of needs. Don't be surprised if the team trades this pick for cash and future considerations or in combination with a contract they'd like to get rid of. If they do keep it, they'll also need to replace Reggie Miller's stellar 3-point shooting. Someone like Antoine Wright, Martell Webster, Rashad McCants or Marko Tomas would be a great pick for the Pacers. They could be in the market for a young backup point. Anthony Johnson was great in relief for Jamaal Tinsley this year, but a guy like Jarrett Jack has more long-term upside.
Boston CelticsPick(s): 18Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard The Celtics are another team that will explore trading their pick. They've had five first rounders the past two years and don't really need to add another rookie to the mix. They also have nice depth across the board. They believe that Delonte West is the point guard and Al Jefferson is the power forward of the future. Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis have the two and three taken care of. The team could always use depth at the five. The Celtics could make a run at a player like Andrew Bynum, Johan Petro, Tiago Splitter or Randolph Morris here. They'll also need some depth at the point if Gary Payton bolts via free agency. A guy like Jarrett Jack or high school stud Monta Ellis could get a look here.
Memphis GrizzliesPick(s): 19Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard Several NBA GMs have confirmed to Insider that Jerry West has been shopping his pick. The Grizzlies have a ton of depth and are cash strapped at the moment. The word around the league is that a team can get it for a future pick or cash. If the Grizzlies keep it, they'll continue to look for a center that can block shots, defend and rebound. They'll likely lose Stromile Swift this summer and need a replacement. The usual suspects of Sean May, Channing Frye, Johan Petro, and Andrew Bynum will get a look. The team could also be in the market for a point guard. Jason Williams is on the trading block and Earl Watson is an unrestricted free agent. If Jarrett Jack is still on the board, he makes some sense. The others ... not so much.
Denver NuggetsPick(s): 20, 22Team NeedsThe Skinny
Backup center The Nuggets appear to be on the verge of something great. If they can find a two guard who can knock down the three with any consistency and play some defense, they'll be in good shape. The best prospects (Antoine Wright and Martell Webster) will probably be off the board by now. Players like Monta Ellis, Rudy Fernandez, Francisco Garcia and Kennedy Winston will get long looks. George Karl has heard enough horror stories from his UNC alumni to put Rashard McCants out of the picture there. With their 22 pick, the Nuggets will likely look overseas. They have Ersan Ilyasova, Peja Samardziski and Linas Kleiza all ranked pretty high.
Phoenix SunsPick(s): 21Team NeedsThe Skinny
Power Forward
Small Forward Assuming that the team re-signs Joe Johnson this summer (that could be an awfully big assumption) the Suns have no major holes to fill. They just need depth. Mike D'Antoni knows what kind of players he likes and guys like Channing Frye, Johan Petro, Hakim Warrick, Andray Blatche, Joey Graham and Francisco Garcia could all be great fits in Phoenix.
Sacramento KingsPick(s): 23Team NeedsThe Skinny Power Forward
Backup guard Kenny Thomas did a nice job replacing Chris Webber, but the Kings would love to add a little more athleticism and size to their frontcourt. Players like Andray Blatche, Charlie Villanueva and Ronny Turiaf would all be good fits in Sacramento. The team also needs some depth in the backcourt if they decide not to pick up Bobby Jackson's option. Players like Monta Ellis, Rudy Fernandez, Kennedy Winston, Rashad McCants and Francisco Garcia could all be good fits.
Houston RocketsPick(s): 24Team NeedsThe Skinny Swingman
Backup center The Rockets did a good job of piecing together some nice role players to complement Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming last season. However, the truth is, they could use upgrades at the two, the point and power forward. And, with Dikembe Mutombo coming up on his 87th birthday, they'll need a backup for Yao. Look for them to either address the swingman position or backup center problems here. Players like Rashad McCants, Rudy Fernandez, Kennedy Winston and Francisco Garcia would be good options in the backcourt. Channing Frye and Randolph Morris would great fits if they're on the board. They could also use some low-post toughness. Guys like Wayne Simien, Ike Diogu or Ronny Turiaf might make some sense in Houston.
Seattle SonicsPick(s): 25Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Power Forward
Shooting Guard The Sonics have eight free agents this summer, so who knows exactly where the holes are going to be. Center is the most obvious. They could lose both Jerome James and Vitaly Potapenko this summer, leaving rookie Robert Swift alone in the middle. If they could get a four-year college guy like Channing Frye, you think they'd jump at the chance. However, he could be long gone by then. A skilled four like Charlie Villanueva would be a nice fit, though his work ethic could drive Nate McMillan (if he's back) crazy. A guy who scores in the low post, like Wayne Simien or Ike Diogu, is also an option here. If Ray Allen leaves, then shooting guard becomes a priority, though by now, the pickings should be pretty slim.
Detroit PistonsPick(s): 26Team NeedsThe Skinny Backup swingman The Pistons have a pretty solid eight-man rotation right now. Their starting five plus sixth man Antonio McDyess all play big minutes and aren't going anywhere. The team is expecting big things from Carlos Arroyo, Carlos Delfino and Darko Milicic (assuming Larry Brown retires) next season which means they don't really have a lot of needs right now. They would like to add another solid swingman to the rotation. Ronald Dupree has been pretty good, but the Pistons wouldn't mind getting their hands on someone who can stroke it. This might be a good place for Rashad McCants or Kennedy Winston to land. They've also had their eye on Louis Williams, though he'd be a long-term project.
San Antonio SpursPick(s): 28Team NeedsThe Skinny
Miami HeatPick(s): 29Team NeedsThe Skinny Small Forward
Point Guard
Power Forward The Heat are really a two-man show with Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade running things. The team could still use upgrades almost everywhere else. They're pretty set at power forward if they can figure out how to re-sign Udonis Haslem this summer. Point guard Damon Jones will likely opt out of his contract and seek big money leaving the point as a potential hole. And you have to wonder how much gas Eddie Jones has left in the tank, though some in Miami think Dorrell Wright will be a great replacement someday. Look for them to grab a big man like Mile Ilic and stash him over in Europe for a few years. Or, they could add depth up front by getting another hard-working biggie small like Wayne Simien, Ike Diogu or David Lee.
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2005 NBA Draft team needs
By Chad Ford
Play the 2005 Draft Lottery!Should teams draft to fill their needs or should they take the best player available when they draft?
Most teams will tell you that they choose the latter, but history shows that when they do it, disaster seems to strike. There's nothing worse than having a high draft pick sitting on the bench picking his nose.
The truth is that team needs matter. Some teams have glaring needs that must be filled through the draft. Only when a team is very deep, or has multiple picks, or the best player on the board is head and shoulders above the player who fits a need does it really have the luxury to draft the "best player available."
With the draft lottery set for Tuesday along with the debut of our first mock draft of the year, today Insider breaks down the team needs of every team with a first-round pick.
Atlanta HawksPick(s): 25% chance for No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
Power Forward For the last two years, the Hawks have come to the same conclusion in the draft ... they need a swingman. Their last three first-round picks (Boris Diaw, Josh Childress and Josh Smith) along with two of their second-round picks (Travis Hansen and Donta Smith) all just so happen to play either the two or the three. So, when the rumblings started coming out of Atlanta that Billy Knight was in love with Marvin Williams, it's tough to say we were surprised. With that said, the Hawks can't afford to go that direction right now. They have nothing at either the point or at center and with Andrew Bogut and Chris Paul available, it's hard to see how they can justify selecting Williams.
New Orleans HornetsPick(s): 17.8% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Small Forward
Power Forward The Hornets are set at center (Jamaal Magloire) and have nice, promising young prospects at the two (J.R. Smith) and the point (Speedy Claxton, Dan Dickau). However, they have a pretty big hole at the three and will eventually need to replace the aging P.J. Brown at the four. If they get No. 1, it will be Marvin Williams all the way. If they can't get their hands on Williams, it will be interesting to see what they do. They could either make a run at Bogut and trade the unhappy Magloire, or they can upgrade at the point, and pass on re-signing Dickau this summer. Or, they could throw caution to the wind and grab Gerald Green. Green has as much upside as anyone in the draft and could fit nicely with Smith.
Charlotte BobcatsPick(s): 17.7% chance at No. 1, 13
Team NeedsThe Skinny Point Guard
Small Forward Brevin Knight was fantastic for Charlotte last season, but he's not the long-term solution. If the Bobcats can get their hands on Chris Paul, he'd be the perfect fit in Charlotte. They also love Marvin Williams, who'd be a huge upgrade at the three. If neither is available, don't be surprised if the Bobcats grab Green. While a guy like Deron Williams or Raymond Felton would be an upgrade at the point, it will be tough to pass on Green's upside and versatility.
Utah JazzPick(s): 11.9% chance at No. 1, 27Team NeedsThe Skinny Point Guard Athletic center
Sharp shooter The Jazz shocked everyone early in the season when they dumped Carlos Arroyo. The team never seemed to recover after that. After decades with John Stockton running the show, that duty fell to Raul Lopez, Keith McLeod and Howard Eisley. All three struggled. If Paul is on the board, he'd be a perfect fit in the Jazz's offense. So would Illinois' Deron Williams. The team is also high on Andrew Bogut, though he duplicates a lot of what Mehmet Okur does. The only really athletic big guy in the draft is Chris Taft, but the Jazz wouldn't touch him. They'll probably have to fill their second need via free agency. With the 27th pick, look for them to either go with a young European that they can leave overseas or grab a sweet-shooting swingman who can extend the defense a little.
Portland TrailblazersPick(s): 8.8% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Shooting Guard
Center
Backup point The team is going into the summer with just one decent two guard, Derek Anderson. They'll add another if last year's first-round pick, Sergey Monya, comes over from Russia. Still, if a player like Gerald Green is on the board, they'll be hard-pressed to pass on him here. Green has the athleticism and the shooting touch to turn into a big-time two guard if the Blazers are willing to be patient (I'm told they are and they better be with Sebastian Telfair running the show). They've also shown an enormous amount of interest in big man Martynas Andriuskevicius. He's being personally tutored by Arvydas Sabonis in Lithuania. Center is a less important need with the emergence of Joel Przybilla, but long-term, Andriuskevicius's upside is much higher. They're also going to need some help behind Telfair, though they'll likely look to a veteran given Telfair's immaturity.
Milwaukee BucksPick(s): 6.3% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Power Forward
Center The Bucks' backcourt should be set as long as Michael Redd re-signs and T.J. Ford returns to the team next season. Redd has said he plans to re-sign in Milwaukee and Ford, who sat out the entire season, has been medically cleared to start playing again. So, the Bucks can begin concentrating on their frontcourt. Their three-headed center of Dan Gadzuric, Zaza Pachulia and Calvin Booth was pretty good last season. However, both Gadzuric and Pachulia are restricted free agents. Their biggest need is at the four. Joe Smith was OK this year. What they really need is an athletic scrapper who crashes the boards hard, blocks some shots and can score in the paint. They've been high on Fran Vasquez for months and he seems to fit the bill.
Toronto RaptorsPick(s): 3.6% chance at No. 1, 16Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
Swingman The Raptors were so desperate for a center last year that they over reached dramatically and took Rafael Araujo. Araujo struggled terribly for the Raptors last season and now they find themselves in the same place again. Unfortunately, unless they get a shot at Bogut, they'd be over-reaching again if they took a center at No. 7. Instead look for them to either shore up the point guard position with Deron Williams or Raymond Felton (Rafer Alston wore out his welcome quickly there) or to take a flier on Gerald Green if he's on the board. They want to get rid of Jalen Rose badly and Green would be an excellent replacement. So could New Mexico's Danny Granger. With the No. 16 pick, the Raptors might start thinking big. Centers like Johan Petro, Randolph Morris, Andrew Bynum are stretches at that range, though all three are a few years away from being major contributors.
New York KnicksPick(s): 3.5% chance at No. 1, 30Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Power Forward
Small Forward For $109 million in payroll, you'd think the Knicks would have most of their bases covered. They do in the backcourt, where Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston and Penny Hardaway will earn a combined $57 million next season (that's more money than half the teams in the league spend on their ENTIRE rosters). However, the frontcourt is pretty weak. The Knicks will try to trade Tim Thomas this summer. They have a plethora of undersized fours and traded away their only legit center (Nazr Mohammed) for yet another biggie small (Malik Rose) right before the trade deadline. The tallest guy on the team that can actually play (sorry Bruno Sundov) is Kurt Thomas, who stands just a hair over 6-foot-9 in shoes. If they can't land Bogut, Thomas will be tempted heavily by Taft. He has the size and athleticism that Thomas loves. If he had played well this season, he would've been the No. 1 pick in the draft. However questions about his work ethic on and off the court have killed him. Don't expect it to deter Thomas. He needs the size badly and has shown an affinity for guys whose talent doesn't always match their production on the court.
Los Angeles LakersPick(s): 1.4% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Point Guard
Center The Lakers are chock full of talent from two to four, but are paper thin at the point and in the middle. Chucky Atkins was the Lakers' only point guard last season and he's much better in a backup role. If Deron Williams or Raymond Felton are around at this spot, they'll be hard to pass up. They also need a lot of help in the middle. Chris Mihm was solid this year, but he had to do it alone. With Vlade Divac leaning toward retirement, they need a big. Guys like Fran Vasquez, Johan Petro, Tiago Splitter, Andrew Bynum (whom sources say they are in love with) and Randolph Morris will get a look here. Nine is probably too high for all of them but Vasquez, but the prospects on the draft board are better than the potential free agent bigs out there.
Golden State WarriorsPick(s): 1.4% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Athletic shot blocker
Low-post scorer For the first time in a decade, it looks like the Warriors are ready for a playoff run. The addition of Baron Davis at the trade deadline, combined with the development of players like Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy and Mickael Pietrus give them a formidable core. Last year's first-round pick, Andris Biedrins, looked very promising toward the end of the season, but they are still a tough, athletic big man away from dominating. A player like Chris Taft would be perfect if he were available (this is why Insider's been maintaining he's a top-10 pick). So would guys like Fran Vasquez. However, if both are off the board, they may have to reach a little to get a player that fits that bill. So, they could just grab the best player left on the board. Though Dunleavy improved last season, sources claim they're high on Danny Granger. Granger is tougher, more athletic, a much better defender and has the same versatility that Dunleavy does. If they went with Granger, they might be able to package Dunleavy in a deal that got them size back in return. Maybe a Dunleavy for Chris Wilcox swap?
Orlando MagicPick(s): 0.8% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
With John Weisbrod reportedly on his way out the door, you wonder if his "I only take tough guys" approach to everything will follow him out the door. The Magic are actually pretty deep, but have a number of chemistry issues that must be solved. Their centers, Tony Battie and Kelvin Cato, are dinosaurs and don't fit well into their up-tempo system. It seems like Steve Francis's future is at the two, meaning that the Magic need to get a big, defensive-minded point guard to pair in the backcourt with him. Jameer Nelson was good last season, but he doesn't fit any of the above criteria. A guy like Deron Williams would be perfect, but he'll probably be off the board. Jarrett Jack is a possibility, though 11 is awfully high for him. At this point in the draft all of the big guys left (Johan Petro, Randolph Morris, Andrew Bynum, Tiago Splitter, Channing Frye) are stretches at this draft range. Maybe they'd be better off moving Francis back to the one and adding a big, unselfish two guard like Antoine Wright or Martell Webster to the mix.
Los Angeles ClippersPick(s): 0.7% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Sharp shooter
Athletic, physical center The Clippers, like the Warriors, appear to be on the verge of leaving lottery hell behind and making a serious run at the playoffs next year. Assuming they re-sign Bobby Simmons and Marko Jaric this summer, the team is pretty solid at every position. What they need is a great three-point shooter in the backcourt and some depth and athleticism in the middle. Guys like Antoine Wright and Martell Webster fit the bill as shooters. The team is very high on Martynas Andriuskevicius and would grab him here if he were still on the board. Johan Petro and Channing Frye are both possibilities in the middle.
Minnesota TimberwolvesPick(s): 0.5% chance at No. 1Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard
Shooting Guard It's been a while since the Timberwolves even sniffed the first round, let alone the lottery. They've had just one first-round pick (Ndudi Ebi) in the last five years thanks to Joe Smith. A reprieve from their penalty couldn't come at a more critical time. The team has holes everywhere that they need to fill. Michael Olowokandi is their only center. Given that he's injury prone and hasn't played very well, they need a lot of help there. Latrell Sprewell is headed to free agency and it appears the Wolves aren't too interested in re-signing him. They're also trying to dump starting point guard Sam Cassell, and there's been talk they're willing to swap him for the Grizzlies' Jason Williams. And it's not out of the question that the team tries to trade Wally Szczerbiak this summer. That pretty much leaves the draft field wide open considering that the one guy that isn't going anywhere, Kevin Garnett, can play just about any position you want him to. Look for Kevin McHale to try to find a player who can come in and contribute immediately.
New Jersey NetsPick(s): 15Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
3-point shooting
Backup point The loss of Kenyon Martin last summer threw the Nets into a tailspin that lasted for the first half of the season. The great play of Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and rookie Nenad Krstic down the home stretch should give Nets fans a lot of hope for the future. What the Nets need now is some athleticism and toughness in their frontcourt. Krstic has the potential to be a very good player for them. The rest of their front line, including Jason Collins, should really be coming off the bench. The Nets don't have a lot of time to fool around so drafting a project like Andrew Bynum or Johan Petro is probably out of the question. However a player like Channing Frye, Sean May or Hakim Warrick could fit the bill for them. If none of them are around, they could use a solid backup for Kidd. He plays way too many minutes given his age. A player like Jarrett Jack might be a solid pick-up at this point in the draft. The team also needs 3-point shooting and could grab a player like Martell Webster, Rashad McCants or Marko Tomas here.
Indiana PacersPick(s): 17Team NeedsThe Skinny 3-point shooting
Backup point The Pacers are one of the two or three deepest teams in the league and don't have a lot of needs. Don't be surprised if the team trades this pick for cash and future considerations or in combination with a contract they'd like to get rid of. If they do keep it, they'll also need to replace Reggie Miller's stellar 3-point shooting. Someone like Antoine Wright, Martell Webster, Rashad McCants or Marko Tomas would be a great pick for the Pacers. They could be in the market for a young backup point. Anthony Johnson was great in relief for Jamaal Tinsley this year, but a guy like Jarrett Jack has more long-term upside.
Boston CelticsPick(s): 18Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard The Celtics are another team that will explore trading their pick. They've had five first rounders the past two years and don't really need to add another rookie to the mix. They also have nice depth across the board. They believe that Delonte West is the point guard and Al Jefferson is the power forward of the future. Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis have the two and three taken care of. The team could always use depth at the five. The Celtics could make a run at a player like Andrew Bynum, Johan Petro, Tiago Splitter or Randolph Morris here. They'll also need some depth at the point if Gary Payton bolts via free agency. A guy like Jarrett Jack or high school stud Monta Ellis could get a look here.
Memphis GrizzliesPick(s): 19Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Point Guard Several NBA GMs have confirmed to Insider that Jerry West has been shopping his pick. The Grizzlies have a ton of depth and are cash strapped at the moment. The word around the league is that a team can get it for a future pick or cash. If the Grizzlies keep it, they'll continue to look for a center that can block shots, defend and rebound. They'll likely lose Stromile Swift this summer and need a replacement. The usual suspects of Sean May, Channing Frye, Johan Petro, and Andrew Bynum will get a look. The team could also be in the market for a point guard. Jason Williams is on the trading block and Earl Watson is an unrestricted free agent. If Jarrett Jack is still on the board, he makes some sense. The others ... not so much.
Denver NuggetsPick(s): 20, 22Team NeedsThe Skinny
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Shooting GuardBackup center The Nuggets appear to be on the verge of something great. If they can find a two guard who can knock down the three with any consistency and play some defense, they'll be in good shape. The best prospects (Antoine Wright and Martell Webster) will probably be off the board by now. Players like Monta Ellis, Rudy Fernandez, Francisco Garcia and Kennedy Winston will get long looks. George Karl has heard enough horror stories from his UNC alumni to put Rashard McCants out of the picture there. With their 22 pick, the Nuggets will likely look overseas. They have Ersan Ilyasova, Peja Samardziski and Linas Kleiza all ranked pretty high.
Phoenix SunsPick(s): 21Team NeedsThe Skinny
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CenterPower Forward
Small Forward Assuming that the team re-signs Joe Johnson this summer (that could be an awfully big assumption) the Suns have no major holes to fill. They just need depth. Mike D'Antoni knows what kind of players he likes and guys like Channing Frye, Johan Petro, Hakim Warrick, Andray Blatche, Joey Graham and Francisco Garcia could all be great fits in Phoenix.
Sacramento KingsPick(s): 23Team NeedsThe Skinny Power Forward
Backup guard Kenny Thomas did a nice job replacing Chris Webber, but the Kings would love to add a little more athleticism and size to their frontcourt. Players like Andray Blatche, Charlie Villanueva and Ronny Turiaf would all be good fits in Sacramento. The team also needs some depth in the backcourt if they decide not to pick up Bobby Jackson's option. Players like Monta Ellis, Rudy Fernandez, Kennedy Winston, Rashad McCants and Francisco Garcia could all be good fits.
Houston RocketsPick(s): 24Team NeedsThe Skinny Swingman
Backup center The Rockets did a good job of piecing together some nice role players to complement Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming last season. However, the truth is, they could use upgrades at the two, the point and power forward. And, with Dikembe Mutombo coming up on his 87th birthday, they'll need a backup for Yao. Look for them to either address the swingman position or backup center problems here. Players like Rashad McCants, Rudy Fernandez, Kennedy Winston and Francisco Garcia would be good options in the backcourt. Channing Frye and Randolph Morris would great fits if they're on the board. They could also use some low-post toughness. Guys like Wayne Simien, Ike Diogu or Ronny Turiaf might make some sense in Houston.
Seattle SonicsPick(s): 25Team NeedsThe Skinny Center
Power Forward
Shooting Guard The Sonics have eight free agents this summer, so who knows exactly where the holes are going to be. Center is the most obvious. They could lose both Jerome James and Vitaly Potapenko this summer, leaving rookie Robert Swift alone in the middle. If they could get a four-year college guy like Channing Frye, you think they'd jump at the chance. However, he could be long gone by then. A skilled four like Charlie Villanueva would be a nice fit, though his work ethic could drive Nate McMillan (if he's back) crazy. A guy who scores in the low post, like Wayne Simien or Ike Diogu, is also an option here. If Ray Allen leaves, then shooting guard becomes a priority, though by now, the pickings should be pretty slim.
Detroit PistonsPick(s): 26Team NeedsThe Skinny Backup swingman The Pistons have a pretty solid eight-man rotation right now. Their starting five plus sixth man Antonio McDyess all play big minutes and aren't going anywhere. The team is expecting big things from Carlos Arroyo, Carlos Delfino and Darko Milicic (assuming Larry Brown retires) next season which means they don't really have a lot of needs right now. They would like to add another solid swingman to the rotation. Ronald Dupree has been pretty good, but the Pistons wouldn't mind getting their hands on someone who can stroke it. This might be a good place for Rashad McCants or Kennedy Winston to land. They've also had their eye on Louis Williams, though he'd be a long-term project.
San Antonio SpursPick(s): 28Team NeedsThe Skinny
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Small Forward The Spurs are another team with great depth right now. They should get even deeper next season if they bring over former second-round pick Luis Scola from Spain. Scola is one of the top two or three power forwards in Europe right now and would be a solid backup for Tim Duncan. The team could use a little depth at the three. Bruce Bowen has been great there, but they could use a big three to help stretch the defenses. The team is hoping that a young Euro like Ersan Ilyasova or Yaroslav Korolev stays in the draft and slides to them here. They might also be willing to take a chance on Charlie Villanueva if he slides this far. Other players who could fit include Linas Kleiza, Matt Walsh, Ryan Gomes and Julius Hodge. Miami HeatPick(s): 29Team NeedsThe Skinny Small Forward
Point Guard
Power Forward The Heat are really a two-man show with Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade running things. The team could still use upgrades almost everywhere else. They're pretty set at power forward if they can figure out how to re-sign Udonis Haslem this summer. Point guard Damon Jones will likely opt out of his contract and seek big money leaving the point as a potential hole. And you have to wonder how much gas Eddie Jones has left in the tank, though some in Miami think Dorrell Wright will be a great replacement someday. Look for them to grab a big man like Mile Ilic and stash him over in Europe for a few years. Or, they could add depth up front by getting another hard-working biggie small like Wayne Simien, Ike Diogu or David Lee.
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