2015 NBA Draft Needs: The Contenders
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The conference finals is the NBA’s own version of the Final Four. The last four teams standing all have what it takes to win a title. In most cases, these teams are already set as to what they need for next season, making it hard to envision the draft giving them anything that will help them tremendously.
But this is the place in the draft that separates most of these contenders from the rest of the field. Each one of the teams on this list have drafted players late in the draft who have become key parts of their championship runs. The diligence in their scouting of players plays a huge part in what got them here, today.
Without further ado, here are the needs for the last four teams in the 2015 NBA Draft Needs series.
24. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Needs: SF, C
Picks: 24, 53 (from POR)
The biggest storyline this offseason when it comes to free agency is the future of Kevin Love. The Cavaliers caught an unlucky break when Love separated his shoulder in the Boston series, leaving them without the third member of their All-Star trio. Love has the option of leaving this summer, and you can bet Cleveland will be sweating it out.
In addition to Love, key rotation guys such as Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson are also free agents — albeit restricted free agents in their case. Love can sign anywhere, but Cleveland has the option of matching any offer for Shumpert and Thompson.
Thompson is a safe bet to stay, seeing as he and LeBron James share the same agent. Even if Thompson, Love and Shumpert all return, Cleveland could use one more rotation player in the front court.
The Cavs were one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league this season, and Montrezl Harrell statistically is one of the best offensive rebounding bigs in the draft. Christian Wood is another excellent rebounder who doubles as a stout rim protector. Some wing players that could be available as spot up shooters are Justin Anderson and R.J. Hunter.
27. HOUSTON ROCKETS
Needs: PG, SG
Picks: 18 (from NO), 32 (from NY)
Houston has New Orleans’ first round pick in the bag thanks to the Omer Asik trade last summer.
The Rockets have been great at drafting players in this range in the past — Terrence Jones (18), Donatas Motiejunas (20) and Clint Capela (25) were all key parts of the rotation this year. Minutes are always going to be hard to come by in a front court occupied by Dwight Howard, Josh Smith and the three aforementioned bigs. It would be smart if Houston shored up their backcourt, as Jason Terry, Pablo Prigioni and Patrick Beverley could be free agents this summer.
There are three point guards who may be available at this point in the draft: Cameron Payne, Tyus Jones and Jerian Grant. Houston loves to shoot threes, making Grant an unlikely possibility. Both Payne and Jones are terrific 3-point shooters, each converting over 37 percent of their attempts from downtown. With James Harden carrying a lot of the ball handling and playmaking skills, the Rockets need a selfless point guard who is just fine with spotting up on the wings.
29. ATLANTA HAWKS
Needs: SF, C
Picks: 15 (from BRK), 50 (from TOR), 59
Atlanta is still reaping the benefits of the Joe Johnson trade, owning the right to swap picks with Brooklyn this year. The Hawks have built a high flowing motion offense under Mike Budenholzer that normally features five 3-point shooters on the floor at all times. Like Houston, they’ve got a good track record of drafting in lower spots, with notable players being Jeff Teague (19), Dennis Schroder (17), Mike Scott (43), Mike Muscala (44) and Pero Antic (undrafted).
With stout defensive wing DeMarre Carroll being a free agent this summer, they need to add a wing player who can defend and step out to the perimeter. Devin Booker is the best shooter in the draft, making him a logical target for Atlanta.
If they want another piece in their front court, Trey Lyles is a sweet shooting forward who has the ability to spread the floor. If the Hawks decide that defense is more of a priority, Kevon Looney is definitely in play at No. 15.
30. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Needs: SG
Picks: 30
Golden State had one of the best regular seasons in the history of the league, finishing second in offensive efficiency and first in defensive efficiency. Everybody loves watching Steph Curry and Klay Thompson chuck threes, but it has been their defense that has been the biggest part of their success.
They have several players who can guard and switch onto multiple positions, making them mismatch-proof. The pivot point of their scheme is Draymond Green, who they drafted 35th overall in the 2012 draft. Festus Ezeli was pick No. 30 in that same draft and has turned into a key part of their bench.
The Warriors will be deep into the luxury tax next season once Klay Thompson’s new extension starts, leaving them with a lot of hefty contracts on their books. David Lee seems like a logical candidate to be traded, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they look to move Andre Iguodala as well. In addition, this pick will obviously be trade bait — teams do this often when they are trying to save money because they don’t want any extra guaranteed dollars on their cap sheet.
Draft and stash is also always at play for tax teams. Timothe Luwawu is the type of long, athletic wing that Golden State looks for in their fast paced, switching defense. If they decide to keep the pick and bring someone on the team this year, Delon Wright is another logical choice. The 6-6 point guard has the positional versatility to play either guard spot. He and Sean Livingston are similar, but Wright showed potential as a long range shooter (35.6 percent his senior season) as well.