2015 Draft Preview: Brooklyn Nets

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Deron Williams/Jarrett Jack/Darius Morris

SG: Joe Johnson/Markel Brown

SF: Bojan Bogdanovic/Sergey Karasev/Earl Clark

PF: Cory Jefferson

C: Mason Plumlee

2015 Free Agents

C Jerome Jordan (RFA)

PF Mirza Teletovic (RFA)

SG Alan Anderson (player option)

C Brook Lopez (player option)

F Thaddeus Young (early termination clause)

2015 Draft Picks

1-29

2-11(41)

Team Needs

What the Nets need most is a clean slate and a fresh start, which unfortunately are not available in the draft this year. This summer Brooklyn has a lot of decisions to make on essentially their entire frontcourt; besides Thad Young could elect free agency, Brooklyn will have to decide if they are going to re-sign Brook Lopez, Mirza Teletovic, and Jerome Jordan while also reportedly shopping Mason Plumlee. Basically, Brooklyn's big man rotation might look very different next season. Elsewhere, aside from Joe Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Nets lack much in the way of proven wing players and could use another, more athletic player to compliment Bogdanovic.

Potential Fits

There are several big men that could be available near the bottom of the first round that could turn out as solid depth options for Brooklyn. LSU big men Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are projected in this range and offer differing skillset. Mickey is an excellent defender and rebounder, but somewhat limited offensively, while Martin has a better feel offensively, though he lacks any carrying NBA skill. Syracuse's Rakeem Christmas is similar to Mickey, just a little bit bigger and a couple years older. His teammate for the Orange, Chris McCullough is more of a project as he recovers from a knee injury and develops his body, but also has a lot more upside than Mickey, Martin, or Christmas because of his jumpshot. Another player with a little more upside, mostly due to his age, is Kansas' Cliff Alexander. Alexander has an NBA body and should be a good defender but is a little bit behind as an offensive player.

Mock Draft
29. Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU
41. Olivier Hanlan, G, Boston College

2015 Draft Preview: Boston Celtics

2015-16 Depth Chart
PG: Marcus Smart/Isaiah Thomas/Phil Pressey
SG: Avery Bradley/James Young/Chris Babb
SF: Evan Turner/Gerald Wallace
PF: Kelly Olynyk
C:  Tyler Zeller/Jared Sullinger

2015 Free Agents
SF Jae Crowder (RFA)
F Luigi Datome (RFA)
PF Brandon Bass
F Jonas Jerebko

2015 Draft Picks
1-15
1-28 via Clippers
2-3(33) via Philadelphia
2-15(45)

Team Needs

Boston has a solid collection of players, but still have a long way to go before being considered a contender. Honestly, they don't really have a single player that you could say for certain would be one of the top five players on a contender, but they have a multitude that could be the sixth or seven best. This gives them a good starting point and lots of flexibility as they search for a star or two. Marcus Smart, who is the one guy I think could become one of those higher level players, is probably locked in at one of the guard spots, but the rest of the starting lineup is up for grabs. The frontcourt is one of the biggest areas of need for Boston, namely an athletic, shot-blocking player to compliment their other, more floor-bound, offensive-minded players. There is a good chance Jae Crowder is re-signed, but even if he is Boston could use another wing, preferably one that can shoot and is more ready than James Young.

Potential Fits

To me, the best move is one they have reportedly been considering: using the draft picks they have acquired in addition to one of their young players and attempt a trade up as high as they can get without being fleeced. If they are able to trade up, bigs would seemingly be the main target, including Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein if they get into the top ten or Myles Turner of Texas in the later lottery. Really though, any of the top 10 or so prospects would be an upgrade for Boston's starting lineup, especially when you consider Smart can play either guard spot. If they don't trade their pick, they will have to look at what is available and balance need with value. Arkansas's Bobby Portis would be an upgrade at forward or center, but isn't quite the dominating shot blocker they need. Washington's Robert Upshaw is a perfect fit as a defensive anchor, however he has been kicked off of two college teams and has some off-the-court issues. GM Danny Ainge is unafraid of risk and problem children, so there is alway a possibility they throw caution to the wind and take Upshaw. Another three prospects, UCLA's Kevon Looney, UNLV 's Christian Wood, and Louisville's Montrezl Harrell are all they kind of athletic players that would fit, but each has concerns as well: Looney's ultimate position, Wood's strength, and Harrell's size. To me, of those three Looney makes the most sense because he has the kind of defensive versatility Boston likes and some upside to become an above-average player who can defend, offensive rebound, and make outside shots. Even if they take a big with their first pick, I'd expect them to double-dip with one of their next picks and target another shot-blocking type player such and Syracuse's big man Rakeem Christmas.

Mock Draft

15. Kevon Looney, F, UCLA

28. Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV

33. Rakeem Christmas, F/C, Syracuse

45. Nikola Milutinov, C, Partizan

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2015 Draft Preview: Phoenix Suns

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Eric Bledsoe

SG: Archie Goodwin/Reggie Bullock/Jerel McNeal

SF: P.J. Tucker/T.J. Warren

PF: Markieff Morris/Marcus Morris

C: Alex Len

2015 Free Agents

G Brandon Knight (RFA)

C Earl Barron

SF Danny Granger (player option)

SG Gerald Green

SG Marcus Thornton

C Brandan Wright

2015 Draft Picks

1-13

2-14(44)

Team Needs

Assuming Brandon Knight is re-signed, which all signs point to, the biggest hole that stands out is backup center. This is especially worrisome because Alex Len has struggled injuries both of his seasons so far and isn't yet a complete player. A third point guard, preferably one that can play alongside both Knight and Bledsoe, is also a need, though this may be a spot Phoenix wishes to fill with a veteran. After Knight, the Suns have a number of intruiging young players there, all with strengths and flaws. If Phoenix can grab a more complete shooting guard the backup Knight, it would allow them more flexibility to use Archie Goodwin more as a ballhandler and Reggie Bullock out on the wing, where his shooting will be more useful.

Potential Fits

If any of the top shelf center prospects fall, Phoenix would be wise to pounce; especially if they compliment Len's game well. Even if they don't, Phoenix will still likely have an excellent option available with Arkansas' Bobby Portis. Portis is a tough, physical, old school big man who should be able to backup Len at center, or play power forward alongside him. Portis is a smart defender that can also help provide driving lanes for Knight and Bledsoe with tough screens and outside shooting touch. If Phoenix is looking to strengthen their backcourt, Notre Dame's Jerian Grant would fit nicely as a third guard able to play either guard spot because of his ability to defend most shooting guards. Kentucky guard Devin Booker is a off-guard only but is a dynamite shooter who would really make defenses pay for helping onto Bledsoe and Knight. In the second round, there are a couple solid backup center types such as Syracuse's Rakeem Christmas or Spanish international Guillermo Hernangomez that could probably play a couple minutes a game as Len's backup, but might be overexposed if they had to start because of a Len injury. Third point guard is another area they could address with their security no round pick, local Arizona prospect T.J. McConnell is far from flashy, but gets the job done when needed. Oregon's James Young, Kentucky's Andrew Harrison, and Olivier Hanlan of Boston College are more combo guards, but would provide some interesting versatility.

Mock Draft

13. Bobby Portis, F/C, Arkansas

44. T.J. McConnell, PG, Arizona

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