2015 Draft Preview: Golden State Warriors

2015-16 Depth Chart
PG: Stephan Curry/Shaun Livingston
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Harrison Barnes/Andre Igoudala
PF: David Lee/James Michael McAdoo
C: Andrew Bogut/Fesus Ezeli

2015 Free Agents
F Draymond Green (RFA)
SG Justin Holiday (RFA)
C Ognjen Kuzmic (RFA)
SG Leandro Barbosa
SG Brandon Rush (player option)
Marresse Speights (team option)

2015 Draft Picks
1-30

Team Needs

What does a team coming of a historically dominant season really need? Probably nothing, but teams that don't attempt to improve after having great seasons rarely repeat them. Part of the reason they were so good this last season was health, but injuries are a fickle thing that can pop up at any time essentially. To combat that, teams need depth; no one was deeper than the Warriors last season either, but their backups were also never over-exposed by injuries in front of them. Even if the player Golden State drafts is ther tenth man on their team, if they are a quality player that knows their role, they will be able to step in and produce.

Potential Fits

There are a number of prospects that could come in and be ready to contribute right away as a depth player that might be available here. If they are comfortable with Washington center Robert Upshaw's past off-the-court problems, he could be an intruiging upgrade on Festus Ezeli. Virgina's Justin Anderson should be able to guard 2s, 3s, and 4s defensively and has shown an ability to make outside shots. One prospect that seems like a perfect fit for Golden State is Utah guard Delon Wright; he is a very smart player who plays hard, can defend multiple positions, rebound, and get to the rim. As a fourth or fifth guard, Wright would provide exactly the kind of depth Golden State needs to continue to make deep playoff runs. Their is also a chance the Warriors don't wish to add another player/contract to their roster and could look at a foreign player to stash and save some money and a roster spot.

Mock Draft
30. Delon Wright, PG, Utah

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2015 Draft Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Mike Conley/Beno Udrih/Russ Smith

SG: Courtney Lee/Vince Carter/Jordan Adams

SF: Tony Allen

PF: Zach Randolph/Jarnell Stokes/JaMychal Green

C: Jon Leuer

2015 Free Agents

PG Nick Calathes 

C Marc Gasol

F Jeff Green (player option)

C Kosta Koufos

2015 Draft Picks

1-25

Team Needs

The Grizzlies perennially need another creative offensive player as well as more 3-point shooting, so it would certainly make sense for them to target a player that can help them in that area. However, there may be bigger needs materializing this summer as both Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos are going to be free agents. Gasol will likely be re-signed, but Koufos is almost certain to leave for another team, opening up a big hole at backup center. While that may not seem like a big deal, Koufos was one of the best backup centers in the NBA and helped keep Memphis' defense playing at a high level when Gasol was off the court. For Memphis, who's second unit occasionally struggled to score, this was vitally important to their success and kept them from having to overplay Gasol. Memphis is also a team that could make a trade that dramatically reshape their roster, Zach Randolph perhaps?

Potential Fits

There are a couple of shooters that could be available when Memphis drafts, Stanford's Anthony Brown and Virginia's Justin Anderson both could fit the bill and help keep the Grizzlies defense playing at a high level. UNLV's Rashad Vaughn is a shot-creator at shooting guard that could appeal to Memphis, however he is somewhat one dimensional and sort of a lesser version of Jordan Adams. The best fit to what may be Memphis' biggest need is Washington center Robert Upshaw, who is a legitimate top 10 talent but has some big off-the-court issues in his past. Upshaw is the best interior defender in the draft, a shot blocking machine with the strength to bang in the paint. Memphis has done a great job helping rehab questionable characters in the past and have strong team leaders that could help Upshaw get the most out of his ability and life.

Mock Draft
25. Robert Upshaw, C, Washington

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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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