2015 Draft Preview: Washington Wizards

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: John Wall/Ramon Sessions

SG: Bradley Beal/Martell Webster

SF: Otto Porter Jr.

PF: Nene/Kris Humphries/DeJuan Blair

C: Marcin Gortat

2015 Free Agents

SF Rasual Butler

PG Will Bynum

PF Drew Gooden

F Paul Pierce (player option)

C Kevin Seraphin

G Garrett Temple (player option)

2015 Draft Picks

1-19

2-19(49)

Team Needs

Washington has three clear needs no what happens with Paul Pierce; whether he picks up his option or not, Washington clearly needs a stretch-four to make this offense work at an above-average level. Pierce can fill that role if he returns, but it will become a need again next summer, so why not address it now and give your player a year in the system before you really need them? Backup point guard is another area Washington can upgrade, Ramon Sessions can be useful, but he is a limited player. Because John Wall is so big and can defend shooting guards, a high quality backup guard could play alongside him and kill two birds its one stone because backup shooting guard is also an area of concern.

Potential Fits

Several power forwards in the middle of the first round have potential to be a perimeter power forward including UCLA's Kevon Looney, UNLV's Christian Wood, Arkansas's Bobby Portis, and Trey Lyles of Kentucky. All four could be off the board when Washington pick, but it is likely at least one might be available. Looney and Wood are also long and athletic with shotblocking upside, while Portis is a physical, positional defender who is the best overall offensive player of the bunch. Lyles is interesting, he has great size but isn't a good athlete and despite a reputation otherwise, he was an awful shooter last season. Lyles carries the most risk of the group, but still would have to be considered because if his shooting rounds into form you'd have exactly what you need. Tyus Jones of Duke and Cameron Payne of Murray State are the two point guards most likely to be available when the Wizards pick. Both are similar in that they lack above-average size/physical tools yet have a lot of skills you like as a point guards. Both are good shooters, can see the floor, and are willing passers. Both would likely be an upgrade over Sessions. Another place Washington should look to improve is their depth at shooting guard, with only the oft-injured Martell Webster to back up Bradley Beal, who has been hurt some himself. R.J. Hunter of Georgia State is an ideal fit because he'll give Washington an additional shooting option that can fill in spacing the floor with Beal on the bench. An intersting second round option for the Wizards is Iowa forward Aaron White, who was a very efficient player that shot 36% from three last season.

Mock Draft

19. R.J. Hunter, SG, 

49. Aaron White, PF, Iowa

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: Atlanta Hawks

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Jeff Teague/Dennis Schroder/Shelvin Mack

SG: Kyle Korver/Kent Bazemore/John Jenkins

SF: Thabo Sefolosha/Austin Daye

PF: Mike Scott

C: Al Horford/Mike Muscala

2015 Free Agents

C Pero Antic (RFA)

PF Elton Brand

SF DeMarre Carroll

SG John Jenkins

PF Paul Millsap

2015 Draft Picks

1-15 via Brooklyn

2-20(50) via Toronto

2-29(59)

Team Needs
The biggest areas of need will be created if either Paul Millsap or DeMarre Carroll leave in free agency. I would say the former is very unlikely, with the latter fairly likely. Under that assumption, Atlanta will be looking for a wing to take Carroll's role as defensive stopper/cutter/shooter. Even if Millsap returns, Atlanta is still thin in the frontcourt and could look in that direction if one of the better big men fell into their laps. Another issue for Atlanta is that when Kyle Korver was off the court or in a slump, their offense suffered. That is not to say that they could find a shooter like him, as historic great, but some approximation of a superior outside threat would be a serious boon to Atlanta's offense.

Potential Fits
I think if Devin Booker of Kentucky or Arkansas' Bobby Portis falls to them, they would be all over it. Booker for his shooting and Portis for his diverse skills for a big man. If they are off the board, Atlanta could look at UCLA forward Kevon Looney, who has tremendous length and a developing jumpshot, but is also a bit of a project. R.J. Hunter of Georgia State is an excellent shooter with the vision and passing to fit in Atlanta's ball-movement system, but would be more of a Korver backup than a Carroll replacement. The best replacement the Hawks are going to find to replace his defense and cutting ability is Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. He is probably a better defender than Carroll and excels making smart cuts to the basket. The shooting is another matter, but Atlanta seems to have been able to get the most out their shooters and have other options that can make Hollis-Jefferson work. Wisconsin's Sam Dekker is another interesting option because he could theoretically fill two roles, and Carroll's replacement and Millsap insurance... if his jumpshot comes along and he can defend either wings and bigs, if not both.

Mock Draft

15. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona

50. Josh Richardson, SG, Tennessee

59. Alan Williams, C, UC-Santa Barbara

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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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