Leading up to the NBA Draft, every team puts together their own big board, a wish list of their most preferred prospects. Each club has different positional and functional needs than others, and many squads are at different stages of development. Therefore, no two teams have identical draft boards.
To give an idea of who every lottery franchise should target this year, we projected top five boards for the first 14 teams. At certain stages of the lottery, we ruled out certain prospects who will almost certainly have been picked by then. That way, each team’s board is somewhat realistic and relevant to their draft position, even though Ben Simmons likely sits atop most charts.
No. 1: Philadelphia 76ers (10-72 in 2015-16)
1. Ben Simmons, LSU, F, 6’10”, Freshman
2. Brandon Ingram, Duke, F, 6’9″, Freshman
3. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
4. Kris Dunn, Providence, PG, 6’4″, Junior
5. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, 6’5″, Senior
The top two shouldn’t surprise anyone. Simmons and Ingram have been regarded as the top two prospects for months, and they could both dramatically boost Philly’s two-way attack.
Murray sits third on the Sixers’ list because he addresses a couple different holes in their backcourt. He brings smooth shooting off the catch and dribble, and he also offers playmaking upside that Brett Brown sorely needs. Dunn and Hield round out Philadelphia’s top five because they’re the next-best guards in the field, and they offer NBA-ready playmaking (Dunn) and shooting (Hield).
No. 2: Los Angeles Lakers (17-65)
1. Ben Simmons, LSU, F, 6’10”, Freshman
2. Brandon Ingram, Duke, F, 6’9″, Freshman
3. Dragan Bender, Croatia, F, 7’1″, 18 years old
4. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
5. Marquese Chriss, Washington, PF, 6’10”, Freshman
L.A.’s top two is the same as Philadelphia’s, but Nos. 3 through 5 look quite different. The Lakers need frontcourt versatility badly, and while Julius Randle is a promising piece, he’s going to need help. Croatian tower Dragan Bender might not have megastar power, but he’s the type of forward who can help L.A. protect the rim (2.5 blocks per 40 minutes last year), stretch the floor (37 percent on threes) and empower guards D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. Ultimately, however, Ingram will likely be there at No. 2 and the Lakers will likely take him.
No. 3: Boston Celtics via BKN (48-34)
(Assuming Simmons is gone)
1. Brandon Ingram, Duke, F, 6’9″, Freshman
2. Dragan Bender, Croatia, F, 7’1″, 18 years old
3. Marquese Chriss, Washington, PF, 6’10”, Freshman
4. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
5. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, 6’5″, Senior
There’s a decent chance the Celtics trade this pick in exchange for a proven NBA player who can push them further in the postseason. But if they don’t, they’ll look hard at the top power forward and center prospects available; both Bender and Chriss are more vertically and laterally gifted than Boston’s current bigs. Danny Ainge will also take a hard look at talented shot-makers like Murray and Hield who would amplify their perimeter attack late in games.
No. 4: Phoenix Suns (23-59
(Assuming Simmons and Ingram are gone)
1. Dragan Bender, Croatia, F, 7’1″, 18 years old
2. Marquese Chriss, Washington, PF, 6’10”, Freshman
3. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
4. Jaylen Brown, California, F, 6’7″, Freshman
5. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, 6’5″, Senior
Phoenix has some gaping holes in the forward corps. The Morris twins are long gone, Jon Leuer and Mirza Teletovic are free agents, and Tyson Chandler is way past his prime. Bender’s multidimensional skill set would be a great long-term fit next to Alex Len, as would Chriss’ explosive inside-out potential. Murray ranks third on Phoenix’s list because he’s simply that valuable as a prospect, and he would give the Suns’ front office some flexibility to shop one or more of its guards.
No. 5: Minnesota Timberwolves (29-53)
(Assuming Simmons and Ingram are gone)
1. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, F, 6’5″, Freshman
2. Kris Dunn, Providence, PG, 6’4″, Junior
3. Dragan Bender, Croatia, F, 7’1″, 18 years old
4. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, 6’5″, Senior
5. Marquese Chriss, Washington, PF, 6’10”, Freshman
New coach/president Tom Thibodeau could go in a number of directions here, including shopping the pick as rumored by ESPN. It might be best to take the “best player available” approach, especially because cornerstones Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are flexible enough to play alongside a variety of players.
Murray would fit superbly between Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins in the backcourt, but Minny could also easily plug in competitors like Buddy Hield or Dragan Bender. Dunn is an attractive option because he could become the point guard of the future and make Ricky Rubio expendable.
No. 6: New Orleans Pelicans (30-52)
(Assuming Simmons and Ingram are gone)
1. Kris Dunn, Providence, PG, 6’4″, Junior
2. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
3. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, 6’5″, Senior
4. Dragan Bender, Croatia, F, 7’1″, 18 years old
5. Jaylen Brown, California, F, 6’7″, Freshman
New Orleans has deficiencies all over the place, particularly in the backcourt. Eric Gordon is likely out the door in free agency, while injury-prone guards Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans are in the final year of their deals. A strong shot-creating weapon would do wonders for Anthony Davis and Alvin Gentry’s offense (105.6 O-Rating last year), and a defensive fighter is also desperately needed (109.5 D-Rating). Kris Dunn emerges as the top option thanks to his two-way speed and vision.
No. 7: Denver Nuggets (33-49)
(Assuming Simmons and Ingram are gone)
1. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
2. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, 6’5″, Senior
3. Dragan Bender, Croatia, F, 7’1″, 18 years old
4. Kris Dunn, Providence, PG, 6’4″, Junior
5. Jaylen Brown, California, F, 6’7″, Freshman
It’s tough to tell what the Nuggets’ board will look like because picks 3-6 are up in the air. But it’s more than safe to say Simmons and Ingram will be gone, so we’ll rule them out.
Shooting guards and wings top their list. Imagine placing a shooter like Murray or Hield alongside playmakers like Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Jokic and finishers like Kenneth Faried. It would immediately make Mike Malone’s attack more dynamic.
No. 8: Sacramento Kings (33-49)
(Assuming Simmons, Ingram, Bender and Dunn are gone)
1. Jamal Murray, Kentucky, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
2. Marquese Chriss, Washington, PF, 6’10”, Freshman
3. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, 6’5″, Senior
4. Jaylen Brown, California, F, 6’7″, Freshman
5. Henry Ellenson, Marquette, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
If Murray, Chriss or Hield fall to Sac-town, Vlade Divac and Co. should be thrilled to scoop him up. Murray is a long-term combo guard who could space the floor and operate the pick-and-roll with DeMarcus Cousins, whereas Hield would be a long-term upgrade at the 2 spot over Ben McLemore.
No. 9: Toronto Raptors via NYK (56-26)
(Assuming Simmons, Ingram, Bender, Dunn, Murray and Hield are gone)
1. Marquese Chriss, Washington, PF, 6’10”, Freshman
2. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, Combo Big, 7’0″, Freshman
3. Henry Ellenson, Marquette, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
4. Jaylen Brown, California, F, 6’7″, Freshman
5. Jakob Poeltl, Utah, C, 7’1″, Sophomore
Toronto needs an influx of explosiveness in its power forward depth chart. Luis Scola and James Johnson are free agents, and Patrick Patterson is in the final year of his contract. Marquese Chriss exemplifies the kind of athleticism and shooting the Raptors would love to have in the frontcourt. Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress explained on Locked On NBA:
Marques has elite bounce…he’s a lob-catcher, head-at-the-rim type of guy, and in addition to that…how he’s developed as a shooter. He has really nice touch, he’s extended it out to college three and I think he’s going to extend it out to NBA three fairly seamlessly.
After a year of apprenticeship under Patterson, Chriss could be ready for a substantial role in 2017 and beyond. That is, if he’s available. Henry Ellenson or Skal Labissiere would be solid consolation prizes.
No. 10: Milwaukee Bucks (33-49)
(Assuming Simmons, Ingram, Bender, Dunn, Murray and Hield are gone)
1. Marquese Chriss, Washington, PF, 6’10”, Freshman
2. Jakob Poeltl, Utah, C, 7’1″, Sophomore
3. Wade Baldwin, Vanderbilt, Combo Guard, 6’4″, Sophomore
4. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, Combo Big, 7’0″, Freshman
5. Henry Ellenson, Marquette, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
If Chriss happens to still be on the board, that’s great news. If not, Jakob Poeltl is the type of multifaceted pivot man to add depth and defense to Milwaukee’s frontcourt.
The Bucks are also in dire need of perimeter shooting (league-worst 5.4 three-pointers per game last season). Wade Baldwin is an answer because (A) he shot 42 percent at Vandy, and (B) he has arguably the highest overall upside of any guard remaining on the board.
No. 11: Orlando Magic (35-47)
(Simmons, Ingram, Bender, Dunn, Murray, Hield, Brown and Chriss are gone)
1. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, Combo Big, 7’0″, Freshman
2. Jakob Poeltl, Utah, C, 7’1″, Sophomore
3. Henry Ellenson, Marquette, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
4. Wade Baldwin, Vanderbilt, Combo Guard, 6’4″, Sophomore
5. Deyonta Davis, Michigan State, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
Labissiere is a risk/reward commodity, but he tops Orlando’s wish list due to his defensive range and offensive promise. Thanks to his defensive range and rim protecting, coach Frank Vogel could bring Labissiere off the bench and place him next to Nikola Vucevic. And because he’s long enough to play center, the Magic could also use him next to Aaron Gordon.
No. 12: Utah Jazz (40-42)
(Simmons, Ingram, Bender, Dunn, Murray, Hield, Brown, and Chriss are gone)
1. Wade Baldwin, Vanderbilt, Combo Guard, 6’4″, Sophomore
2. Dejounte Murray, Washington, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
3. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, Combo Big, 7’0″, Freshman
4. Jakob Poeltl, Utah, C, 7’1″, Sophomore
5. Denzel Valentine, Michigan State, SG, 6’6″, Senior
Valentine was higher on Utah’s chart, but the recent revelation of his significant knee issues moved him down considerably. Wade Baldwin and Dejounte Murray have more intriguing NBA potential anyway, so the Jazz should strongly consider addressing their guard depth with either one. A backcourt/wing group that includes options like Hayward, Hood, Exum and Baldwin is exciting, especially given the beasts in the paint backing them up (Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors).
No. 13: Phoenix Suns via WAS (23-59)
(Simmons, Ingram, Bender, Dunn, Murray, Hield, Brown, and Chriss are gone)
1. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, Combo Big, 7’0″, Freshman
2. Wade Baldwin, Vanderbilt, Combo Guard, 6’4″, Sophomore
3. Henry Ellenson, Marquette, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
4. Jakob Poeltl, Utah, C, 7’1″, Sophomore
5. Dejounte Murray, Washington, Combo Guard, 6’5″, Freshman
We already did a draft board for the Suns at No. 4, but their wish list will look much different later in the lottery. Depending on who they take with the No. 4 pick, Phoenix could be targeting a power forward or a guard at the No. 13 slot. Labissiere is the biggest risk/reward big man of the bunch, while Baldwin is the most valuable combo guard remaining in the field. Acquiring Baldwin, who is a superb shooter with some point-guard potential, would enable the Suns to shop Brandon Knight if they desired.
No. 14: Chicago Bulls (42-40)
(Simmons, Ingram, Bender, Dunn, Murray, Hield, Brown, and Chriss are gone)
1. Jakob Poeltl, Utah, C, 7’1″, Sophomore
2. Wade Baldwin, Vanderbilt, Combo Guard, 6’4″, Sophomore
3. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, Combo Big, 7’0″, Freshman
4. Henry Ellenson, Marquette, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
5. Deyonta Davis, Michigan State, PF, 6’11”, Freshman
Joakim Noah is a free agent and past his prime. Pau Gasol has a player option next year but is past his prime. Taj Gibson is entering the final year of his contract. And Derrick Rose is also in the last year of his deal. You get the picture: Chicago needs both big men and guard depth. Poeltl and Baldwin would be terrific choices if one of them falls to No. 14, but the Bulls are more likely to end up with someone like Davis or Domantas Sabonis, both of whom are still quality options.
The post Top 5 NBA Draft board for every lottery team appeared first on Today's FastBreak.