2016 NBA Draft: Breaking down the needs for all 30 teams
Where all teams stand heading into the draft
By
Eye on Basketball staff
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17 min read
The NBA Draft is here on Thursday, which means everyone's favorite debate -- fit vs. best player available -- is back. In reality, it's not much of a debate. With the possible exception of teams at the very top of the draft, most front offices must consider the rest of their roster when adding pieces to it.
CBS Sports' Matt Moore, Ananth Pandian, Zach Harper and James Herbert explored where teams stand heading into the draft and which prospects they might target to fill their needs.
NEEDS: PG, PF, SF, shooting, rim protection
The Cavs don't have a pick in this year's draft. However, there is uncertainty in free agency when it comes to Matthew Dellavedova (restricted), J.R. Smith, Richard Jefferson and Timofey Mozgov, so they might want to try to get back into the draft to add some depth. If they manage to acquire a late first-round pick, maybe they could get someone like Florida State's Malik Beasley or Michigan State's Denzel Valentine. The latter is falling because of knee concerns, but if healthy he would be an ideal fit because of his versatility.
NEEDS: SG, SF, stretch 4, shooting, playmaking
Every team wants a power forward who can shoot and make plays, and Indiana needs one perhaps more than anybody. The Pacers used Solomon Hill in that fashion, but it's going to be tough for them to pay him market value in free agency. In general, they could also use some skilled two-way players who can shoot and pass -- before he was fired, Frank Vogel tried just about everything to make this a more balanced team. Indiana almost never drafts international players, but with the No. 20 pick in the draft, it should take a look at Spanish forward Juan Hernangomez. He projects as a versatile and athletic power forward and he was both productive and efficient playing in the second-best league in the world.
NEEDS: PG, PF
After the Tobias Harris trade, the Pistons don't have any major roles to fill. They just need to let their core grow together and improve their bench. Backup point guard was a weak spot once they lost Brandon Jennings, and they could use another big man who can rebound, too. At No. 18, Notre Dame's Demetrius Jackson is their best bet at point guard. If Detroit goes big, it is another team that should consider Hernangomez, and I like the idea of Stan Van Gundy working with Kansas center Cheick Diallo, too.
Needs: PG, C, shooting, passing
If Fred Hoiberg's Bulls are going to play the way he wants to play, he needs guys who want to move the ball and can stretch the floor. After a disastrous season for a team that hoped to be a contender, they could completely reshape the roster this summer. That means it's hard to tell what Chicago might do with the No. 14 pick. If Gonzaga's Domantas Sabonis is available, though, he would make a ton of sense. The Bulls will probably lose Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah in free agency this summer, and Sabonis could be a steal at this spot if he continues to improve his perimeter shooting in the next few years. Vanderbilt's Wade Baldwin is another great option here if he's on the board, as he seems like a perfect complement to Jimmy Butler if the Derrick Rose era is over.
NEEDS: PG, C, shooting, rebounding, rim protection
The Bucks are a couple pieces away from being a force, especially if they nail the No. 10 pick in the draft. This roster is full of length, potential and versatility. Milwaukee is desperate for outside shooting, though, and it is unclear whether or not last summer's big free-agent acquisition, Greg Monroe, fits with everybody else. If Milwaukee is planning to let Giannis Antetokounmpo run the offense, then Vanderbilt's Wade Baldwin IV would be a fantastic choice to play point guard next to him. He is a long-as-hell defender, like Michael Carter-Williams, but he is also a deadeye spot-up shooter, unlike Carter-Williams. The Bucks should also be extremely familiar with Marquette's Henry Ellenson, and he is an interesting potential pick here if they can get past his defensive limitations.
NEEDS: C, PF, shooter
The Celtics need a legit rim protector and an upgrade at the power forward spot. Equipped with three picks in the first round and five more in the second, the Celtics should have plenty of opportunities to draft a frontcourt player. With the third pick, Boston can take Dragan Bender, or wait for their 16th or 23rd pick and pursue Thon Maker or Domantas Sabonis. It also wouldn't be surprising if Danny Ainge is able to trade his treasure trove of picks for a more experienced player or even an All-Star.
NEEDS: Everything
The Nets are a team in transition and will be going through the rebuilding process for quite some time. Unfortunately, they don't have any first-round picks this year. So the Nets will need to either try and trade into the first round or hope to get some gems in the second. Whoever the Nets end up drafting in the second, it will have to simply be the best player available, which is fine since they have a need at basically every position on their roster.
NEEDS: PG, SG, shooter
The Knicks, as of now, don't have any picks in this draft. Should they make a deal to get in, then a second-round choice would be most likely. Chances are, the Knicks will be more active in free agency instead of trying to find an impactful rookie late in the draft or out of summer league.
NEEDS: PG, SG, SF
Reports are the Sixers have informed Ben Simmons they'll take him No. 1 overall and he should immediately fill their need at small forward. Philadelphia also has two more picks in the first round, and point guards Dejounte Murray and Tyler Ulis would be worthy selections with one of those picks. DeAndre' Bembry, who played college ball at Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia, would be a nice "hometown" pick and could be a nice fit off the bench for the Sixers.
NEEDS: PF, SG
Thanks to some shrewd trading by Masai Ujiri a few years ago, the Raptors have the ninth pick in this year's draft, and the pick is coming at an opportune time. The Raptors are coming off the best season in franchise history yet their lengthy postseason run showed where they are deficient. A multi-talented power forward is needed along with an off-the-bench shooting guard.
The Raptors have some options to fill these positions with the ninth pick. Marquette's Henry Ellenson could be a nice pickup or if he slips a bit, California's Jaylen Brown would be another solid choice. But with Toronto's bench already having young players that just haven't gotten playing time or haven't fully developed yet, the Raptors could also trade this pick and bring back a more experienced player.
NEEDS: C, SF
Dallas has just one late second-round pick. This means the Mavs likely won't find anyone to address their needs, which is a shame because they could use some injection of youth on their roster.
NEEDS: C, SF, bench depth
The Rockets have no first-round picks but they do have two in the second. Still, they could be put to good use by GM Daryl Morey as he has a strong track record in the draft. Both picks could be used to bolster their bench as Houston should go with the best player available strategy when making its selections. International big men like Guerschon Yabusele, Georgios Papagiannis, Zhou Qi and Juan Hernangomez could be solid options for Houston.
NEEDS: Shooter, SG, SF, PG
The Grizzlies have the 17th pick in the first round and they should look to add a shooter/scorer -- preferably Vanderbilt's Wade Baldwin IV if he is available. Memphis has needed a shooter that can help stretch the floor for quite some time now. If Baldwin isn't available, the Grizz should still look to add a shooting guard.
NEEDS: C, SG
Eric Gordon could likely leave in free agency so New Orleans should look to fill his role with the No. 6 pick. Getting a player that could grow alongside Anthony Davis would be key. Kentucky's Jamal Murray, Oklahoma's Buddy Hield or California's Jaylen Brown would be solid selections. Kris Dunn is a point guard but could be a good fit with the Pelicans. New Orleans has two second-round picks and should look to add some frontcourt depth by getting a good rebounding big man.
NEEDS: Bench depth, PG
At the end of their season, Gregg Popovich said that he wants the Spurs to get younger. So this may be the year where San Antonio actually selects a player that could possibly play right away, instead of an international player that may not come over right away. If still available, Kentucky's Tyler Ulis could be a nice selection to help provide more point guard depth. San Antonio should also consider Kansas' Cheick Diallo or perhaps even Thon Maker to bolster its second unit.
NEEDS: None ... if KD comes back
The Thunder don't have a first-round pick, having traded it in the Dion Waiters deal (which worked out, by the way. Who'd have thought?) They also have a core that's still young, and remain in Finals contention so long as Kevin Durant re-signs. So there's zero reason for them to add another rookie to the rotation. However, if they look to move Serge Ibaka for cap space reasons, picking up a versatile forward like Deandre Bembry or Patrick McCaw in a potential deal would make a lot of sense so long as they add another veteran with him.
NEEDS: Backup PG, C, defense
The Blazers have a really promising young core, so it doesn't hurt so much that they traded both their first- and second-round picks. However, if they found a deal to land in the back half of the first for Noah Vonleh or Ed Davis, picking up Tyler Ulis or Chinanu Onuaku would give them high-upside, low-risk options. Portland has a lot of depth, especially on the wing, but most of it is tied up in players who will be restricted free agents this summer. It wouldn't shock if they made a small move to get an insurance policy long-term.
NEEDS: Backup PG, SF, versatility
The Jazz can't fix their biggest issue -- point guard -- in the draft. It's why they're constantly referenced in point guard trade ideas. They don't need a rookie, they need Dante Exum (who will miss Olympic play this summer while still recovering from ACL surgery) to get healthy. They'll also need a good change-of-pace veteran to provide them a different look. However, if they don't feel they can make that trade, Demetrius Jackson will be sitting there at No. 12 (or they can trade back). The Jazz have Rodney Hood and Alec Burks, but they don't have much true small forward depth behind Gordon Hayward, who will be a free agent in 2017. Taurean Prince might also be a nice fit at 12.
Needs: SG, SF, stretch PF, shooting
The Nuggets have three draft picks, but what they really need is something they can't get with where they're slotted to pick. They need a top-level franchise star. It's possible that Emmanuel Mudiay or even Nikola Jokic could be that for them, but they could sure use a "this guy goes on all the billboards" star to bring people to the empty stands of Pepsi Center.
As far as actual needs go, They really need wings, with the likelihood of Danilo Gallinari being traded, and Wilson Chandler's injury issues on top of a probable stretch four role. Furkan Korkmaz at No. 15 or No. 19 makes a lot of sense. If Jaylen Brown is available at No. 7, that's the most sensible choice for Denver, but its best option remains trying to package assets in a trade either up in the draft or for a veteran star it might ... Love.
NEEDS: Backup PG, SF, PF
The Wolves are going to be world breakers no matter what with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns in tow, but more talent always helps. At No. 5 the easy answer is Jaylen Brown. He gives them a forward to stick on the wing and make spot-up shots and defend at a high level. He may also make some plays out of the pick and roll. However, they can gamble some here. Take Kris Dunn as insurance for Ricky Rubio. Take Jamal Murray and slide Andrew Wiggins to SF in small-ball lineups. Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray, same deals. The problem is that the best talent after the top two is at the shooting guard position, and the Wolves have both Wiggins and Zach LaVine, who showed a lot last year. Their best option might be to trade back.
NEEDS: PF, C, shooting, rim protection depth
The Heat don't have a pick and it's fairly certain sure they won't trade into the first round, though they'll obviously look around. It's possible some team just outright sells a pick for cash given how bad this draft is overall. In that case, Miami needs to keep it simple and just draft a rim protector as insurance in the event Hassan Whiteside leaves in free agency. The Heat don't need PG or SG as they have great star veterans backed up by good young players. They drafted Justise Winslow last year, so SF and small-ball PF is covered. It's really just rim protection. Or they could go an interesting route and take Brice Johnson out of North Carolina as a small-ball center.
NEEDS: SG, SF, PF, C, shooting, rim protection
At first glance at their needs, you'd think the Hawks are desperate. Yet it's more factoring in Kent Bazemore and Al Horford's free agency combined with the likelihood of a Jeff Teague trade and Kyle Korver's advancing age. The "3-and-D" guys are always targets for Spurs-tree teams like this Mike Budenholzer squad, so Malcolm Brogdon, Patrick McCaw, Furkan Korkmaz and Malik Beasley are all options there. The best choice however might be Juan Hernangomez, a big who can stretch the floor, taking over Mike Muscala's spot in the rotation.
NEEDS: C, backup PG, PF, shooting, rim protection, athleticism
Charlotte has major holes in its roster thanks to free agency (Jeremy Lin, Marvin Williams, Courtney Lee, Al Jefferson), but spot No. 22 isn't the place to address those. Realistically, the Hornets will probably take the safest option available, a wing that can hit some shots, or a tall center.
What they should do is dare to dream and, should he fall due to injury concerns, draft Denzel Valentine. He has lottery/top-10 potential, and while he could be a total waste of a pick, the Hornets' future won't be dictated by this pick. If they fail out, it will not be because they missed with this pick. (It will be because they did not take Boston's offer of four first-rounders or Justise Winslow last year, and instead took Frank Kaminsky, but whatever, let's move on.) So dare to dream on Valentine or Zhou Qi. If you fall from grace, this pick isn't going to be your parachute, but if you hit big, you gave yourself wings.
NEEDS: Backup PG, SG, PF, stretch four, versatility, athleticism, playmaking, defense
The Wizards traded both their picks for short-term solutions, and don't have a lot of players to shed in a deal for a replacement, so they're likely to sit this one out. If they do wind up in the back half of the first, however, Dejounte Murray makes a lot of sense. A combo guard with huge upside provides them a possible long-term Beal replacement mixed with a nice combo-guard/James Harden type fill-in who could grow under Scott Brooks.
NEEDS: SF, PF, C, rim protection, rim protection, rim protection
Orlando needs to do whatever necessary to get Dragan Bender to fall. Pair him with Nikola Vucevic and both players cover the other's weaknesses. It's perfect. You can play Aaron Gordon at small forward easily, and mix it up with a Gordon-Bender small-ball concoction. This makes so much sense. Otherwise, there aren't a lot of great options besides "just take a good guard and hope it helps." They have Elfrid Payton who they're committed to, they're keeping either Victor Oladipo and Evan Fournier, or possibly both. They have Mario Hezonja and Gordon, and they have Vucevic. You could trade Vucevic and pick up Deyonta Davis or Domantas Sabonis, but it seems like it might be a lateral move overall.
NEEDS: C, SF, big man depth, 3-and-D, shooting
The Los Angeles Lakers' history is saturated with NBA superstar power, so getting a superstar in this draft is very key to their rebuilding process. Ben Simmons looks like the top prospect when it comes to being a superstar, but he's not falling to the No. 2 pick. After that, it looks Brandon Ingram will be the next best prospect with the highest potential, and he fills a need for them at small forward. Putting him with D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson (re-signed) and Julius Randle is a nice young core. He also brings some much-needed shooting to the attack Luke Walton will try to employ. With the 32nd pick, they can try to grab a big man to add some depth to the frontcourt. It'll be hard for the Lakers to screw this draft up.
NEEDS: Backup PG, SF, backup SG, 3-and-D
Doc Rivers has never really valued the draft much since taking over the dual position of coach and executive for the Clippers. But he has a chance to add depth and positions of need to this roster with the 25th and 33rd selections. The Clippers don't have a lot of wiggle room with the salary cap, so adding high value rotation players with their rookie deals is key. They need some wing depth, so being able to grab someone like Deandre Bembry or Rade Zagorac fits that bill. If they want to re-sign Jamal Crawford and bring Dejounte Murray to learn to be the next good Seattle combo guard off the bench, that could work as well. Rivers does need to take this seriously though and look to add guys who can play within the next two years. You can't keep undervaluing the draft process.
NEEDS: Backup SF, backup big man, versatility
Coming up just short of a second straight championship, the Warriors have shown during this postseason their need for some depth inside. We don't know what's going on with their small forward situation thanks to the restricted free agency of Harrison Barnes. Marreese Speights' free agency and Festus Ezeli's restricted free agency leave open a slot for a backup big man position. There are a handful of big men available at the end of the first round they can grab and develop. Guys like Diamond Stone, Ante Zizic, Zhou Qi, Thon Maker and Georgios Papagiannis could all be worthwhile projects for them off the bench. They have to worry about the future health of Andrew Bogut and the possible exit of their current big man depth, even if Kevon Looney can join the rotation next season.
NEEDS: PF, SF, forward depth, defensive versatility, shooting
The Suns have a ton of options here because they need so much. They have money invested in Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, but they could easily move one of them if they fancy Jamal Murray or Kris Dunn. They have their center position figured out with Alex Len and Tyson Chandler, but really need forwards to flank those guys. Marquese Chriss is a project but a guy with good potential should he reach it. Dragan Bender could be the perfect PF for them in the future. They may decide a defender like Jaylen Brown is just what the wing position needs as they try to make their defense more sound. Then they can round out the rotation with the 13th, 28th and 34th picks adding depth or stashing overseas options to sprinkle in over the next few years. Suns can nail this rebuild with a quality draft.
NEEDS: PG, SF, PF, shooting, versatility, 3-and-D
The Sacramento Kings don't need a center. They have DeMarcus Cousins. Everybody else is expendable for the future of this franchise. The Kings need help everywhere, making their selection at No. 8 so important. They've struggled a lot over the last few years with their selections, so maybe the eye of Vlade Divac with the help of Dave Joerger will finally get this thing right. They'd love for Buddy Hield to drop to No. 8. Jaylen Brown would be a great wing for what Joerger wants defensively. They could put Deyonta Davis next to Cousins or try to add a dynamic point guard project with Wade Baldwin. Just don't Thomas Robinson this pick. You can't afford another Jimmer Fredette.
