Here’s a look at what each NBA team might be looking for on draft day, which is June 28, while the lottery to determine the Top 14 picks will be held this Wednesday. I’ve also listed each team’s prominent pending free agents.
UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent
RFA = Restricted Free Agent
ETO = Early Termination Option
PO = Player Option
Atlanta – 23rd pick
Kirk Hinrich UFA
Needs – C, SF and backup PG
The Hawks are set at PF and SG with Al Horford, Josh Smith and Joe Johnson, and possibly SF if they’re able to use Horford at PF and Josh Smith at SF. Jeff Teague also appears to be a solid point guard option going forward. With Hinrich being an unrestricted free agent, they could certainly use another guard. But as usual, center is their glaring weakness, while Marvin Williams is better served off the bench than in the starting lineup. If they can get a starting center, like Fab Melo from Syracuse, they could start Horford at PF, Smith at SF, Johnson at SG, Teague at PG and bring Williams off the bench. But starting a rookie like Melo at C is risky business, meaning veteran C Zaza Pachulia could be in the starting lineup on opening night.
Boston - 21st and 22nd picks (from Clippers)
Ray Allen UFA, Kevin Garnett UFA, Brandon Bass PO
Needs – C and PF
It’s anyone’s guess as to whether any of the above players are back in Boston next year, but we do know that they are set at point guard with Rajon Rondo, have Avery Bradley (after shoulder surgery) set to replace Allen, and badly need a center in their current state. And if Bass leaves, they’ll also need a power forward. Andrew Nicholson from St. Bonaventure and Fab Melo from Syracuse will be two guys they’ve got their eye on.
Charlotte – High lottery pick
Needs – PF and SF
Bismack Biyombo looks like a promising center, while Kemba Walker, D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson have the guard positions covered. It’s hard to see Corey Maggette having much left in the tank, while Byron Mullens may not be the answer at power forward. This team needs forwards badly, and should target them in the draft. And if they happen to get lucky and hit the lottery, Kentucky's Anthony Davis will not only be the best player available, but would also fill a gaping hole.
Chicago – 29th pick
Needs – Best player available
With Derrick Rose, Richard Hamilton, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah as the starting five, and solid backups, the Bulls simply need to take the best player available late in the draft. Vandy SG John Jenkins will be on their radar, while C.J. Watson could be the starting point guard in Chicago next year with Rose likely out for most of the season.
Cleveland – High Lottery Pick and No. 24 (from Lakers)
Antawn Jamison UFA, Alonzo Gee UFA, Anthony Parker UFA
Needs – SG and SF
Kyrie Irving is the most promising young point guard in the league, while the Cavs should get a healthy version of Anderson Varejao back next year. And with big man Tristan Thompson also showing a lot of promise, their focus should be on wings. Sure, Alonzo Gee, Samardo Samuels, Omri Casspi, Daniel Gibson, Luke Harangody, Alonzo Gee and Manny Harris all have some potential, but the Cavs could easily upgrade with a high lottery pick. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist seems to be an ideal pick for the Cavs.
Dallas – 17th pick
Jason Kidd UFA, Jason Terry UFA
Needs – PG, SG and C
Dallas is hoping to land Deron Williams, but that’s obviously not a guarantee. They are somewhat set with Shawn Marion at SF and Dirk Nowitzki at PF, but after that, it’s a bit of a crapshoot. Maybe Ian Mahinmi and Brendan Haywood can take care of the center duties again, leaving their potential focus on the two guard positions. Dion Waiters from Syracuse will be a guy they look at closely here.
Denver – 20th pick
Andre Miller UFA
Needs – Best player available
With Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee, the Nuggets are pretty set with starters. They could use depth at every position, especially point guard if Miller is gone. UK SG Doron Lamb is a real possibility here.
Detroit – Low lottery pick
Needs – PF and backup C
The Pistons are set at point guard and center with Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe, and have solid players across the board with Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, Tayshaun Prince, Jonas Jerebko, Austin Daye, Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva, but could use a guaranteed stud at power forward and a backup center, with Ben Wallace basically done, whether he retires, or not. Baylor’s Perry Jones would make sense.
Golden State – Mid-lottery pick and No. 30 (from Spurs)
Needs – Backups at PG and C
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush, Dorell Wright, David Lee and Andrew Bogut give the Warriors a surprisingly solid foundation, although to say Curry and Bogut have injury concerns is a huge understatement. Therefore, their first priority should be backups at PG and C. UNC PG Kendall Marshall and Vandy C Festus Ezeli would make sense for their two first-round picks.
Houston – Low lottery pick and No. 16 (from Knicks)
Goran Dragic UFA, Marcus Camby UFA
Needs – C and backup PG
Even if Dragic and Camby leave they still have Kyle Lowry at PG, Kevin Martin and Courtney Lee at SG, Chandler Parsons and Chase Budinger at SF, Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson at PF and Samuel Dalembert at C. Kevin McHale is not a big Dalembert fan, as his fantasy owners painfully learned this season, so that would appear to be their biggest need, as well as replacing Dragic if he’s gone. Illinois center Meyers Leonard might be a target.
Here’s a look at what each NBA team might be looking for on draft day, which is June 28, while the lottery to determine the Top 14 picks will be held this Wednesday. I’ve also listed each team’s prominent pending free agents.
UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent
RFA = Restricted Free Agent
ETO = Early Termination Option
PO = Player Option
Atlanta – 23rd pick
Kirk Hinrich UFA
Needs – C, SF and backup PG
The Hawks are set at PF and SG with Al Horford, Josh Smith and Joe Johnson, and possibly SF if they’re able to use Horford at PF and Josh Smith at SF. Jeff Teague also appears to be a solid point guard option going forward. With Hinrich being an unrestricted free agent, they could certainly use another guard. But as usual, center is their glaring weakness, while Marvin Williams is better served off the bench than in the starting lineup. If they can get a starting center, like Fab Melo from Syracuse, they could start Horford at PF, Smith at SF, Johnson at SG, Teague at PG and bring Williams off the bench. But starting a rookie like Melo at C is risky business, meaning veteran C Zaza Pachulia could be in the starting lineup on opening night.
Boston - 21st and 22nd picks (from Clippers)
Ray Allen UFA, Kevin Garnett UFA, Brandon Bass PO
Needs – C and PF
It’s anyone’s guess as to whether any of the above players are back in Boston next year, but we do know that they are set at point guard with Rajon Rondo, have Avery Bradley (after shoulder surgery) set to replace Allen, and badly need a center in their current state. And if Bass leaves, they’ll also need a power forward. Andrew Nicholson from St. Bonaventure and Fab Melo from Syracuse will be two guys they’ve got their eye on.
Charlotte – High lottery pick
Needs – PF and SF
Bismack Biyombo looks like a promising center, while Kemba Walker, D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson have the guard positions covered. It’s hard to see Corey Maggette having much left in the tank, while Byron Mullens may not be the answer at power forward. This team needs forwards badly, and should target them in the draft. And if they happen to get lucky and hit the lottery, Kentucky's Anthony Davis will not only be the best player available, but would also fill a gaping hole.
Chicago – 29th pick
Needs – Best player available
With Derrick Rose, Richard Hamilton, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah as the starting five, and solid backups, the Bulls simply need to take the best player available late in the draft. Vandy SG John Jenkins will be on their radar, while C.J. Watson could be the starting point guard in Chicago next year with Rose likely out for most of the season.
Cleveland – High Lottery Pick and No. 24 (from Lakers)
Antawn Jamison UFA, Alonzo Gee UFA, Anthony Parker UFA
Needs – SG and SF
Kyrie Irving is the most promising young point guard in the league, while the Cavs should get a healthy version of Anderson Varejao back next year. And with big man Tristan Thompson also showing a lot of promise, their focus should be on wings. Sure, Alonzo Gee, Samardo Samuels, Omri Casspi, Daniel Gibson, Luke Harangody, Alonzo Gee and Manny Harris all have some potential, but the Cavs could easily upgrade with a high lottery pick. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist seems to be an ideal pick for the Cavs.
Dallas – 17th pick
Jason Kidd UFA, Jason Terry UFA
Needs – PG, SG and C
Dallas is hoping to land Deron Williams, but that’s obviously not a guarantee. They are somewhat set with Shawn Marion at SF and Dirk Nowitzki at PF, but after that, it’s a bit of a crapshoot. Maybe Ian Mahinmi and Brendan Haywood can take care of the center duties again, leaving their potential focus on the two guard positions. Dion Waiters from Syracuse will be a guy they look at closely here.
Denver – 20th pick
Andre Miller UFA
Needs – Best player available
With Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee, the Nuggets are pretty set with starters. They could use depth at every position, especially point guard if Miller is gone. UK SG Doron Lamb is a real possibility here.
Detroit – Low lottery pick
Needs – PF and backup C
The Pistons are set at point guard and center with Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe, and have solid players across the board with Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, Tayshaun Prince, Jonas Jerebko, Austin Daye, Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva, but could use a guaranteed stud at power forward and a backup center, with Ben Wallace basically done, whether he retires, or not. Baylor’s Perry Jones would make sense.
Golden State – Mid-lottery pick and No. 30 (from Spurs)
Needs – Backups at PG and C
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush, Dorell Wright, David Lee and Andrew Bogut give the Warriors a surprisingly solid foundation, although to say Curry and Bogut have injury concerns is a huge understatement. Therefore, their first priority should be backups at PG and C. UNC PG Kendall Marshall and Vandy C Festus Ezeli would make sense for their two first-round picks.
Houston – Low lottery pick and No. 16 (from Knicks)
Goran Dragic UFA, Marcus Camby UFA
Needs – C and backup PG
Even if Dragic and Camby leave they still have Kyle Lowry at PG, Kevin Martin and Courtney Lee at SG, Chandler Parsons and Chase Budinger at SF, Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson at PF and Samuel Dalembert at C. Kevin McHale is not a big Dalembert fan, as his fantasy owners painfully learned this season, so that would appear to be their biggest need, as well as replacing Dragic if he’s gone. Illinois center Meyers Leonard might be a target.
Indiana – 26th pick
Leandro Barbosa UFA
Needs – Depth, best player available
The Pacers pride themselves on depth and don’t have any glaring holes, except for not having a true superstar (sorry, Danny Granger). They should be looking for the best player available, which could be Washington combo guard Tony Wroten.
Clippers – No first-round pick (to Boston)
Chauncey Billups UFA, Randy Foye UFA, Mo Williams PO, Nick Young UFA, Kenyon Martin UFA, Reggie Evans UFA
Needs – SG, PF and C depth
The Clippers could lose several key players and don’t even have a first-round pick, as Boston will likely get it due to the Eric Bledsoe deal. They do have a late second-round pick, but don’t look for the Clippers to improve much through the draft this year. They’re obviously set with Chris Paul, Caron Butler, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in the starting lineup, but could use a shooting guard if several of the aforementioned players leave.
Lakers – No first-round pick (traded to Cleveland in Ramon Sessions deal)
Ramon Sessions PO, Matt Barnes UFA
Needs – SF and depth
Sessions has a player option but you have to think he’ll stick with the Lakers, while a major shakeup could be coming for L.A. Pau Gasol is on thin ice, while Kobe Bryant isn’t thrilled with his current supporting cast. As it stands now, the Lakers have the final pick in the draft, and without taking the shakeup into consideration, their biggest need is at SF.
Memphis – 25th pick
Needs – Best player available
With a starting five of Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, and a bench with O.J. Mayo and Demarre Carroll, the Grizzlies will simply be looking for the best player available. And maybe that’s Baylor forward Quincy Miller.
Miami – 27th pick
Needs – C and PG
The Heat are set at SG, SF and PF with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and seem to be surviving with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole at PG, and Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony at C. They’ll be looking for the best player available, but taking a C seems to make the most sense. Vandy’s Festus Ezeli might be the guy.
Milwaukee – Late lottery pick
Carlos Delfino UFA, Ersan Ilyasova UFA
Needs – SF, PF and C
The Bucks are set at guard with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis in the backcourt, but losing Delfino and Ilyasova would leave some holes. Add in the fact they traded Andrew Bogut, and they’ll be looking for anyone with size with their picks. They do have swingman Mike Dunleavy, and big men Ekpe Udoh and Drew Gooden, but they will be targeting more guys with size in the draft. Carolina’s Tyler Zeller makes sense here.
Minnesota – 15th pick (via Jazz)
Needs - SG
Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour, Michael Beasley, Wes Johnson, Kevin Love, Derrick Williams and Nikola Pekovic give the Wolves a solid foundation, but they are clearly lacking at SG (Martell Webster, Malcolm Lee and Wayne Ellington). That should be their only focus with the 15th pick, and Washington’s Terrence Ross could be the guy. Then again, David Kahn loves point guards, so you never know what he’ll do next.
New Jersey (Brooklyn) – No first round pick (sent to Portland)
Deron Williams PO, Gerald Green UFA, Gerald Wallace PO, Kris Humphries UFA
Needs – PG and PF
The Nets don’t have a pick until No. 57 and the status of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez is completely up in the air with trade talk, and whether Williams opts-in or not. They’re likely going to need replacements for both Williams and Humphries, but won’t find them at the end of the draft.
New Orleans – Two lottery picks (one from Timberwolves)
Eric Gordon RFA, Carl Landry UFA, Chris Kaman UFA
Needs – PF, SF and backup C
Gordon could be traded, while Landry and Kaman appear to be on their way out. They still have big guys like Emeka Okafor, Gustavo Ayon and Jason Smith, while Jarrett Jack, Marco Belinelli, Al Farouq-Aminu and Trevor Ariza should all be able to hold down the backcourt and small forward spots if the oft-injured Gordon is moved. Chances are they’ll take the two best players available, which could be UConn big man Andre Drummond and UNC PF John Henson.
New York – No first-round pick
Jeremy Lin* UFA, Baron Davis UFA, Landry Fields* UFA, J.R. Smith PO, Steve Novak* UFA
Needs – SG, backup PG, backup PF and backup C
Lin, Novak and Fields could all end up back in New York, but it depends on how the Bird Rule falls, which won’t be decided until mid-June. The only thing we really know is that Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler will be back and locked into starting jobs. The Knicks, who don’t have a pick until late in Round 2, will simply be taking the best player available, unless they find out they’re going to lose Lin, which will mean they take a point guard. J.R. Smith will likely opt-in, and could start at SG in New York next season.
Oklahoma City – 28th pick
Nazr Mohammed UFA
Needs – Backup PG, backup SF, backup C
The Thunder are set once again with a starting lineup of Russell Westbrook, James Harden (it’s time), Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. They consistently make great draft picks and will simply be looking for the best player available at 28, which could be Kentucky PG Marquis Teague.
Orlando – 19th pick
Jameer Nelson PO
Needs – PG, C and SF
Dwight Howard appears to be on his way out, which could mean the Magic will completely rebuild from the ground up. Coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith are already gone, and Howard will likely be dealt this summer. And their draft will depend on who is still on the roster, but as of now, with Nelson likely gone, look for them to target a point guard, like Dion Waiters out of Syracuse.
Philadelphia – 15th pick
Lou Williams ETO, Elton Brand ETO, Spencer Hawes UFA
Needs – PF and C
A lot (obviously) depends on what Williams and Brand do, but they’ll also have a hole at center if Hawes leaves. They are set at PG (Jrue Holiday), SG (Evan Turner) and SF (Andre Iguodala), meaning that they will likely be looking for a big man. Nikola Vucevic looks like a solid option at C going forward, so power forward Arnett Moultrie, out of Mississippi State, makes a lot of sense for the Sixers – even if Brand stays.
Phoenix – Late lottery pick
Steve Nash UFA, Shannon Brown UFA, Grant Hill UFA, Aaron Brooks RFA
Needs – SF and PG
Nash and Hill appear to be on their way out, meaning Aaron Brooks could become relevant in fantasy again next year if he’s the starting point guard. The Suns still have Jared Dudley, Shannon Brown and Michael Redd at SG, Channing Frye and Markieff Morris at PF and Marcin Gortat at C. The big hole is at SF if Hill leaves, as Josh Childress and Dudley would be the only real options. They’d love to see Baylor’s Perry Jones fall, but he’ll likely be gone by the time the Suns pick.
Portland – Two lottery picks (one from Nets)
Raymond Felton UFA, Jamal Crawford PO, Hasheem Thabeet UFA
Needs – PG and C (for starters)
What don’t the Blazers need? The No. 1 thing they are looking for is a little luck after years of the bad variety, while Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge are the best things they have going. Center is an obvious hole, as is point guard if Felton bails out. With two lottery picks, the Blazers have a chance to do something right this summer, and UConn SG Jeremy Lamb, Duke SG Austin Rivers, UNC C Tyler Zeller and UNC PG Kendall Marshall are all serious possibilities for their two early picks.
Sacramento – High lottery pick
Needs – Best player available
The Kings surprisingly have a solid foundation with PG Isaiah Thomas, SG Marcus Thornton, SF Tyreke Evans, PF Jason Thompson (RFA)/Chuck Hayes and C DeMarcus Cousins. Therefore, they should simply be looking for the best player available, which could be Carolina SF Harrison Barnes.
San Antonio – No first-round pick (Golden State in Richard Jefferson deal)
Tim Duncan UFA, Boris Diaw UFA
Needs – Best player available
It’s hard to see Duncan playing in any other uniform, especially after how well he played this season, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gregg Popovich and company retain Diaw, as well. The Spurs are possibly the best team in the league right now and don’t have any holes. Therefore, they’ll be looking for the best player available with the second-to-last pick in the draft. No first-round pick? No problem.
Toronto – Mid-lottery pick
Aaron Gray UFA
Needs – PF, SF and C
The Raptors aren’t likely to lose any key pieces, but really don’t have many studs in the lineup. Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, James Johnson/Linas Kleiza, Amir Johnson/Ed Davis and F/C Andrea Bargnani make for a nice foundation, but the Raptors will likely be looking for a forward or center in the draft. Baylor SF/PF Perry Jones and UNC C Tyler Zeller will both get a close look from them on draft night.
Utah – No first-round pick (going to Minnesota)
C.J. Miles UFA, Josh Howard UFA
Needs – SF
The Jazz have PG Devin Harris, SG/SF Gordon Hayward, and PF/C Paul Millsap/Derrick Favors, and Al Jefferson, so the big hole is at SF, especially if Miles and Howard are gone. It looks like Alec Burks could be the starting SF next season, especially since the Jazz won’t pick until late in the second round. Look for them to take a small forward (Will Barton from Memphis?) when they’re finally on the clock.
Washington – High lottery pick
Needs - SF
The Wizards aren’t expected to lose any key pieces, meaning that John Wall, Jordan Crawford, Chris and James Singleton, Rashard Lewis, Trevor Booker, Jan Vesely, Andray Blatche and Nene will handle the core of minutes next season. But with the Wizards likely having a Top 3 pick, Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could end up being their starting SF on opening night.