|
Thursday, May 23
Updated: Tuesday, June 11, 2:31 PM ET
Draft-day needs
By Peter May
Special to ESPN.com
With the draft lottery over and just two teams still playing, ESPN.com's Peter May takes a look at what each team will be looking for on draft night.
1. Houston
Draft Needs: Center, small forward
Top Candidates (No. 1): Yao Ming, Drew Gooden, Michael Dunleavy, trade
Top Candidates (No. 15): Frank Williams, Kareem Rush, Amare Stoudemire
The Skinny: The surprise winners of the lottery have a real need for a center and a center will be available at the No. 1 position. If it were strictly a basketball decision, the Rockets would already have a uniform ready for Chinese big man Yao Ming. But it's not. There's a lot of red (pardon the pun) tape to be unraveled and we already know Yao is unlikely to be available to any NBA team until after training camp has opened. Houston has to decide if the wait and the hassle are worth it. China wants this guy in the NBA. What better place for him than on a team with a great backcourt? There is a chance the Rockets could move the pick and, in so doing, try to resolve their power-forward logjam. They've either got to do that or try and make Eddie Griffin a small forward because Mo Taylor and Kenny Thomas are both four-men. Houston also has the Raptors' No. 1 pick as well. It has no real marquee free agents (Kevin Willis, Walt Williams) and, with a new arena on the way, would be well advised to make a splash.
2. Chicago
Draft Needs: Point guard, depth everywhere
Top Candidates: Jay Williams, Yao Ming, Michael Dunleavy
The Skinny: Do you think Jerry Krause was the single happiest man to emerge from the lottery on Sunday? He didn't get the No. 1 pick, which would have meant he'd have to pass on Yao because the Bulls are already invested (sort of) in Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. And, unless Houston trades the pick, then Krause will get the guy he really wants, Duke point guard Jay Williams. That would mean considering moving Jamal Crawford, and there are more than a few teams who'd bite at that bone. (One of them is Washington, run by Krause's good buddy, Michael Jordan.) But the dynamic Williams would be a perfect fit in Chicago and could help the kiddies grow while also satisfying the voracious shot appetite of Jalen Rose. We can't see the summer go by, however, without Krause making some sort of deal. It may or may not be draft-contingent. But he does have an abundance of power forwards and one of Chicago's real needs is a scorer of some reliability. Rose can score; he just is the swingman's version of Nick Van Exel in terms of reliability. We're bound to hear Wally Szczerbiak's name come up, as it did last summer. The only free agent Krause needs to worry about is Travis Best, who still would be a valuable re-sign, especially to help school Williams.
3. Golden State
Draft Needs: Point guard, power forward, center
Top Candidates: Jay Williams, Yao Ming, Michael Dunleavy
The Skinny: If Krause was the cat on Lottery Day, Warriors GM Garry St. Jean was the canary. The player he covets, Williams, won't be there at No. 3 and he knows it. And he doesn't need another small forward, shooting guard, or big man. He needs a point guard and has needed one for a while. Time to pick up the phone and call Carroll Dawson in Houston and work a deal for a pick swap. The Rockets can reasonably expect to still see Yao at No. 3 -- we can't see Krause taking him with the big people he already has, but, then again, you never know with the man some call The Sleuth. St. Jean has talent and bodies at most every position to offer up, including center, with both Erick Dampier and Adonal Foyle. Would Houston take one of those, or someone else off the Warriors' roster, and swap picks? That's Golden State's best hope. The Warriors can't stand up and say that Gilbert Arenas is their man. Not, at least, without a laugh track. But he might make a nice third guard. Dampier is serviceable in the middle; remember, Golden State led the league in rebounding. They need someone to run their offense, get players good shots, and have shooters who can make them. They have scorers in Antawn Jamison, Jason Richardson and even the blossoming Troy Murphy. They need Williams. The Warriors have no free agents of concern, but they do have to make a decision on Larry Hughes, who hasn't panned out as hoped. The small guard who was drafted ahead of both Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki will be moved this summer because he doesn't want to hang around and the Warriors don't want him hanging around. He might bring a veteran, which is something the Warriors also want.
4. Memphis
Draft Needs: Center, depth everywhere
Top Candidates: Caron Butler, Michael Dunleavy, Drew Gooden
The Skinny: New hoop el jefe Jerry West at least managed to keep the No. 1 pick, which might have gone to the Pistons. What does he need? You name it. The foundation is there, if raw, with Pau Gasol and Shane Battier. Lorenzen Wright is decent and Stromile Swift showed signs of improvement. West will likely have his pick of the best bruisers in the draft, someone like Drew Gooden from Kansas or even Chris Wilcox from Maryland. There will be talk of reuniting Mike Dunleavy with Battier and that's a possibility as well because many think Dunleavy can play shooting guard in the league. Another possibility is local (for a year, anyway) phenom DaJuan Wagner, who would alleviate some of the concern over Michael Dickerson's health issues. Wagner can also play the point in a crunch and is a legitimate scorer, which is something coach Sidney Lowe says he needs in a big way. But, as long as the Grizzlies remain in the Western Conference, they are going to need someone to man the middle. Unless Yao falls to four, West won't likely take someone like Curtis Borchardt that high. He'll make do with Wright and even Ike Austin. The only free agent of note is Grant Long, who wouldn't appear to be either a top priority or, if need be, a difficulty to re-sign. West hasn't had a pick this high since he drafted James Worthy with the No. 1 pick in 1982. He would like to go higher than No. 4, but my have to settle for what settles.
5. Denver
Draft Needs: Athletic guard, center, big small forward
Top Candidates: Michael Dunleavy, Drew Gooden, Caron Butler
The Skinny: Where to start? How about with a match? New GM Kiki Vandeweghe needs a coach, don't forget. Then, he could draft anyone and it would be an upgrade over what he currently has with the possible exceptions of Antonio McDyess and Juwan Howard, who basically play the same position anyway. The Nuggets are prepared to suffer through another horrible season anyway; they will then have plenty of cap room and maneuverability next summer. In the meantime, get ready for another 20-62 campaign. The Nuggets could use a point guard, but, at No. 5, Jason, er, Jay Williams will be long gone and no one else, unless you count Wagner, is good enough to go that high. Tim Hardaway doesn't appear likely to be back; Denver can buy him out and they'd be foolish not to do so. We can't see Mike Dunleavy leaving a better situation at Duke to play there. Someone like UConn's Caron Butler might fit here, especially since Denver still doesn't know how good (or bad) James Posey really is. The Nuggets also have two free agents who play the swing position in Cal Cheaney and Voshon Lenard and, the guess is, that Kiki will give them one-way limo fare to the airport and wish them well. This is a pretty awful team and one lottery pick isn't going to change anything. The Nuggets just have to be grateful the Celtics' took their No. 1 last year (when it was No. 11) when they could have waited until this year (or even next year.) Otherwise, it would be even more depressing than it already is.
6. Cleveland
Draft Needs: Athletic forward, scoring guard
Top Candidates: Chris Wilcox, Dajuan Wagner, Caron Butler
The Skinny: Here's another project with little hope of immediate gratification. Oh yeah, that's right, they're in the East. Book 'em for the conference finals next year. It's not as if the Cavaliers don't have some talent, as opposed to Denver. Andre Miller is the real deal, but the big question is whether he'll be re-signed to a contract extension or whether he'll wait and risk free agency. The health of Zydrunas Ilgauskus will always be a concern, which was one reason the Cavs drafted high schooler DeSagana Diop last year. If Diop is going to be someone other than Yinka Dare, then the Cavs can look elsewhere in the draft for help. At No. 6, they could see players like Caron Butler or Chris Wilcox on the board. Dajuan Wagner would make a nice running mate for Miller. They don't need a center and they don't need a point guard. They could use help just about everywhere else. There's a crying need for defense, of course, but few kids come into the NBA with a clue about defense. Free agency is going to be a bit of a sticky wicket for the Cavs because Ricky Davis came on strong at the end of the year and is a restricted free agent. That means the Cavs can match most any offer Davis is likely to get, so he'll probably stay right where he is. They also have to decide what to with Michael Doleac, who is an adequate backup big man. Ditto for Brian Skinner. Trajan Langdon appears to be a goner; he simply hasn't been the factor the Cavs hoped he'd be with his shooting ability. Basically, the Cavs are holding out hope for the re-institution of the territorial draft so they can claim LeBron James in 2003.
7. New York
Draft Needs: Center, power forward
Top Candidates: Curtis Borchardt, Chris Wilcox, Dajuan Wagner
The Skinny: OK, we all know what they need. The last time the Knicks were in this kind of position, they went with Frederic (edel) Weis who quickly earned the nickname "French Toast." The next game he plays for the Knicks will be his first. We know they'd like Yao Ming and we figure that Yao wouldn't be averse to playing in New York City. But how to pull that off with Houston, when the Rockets' demonstrative need -- size -- happens to be Knicks' demonstrative need as well. Doesn't look like it's going to happen, unless the Rockets think Marcus Camby can avoid injuries, a big if given his career. So what do the Knicks do? They could take a shot at someone like Michael Doleac in free agency (he'd be available in the average player exception slot) and hope that Marcus Camby doesn't crumble again. But they'd also have to seriously consider Stanford big man Curtis Borchardt, who, of course, has had injury concerns of his own. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Knicks. Another option is Western Kentucky's Chris Marcus, but he may be no more than Felton Spencer reincarnated. There will be the usual hue and cry for a point guard, but Jay Williams will be partying by the time the Knicks pick and, well, they can't add another point guard. They already have three, none of them moveable. GM Scott Layden doesn't have any significant free agents to worry about -- at least none on his own team. With a payroll that likely will top $90 million, that's probably a good thing. Borchardt appears to be the safest pick. He is a center, after all, and he is no Frederic Weis.
8. Los Angeles Clippers
Draft Needs: Backup center, shot-blocker, backup power forward
Top Candidates: Curtis Borchardt, Frank Williams, Dajuan Wagner
The Skinny: The Clippers have two first-rounders, their own at No. 12 and the No. 8 pick from Atlanta, courtesy of the sign-and-trade deal which sent Lorenzen Wright to the Hawks. This is a promising, young team -- but there also is a cloud hanging over it which will remain until owner Donald Sterling opens his wallet for the first time. Simply, the Clippers more pressing need is to make sure Michael Olowokandi is in the fold and then to try and trade their picks for veteran help, just like last year. (Well, Elton Brand is a veteran compared to Tyson Chandler.) That's because the last thing they need is more youth. Sterling could send a big signal to Olowokandi by taking either Curtis Borchardt or Chris Marcus. But that would be foolish. The Clippers also might take a different direction and go with the best available foreigner, who would be someone like Nikoloz Tskitishvilli. They could then afford to wait for a year and let the 19-year-old play in Europe for another season. Another option is Frank Williams from Illinois, or whoever the Clippers deem to be the best point guard on the board. While Olowokandi still is bound to them for one more year, that is not the case with incumbent point Jeff McInnis. If the Clippers decide not to re-sign him (they have the rights to Marko Jaric, who may be groomed for the slot) then they might take a point guard with either pick. They have options and a roster loaded with young talent. No one will be surprised if they trade Lamar Odom, perhaps packaged with the picks, for veteran help. Then again, that makes sense. And that's not what the Clippers are known for.
9. Phoenix
Draft Needs: Athletic power forward, backup center, backup point guard
Top Candidates: Nikoloz Tskitishvilli, Nene Hilario, Carlos Boozer
The Skinny: Several wise guys around the league feel that Bryan Colangelo, not Rod Thorn, should have won Executive of the Year honors. After all, Colangelo improved three teams (Boston, Detroit, New Jersey) with deals at the expense of his own club, which fell out of the playoffs for the first time in a long time. Now, what to do? The Suns have two first-rounders, their own at No. 9 and the Celtics' at No. 22. They have a disenchanted, if immovable, Penny Hardaway who, in a perfect world, would be one of three players in a pretty good backcourt along with Joe Johnson and Stephon Marbury. They have a terrific wing player in Shawn Marion. But they are a bit thin at the power positions, although Jake Tsakalidis may one day develop into a decent big man. If Chris Wilcox and Drew Gooden are both gone, which is likely, a possibility here is relatively unknown Brazilian star Nene Hilario, who is 6-9, powerful and very intriguing. In some mock drafts, he is rated as the No. 2 foreigner behind Yao Ming and a lottery lock. He also is incredibly athletic, which fits in well with the style the Suns like to play. Tskitishvilli is also a possibility here as well with the eight pick, but you can be sure the Suns would want him sooner rather than later. But he's more in the Pau Gasol build and the Suns need someone (like Nene) who won't be afraid to bang. The Suns could then fortify the position with their second pick in the first round by taking someone like Carlos Boozer from Duke or Melvin Ely from Fresno State. The only free agent concern is John Wallace, which, of course, isn't a concern at all. There's no reason that the Suns can't get back into the playoffs next year, especially if Johnson develops (he should be forced to play in every possible summer league) and they don't blow it in the draft.
10. Miami
Draft Needs: Athletic small forward, point guard, backup center
Top Candidates: Qyntel Woods, Nikoloz Tskitishvilli, Nene Hilario
The Skinny: What are the Heat doing here? Not only did they not make the playoffs, they got no lottery love and now have to pick 10th. Pat Riley in previous years would opt for a buzzcut over any rookie. But the Heat were sent a loud and clear message this season, and that is they need to get younger and more athletic. (They did have Ricky Davis and let him go.) A possibility here might be ultra-athletic Qyntel Woods, a JUCO sensation who, of course, can jump through the roof but has little idea how to actually play basketball. That's the word on him, anyway. Who better than to teach than Riley? Another option is to go big with the likelihood that Alonzo Mourning may not be around much longer. Chris Marcus could still be there, but he doesn't give Miami what it needs. Among the others that will be around for the Heat to ponder are Indiana's Jared Jeffries, who, based on his play against Maryland, needs at least two more years of school, and maybe even Slovenian Bostjan Nachbar, a 6-8 shooter who played in Italy. There's also the possibility that the Heat may even do the unthinkable and look at high schooler Amare Stoudemire, who has an NBA body if not much else. Hard to imagine Riley going for a high-school kid, though. A simple rookie is going to be hard enough for the veteran-preference coach. Riley doesn't have any serious free agency concerns and his owner is adamant that he won't pay a luxury tax, which not only limits the Heat's free agent possibilities, but also may stop Riley from using a $3.36 million trade exception (from the Tim Hardaway deal) that expires in August. Geez, wasn't this the franchise that never worried about spending?
11. Washington
Draft Needs: A 'big' small forward, point guard, backup center
Top Candidates: Qyntel Woods, Frank Williams, Kareem Rush
The Skinny: The big question here isn't over who the Wizards draft, but whether that lucky fellow will be playing with Michael Jordan or for Michael Jordan. Based on what we all saw last season, it would behoove the Wiz to shoot for someone who has some athleticism and can play the wing position. That way, Jordan can ease into Shady Rest while Courtney Alexander and the new kid develop. The foreign contingent could well come into play here with the likes of Maybyner Hilario, Nikoloz Tskitishvilli and Bostjan Nachbar all potentially on the board. Can't see MJ going high school again with Amare Stoudemire, who basically is Kwame Brown without the Harley. Brown needs to get off his hog and into the gym because the kid can play. It wasn't his fault the team did better than expected. (And we know it wasn't due to anything he did, either.) Another possibility would be a point guard. We know Jordan likes Jamal Crawford, so, perhaps, something could be worked out that way. Illinois' Frank Williams also might be on the board and so would be Gonzaga's Dan Dickau who, if nothing else, has the best looking girlfriend of any draftee. One other name that may surface at this point in time: Kareem Rush. He's a smooth lefty from Missouri who almost came out last year and, at the 11th hour, went back to school. Eleven might be a reach for him, but he may get some consideration. The Wizards' top free agents are Popeye Jones and Tyrone Nesby, both of whom had roles on last year's team. Jones has to be re-signed. He's a hard worker and a great guy to have in the locker room. One of Jordan's first moves was to trade for Nesby, and he is what he is. They should both be back unless overwhelmed on the open market.
13. Milwaukee
Draft Needs: Athletic power forward, bulky banging center, backup point guard
Top Candidates: Marcus Haislip, Frank Williams, Nene Hilario
The Skinny: There's not much in the draft that's going to help this team. They need a long vacation from each other and from coach George Karl and then maybe, maybe, they decide to get along and play like we all know they can. It's just as well. Who are the Bucks going to find at No. 13 that is any better than what they already have? Answer: no one. You go for filler at this point and you take whoever is still available. That could be one of the foreign kids or it could be someone like Marcus Haislip of Tennessee, a 6-10 athlete, who can block shots and hits the glass. Another option would be either Frank Williams or Dan Dickau to be used as Sam Cassell's backup. The Bucks had to bring in Greg Anthony late last year and might want to do something else this time around. Then again, that assumes that Cassell, Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson are all back next season which, given the way the Bucks imploded down the stretch, is a big assumption. There aren't a lot of important free agents to worry about, although Karl likes Darvin Ham for his toughness and no-nonsense approach. Milwaukee does have a trade exception from the Scott Williams deal (who they actually missed) but their payroll is up hard against the luxury threshold so they may let it expire. Their issues are not those of talent and skill. It's about chemistry and peaceful and productive coexistence. This team not even making the playoffs is a monumental embarrassment to all concerned. There's plenty of firepower still there, but the Bucks did a reasonable impersonation of the 2001 Red Sox. Boston got rid of its malcontents, brought in new blood and new management, and now look where it is. It's a lot harder to make those kinds of changes in the NBA.
14. Indiana
Draft Needs: Athletic power forward, bulky banging center, backup point guard
Top Candidates: Marcus Haislip, Frank Williams, Nene Hilario
The Skinny: The Pacers have been, inexplicably, a .500 team the last two years and they have to improve with all that young talent. But the improvement isn't likely to come from a draft pick, although they lucked out last year with Jamaal Tinsley at point guard. Picking 14th, Indiana could well start tapping into the foreign market, either for immediate help or down-the-road gratification. That may be a constant among teams drafting later in the first round because of the luxury tax. Not having a first-round pick on your roster saves you guaranteed money off the top. Indiana also will have to start thinking about having someone to replace Reggie Miller. Is Ron Mercer that person? They also could use some scoring at the small forward slot, either from a draftee or from returnees Jonathan Bender and/or Al Harrington. There do not appear to be any serious free agency concerns, although Jermaine O'Neal will be entering the last year of his contract and Bender is going into Year 4 of his rookie contract, so they also have to decide on him. A perimeter player with some offensive skills might well be the direction Indiana decides to go. Can't see them adding another raw point guard, especially if they hang on to Kevin Ollie. They appear to be all right up the middle with O'Neal and his foreign backups. The Pacers also have shown no hesitation in bringing in high school kids (Bender, Harrington) so they may go in that direction as well.
16. Philadelphia
Draft Needs: Point guard, depth everywhere
Top Candidates: Melvin Ely, Marcus Haislip, Jared Jeffries
The Skinny: OK, we all know what the Sixers need and we all know there is nothing like that in this -- or any -- draft. They need a combination of Dr. Phil and Chuck Norris to get Allen Iverson and Larry Brown to stop their silly contretemps. But the Sixers will have to make a choice and, after witnessing their performance in the playoffs, they need to get more athletic and, more importantly, they need to get someone, anyone, who can be a reliable second to Iverson. That person preferably would be a small forward, although whoever they get at 16 is probably not going to be any better than what they already have (Matt Harpring.) It also wouldn't hurt to get a more athletic big man, even a power forward, to ease the burden on the plodding twosome of Dikembe Mutombo and Derrick Coleman. Otherwise, the Sixers' roster appears set, although Brown is known to be a tinkerer and we can't believe he won't at least explore trading Iverson, if for no other reason to see what he could fetch. He owes that to the team. But he also knows that, when healthy, he's still got a pretty good club and that maybe the best thing he could do is allow them to stay together, a luxury he did not allow to the conference champs of a year ago.
17. New Orleans
Top Candidates: Dan Dickau, Juan Dixon, Steve Logan
The Skinny: The Hornets of New Orleans. It just doesn't sound right, does it? But they're going, so get used to it. And, it appears, they won't have to wait too long for an expansion replacement. In the meantime, the Hornets bring a strong club to the Bayou and one that needs to be strengthened a little more, mainly in the backcourt. Charlotte really didn't have a third guard once Jamal Mashburn got sick. And Mash is a forward anyway. They had a chance last year at any number of backups (Tinsley, Tony Parker, Joe Forte, Trenton Hassell) and passed on all of them for Indiana's Kirk Haston, who did absolutely nothing. Assuming Mashburn is able to come back, the Hornets should turn their attention to beefing up the backcourt. But an even more interesting scenario awaits them relative to Baron Davis, who is fast becoming one of the premier point guards in the game. He is eligible to receive a long-term, many-zeroed extension this summer and it will be interesting to see what the club does. Historically, the Hornets have not paid their free agents, but, with the sweet, new deal in New Orleans, they might be better equipped financially to do it. (We should note that owner George Shinn did, in fact, shell out a ton of money to Larry Johnson -- well before he needed it and way too much of it.) The Hornets have no serious free agency concerns, other than making sure they take care of the dynamic Davis.
18. Orlando
Draft Needs: Center, power forward, point guard
Top Candidates: Chris Marcus, Melvin Ely, Dan Gadzuric
The Skinny: So much of what Orlando does is going to be geared to two things: the expected(?) return of Grant Hill and the summer of 2003 when the Magic, again, will take another run at Tim Duncan or some other big guy (Michael Olowokandi, Jermaine O'Neal) who may be free agents. The Magic need size and there's no way of getting around it. They basically became a perimeter team this season because their inside presence was non-existent. But they also want to preserve as much cap room as possible for the possible free agents, which could mean they'd go for the Best Available Foreigner Still Under Contract To His Club Team and Likely To Remain There. That would be avoiding a salary, but it would also be avoiding addressing their interior situation. One possibility: bringing back Michael Doleac for a year, although Doleac isn't your prototype back-to-the-basket bruiser. Patrick Ewing was, but no longer is. Ditto for Horace Grant. If Orlando decides to go for a player who will be there next season, it behooves them to get someone who can at least play inside and do some dirty work.
19. Utah
Draft Needs: Power forward, shooting guard, backup point guard
Top Candidates: Dan Dickau, Jiri Welsch, Bostjan Nachbar
The Skinny: The Jazz aren't really worried about who will be their 2002 top draft pick. They're more worried about their 2001 choice, Raul Lopez, and whether he can be extricated from his Real Madrid to ride sidesaddle with John Stockton for a season. Then again, they're not even sure Stockton is coming back, so there's another concern. That would make point guard a very valid worry for Utah heading into the draft. However, by the end of June, they'll at least have an idea on Stockton, so, if he's coming back, there's no need to go for a point guard once again. The other concern is a number of free agents, topped by Donyell Marshall and Bryon Russell. Marshall, because of his size (taller) and age (younger) is more of a priority than Russell, even though the latter has given the Jazz nine years of exemplary service. Owner Larry Miller doesn't want to pay a luxury tax and he's shelling out a ton of dough to the Mailman. If there is no point guard concern, don't be surprised if Utah decides to go overseas, again, so as not to clutter up their roster and payroll. But that would only be if they are certain that Stockton is headed back to Spokane to work at his dad's pub.
20. Toronto
Draft Needs: Point guard, center, shooter
Top Candidates: Bostjan Nachbar, Chris Jeffries, Frederick Jones
The Skinny: The Raptors stepped up to the plate last summer, signing Vince Carter, Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams, Alvin Williams and Hakeem Olajuwon. Do they get to use Canadian dollars when computing payrolls for the luxury tax? Toronto has been without a consistent No. 2 for Carter ever since Tracy McGrady left -- and they never let Tracy be Tracy while he was there. Picking at 20, they're unlikely to find that fellow in this year's draft, although they undeniably lucked out with Morris Peterson, who went 21st overall in the 2000 draft. Last year's No. 1 pick, Michael Bradley, didn't get much of an opportunity as a rookie. You have to think that Toronto would look for backcourt help, although they also may look at their roster and decide it doesn't need much tweaking. They may decide to go the Best Non-Available Foreigner route as well. If they do pick, they'll probably be looking for another Mo Pete kind of guy with some scoring ability.
21. Portland
Draft Needs: Center, point guard
Top Candidates: Chris Marcus, Jason Jennings, Dan Gadzuric
The Skinny: The Blazers always like to pull a surprise and, needless to say, are always looking to deal. Another sweep at the hands of the Lakers will again have them looking for something. Don't expect the missing piece to come 21st in the draft. Neither of their previous two No. 1s (Erick Barkley, Zach Randolph) has played a lick and it's hard to imagine how this year's No. 1, assuming there is one, will be ay different. Portland is gradually going younger, or trying to anyway, and has some nice pieces. If they had played all year for Mo Cheeks the way they played over the second half of the season, they might have lasted longer in the playoffs. But, then again, that wouldn't be Portland. What to do this summer? They'd like to take care of Bonzi Wells, who has one more year on his rookie contract and can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. There's also the little problem that Damon Stoudamire has going with the law up there. Not good. We know that Blazers GM Bob Whitsitt isn't averse to taking high school kids (Jermaine O'Neal and Shawn Kemp in Seattle) and he also isn't averse to bringing in foreigners. In fact, the Blazers will take a long look at a center who played for Arvydas Sabonis' team in Lithuanian this past season. Oh, the draft? Best available body. If Stoudamire isn't going to the Big House, it will probably be the best available big body.
23. Detroit
Draft Needs: Point guard, center
Top Candidates: Dan Dickau, Dan Gadzuric, Predrag Savocic
The Skinny: The Pistons came within two ping-pong bounces of getting the Grizzlies' pick. They'll have to wait on that for another year and hope they get lucky at 23, which is to say, real lucky. Anyone who saw their series against Boston knows that Detroit needs: a decent point guard. Chucky Atkins is serviceable as a backup and Damon Jones is lucky he's in the league. But, at 23, who's going to be there of any skill or consequence? Probably no one. They could also opt for a scorer like Maryland's Juan Dixon, who knows how to play in big games. The Pistons did display a painful lack of scoring ability against the Celtics (see: Game 3, 66-64.) Or they could even go foreign, although they have a ready-made foreigner who could be there next year in Mehmet Okur from Turkey. They also could look at their interior defense and maybe take a flyer on a big man who needs time and patience, both rare commodities in the NBA. They're likely to lose Dana Barros to free agency and they have to decide what they want to do with Jerry Stackhouse, whose contract is up soon. Chances are they want to keep him around, Boston series notwithstanding.
24. New Jersey
Draft Needs: Shooter, backup point guard
Top Candidates: Dan Dickau, Tayshaun Prince, Rod Grizzard
The Skinny: The Nets go 10 deep, play two rookies, have their main guys signed long term and are coming off a division title. Think they can get some love at No. 24? Don't bet on it. Rod Thorn may decide to simply take a Not Ready For Prime Time Foreigner or he could roll the dice with a point guard to replace Anthony Johnson as Jason Kidd's caddie. Kidd becomes a free agent after next season as well, so look for Thorn & Co. to try and take care of that little housekeeping matter as well. Otherwise, the Nets should pretty much come back with the same group of guys, a year older and wiser. They'll be hard up against the luxury tax as well, even though the draft pick won't be a financial back-breaker.
26. San Antonio
Draft Needs: Center, small forward
Top Candidates: Jason Jennings, Dan Gadzuric, Rod Grizzard
The Skinny: Don't tell these guys you can't get lucky at the end of the first round. They can present Tony Parker, front and center, as the primary example of getting lucky late. Could they hit the jackpot again? Who knows? After watching David Robinson labor through the playoffs, and understanding that this will be his last year, the Spurs might gamble on a big man. But they also might not want a draft pick to take up cap space because they plan on being players in the free agent market next summer, hopefully having Tim Duncan as the lure. Not bad if it works. Thus, they could go the foreign route and let the guy play overseas. They could even pass on the pick or take a pick and then renounce the players' rights, as the Bulls did a few years with Travis Knight. But, in all likelihood, they'll end up taking somebody. Terry Porter looks like he's ready for Shady Rest and Danny Ferry isn't far behind. Steve Smith also has a year left on his deal. In other words, the Spurs will make a run at it again next year with what they have and they can't be expecting much help from this year's draft to make that happen. Then again, they could not have been expecting much help last year, either, and look what happened.
27. Los Angeles Lakers
Draft Needs: Power forward, backup center, shooter
Top Candidates: Dan Gadzuric, Sam Clancy, Rod Grizzard
The Skinny: They've needed a decent backup for Shaquille O'Neal the last two years and it hasn't stopped them. They could well be looking in that direction again this draft, but with little hope of success. Then again, as long as they have Shaq and Kobe, they can pretty much roll the dice with anyone and make him a star bit-player. The Lakers didn't even have a No. 1 pick last year and took Mark Madsen the year before. You get the drift? Mitch Kupchak isn't exactly banking next season's success on the draft. At this point, you simply go with the best available athlete on the board, whatever the position. As we've seen with the Lakers, they can fit a lot of different guys into a lot of different roles, all of which revolve around the Big Two. There are no pressing free agency concerns (read: Shaq and Kobe are in for the long haul) and the Lakers will always have the ability to attract quality NBA free agents with the mid-level exception. Provided, of course, that owner Jerry Buss will fork over the Benjamins which, surprisingly, isn't always a given.
28. Sacramento
Draft Needs: Backup center, power forward
Top Candidates: Dan Gadzuric, Jason Jennings, Tayshaun Prince
The Skinny: The Kings have had as much success as anyone with foreigners and it's hard to see them not dipping into the overseas pool this time around. Internally, they're going to have to make a hard decision on Mike Bibby, who's eligible to sign an extension and who is represented by Easy David Falk. As in, "I'll make it easy for you. Just give him the maximum." But there's a new economy out there and Bibby can't pretend it doesn't exist. If he's happy where he is, and how can it be otherwise, then he should just stick around. The Kings have all the bases covered, as we've seen, so there's no pressing need for Geoff Petrie to try and find that elusive 12th man to make it all come together. The one area they might try to beef up is backup center; Scot Pollard is a hard worker, but he simply gives away too much size against some of the conference leviathans. Other than that, it's hard to see where the Kings can get an upgrade over what they already have.
Teams without a first-round pick:
Atlanta
Draft Needs: Point guard, depth up front
Top Candidates: Jay Williams, Yao Ming, Michael Dunleavy
The Skinny: Once upon a time, the Hawks were going to be serious free agent players. But they then made the big trade with Philadelphia and that ended that. They will pick 37th, which means they have a chance to snare someone who can make their roster. Their biggest need now is the same as it was last year: point guard. They need one, but don't expect them to find it in the draft.
Boston
Draft Needs: Point guard
The Skinny: Here's the Celtics' approach to draft day: forget about it. The Rockets could call them up tomorrow and offer them the No. 1 pick for Walter McCarty and they'd turn it down because of luxury tax concerns. It's going to be hard enough to re-sign Rodney Rogers because of the luxury tax. They have no interest in a first-round pick. At 50 in the second round, they'll take someone, maybe a point guard, and then say they were surprised he slipped that far.
Dallas
Draft Needs: Center
The Skinny: Think Mark Cuban is all hot and bothered over the 55th pick? Didn't think so. He buys players. He trades for players. He doesn't draft them and, at 55, the fortunate fellow should sample all the Mavericks' luxurious amenities before he gets cut in training camp. As long as Donnie Nelson sticks around, there's always a chance the Mavs could go foreign with the pick and wait for the player to develop.
Minnesota
Draft Needs: Point guard backup, depth up front
The Skinny: Maybe David Stern did them a favor by taking away their first-rounder. Who could they possibly get at No. 23 or 24 who is going to help them? Kevin McHale has other worries, namely, the return to health of Terrell Brandon (not a sure thing) and the re-signing of Rasho Nesterovic. The Wolves plucked Loren Woods out of the second round last year. He turned out to be serviceable, which is more than you can say for most second-rounders. This time around, McHale will just look for a body who can make his team.
Seattle
Draft Needs: Shooter, backup point guard
The Skinny: The SuperSonics will be more concerned with keeping Rashard Lewis, who is expected to become a free agent. But Lewis is unlikely to instigate a bidding war (although it only takes one other team to do so) and likely will remain put. There's also Gary Payton's situation; he wants a contract extension and, well, he ain't getting any younger. But he is coming off a terrific season. The Sonics also might try to move Vin Baker (again) and so their draft pick, 49th overall, may get lost in the shuffle.
Peter May, who covers the NBA for the Boston Globe, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.
|
|
|
|
