2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs didn’t retain a single drafted player from the first round, but with Kevin Love and LeBron James, who both opted out of their contracts) expressing desires to return to Cleveland, the Cavs are sitting pretty. Deciding whether to pay Thompson, Shumpert and Dellavedova will be their biggest concerns this summer.
3. Houston Rockets
The Rockets drafted Sam Dekker (18th) and Montrezl Harrell (32nd) to solidify their frontcourt which could face the losses of Josh Smith and Corey Brewer to free agency. Now they turn their focus to prized free-agent LaMarcus Aldridge (spoiler alert: this is a recurring theme).
4. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers face the possible loss of DeAndre Jordan and didn’t do much to bolster their roster with the draft. That being said, they still have two of the best players in the league in CP3 and Blake, and should challenge for the top spot out west all season long. In other news, a Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers reunion is a rumored possibility in Los Angeles.
5. Atlanta Hawks
Both DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap will test the waters of free agency, but they likely have backup plans in place if they do decide to sign elsewhere. The Hawks won’t likely part with Carroll so quickly after his breakout performance in the postseason, and Millsap is part of the foundation necessary to continue to compete. Trading for Tim Hardaway Jr. should act as some insurance should Carroll leave.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
It just looks right to see the Thunder return to the top part of the rankings. Last season was derailed by injuries, but with a healthy roster – bolstered by the point guard depth rookie Cameron Payne out of Murray State should bring, as well as Kentucky’s big man Dakari Johnson – the Thunder are immediate title contenders. It will be interesting to see if they re-sign Enes Kanter to play center, or if they trust Steven Adams and Mitch McGary moving forward. Durant, Westbrook and company will be as hungry and dangerous as ever this upcoming season.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies’ primary concern this summer is retaining the services of Marc Gasol, and it appears they should be able to do so. Drafting Jarell Martin and signing Matt Barnes adds some much-needed depth to the roster, but this team is already very, very solid. Still, everything depends on the decision of Gasol; he’s their best player.
8. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs face many questions this off-season. With Duncan and Ginobili putting off retirement for now, it will be interesting to see how they handle free-agents Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, two integral pieces of their recent success and their future. And, can they manage to sign one or both of them while saving enough money for their real target LaMarcus Aldridge? We’ll have to wait and see.
9. Chicago Bulls
Bobby Portis was a steal at #22 in the draft, but with the Bulls already crowded frontcourt even more clogged, they will need to move some players this summer. Their main concern though will be re-signing Jimmy Butler, who was their best player all-around last season.
10. Washington Wizards
If Paul Pierce leaves, which he probably will, Kelly Oubre, Jr. will be a great replacement to back up Otto Porter Jr. for the Wiz. Addressing some depth behind Marcin Gortat and Nene could be a worthy investment for Washington this offseason. This team got even younger and more dangerous in the draft, and the Wizards are poised for another stark improvement in 2015-16.
11. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans drafted Branden Dawson from Michigan State with their sole pick in the Draft. With new head coach Alvin Gentry ready to unleash Anthony Davis onto the rest of the league alongside Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson, the Pelicans return most of their nucleus next year. With more experience under their belt, another leap forward could turn this team into title contenders in the near future.
12. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs will be working hard to acquire Texas native and hometown kid LaMarcus Aldridge this offseason (we’ve heard this already). But, other than that, they’ve done little to improve thus far this offseason. Justin Anderson of Virginia was a solid pick, but Monta Ellis’ imminent departure will hurt. Still, the Mavs always find a way to contend, and acquiring LA would catapult them up these rankings. They also have plans to pursue DeAndre Jordan and Danny Green.
13. Miami Heat
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Winslow was the steal of the draft.
The Heat had possibly the steal of the draft as Justise Winslow of Duke, a possible top-four pick, fell into their laps at number ten. Still, many questions remain for this summer with potential losses through free-agency of D-Wade, Luol Deng, and Goran Dragic. There’s still a lot to like; should they all return to join up with Bosh and Whiteside, the Heat will likely to take a step forward this season.
14. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers face the loss of Aldridge and have already traded away Nicolas Batum. Damian Lillard could be the only returning starter if Wes Matthews and Robin Lopez leave as well this summer. Still, Lillard is a star, and he is now paired with Gerald Henderson, Noah Vonleh, Mason Plumlee, and Pat Connaughton, all of whom the Blazers acquired during their busy week.
15. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors dealt Greivis Vasquez to Milwaukee but replaced him with Delon Wright out of Utah, who will serve as Kyle Lowry’s new backup. The Raptors are still a solid squad, though they have work to do to go from good to great this season. Many questions linger about their consecutive first round playoff exits.
16. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks acquired a solid backup point guard in Vasquez from Toronto, although the picks given up for him don’t sit well with many fans. The pick of Rashad Vaughn also left some fans confused, but the 18 year-old scorer from UNLV will add some shooting and more youth to the team. Now they turn their attention to re-signing Khris Middleton and a center (Greg Monroe, Tyson Chandler, or Enes Kanter?).
17. Utah Jazz
Utah took Kentucky’s Trey Lyles with the 12th pick, a curious selection given the team’s needs. The Jazz, however, are targeting a return from Paul Millsap and this would be a huge boost to their already strong frontcourt. Utah will likely improve next season with another year of growth from youngsters like Rudy Gobertand Dante Exum as well.
18. Boston Celtics
The Celtics had a good draft, reaching for Terry Rozier of Louisville, but snagging R.J. Hunter of Georgia State and Jordan Mickey of LSU. All three players will look to contribute quickly to this already young C’s roster. With another year of maturation under Brad Stevens, this team is on the rise. He’s already a great coach who can somewhat negate what they lack in star power. They are still a possible destination for K-Love and Boogie Cousins.
19. Indiana Pacers
Although Roy Hibbert opted in to his contract, the selection of big man Myles Turner from Texas is still a solid pick. With David West likely on his way out, the Pacers should look to go smaller and faster this season with Paul George back and leading the way.
20. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets don’t have complete control over a first round pick until 2019 due to their trade for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry. Still, there’s no way that team owner Mikhail Prokhorov won’t make moves in free agency to improve the roster and have the Nets competing for one of the East’s last playoff spots this season…although we all know that’s the worst place to be competing. Trading for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on draft night should help shore up the perimeter defense, but questions loom about Brook Lopez’s future with the team and the team’s future.
21. Phoenix Suns
The Suns’ roster is up in the air with the pending free agency of Brandon Knight; but, with the selection of Devin Booker at #13, they certainly are loaded with former Kentucky players. Booker joins Knight, Archie Goodwin and Eric Bledsoe as former Wildcat guards who will look to push the Suns back into playoff contention this season.
22. Detroit Pistons
What to do with Reggie Jackson is a big question for the Pistons; but, with Ersan Ilyasova set to replace Greg Monroe up front and Stanley Johnson ready to replace Tayshaun Prince on the wing, the Pistons’ fortunes could be looking up. How Brandon Jennings returns from his achilles tear will be a large factor.
23. Denver Nuggets
The selection of the 6’5” point guard Emmanuel Mudiay means that Ty Lawson’s time in Denver has likely run out. Mudiay is young but should help provide some pop for the Nuggets under new coach Mike Malone. Trading Lawson, Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried this summer would signify a full-on rebuild.
24. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets took 7-footer FrankKaminsky at #9 overall and acquired Nicolas Batum from Portland, two moves that add solid shootingexpertise to their roster. This will help open space forKemba Walker as he looks to continue his improvement as a point guard in this league. The Hornets are rebuilding, but they’ve got some very solid pieces in place.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves
The T-Wolves added Karl-Anthony Towns #1 overall, then acquired hometown kid Tyus Jones in the late first round via a trade. Pairing these two young talents with Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine means that the Wolves will surely be one of the most intriguing and exciting teams in the league this season and for many seasons to come. The future is finally bright in Minneapolis.
26. Los Angeles Lakers
D’Angelo Russell is the future for the Lakers, and although up until draft day most expected the team to select Jahlil Okafor, Russell makes a lot of sense. Kobe will mentor him this season before he looks to take the reins in L.A. This year will be another of rebuilding, but with Russell and Kobe the team figures to be fun to watch at the very least. Everything changes if they trade for Boogie, especially if Russell is in the trade package to land Cousins.
27. Orlando Magic
The Magic took Mario Hezonja with the fifth pick, a great and cocky shooter from Croatia. He adds instant offense to a roster desperately lacking it, besides ever-improving big man Nikola Vucevic. It will be interesting to see what happens with Tobias Harris. A season of learning is on the horizon in Orlando, but with many young, talented pieces, their future is also bright.
28. Sacramento Kings
The Kings seem to be in limbo right now, unsure of how to proceed with DeMarcus Cousins and George Karl. The selection of Willie Cauley-Stein was an interesting one, but he could be a nice complement to Cousins if he stays. Roster questions abound for the folks in Sacramento for the rest of the summer.
29. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers took Jahlil Okafor at #3 after the Lakers passed on Duke’s big man. Still, where he fits in with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid (if he can get healthy) is questionable. There are so many questions for the Sixers, and their “process” doesn’t seem to be leading anywhere. I don’t blame Jahlil for his lack of enthusiasm with the selection; I wouldn’t want to be a Sixer either. Philly’s roster is still a hot mess.
30. New York Knicks
The Knicks fans in attendance at the draft didn’t hide their disappointment and frustration, booing the selection of Kristaps Porzingis at #4. Although Porzingis could be a great player, he isn’t ready to contribute much right away, and in NYC, fans are running out of patience. Another very long season awaits for Carmelo Anthony and crew, and Phil Jackson’s approval seems to be low.