NBA Draft Lottery Viewing

Dallas, Oklahoma City, Miami and Chicago all have some business to attend to, but this past Tuesday, the NBA held it’s annual draft lottery. This year, the draft is consider to be on the weakest draft since the 2006 draft, which had 5 good players in the first round. While I think this draft is deep in terms of role players, the potential superstars don’t stand out. The only two players who impress are Duke’s Kyrie Irving and Arizona’s Derrick Williams. Irving in his 13 games, seemed to impressed drawing comparisons to Chris Paul. Williams led a average Arizona team to the elite eight and has the ability to play both power forward and small forward, think Thad Young.

In this take, I throw some little personal intake into what happened and how the lottery shook out. Enjoy.
14. Houston Rockets

– I must say, not surprised here. Houston walks in with cap space, a extra 2012 1st round pick and a whole bunch of C level players. In terms of need, the Rockets should really consider replacing Yao Ming, instead of resigning him. However, this draft lacks centers, so don’t be surprised if they look at both the point guard and small forward positions either.
My pick? Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA

13. Phoenix Suns

– Again, stay in order. The Suns are one of the teams in the lotto with alot to do. Grant Hill and Aaron Brooks are free agents, and might this be the year they decide to deal Steve Nash? I believe they won’t, so I think the Suns are going to look to add some help on the perimeter. The Suns could use a ideal shooting guard, and I wouldn’t be shocked they reach for one.
My pick? Klay Thomspon, SG, Washington St

( Crazy trade idea #1: Suns send Steve Nash to Toronto for their lotto pick, Jose Calderon and Sonny Weems. For the Suns, you get a top pick to select your future replacement for Nash, Jose Calderon could fit in as a present player who can provide some leadership until the draft is ready and Weems, a athletic leaper. Toronto gets Nash to go with Bargnani and DeRozan, in a conference where the 8th seed won 37 games.)

12. Utah Jazz

– BOOOOO! We remain in order again. With two lotto picks, Utah has alot of choices here. Looking at this spot, I think Utah will take the hometown kid. In fact, I think they should take the BYU standout, because I have hope he can be a flat out offensive player, who has little to no hopes of playing defense. At best? He’s Mike Bibby. At worst? He’s a shorter J.J. Reddick.
My pick? Jimmer Freddette, PG, BYU

11. Golden State Warriors

– Arggggh! Golden State is another interesting team. We can say right now thier backcourt is set with Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis, Dorrell Wright is coming off a breakout season, and David Lee and Andris Biedrens are strapped in fincailly. If your Golden State, you want some depth and toughness. While Kenneth Faried is on the board, I don’t think he goes here because they have a similar player in Louis Admunson.
My pick? Jonas Valanciunas, C, Euro

( Golden State has to deal either Stephen Curry or Monta Ellis this summer. Other then a actual shooting guard on the roster, I don’t know why this team in the lottery. I’m starting to think this team is becoming worst then the Clippers, mainly because when the Clippers were/been bad, they lacked talent. This team lacks one piece for years and struggles)

10. Milwaukee Bucks

– The curse of Corey Maggette strikes again. The Bucks went from a playoff team, to the lottery. What is their biggest need? We have to look at the power forward position. In case you forgot, Drew Gooden was the first FA signing of 2010 and was what he was ( a backup power forward), Moute played well defensively, but is undersized and a free agent. A player with legit power forward skills, and offensive ability could open up this team to a playoff berth.
My pick? Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas

9. Charlotte Bobcats

– Charlotte needs alot to be honest. With the trade of Gerald Wallace, one must wonder if Stephen Jackson is next? If so, it will be interesting to see his value. Anyway, If I’m Charlotte, I think you look for either a small forward or a power forward here. Charlotte will also be a player in the Kyrie Irving trade ideas as well, be aware of that. Charlotte was 30th in attendance last season, Irving could attract fans.
My pick? Kwahi Leonard, SF, San Diego St

( Charlotte has to make a play for Kyrie Irving OR Stephen Curry. Stephen Curry, mainly because he’s a hometown kid, played at Davidson and could draw fans. Kyrie Irving is considered to be a Chris Paul clone, so if that’s the case, Charlotte has to add him to boost that attendance. Also, the chance of this goes from about 5 percent, to 95 percent, once you consider Jordan is the owner/GM)

8. Detroit Pistons

MOVEMENT!!!!! This pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2nd lotto pick into the top 3. The Pistons were one of my teams I thought would win the 1st pick. Sadly, they did not. However, the Pistons are in a great position. With Greg Monroe in the frontcourt, they could use a more rugged big man opposite of him.
My pick? Bismark Biyombo, C, Congo

7. Sacramento Kings

– This pushed the Utah Jazz into the top 3. The Kings were the only team in this year’s draft that had no chance of losing. Either way, they can walk into this draft with as many as 6 players who can all fit this team. Besides small forward, I think Sacramento will look to add a point guard who can shoot. While Tyreke Evans had a great season as a rookie, Evans took a step back
My pick? Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

6. Washington Wizards

– The Wizards get the 6th pick, which is fine. This young team has cap space and time to grow. Nick Young might be leaving, but Jordan Crawford can hold that position. The best position to help with this pick is small forward. Last season, Al Thornton and Josh Howard was starting at small forward for Washington. With Wall, you might want to get someone who can jump out the gym.
My pick? Jan Vesely, PF, Euro

5. Toronto Raptors

– Poor Toronto. Walked into the draft with the third best chance to get the 1st pick, falls to 5th. However, there are still some very interesting pieces. With DeMar DeRozan emerging to a potential superstar, Toronto could consider adding a player who can help him in the backcourt or help Andrea Bargnani in the frontcourt. Either or.
My pick? Kemba Walker, PG, UConn

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

-The Cavaliers still have a pick in the top 3. This pick gives them a chance to get 2 of the top 4 players in the draft. If your Cleveland, I think you attack that frontcourt. Anderson Verejao is solid, but coming off a huge injury. Antwan Jamison is in the twilight of his career. I think some youth could be shot into this team with the right frontcourt player.
My pick? Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky
( Crazy trade idea #2: Cleveland’s 4th pick and Anderson Verejao to Philadelphia for Andre Iguodala. If your Cleveland, this draft takes a awful turn past the top 3, so why not take Iguodala instead of a another young player? Philadelphia moves money to help a need position and gets a draft pick to maybe strike gold and find a player who can fit.)

3. Utah Jazz

– Couldn’t work any other way for Utah. Now? You can get one of the top players in this years draft after trading your star Deron Williams. After adding a piece with Jimmer, I think the next logical player should be a explosive shooting guard. A shooting guard who can play the attacker, as well as a shooter. I think there’s one somewhere here…..
My pick? Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

( No way Minnesota wins this)

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

– LMFAO!!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!! I knew this would happen. NO WAY the basketball gods bless Wolves GM David Khan with a top overall pick, even in a crappy draft. What to make it worse? The Timberwolves need a center who can play opposite of Kevin Love, but there isn’t a center who can come in right now ( Enes Kanter won’t be the pick) so instead, look for best player available.
My pick? Derrick Williams, SF, Arizona

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

– Let me save you some time, the pick will be Kyrie Irving.
My pick? Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke