Perhaps lost in the shuffle in the NBA playoffs and the bubble is the fact that the league will be holding its annual draft lottery on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
That means we’ll be talking about ping-pong balls and who’s representing the non-playoff teams and their good-luck charms and all that until we see who gets No. 1 (and in a very uncertain 2020, we don’t even know who the top pick could be! Anthony Edwards? LaMelo Ball? James Wiseman?).
Let’s start with which teams have the best odds to grab the top pick and each franchise’s biggest needs ahead of Thursday night.
Golden State Warriors: 14 percent
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
BIGGEST NEEDS: A center who can run and shoot, a stretch four
What a position to be in heading into 2020-21: Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will return healthy, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green will fill out the forward spots … and they could end up with the No. 1 pick.
Could they simply take who they think is the best player available (and maybe that’s Georgia guard Anthony Edwards)? Or do they go for need with someone like Dayton’s Obi Toppin?
Cleveland Cavaliers: 14 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: Future front-court stars
The Cavs seem set in the backcourt with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. They traded for Andre Drummond, who said he’s opting in for next season, and Kevin Love is still there.
So it’s time for the Cavaliers to look at a center (Wiseman?) or forward? Or do they grab another guard and play some serious small ball down the road?
Minnesota Timberwolves: 14 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: Pretty much everything save for point guard and center
Actually, that statement above should probably read “Whatever makes Karl-Anthony Towns happy.”
Seriously, though: the Wolves need to build around KAT and D’Angelo Russell, and Jarrett Culver hopefully takes another step forward at guard. So maybe it’s a wing like Deni Avdija.
Atlanta Hawks: 12.5 percent
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BIGGEST NEEDS: A guard who fits with Trae Young
I love Kevin Huerter, and Cam Reddish is fine, but Young could use some help. And if the Hawks get No. 1, Edwards might be a perfect fit.
Detroit Pistons: 10.5 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: Pretty much everything
Seko Doumbouya had some good moments in 2019-20 and Blake Griffin will hopefully come back healthy in 2020-21. Other than Luke Kennard, there’s not a lot going on in Motown, so it looks like a full rebuild is on the way.
So it all depends on where they pick. It could be a point guard, it could be a center … you get the idea.
New York Knicks: 9 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: Point guard
Frank Ntilikina hasn’t developed into PG some thought he’d be, so now the Knicks need to pair a player like LaMelo Ball with R.J. Barrett. Or they could focus on Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton or North Carolina’s Cole Anthony despite a less-than-effective freshman season.
Chicago Bulls: 7.5 percent
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
BIGGEST NEEDS: Scoring from the wings
The Bulls drafted Coby White last year, and Zach LaVine — assuming he isn’t traded — is still there. Wendell Carter will plug up the middle, and hopefully Lauri Markkanen’s step back wasn’t a preview of things to come.
So I’m thinking it’s a small forward or guard first.
Charlotte Hornets: 6 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: Anyone who isn’t a point guard
Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier have that position covered. Outside of that? It’s wide open. It could be Wiseman, Toppin … you name it!
Washington Wizards: 4.5 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: Defense
John Wall will be back to join Bradley Beal, which is good news. Thomas Bryant is a good offensive big man, and if they re-sign Davis Bertans and see a good Year 2 from Rui Hachimura, the offense is set.
The problem is on the other end of the court. So it could be a big man with length and mobility or a guard like Haliburton who is getting buzz for his work as a defender.
Phoenix Suns: 3 percent
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
BIGGEST NEEDS: Whoever can play alongside Devin Booker
The Suns just finished an incredible run in the NBA bubble and could be taking a big leap next season with Booker, Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton.
So the Suns have a chance to add to that stockpile by going in whatever direction they think they need, but it should be a player who fits with Booker. I’d personally stay away from a small-forward type thanks to Oubre and Bridges, but maybe a point guard of the future or stretch 4 would help.
San Antonio Spurs: 2 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: A future star
Despite nearly making into the play-in game, the Spurs are heading toward a crossroads with the contracts of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge expiring in 2021 (assuming the former opts in to his final year). They have young parts like Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Jakob Poeltl and Lonnie Walker but is there a star in that bunch?
We know the Spurs draft better than anyone, so whoever they get will be intriguing no matter who it is or what position it is.
Sacramento Kings: 1.3 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: A project forward
It was a step back this season, but Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley and Richaun Holmes make up a really good core. So let’s add a player who could develop with them, and it should preferably be a power forward or center type.
New Orleans Pelicans: 1.2 percent
(AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
BIGGEST NEEDS: More shooters
JJ Redick will enter his final season of a two-year contract, so how about getting Zion, Brandon Ingram and Jrue Holiday some more help on the outside?
Memphis Grizzlies: 0.50 percent
BIGGEST NEEDS: Shooting guards
It’s worth noting the Griz could give this pick to the Boston Celtics thanks to the Jeff Green trade in 2015 — it’s top-six protected. But let’s stick with Memphis projections for now.
Dillon Brooks was incredible last season, but let’s throw one more guard who can shoot into the mix.
