Draft Targets for Every Contender; Week 22 Power Rankings
To have long-term success in the NBA, you have to hit on your draft picks. Today, it’s time to find draft targets for every contender.
Drafting in the NBA might be the hardest thing to do. Scouts can study players for months and know them like the back of their own hands. But come draft night, it’s not an exact science. Bad teams stay bad because they can’t draft. Great teams stay that way because they continually supplement their current roster with future talent.
Today, in addition to naming the ten best teams in the NBA, I’ll like one realistic draft target.
#10 – Chicago Bulls
Record: (43-31)
Offensive Rating: 112.5 (11th)
Defensive Rating: 112.3 (21st)
Net Rating: 0.2 (17th)
A few months ago, the Bulls looked like contenders. Now thanks to injuries, they’re holding on for dear life in the East. Coming into the season, Chicago was thin in the frontcourt. Losing Patrick Williams for almost the whole year didn’t help that matter in the least bit.
Add in Zach Lavine’s impending free agency, and you’ve got yourself one happy franchise! The one positive for Chicago is that they have their 2022 first-round pick. They stole hometown kid Ayo Dosunmu in the second round last year. This year, they’re hoping for similar luck. I think that EJ Liddell has to be the pick for the Bulls.
EJ Liddell (Ohio State / Forward) – NBA Comp: Paul Millsap
Liddell gives the Bulls what they so desperately need: size and defense. At 6’7″, 240 pounds, Liddell played center as a sophomore in college for a reason. He can handle the rigors of the paint. On top of that, he’s a versatile defender.
He shut down projected top-5 pick Paolo Banchero in their matchup earlier this season, holding the Duke star to just 14 points on 29% shooting. He’s comfortable switching and gives the Bulls a lot more versatility than they currently have with an aging Nikola Vucevic.
On top of that, he’s a solid passer, spot-up shooter, and post player. His three years of college experience suggest he’s physically ready for the NBA. This pairing seems like a match made in heaven for the Bulls.
#9 – Utah Jazz
Record: (45-30)
Offensive Rating: 116.1 (1st)
Defensive Rating: 110.2 (11th)
Net Rating: 5.8 (3rd)
They need perimeter/wing defense in any way, shape, or form. There’s no getting around that. Without Rudy Gobert on the floor, they have a 114.6 defensive rating. In the 16 games without him this season, that figure drops to 117.0.
The only problem is that the Jazz don’t have a first-round pick this season. Their pick is heading to the Grizzlies of all teams, who are dying for depth (sarcasm). That is the price for Mike Conley.
In a recent article, I reiterated that the Jazz were stuck. Without a first-round pick and no cap space, they have no wiggle room to fix their biggest flaw.
#8 – Dallas Mavericks
Record: (46-29)
Offensive Rating: 111.3 (17th)
Defensive Rating: 108.5 (6th)
Net Rating: 2.8 (9th)
The Dallas Mavericks have been rolling. Luka Doncic has gotten into better shape. Acquiring Spencer Dinwiddie for improved depth has worked wonders for the offense. Under new head coach Jason Kidd, the Mavs have found a newfound defensive identity that they didn’t have under the last regime.
Still, there are ways to improve this team. When you have Luka Doncic, as much firepower as possible is needed. Jalen Brunson could leave this offseason. The Mavs have Dinwiddie plus a first-rounder to try and ease that potential loss.
With that pick, I suggest they take Malaki Branham.
Malaki Branham (Ohio State / Guard) – NBA Comp: Caris Levert
Branham has his flaws, but I think he has the upside to fit well in Dallas. The freshman’s top skills are what Dallas needs. He excels in one-on-one situations, able to get to the basket. His ability to hit threes off the dribble is enticing.
He can handle the ball and is comfortable in the mid-range using a myriad of tools – such as a turnaround or a fadeaway. At 180 pounds, he is a little light for his 6’5″ frame. However, his long arms and effort on defense allow him to guard multiple positions.
While he did average just 1.9 assists in college, he’s a scorer and a shooter. Along with his defense, he could provide some two-way play for Dallas off the bench. That kick off the bench is something they’ve been looking for in the Doncic era.
Dallas’s drafting hasn’t been good (sorry Josh Green), but I think Branham works for them.
#7 – Philadelphia 76ers
Record: (46-28)
Offensive Rating: 112.1 (14th)
Defensive Rating: 109.7 (9th)
Net Rating: 2.4 (12th)
The James Harden trade has been fruitful for the 76ers. They’ve gone 10-4 with the beard, boasting a 6.0 net rating in that time. Along with Joel Embiid’s brilliance down low, the 76ers remain near the top of the East. They’re hoping for a deep playoff run.
The 76ers do need more floor spacing/creators off the bench. Outside of their big four, their options are limited to Shake Milton, Danny Green, and Furkan Korkmaz. I don’t have to tell you why that’s not ideal. However, the 76ers can’t do anything about it.
They traded their first-round pick to the Nets as part of the Harden deal. It’s not dire that Philly needs that pick, but it would be helpful. Hopefully Harden’s worth his $47 million dollar contract next season.
#6 – Miami Heat
Record: (47-28)
Offensive Rating: 112.1 (13th)
Defensive Rating: 108.1 (5th)
Net Rating: 4.0 (6th)
Nothing significant has happened with the Miami Heat over the past week. Nope. Nothing to see here.
The worst part of that sequence? It wasn’t the low point of the week for Miami. It was Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin flashing “peace out” signs in a middle of a blowout loss. The Heat looked the same since this incident, but that’s not the point.
The depth of this team is questionable. Miami is a veteran team built for the postseason. But, more depth has never hurt anyone. The Heat need a backup point guard, so I think that Dyson Daniels makes sense.
Dyson Daniels (Guard / G-League) – NBA Comp: Derrick White
Given the Heat’s record, Daniels is unlikely to be available when they’re selecting. But, his skillsets are promising. His off-ball skills are advanced, as he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He can make every pass in the book, masterful in the pick-and-roll.
Though he’s not a great athlete, he’s a fine defender. Aside from his shooting struggles, Daniels would be a nice backup guard for Miami. He would be a filler when Lowry isn’t running the offense.
#5 – Milwaukee Bucks
Record: (46-28)
Offensive Rating: 113.9 (5th)
Defensive Rating: 110.4 (13th)
Net Rating: 3.5 (7th)
Without Brook Lopez, Milwaukee’s interior defense was porous. Getting back their starting center should help their defense, which has been middle of the road for months. Even with Lopez coming back, the Bucks could use some added size down low.
Bobby Portis is undersized to play the position. Giannis is at his best defensively when he’s helping. Adding another rim protector is possible in the draft. Arizona’s Christian Koloko intruiges me.
Christian Koloko (Center / Arizona) – NBA Comp: Joel Embiid???
Koloko lives inside the paint on both ends. Offensively, he’s a fantastic interior finisher. From lobs to an impressive array of post moves, he’s adept at scoring down low. His shooting has steadily improved over his college career. And, just for fun, he’s a decent passer out of the post.
But that’s just the offensive side of things. Koloko is an elite rim protector, averaging 2.8 blocks this season. He moves well in space, so drop coverage in the NBA won’t be too difficult for him. He’s added about 15 pounds since his freshman year of college. Post defense won’t be hard for him.
Koloko is similar to Joel Embiid. A freakishly athletic Cameroonian who played another sport primarily before switching to basketball. He’s very raw, but would give Milwaukee a shot in the arm down low.
#4 – Boston Celtics
Record: (47-28)
Offensive Rating: 112.8 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 105.9 (1st)
Net Rating: 6.9 (1st)
On January 21st, RJ Barrett hit a game-winner against the Celtics, capping a miserable night for Boston that saw them blow a 24-point lead in the 2nd quarter. The Celtics dropped to 18-21 on the season, “good” for 11th in the East.
Things were looking dour for Boston. Ime Udoka was doing little to change the sluggish Celtics. Another disappointing season was on the clock. But then, out of nowhere, something extraordinary happened.
Since that grueling loss, the Celtics are 29-9. And somehow, they’re the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Robert Williams injury sucks, but this team has been on fire.
Boston doesn’t have a first-round selection due to the Derrick White trade. I don’t think the Celtics are losing any sleep about that, though.
#3 – Golden State Warriors
Record: (48-27)
Offensive Rating: 112.2 (12th)
Defensive Rating: 106.6 (3rd)
Net Rating: 5.6 (5th)
The Golden State Warriors are a good team. But they’ve had a tumultuous season. They’ve had to welcome back Klay Thompson after two years of season-ending injuries. Draymond Green was out for weeks, and their offense plummetted. Steph Curry is having one of the worst seasons of his career.
This team should be better than 21 games over 0.500. When healthy, they’ve looked on par with everybody, even the Suns.
In terms of what they did in the draft, it’s not a lot. They have a draft pick, but I don’t think they can really use it for anything worth while. Other than Kuminga, Golden State’s drafting ambitions have been less than ideal.
All they can hope for is progression from the likes of Wiseman. That may be easier said than done, however.
#2 – Memphis Grizzlies
Record: (52-23)
Offensive Rating: 114.3 (4th)
Defensive Rating: 108.7 (7th)
Net Rating: 5.6 (4th)
The Memphis Grizzlies are the deepest team in the league. They are 17-2 without Ja Morant this season, a stat I don’t think I’ve come to terms with. Despite Morant being an electric star, the Grizzlies would remain elite without him.
Not to throw shots at Ja, but the Grizzlies don’t need him. That’s a fact. On top of all that depth, the Grizzlies could have three first-rounders this season. Their own pick, one from the Lakers if it falls outside of the top ten, and one from the Utah Jazz as part of the Mike Conley deal.
It seems more than likely that the Grizzlies will trade these picks for more established players, but one player I want to see them go after is Jaden Hardy.
Jaden Hardy (Wing / G-League Ignite) – NBA Comp: Cam Thomas
Hardy is a pure scorer, someone who can create for himself with ease. He’s a smooth ball-handler, and someone who thrives in one-on-one situations. His shooting is surprisingly poor for someone of that archetype, however.
He’s not a total liability on defense, too. The Grizzlies wing position has been in flux all season long. Dillon Brooks is solid, but if the Grizzlies want to go all-in, that’s where they could look to upgrade. Hardy could provide a different look for them in that sense.
#1 – Phoenix Suns
Record: (61-14)
Offensive Rating: 115.0 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: 106.6 (2nd)
Net Rating: 8.5 (1st)
The Suns didn’t draft Tyrese Haliburton in 2020 and they still have a 61-14 record two years later. I think they’re fine.
What Are Your Thoughts On These Teams’ Draft Targets? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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