For all the talk, the NBA Draft ultimately comes down to making your team better. It’s a simple, yet labyrinthine concept — one that centers around cold, hard analysis.
When everything in the NBA seems to center around free agency and trade demands, it’s easy to forget that the goal is to win championships. And getting there usually starts in the draft. Before the Warriors signed Kevin Durant, they drafted Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the latter outside the first round.
In what figures to be a strong 2019 class, what happens Thursday will affect proceedings not just on the court, but off.
Here are the most critical needs for each NBA team:
New Orleans Pelicans: A star
Best fit: Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is the obvious choice and will be the centerpiece of a team built around the collection of players — Brandon Ingam, Lonzo Ball and the No. 4 pick — that the Pelicans acquired in the Anthony Davis deal.
Memphis Grizzlies: A long-term pick-and-roll partner for Jaren Jackson Jr.
Best fit: Ja Morant
The Grizzlies have their big man of the future. With Mike Conley likely on the way out, it’s time to find his replacement.
New York Knicks: Someone they can build a contender around
Best fit: RJ Barrett
Kevin Durant is hurt, and the Knicks’ turnaround has to be about a lot more than free agency.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Wing scoring
Best fit: Jarrett Culver
The Cavs have no shortage of needs, but a building block who can play next to Collin Sexton for the foreseeable future is up there.
Phoenix Suns: Anybody who can play defense
Best fit: DeAndre Hunter
The Suns were 29th in defensive rating this season, 30th last season, 28th the year before that. You get the picture.
Chicago Bulls: A primary ball-handler
Best fit: Darius Garland
Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine do not fit the above description, as Chicago learned the hard way last season.
Atlanta Hawks: A building block to put next to Trae Young.
Best fit: Cam Reddish
Young has already proven he’ll be pivotal to Atlanta’s future — if the Hawks nail this pick, they won’t be in the lottery for much longer.
Washington Wizards: A big man
Best fit: Jaxson Hayes
If the Wizards decide to try and compete upon John Wall’s eventual return instead of collapsing under the weight of his injury, a dependable center would go a long way.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Wing scoring
Best fit: Romeo Langford
Andrew Wiggins hasn’t worked out in Minnesota, but there’s hope if the Timberwolves can add some scoring to a young core that’s dotted with question marks.
Charlotte Hornets: A Kemba Walker replacement
Best fit: Coby White
The Hornets almost certainly want to re-sign Walker in free agency, but it’s unclear how likely that is and they should plan for the worst.
Miami Heat: Best player available
Best fit: Sekou Doumbouya
Miami’s in a weird roster limbo right now, with lots of money tied into Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside in the short term, but promising long-term assets in Justise Winslow and Bam Adebayo. Might as well swing for the fences.
Boston Celtics: A big man
Best fit: Brandon Clarke
Al Horford is aging and possibly leaving, Robert Williams is a question mark and neither Guerschon Yabusele nor Semi Ojeleye look like long-term starters.
Detroit Pistons: Wing scoring
Best fit: Romeo Langford
The Pistons have their point guard in Reggie Jackson, and two All-Star caliber big men in Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. Add a reliable wing man to that and you’ve got something.
Orlando Magic: A point guard
Best fit: Coby White
The Magic have a promising frontcourt with Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba. Getting someone who can dependably run the offense is the next step.
Indiana Pacers: A 3-and-D wing
Best fit: Tyler Herro
The Pacers may lose both Tyreke Evans and Bojan Bogdanovic to free agency — adding some depth on the wing is a must.
San Antonio Spurs: A big man
Best fit: Bol Bol
LaMarcus Aldridge is aging, and the Spurs won’t be able to spend much money on the position because of … LaMarcus Aldridge’s contract.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shooting
Best fit: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Given that Russell Westbrook can’t do much from outside, getting some spacing around him and Paul George is vital for the Thunder.
Utah Jazz: Big man depth
Best fit: PJ Washington
The Jazz don’t have any gaping holes, and at 23rd overall, they won’t add a game-changing player, so it’s worth getting a piece who can play behind Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors.
Philadelphia 76ers: An immediate contributor
Best fit: Ty Jerome
The Sixers want to win now and they have the stars to do it, thus should focus on finding someone who doesn’t need to develop much to be a part of the rotation.
Portland Trail Blazers: Forward depth
Best fit: Keldon Johnson
Al-Farouq Aminu is on an expiring contract and Evan Turner averaged all of 6.8 points last year.
Brooklyn Nets: Big man depth
Best fit: Mfiondu Kabengele
Ed Davis and Jarrett Allen are the only two bigs listed on the Nets roster right now, and Davis enters free agency on July 1.
Golden State Warriors: An immediate contributor
Best fit: Eric Paschall
As anyone who watched the NBA Finals knows, the Warriors need depth and pretty much everywhere.
Milwaukee Bucks: Big man depth
Best fit: Bruno Fernando
With Nikola Mirotic, Brook Lopez and Pau Gasol all entering free agency, the Bucks should look to the draft for a big guy.
Dallas Mavericks: A center
Best fit: Bruno Fernando
Dallas doesn’t pick until 37, but they’re thin at the position and should look to add some depth.
Sacramento Kings: Backcourt depth
Best fit: Carsen Edwards
With their first pick at 40, depth is all the Kings can really hope for, and they have a swath of big men.
Los Angeles Clippers: Big man depth
Best fit: Naz Reid
If the Clippers get an NBA player picking 47th, that’s a win, and they should prioritize bigs with JaMychal Green entering free agency.
Toronto Raptors: An NBA player
Best fit: Zach Norvell
The Raptors don’t pick until 59th — their only goal should be getting someone who’s still on their roster next year.
Houston Rockets: Take a swing
Best fit: Brian Bowen
The Rockets don’t have a draft pick, so why not sign someone with a high ceiling if he goes undrafted.
Denver Nuggets: Take a swing
Best fit: Tacko Fall
Like Houston, Denver will be vying for the best undrafted free agent, and it’s worth taking a risk.
Los Angeles Lakers: Anyone who can play.
Best fit: Josh Reaves
The Lakers have their stars and they don’t have a ton of cap room to work with this offseason. Getting someone who can give them serviceable minutes as an undrafted free agent would be huge.
