Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
1. Cleveland: Embiid
Close call between Wiggins and Embiid, but everyone knows the big plan is for the Cavs to have their prodigal son return. LBJ has not played with an elite post player, unless you count Bosh (I don't). Cavs have an elite PG, they'd have an elite big with Embiid. And they'd have an other-wordly wing player in James if he returns. Yes, they could use a wing like Wiggins. But Waiters is talented. Failing to get LBJ, the Cavs could also offer Deng a big contract to return. At the 5, they just have FA center Hawes, oft-injured Varejao and Cody Zeller. So HUGE need at the 5 (pun intended). Need matches BPA in this case. Embiid really seems like a no-brainer here (which likely means the Cavs draft Doug McDermott #1).
2. Milwaukee: Parker
He's a joker, he's a smoker, he's a midnight toker...Milwaukee would love to rid themselves of their hemp poster boy, Sanders, and take Embiid. They will if the draft goes Wiggins or Parker at #1. But they also have "yo Adrien" as their PF, so Parker is their next best option. And after all the bad publicity with Sanders, they'll welcome squeaky-clean Jabari.
3. Philadelphia: Wiggins
Wiggins is the #1 prospect on the board. Philly thrilled he's here at #3. In terms of need, what DOESN'T Philadelphia need after trading away their entire roster at the deadline (or did it just seem like that)? They have MCW at PG and Noel joins them after missing the year. Thaddeus Young is the one player they retained and he's played both SF and PF for them, IINM. Wiggins gives them another versatile player. If Milwaukee takes Wiggins, Parker goes to Philly and Young moves full-time to SF.
4. Orlando: Vonleh
Their strength was at the guard spots with Afflalo, Nelson and Oladipo. After 10 years, Jameer's career with Orlando might be finished ($2M to waive him vs. $8M to keep him). Exum would be a nice fit, but they already have a combo guard in Oladipo and desperately need a PF (with Vucevic at the 5 and Harkless at the 3). Vonleh has been rising after the combine and his first workout. Orlando has a tough choice to make, but the best fit is Vonleh. I also wouldn't count out Smart as a surprise pick here if he "wows" in workouts. A true PG to replace Nelson, which allows Oladipo to continue to come off the bench.
5. Utah: Exum
The coin flip against Boston was key. So was dropping just one spot in the lottery drawing. Randle, Smart and Gordon are all nice options, but Exum is clearly BPA. As a combo guard, he completes the guard rotation for Utah (Burke, Burks and Exum). He can get 30 mins/per and still come off the bench in Year #1. Hayward WAS the Jazz' starting SG, but he also moved to SF in lineups with Burks, which were more prevalent late in the season and to close out games. Utah gets a "top-4" pick and doesn't have to give up additional assets. They'll target a SF or fourth big with their second pick.
Conclusion: no need for Lindsey to sell the farm to move up, unless he feels the draft has 3 "can't miss" superstars.
Close call between Wiggins and Embiid, but everyone knows the big plan is for the Cavs to have their prodigal son return. LBJ has not played with an elite post player, unless you count Bosh (I don't). Cavs have an elite PG, they'd have an elite big with Embiid. And they'd have an other-wordly wing player in James if he returns. Yes, they could use a wing like Wiggins. But Waiters is talented. Failing to get LBJ, the Cavs could also offer Deng a big contract to return. At the 5, they just have FA center Hawes, oft-injured Varejao and Cody Zeller. So HUGE need at the 5 (pun intended). Need matches BPA in this case. Embiid really seems like a no-brainer here (which likely means the Cavs draft Doug McDermott #1).
2. Milwaukee: Parker
He's a joker, he's a smoker, he's a midnight toker...Milwaukee would love to rid themselves of their hemp poster boy, Sanders, and take Embiid. They will if the draft goes Wiggins or Parker at #1. But they also have "yo Adrien" as their PF, so Parker is their next best option. And after all the bad publicity with Sanders, they'll welcome squeaky-clean Jabari.
3. Philadelphia: Wiggins
Wiggins is the #1 prospect on the board. Philly thrilled he's here at #3. In terms of need, what DOESN'T Philadelphia need after trading away their entire roster at the deadline (or did it just seem like that)? They have MCW at PG and Noel joins them after missing the year. Thaddeus Young is the one player they retained and he's played both SF and PF for them, IINM. Wiggins gives them another versatile player. If Milwaukee takes Wiggins, Parker goes to Philly and Young moves full-time to SF.
4. Orlando: Vonleh
Their strength was at the guard spots with Afflalo, Nelson and Oladipo. After 10 years, Jameer's career with Orlando might be finished ($2M to waive him vs. $8M to keep him). Exum would be a nice fit, but they already have a combo guard in Oladipo and desperately need a PF (with Vucevic at the 5 and Harkless at the 3). Vonleh has been rising after the combine and his first workout. Orlando has a tough choice to make, but the best fit is Vonleh. I also wouldn't count out Smart as a surprise pick here if he "wows" in workouts. A true PG to replace Nelson, which allows Oladipo to continue to come off the bench.
5. Utah: Exum
The coin flip against Boston was key. So was dropping just one spot in the lottery drawing. Randle, Smart and Gordon are all nice options, but Exum is clearly BPA. As a combo guard, he completes the guard rotation for Utah (Burke, Burks and Exum). He can get 30 mins/per and still come off the bench in Year #1. Hayward WAS the Jazz' starting SG, but he also moved to SF in lineups with Burks, which were more prevalent late in the season and to close out games. Utah gets a "top-4" pick and doesn't have to give up additional assets. They'll target a SF or fourth big with their second pick.
Conclusion: no need for Lindsey to sell the farm to move up, unless he feels the draft has 3 "can't miss" superstars.
Last edited:
![[size/HUGE] fixed [/size]](/data/avatars/m/2/2497.jpg?1511131091){kind=avatar}
