2016 NBA Draft Needs: Central Division
The Central Division will not be gaining one of the major players in the 2016 NBA Draft. The earliest the pick within the division will be the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 10, but that does not mean the draft will not be important in shaping what could be one of the NBA’s strongest divisions next year. The Central Division features the East’s most dominant team in the Cleveland Cavaliers, an up-and-coming threat in the Detroit Pistons, the Bucks’ cornucopia of young assets, and the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls, who are both at crossroads but should still be considered threats.
The Central will be doing most of their moving in this year’s draft in the middle third of the first round, but this might be a good thing — after all, the division as a whole has done very well in recent years, grabbing rotation guys like Taj Gibson, Solomon Hill, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the latter part of the 1st round. How these teams draft will have some significant influence over how they finish (presumably behind Cleveland, who will not have a pick in this draft). That said, here are some potential needs, and ways to address those needs, for each team on the 23rd.
Chicago Bulls
Picks: No. 14, No. 48 (From Portland)
Positional Needs: PG, C, SF
Potential Targets:
Pick 14: Tyler UIis, PG, Kentucky; Wade Baldwin, PG, Vanderbilt; Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan State
Pick 48: A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue; Jake Layman, SF, Maryland; Kay Felder, PG, Oakland
The Bulls could be completely revamping their roster, with Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, and Pau Gasol all possibly leaving or being dealt, and Joakim Noah moving on. They need point guard depth regardless, so Ulis, Baldwin, or Demetrius Jackson would be excellent fits in the 1st round, with Davis available to fill their potential center hole. The Bulls aren’t a great franchise in terms of development, so a more experienced player who could provide immediate depth should be the move in the 2nd round.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Picks: None
Positional Needs: C, SF
Potential Targets: Dorian Finney-Smith, SF, Florida; Joel Bolomboy, PF, Weber State; Sheldon McClellan, SG, Miami
The Cavs don’t have a pick, and probably won’t be interested in adding young talent to a team that’s desperately chasing the Warriors towards a title. But they do have one of the better D-League systems in the league, and if they buy a late 2nd round pick or look to sign undrafted free agents, a 3-and-D guy like Finney-Smith or a rebounder like Bolomboy could be interesting development projects.
Detroit Pistons
Picks: No. 18, No. 49
Positional Needs: PG, SG, PF
Potential Targets:
Pick 18: Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky; Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Anadolu Efes; Cheick Diallo, PF, Kansas
Pick 49: Pascal Siakam, PF, New Mexico State; Jake Layman, SF, Maryland; Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan
An upgrade over Steve Blake as the backup to Reggie Jackson is probably the Pistons’ biggest need, and Ulis would work well in that capacity. Beyond that, we know what Stan Van Gundy likes: shooting and defensive versatility. Korkmaz and Diallo each would potentially fill one of those needs.
Indiana Pacers
Picks: No. 20, No. 50
Positional Needs: PF, PG, SF
Potential Targets:
Pick 20: Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga; Ante Zizic, C, KK Cibona; DeAndre Bembry, SF, St. Joseph’s
Pick 50: Michael Gbinje, SF, Syracuse; Wayne Selden, SG, Kansas; Prince Ibeh, C, Texas
A bruiser to pair in the frontcourt with the promising Myles Turner would be a great move. Zizic and Sabonis are the two best fits for that role, and both should be available. Otherwise, expect the Pacers to pursue wing depth with a focus on athleticism.
Milwaukee Bucks
Picks: No. 10, No. 36 (from New Orleans), No. 38
Positional Needs: PG, C, SG
Potential Targets:
Pick 10: Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame; Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah; Skal Labissiere, PF, Kentucky
Picks 36 & 38: Brice Johnson, PF, UNC; Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt; Rade Zagorac, SF, Mega Leks; Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse
The Bucks are well set on the wing, but they need significant improvements at point guard and center. Jackson and Poeltl would be excellent solutions, and Labissiere fits their desire for length and could be a solid rim protector next to Greg Monroe. There are a variety of good options for this team in the 2nd round in terms of fit, but Jones and Richardson would be particularly strong.