2016 NBA Draft Needs: Pacific Division

At the top, the NBA’s Pacific Division features the Warriors and Clippers, both teams with short-term championship dreams, but the division also contains three teams with picks in the top 10 who are simply looking to rebuild their rosters in the hopes of competing somewhere down the line.

While the two playoff teams will be looking for role players who can help compliment already existing cadres of star players; the Lakers, Kings, and Suns will be hoping to find foundational pieces for their franchises going forward. Here’s a look at the positional needs of each roster and which prospects might help fill the holes. [Note: click on a player’s name to be taken to a full scouting report where available]

Golden State Warriors

Picks: No. 30

Positional Needs: SF, PF, C

Potential Targets: Malcolm Brogdon, SG/SF, Virginia; Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV; Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV; Chinanu Onuaku, C, Louisville

With Harrison Barnes, Marreese Speights, and Festus Ezeli set to hit the free agent market this offseason, there is plenty of uncertainty coming the Warriors way. Golden State currently has just two players guaranteed money for the 2017-18 season and while certain players will almost certainly be back with the team after next year, the Warriors have a lot of flexibility going forward. With just one pick in the 2016 draft, finding a prospect who can replace a potential departure should be a priority.

Los Angeles Clippers

Picks: No. 25, No. 33 (from Brooklyn)

Positional Needs: SG, SF, C

Potential Targets:

Pick 25: DeAndre’ Bembry, SF, Saint Joseph’s; Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV; Paul Zipser, SF, FC Bayern Muenchen; Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor

Pick 33: Chinanu Onuaku, C, Louisville; Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV; Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt; Diamond Stone, C, Maryland; A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue

While the Clippers’ core seems cemented, Doc Rivers has struggled to put together a collection of role players that can turn the team into contenders. The most notable missing piece is a small forward. Luckily, there should be a number of potential candidates available late in the first round for Los Angeles to choose from. With their second round pick, the Clippers can round out their front court depth with the big man of their choice as once again there should be a plethora of options still on the board.

Los Angeles Lakers

Picks: No. 2, No. 32

Positional Needs: SG, SF, C

Potential Targets:

Pick 2: Ben Simmons, PF, LSU; Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke

Pick 32: Chinanu Onuaku, C, Louisville; Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV; Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt; Diamond Stone, C, Maryland; A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue

The Lakers are in the midst of a massive rebuilding process that will shape the identity of the franchise for years to come. In reality, they should spend very little time thinking about team fit for the 2016 draft. At this point, Luke Walton will just need quality players to put out on the floor and taking the best talent available will help. The top of the draft is a two prospect game between Simmons and Ingram, but at pick 32, the Lakers will have some flexibility. The good news is that there are plenty of big men that should be available in that range who can help sort out the front court.

Phoenix Suns

Picks: No. 4, No. 13 (from Washington), No. 28 (from Cleveland via Boston), No. 34

Positional Needs: SF, PF

Potential Targets:

Pick 4: Dragan Bender, PF, Maccabi Tel Avi; Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah; Jaylen Brown, SF, California Kris Dunn, PG, Providence; Marquese Chriss, SF/PF, Washington

Pick 13: Denzel Valentine, SG/SF, Michigan St.; Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette; Marquese Chriss, SF/PF, Washington; Skal Labissiere, C, Kentucky

Pick 28: Juan Hernangomez, SF/PF, Estudiantes; Paul Zipser, SF, FC Bayern Muenchen; Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor

Pick 34: Ben Bentil, PF, Providence; Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina

Phoenix has quite a few guards on its roster, but given that the team is not likely to compete for a title in the next few years, taking a guard wouldn’t be a disaster for the Suns. However, there are clear needs at small forward as well as power forward after trading away Markieff Morris. If Bender is off the board at four, Phoenix could swing for the fences with Marquese Chriss or go with one of the lower risk options. With so many picks in the draft, the Suns have the flexibility to take a few risks or package picks and trade up to find the player that the front office believes in.

Sacramento Kings

Picks: No. 8, No. 59 (from San Antonio)

Positional Needs: PG, SG, SF, PF

Potential Targets:

Pick 8: Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma; Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame; Jaylen Brown, SF, California; Timothe Luwawu, SG/SF, KK Mega Leks

Pick 59: Isaiah Cousins, PG/SG, Oklahoma; Tim Quarterman, PG/SG, LSU

Outside of DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein, the Kings are lacking in viable assets for the future, so while they performed slightly better than the top of the draft, finding the best player available should dominate their 2016 draft strategy. With the eighth pick, Sacramento could add a shooter with a high-floor in Buddy Hield or take a risk on Cal’s Jaylen Brown as a versatile wing option. With the second to last pick in the draft, the Kings will have their choice of prospects, but Cousins and Quarterman are two players who could help out at the point guard spot who are in that range on our latest big board.