2016 NBA Draft Needs: Atlantic Division

The Atlantic Division was defined by the haves and have-nots in 2016; Toronto powered all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Sixers spent yet another season languishing in the basement in their chase for high draft picks. The gap from first to worst is massive for the time being, but smart decisions could close the gap much quicker than you might think. NBA teams might not listen to us lowly bloggers, but following this guide might help them achieve their wildest dreams.

Toronto Raptors

Picks: No. 9 (from DEN), No. 27

Positional Needs: PF, SF, SG

Potential Targets:

Pick 9: Henry Ellenson, PF/C, Marquette; Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, California; Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington

Pick 27: Thon Maker, PF/C, Australia; Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina

The Raptors positional needs depend heavily on the decision they make regarding DeMar Derozan this summer. Letting him walk in free agency — even with his flaws — would open a major hole, forcing the Raptors to search for players who can initiate offense from the wing. If that’s the route they take, Cal’s Jaylen Brown represents the highest upside option in the mid-lotto.

Otherwise, Toronto should be looking for frontcourt options to pair with budding center Jonas Valanciunas. Ellenson would provide nice floor spacing and open up room for DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to attack, while a player like Chriss would be the upside play, a defensible swing for the fences from a team trying to catch LeBron’s Cavaliers.

Boston Celtics:

Picks: No. 3 (from BKN), No. 16 (from DAL), No. 23, No. 31, No. 35, No. 45, No. 51, No. 58

Positional Needs: PF, C

Potential Targets:

Pick 3: Dragan Bender, PF/C, Maccabi Tel Aviv; Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington

Pick 16: Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan State

Pick 23: Juan Hernangomez, PF, Spain

2nd Rd (5 picks!): Caris LeVert, PG/SG, Michigan; Zhou Qi, C, Xinijang; Chinanu Onuaku, C, Louisville; Robert Carter, PF/C, Maryland; Paul Zipser, SF, Bayern Munich

Boston’s guard and wing depth is already enviable compared to a lot of their competition. Long-term, their primary need is a superstar to lead them out of the NBA’s middle class, as well as some interior defense to match ballhawks like Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart.

Tel Aviv’s Bender is probably their best shot at a two-way star with the third selection; his versatility on both ends would be a major boon for Brad Stevens, and team depth would allow Stevens to introduce Bender gradually. Davis’ length and athleticism would fit Boston’s needs like a glove, and would represent great value in the mid-first.

Of the second-round possibilities, LeVert is my favorite target for just about any team. Most guys in the back half of the draft are lucky if they can carve out a career, so you might as well roll the dice on a guy with first-round talent and hope he can stay healthy.

New York Knicks

Picks: *sad violin music plays*

Positional Needs: SF, SG, PG

Potential Targets: Can’t shoot a target without ammo

The Knicks do not own a first or second round pick this year, a fact that has been true in seemingly every year that ends in a number.

Brooklyn Nets

Picks: No. 55 (from LAC); See also: Celtics, Boston

Positional Needs: Everything

Potential Targets: Kay Felder, PG, Oakland; Joel Bolomboy, PF, Weber State

Brooklyn is still paying dearly for the deal that brought Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn well past their prime. They’ll have to find their next star in the second round, coincidentally matching the furthest playoff round they reached in the Brooklyn era.

Philadelphia 76ers

Picks: No. 1, No. 24 (from MIA), No. 26 (from OKC)

Positional Needs: Everything but center

Potential Targets:

Pick 1: Ben Simmons, PF/SF, LSU; Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke

Pick 24: Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky; Timothe Luwawu, SF, KK Mega Leks

Pick 26: Patrick McCaw, SG/SF, UNLV; Isaia Cordinier, SG, Denain ASC Voltaire

The Sixers are in a position where best available talent takes priority over fit; when you only win 10 games, it’s hard to worry about how newcomers slot into the current roster. Their preference for Simmons at No. 1 has been a poorly kept secret, and you can expect them to take the Aussie point-forward in a couple weeks.

How they go about the rest of the draft is much more up for grabs given the volatile nature of the field after the first few selections. Three-and-D players like Luwawu or McCaw make a lot of sense as Simmons compliments, while a trustworthy floor general like Ulis would benefit the Sixers baby-faced roster. Based on the comments of GM Bryan Colangelo, the Sixers might target a stash with one of their later first-round picks, so keep an eye on a guy like France’s Isaia Cordinier, a player the team already had in for a group workout.