The NBA offseason has no chill. It was only a week ago that we were soaking in the glory of a historic season from the Golden State Warriors. Fast-forward one week and we are celebrating the next class of talent. This is what the Mafia lives for and there are sure to be plenty of lottery picks that will turn into the superstar players of tomorrow.
Today, you’ll get some instant analysis on each pick in the lottery. Russell Hodges will give you a much better breakdown of winners and losers, tomorrow.
Let’s light this candle.
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns PF/C – Kentucky
The least shocking pick I could have imagined. Well, until you consider it is Flip Saunders territory and this could have easily happened. This is a solid and fairly safe pick. It also gives the Wolves another major piece in their attempt to rebuild while shoring up any potential issues that may arise in the Pekovic situation. Fun fact: according to the broadcast team on ESPN, this is the first No. 1 pick in franchise history.
- Los Angeles Lakers – D’Angelo Russell PG/SG – Ohio State
Say what!? Here it is, the Lakers passed on Okafor and went with Russell. This is moderately surprising, but it is more or less exciting for what it means for the rest of the draft. Okafor could realistically fall to the Knicks, or will Sam Hinkie draft another big man? Russell is nice for the Lakers and this has to say a lot about the Lakers intentions for their front court in free agency and their faith in Julius Randle.
- Philadelphia 76ers –Jahlil Okafor C – Duke
Well, this is the 76ers and we’ve heard this song before. They add another big man which has to mean that several other assets on their roster have to be expendable at this point. Is it a doubt over Embiid’s foot? Do they still love him and want to move Nerlens Noel? Or, is this just the next step in the Philadelphia insanity plan to build a starting five of all 7-foot-plus players, counteracting the Warriors championship small lineup? Or do they trade Okafor for more picks and assets in this draft? HINKIE!!!!!!!
- New York Knicks – Kristaps Porzingis PF – Latvia
Knicks fans going absolutely ape, booing one of the hottest international prospects in the game, while “Phil Jackson earning his money,” uttered by a commentator on ESPN. Porzingis is a good gamble and without Okafor available, this pick doesn’t seem all that bad even if there may have been a safer pick. This pick doesn’t look worse than going with Kaminsky and only time will tell how it compares to other options like Justise Winslow.
- Orlando Magic – Mario Hezonja SG – Croatia
The most remarkable thing about the Orlando pick was the complete indifference of the crowd. He has great hair and has extreme confidence in his ability. International players are always a gamble, but they generally bring fantastic fundamentals. And this is my problem with international players – I love the way that they play the game at the elite level, but I hate not knowing if/when they will ever make it to the NBA. I don’t know the status of Porzingis or Hezonja at this point, but we already have Saric stashed overseas and it took much too long to get Mirotic here. I don’t like it. But I do. More international players that are NBA-level talent, please.
- Sacramento Kings – Willie Cauley-Stein C – Kentucky
Well, this certainly sends a message doesn’t it? Sacramento already has a center and he is really good, you should check him out. Could it be that I’m reading into the pick too much? Absolutely. Given the current situation between Kings ownership, Kings coach George Karl, and their star player, center Demarcus Cousins, this pick seems to send a message. Or it doesn’t, I don’t know.
- Denver Nuggets – Emmanuel Mudiay PG – China
Nuggest make a solid pick by taking one of the best talents on the board, if not the best remaining. A safe pick for the Nuggets who were rumored to be in the mix for a trade that could involve Ty Lawson, but this also gives the Nuggets some depth and time to integrate Mudiay into their system and see what kind of upside he really has.
- Detroit Pistons – Stanley Johnson SG – Arizona
This is where I had Johnson slotted in before the draft. He seems like a great fit for Detroit and Stan Van Gundy. The Pistons didn’t need a big and they just made a move for Reggie Jackson at guard, now they can run Johnson out there in place of Tayshaun Prince.
- Charlotte Hornets – Frank Kaminsky C – Wisconsin
Frank the Tank! Just picture it, Frank Kaminsky going one-on-one with Michael Jordan every day for the next four years. The addition of Nicholas Batum must make them feel that they have the answer for their perimeter woes, considering players like Devin Booker were still on the board.
- Miami Heat – Justise Winslow SF – Duke
There is good reasons to be surprised that Winslow fell down the board, but the domino effect of the Lakers selecting Russell over Okafor appears to be evening itself out. The idea of having Winslow group up next to a hopefully healthy Chris Bosh seems promising.
- Indiana Pacers – Myles Turner C – Texas
Indiana adds some front court depth and gives them some options of Hibbert never regains his former defensive prowess. Turner should keep the blocks in the box score and up the points-per-game from what Hibbert offers.
- Utah Jazz – Trey Lyles PF – Kentucky
Jazz draft at a position they are already deep at instead of going after a need. Devin Booker, who slipped down the board when the Hornets opted for a big man, continues his slide.
- Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker SG – Kentucky
The Suns did it! Finally, Devin Booker is off the board. Phoenix has a lot of SG depth in pure volume, but a bit thin on true talent and shooting. The only uncomfortable thing about this pick was the number of times the ESPN crew needed to say, “Klay Thompson.”
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Cameron Payne PG – Murray State
A pick to absolutely love! Payne shot up a lot of draft boards going into the night and this is a great score for the Thunder. Perhaps the writing was on the wall for this pick. The Thunder let Reggie Jackson go last season and sent out Jeremy Lamb on draft day, clearing the way for Payne to get a chance to get run at by Russell Westbrook every day for the next year. Payne’s demeanor in his draft interview seems to match that of a player suited to run it every day with Westbrook, solid pick OKC.
Considering the lead in to the draft, this was about one thousand times tamer than what could have happened. The latter portion of the first round definitely provided more fireworks than the early and middle sections of the first round.
Here are a few non-lottery highlights:
- Boston selection Terry Dozier at No. 16. I had them taking Dozier, but not until 28. Conversely, they get a player that probably should have been taken around the 16 spot in R.J. Hunter.
- The New York Knicks appear to have mean-mugged Atlanta, grabbing Jerian Grant in a trade, sending back Tim Hardaway, Jr.
- The Timberwolves! They drafted Karl-Anthony Towns and ditched two second round picks in exchange for local boy, Tyus Jones! Smiles and hugs for everyone in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!
- The Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors got tremendous value at their slots in the draft. If the Bulls were going to leave with just one player, Bobby Portis should be that guy. I’m really looking forward to the #BobbyPortisFace social media phenomenon in early 2016. He also had the quote of the night when explaining his pregame ritual: “I sit in the locker room and I envision the other player on the team slapped my mom.” What more can I say that Bobby Portis hasn’t?
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