Eastern Conference - Team Needs

Atlantic Division
 Boston We will see in the playoffs if Boston can survive with a combo guard playing full time PG. Allen is under contract for two more years, and the other big two are for a bit longer. Boston is in a position to either trade this pick, and go the FA route to pick up a C/PG or they can take a chance on a VERY raw player. There are quite a few raw players in this years draft that could slip to Boston or the second round.
 New Jersey A good thing about the Kidd trade is that NJ has a young PG who can actually play pretty good. With Carter, and Jefferson playing well the Nets are in need of a big man. Whether it be a C, or PF. New Jersey lacks any inside presence, and while Boone has played well enough in his sophomore year he is not the answer New Jersey is looking for.
 New York The Knicks are a mess. Most of all they need a true PG, because Robinson isn't that that man. They are hoping to get into the top 5 so they can draft either Bayless, or Rose. But the Knicks could also use a SF as well so they would be a team that might try to shed a PF/C and their pick to move down in the draft if their player does not fall to them. NY has said they want to keep Lee, so either Randolph, or Curry might be on the block.
 Philidelphia The 76ers have one of the leagues up and coming SF in Iguodala, and a decent C in Dalembert. Will Jason Smith slide to PF after this season? Will they move Thaddeus Young to SF, and Iguodala to SG? Will Miller finally get traded? Right now Miller is under contract for one more season, and the 76ers are in need of a PF that can score, AND rebound. Not one or the other. If they move Miller look for the 76ers to go after a PG.
 Toronto Toronto needs a tweener almost more than any other team out there. Someone that can play the SG/SF role. Toronto's PG is set with Calderon, and PF/C is looking good with Bargnani, and Bosh. The only other need I can think of is a big man backup that can play D, and rebound which can be found in the second round. While Moon has played well at SF he is a career bench/energy player. The Raptors are in prime position this year to get that player.


Central Division
 Chicago Chicago actually started filling long term needs with younger players when they made the big trade. Noah, and Gooden play well together. The Bulls need a consistent scorer/tweener to play SG/SF, and someone to play backup big man duties. With Hinrich lock in long term the Bulls are set at PG, but are not happy with his play as of late. The Bulls might be looking to shop Hinrich, and if that's the case they would seek a new PG.
 Cleveland How long will Cleveland try to win without a PG? Not sure, but this year is the perfect year to grab a PG. Many to be had in this years draft. Hopefully they will see this needs page, and finally listen. The Cavs also need someone to pull fulltime SG duties. Right now they have an assortment of players by committee. But the most pressing need is PG. The Cavs might be a team interested in a trade come draft day if their player does not fall to them.
 Detroit The Pistons aren't getting any younger. But they are still an elite team as long as they have Wallace, Hamilton, Billups, and Prince which they will next season. Maxiel might slide into the starting PF role if McDyess goes elsewhere. The Pistons really need a big man for the future. Not sure if they can find him where they will pick, but there are a few names which have the potential tag. What's the worse that can happen with Maxiel starting for a year? They might end up going with the best available.
 Indiana The Pacers are doing pretty well with Dunleavy playing SF, and Granger at SG. Indiana has a decent bench, but needs a good consistent PF and C. O'Neal hasn't been healthy, and Murphy isn't the answer. Tinsley isn't getting any younger or healthier either so they might go after a PG, but it's not their most pressing need.
 Milwaukee The Bucks are solid at PF and C with Bogut and Jianlian, but the need rebounding help playing backup, because who knows how much longer they will give Villanueva time on the court. Milwaukee might take another big as an insurance policy against Jianlian incase things don't work out. On paper the Bucks look strong, but the game isn't played on paper. A lot of it has to do with the chemistry, and some with the bench play. Most of it has to do with the bigs not playing like bigs. Milwaukee is in perfect position to grab a big man, and rumors have it that Jianlian might be on the block after one unsuccessful year. Sacramento, Phoenix, Denver, and Seattle were named as teams that might be interested.


Southeast Division
 Atlanta The Hawks do not have a first round pick this year. This could actually be OK. Hear me out, Atlanta trades for Mike Bibby who seems to be finding his niche after about 15 or so games. Horford continues to excell, and would have been ROY if it wasn't for Durant. Atlanta is actually playing well enough to continue this experiment with mike Bibby. they have an insurance policy in Acie Law. The only real thing Atlanta needs is C/PF backup help. Someone that can rebound and block shots. They can find a player like this in the second round.
 Charlotte Charlotte has the tandem of Wallace and Richardson. Okafor plays PF right now, and Felton PG. The Bobcats are REALLY in need of a C, or a PF (which would move Okafor back to C). Another problem with the Bobcats is that they have a tremendous player in Wallace, but can they count on him for 82 games? Wallace has adjusted, and curtailed his high flying act, but is still susceptible to concussions. Next season they get Sean May, and Adam Morrison back which should move May back to PF, Okafor back to C, and Morrison the sharpshooter/spot starter (when Wallace is out). With this years pick they might want to get a big man just incase because Mohammed is a bench player at best.
 Miami Wade, Marion, and Haslem should be on the 2008-2009 Roster so Miami needs a PG or C to fill. PF too is you count Haslems lack of size and inside the paint defense. He's not very intimidating in the paint. Miami has the worst record in the league and is almost guaranteed a top three pick so it will either be Lopez, Rose, or Beasley. If they net the fourth pick it will probably be Bayless.
 Orlando Orlando has been playing Rashard Lewis at PF this year, but he's not the prototypical PF because he isn't a very good rebounder or inside the paint defender. Hedo is the surprise of the season though at SF. Some wonder why they spent the money on Lewis. Needless to say the Magic are a good team, mostly due to Howards emergence. The Magic are in need of a SG in a major way. PG too if there is one available, but I am not sure if you would find a better PG than Nelson so late in the first round unless you get lucky, so the Magic should draft a SG or a tweener (SG/SF).
 Washington Washingtons' biggest question mark is Jamison. If Jamison doesn't re-sign then the Wizards are going to be in trouble. They aren't in a great position because they are a mediocore team in the eastern conference. Butler, Arenas are a good base to build on, but it's about that time to offer Arenas an extension. If Jamison does leave the Wizards will be drafting the best available big, If Jamison re-signs they will probably draft best available (which will prbably be a big anyway).



Western Conference - Team Needs

Southwest Division
 Dallas Dallas does not have a first round pick in this years draft. This could actually hurt them because so far the Kidd experiment has not worked out. Dirk, Howard, and Terry are all under contract for the forseeable future, whild Kidd is for another year. The Mavs have been hurting on the defensive end for a long time. While Dampier has done about as good as he can, it's not good enough. I am predicting the Mavs will probably use their second round pick on someone that can play C and give them an inside presense. Whether he will make the team is still up in the air.
 Houston The Rockets after the trade are still in desperate need of a PG. And1 player Rafer Altson is not the PG of the future for the Rockets although he has done quite well in the stopgap role. Rafer is much better suited as an energy type player, and spot starter at SG in a smaller lineup. Scola and Ming played very well together before Ming's injury, and Scola is perhaps the surprise find of the year. Getting back to the team needs the Rockets need a PG, and a SF. SF because Battier is not a Rick Adelman type of player and a PG because Alston is not very good. Aaron Brooks is not a pure PG, and the experiment seems to have ended midway through the season.
 Memphis Warrick, Conley, and Gay are players that should stick around. Memphis should move Warrick to SF, Gay to SG, and draft a PF or C to help Milicic. Memphis might be looking to trade their pick if they get the #2. Derrick Rose seems to be locked in at #2, and Memphis is doing rather well in the young PG dept. Memphis needs a strong inside presence. Whether it be a PF, or a C remains to be seen.
 New Orleans The Hornets have Peja, Paul, May, Chandler, West, and......... The Hornets are in need of an athletic SG that can hit the open shot. There should be plenty in this years draft, and the Hornets will have time to develop this player, because he would be the 4th maybe the 5th option on offense. Also, because of Peja's back problems (not an issue this year) they might draft a tweener that can play at both SG/SF incase he needs to move over to spell Peja.
 San Antonio The Spurs have three players that together make up one of the best teams in the NBA. The problem is that one of them is getting a little older and needs help on the front line. Will this player be available at where the Spurs are picking? Don't know, but the Spurs are in need of a SG as well and there should be plenty. The Spurs seem to have bad luck trying to plug players into that starting C position so a trade is possible. But does anyone want a three year commitment whats virtually a second round pick? Look for San Antonio to draft best available, or trade the pick.


Northwest Division
 Denver Denver is a team that looks good on paper, but can't find a way to consistently win. Iverson stated that he does not want to play the PG role full time, yet Denver hasn't filled that spot with anyone that can play it better than Iverson. Nene has the cancer issue, and nobody knows if he will be the same following Chemo. Kleiza is not a longterm solution at PF, and K-Mart is no longer healthy enough to play a full season. Look for Denver to draft a PG, or a PF as the rest of the positions are locked down for the next few years.
 Minnesota Jefferson, Brewer, and Foye are the future. Minnesota needs a C and move Jefferson to PF, or PF and keep Jefferson at C. The top five picks (projected) are players who can all step in and start immediately whether it be Beasley, Rose, Mayo, Bayless, or Lopez so Minnesota is sitting in a good position as long as they get a top five pick.
 Portland The Blazers are one year from contending for a title in my opinion. It would be all over if Portland got a top two pick although it's not likely to happen. Portland has Oden, Roy, Aldridge which is REALLY scary. What Portland really needs is a PG. Jarret Jack isn't the answer, and has not played like a pure PG. Portland has a couple tradeable players and might move up in the draft a few places to get a top 3 PG.
 Seattle Durant and Green are the two players to build around but at some point you have to wonder if Durant will move to SF. Green isn't strong or big enough to play PF, and produce stats like a typical PF would. Seattle really needs a PG because Watson, while a good defender, isn't all there offensively. Seattle also needs a C, but if they get the #1 it will definitely be Beasley. If that's the case look for Seattle to start the bidding on Wilcox. Seattle is another team that is looking good going into the draft because the top five players would all fill needs for Seattle.
 Utah What type of player is Sloan's type of player at #20-#25? The Jazz need a 3pt threat that isn't named Kyle Korver i.e. someone to start at SG. Late in the first round there are a couple gems that might be available, but are they Sloan's type of players? Sloan is a throwback type of player who likes the fundamental player over the athlete.


Pacific Division
 Golden State Golden State plays all their players out of position so I have no idea what they need. Wright is supposedly the future at PF, but will they move Harrington to C? Or will they play the 6'9 Wright at C?. What I do know is that they need a backup to those bigs that can rebound, and block shots. Also if Ellis isn't re-signed they will need someone to backup the SG/PG positions. Belinelli has been looking good though, and can play SG.
 LA Clippers Clippers are in need of a PG, and a SG. Livingston is young enough to recover, but nobody knows if he will. Mobley is getting pretty old, and who knows how much longer Magette will remain in Clipperland. With Kaman and Brand playing the front line the Clippers will be a tough team to drive on. Move Thorton to SF, and if Maggette wants to walk then let him. Use the first round pick and draft a PG, and if Livingston as a combo with the rookie PG running the show. The Clippers will need to address their 3pt FG needs though.
 LA Lakers Lakers are without a pick in this years draft owing theirs to the Grizzlies. The good thing is that the Lakers are going to be a scary team to face in the playoffs for years to come. They have their frontcourt dup of Bynum, and Gasol locked up for years, and arguably the best player in the world in Kobe Bryant. The The Lakers are in need of a SF because I don't believe moving Odom to SF will work. The SF of today has to be able to hit the outside shot, is athletic, and quick. Odom is getting up there in age and really isn't any of the above. The Lakers will be OK without their first round pick though so no worries. Lakers will be elite in 08-09.
 Phoenix Phoenix is without their pick in this years draft forfeiting it to Seattle, but the good news is that they get Atlanta's pick. Phoenix is the other team that made a mistake in trading for an aging star (the other being Dallas). Shaq is not the kind of player to play in Phoenix's run & gun type of offense. He is too heavy, and his knees won't hold out. Phoenix will be in the hunt every year as long as Nash is running the point and is on the book two more years following this year. Phoenix should be drafting about in the mid teens, and there are quite a few interesting prospects at this area in the draft. Right now Phoenix is playing Barbosa at SG, but at the moment he is better suited coming off the bench. Phoenix should draft a SG/SF tweener and there should be quite a few available.
 Sacramento Sacramento has the worst PF lineup in the league. Sacramento needs to draft someone that can rebound. Mikki Moore just isn't cutting it as a starting PF, and Theus isn't playing Shelden Williams. Luckily this is a PF heavy draft and the Kings are in an area that will produce a few good PFs. There are a few questions with Sacramento. Will Artest walk after this season? If so the Kings are set with Garcia, or Salmons that can fill in. Martin has the SG position locked up, and was recently extended. Miller has two more years on his deal, but the way Hawes has been coming on as of late Miller might be coming off the bench next season. All that's left is PG, and PF. Will Beno (one of the surprises of the year) re-sign? Anthony Johnson is off the books and I am sure the Kings don't want to start another season w/o a PG. Look for the Kings to Lock up Beno Udrih, and draft a PF. Rumors have it that the Kings are very interested in Kevin Love out of UCLA.

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