by James Finneral
The NBA Draft is an opportunity for teams to rebuild or just add more talent to their rosters. This year's draft class is stocked with players with strong foundations and unlimited potential. Here are a some of the absolute top prospects in this year's class.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky:
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been rebuilding for quite some time now and Karl-Anthony Towns could be the final piece that they have been looking for. Hovering around 7 feet, 250 lbs, Towns is a physically dominant player down low. Towns was a presence on the defensive end for Kentucky this year averaging 2 blocks and nearly 7 rebounds a game. What really puts Towns above the rest of the prospects is his potential on offense. This year Towns showed that he has the ability to knock down mid-range jump shots to go along with his strong post game. At 19 years old the sky is the limit for Towns. The Timberwolves can develop him into a great young player that will fit in nicely with their other young players such as Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. Towns will have to work hard to enter the same tier as former Kentucky big man, Anthony Davis, but it is certainly not out of his reach.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke:
No matter what Minnesota does with the first pick, the Los Angeles Lakers will pick up an extremely strong player. Jahlil Okafor may not have the shooting range of Towns, but he certainly has the best post game in this year's draft. Okafor enjoys to stay in the post where he can hurt defenses in two ways. He can overpower defenders, but he also has a nice selection of post moves to go by defenders. Okafor is pretty quick on his feet which gives him the ability to go by slower big men. His spin move is extremely impressive especially for someone as young as Okafor is. The Lakers were the second worst team in the Western Conference last season and are looking for a player that can come in and have a immediate impact. Jordan Hill is currently the center for the Lakers, but Okafor would most likely take the starting job over him. Okafor fits in well with this Lakers team and will be the center piece for them in the future.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State:
D'Angelo Russell could be the most polished player in this draft. Russell's skills are extremely developed for a guy as young as he is. He has excellent court vision and ball handling. Russell seems to always be in control when he is running the point and he hardly turns over the basketball. He can score by outside shooting as well as driving to the basket. The 76ers have had plenty of lottery picks these last few years based off their poor record. Since Michael Carter-Williams was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, the 76ers have been in need of a point guard. Russell could come in right away and earn the starting job and become the center piece of the franchise. No matter how productive Russell is in his rookie season, the 76ers will most likely not be competitors in the East. They would need Joel Embiid to return and be effective in the post and Nerlens Noel would need to improve even more for this season. Do not be shocked if you see D'Angelo Russell put up nice numbers for Philadelphia next year.
4. New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia:
There has been some speculation about the Knicks possibly trading this pick, but if they do not Kristaps Porzingis could be a great selection for them. Playing overseas not a lot of people know about Porzingis, but recently he has been flying up many mock drafts and NBA scouting reports. Porzingis has been on many scout's radars because of his versatility as a big man. Prozingis stands at 7'1", but can also spread defenses and shoot outside jump shots. These types of big men are always coveted by NBA teams. Porzingis is also a presence on the defensive end where he can use his length to block and alter shots. Porzingis is probably the best option for the Knicks because they already have Jose Calderon at point guard so they should not select Emmanuel Mudiay. The Knicks lack big men and should take a chance on Porzingis and try to sign a free agent big as well. Porzingis will be a hit or miss player in the NBA, but his potential is crazy.
5. Orlando Magic: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China:
Coming out of high school everyone knew that Emmanuel Mudiay had the skill set to be a lottery pick in the draft. He decided to not play at SMU this year and play professionally in China. It is hard to believe that playing professionally for a year hurt Mudiay's game. He is a big point guard at 6'5" and he is extremely athletic. With his size he can rise over smaller guards and post them up as well. Mudiay will need to improve his jump shot to be a very effective point guard in the league. He has a pass first mentality and rarely turns the ball over. The Orlando Magic selected Elfrid Payton in last year's draft and Payton had a solid rookie season, but it is hard for Orlando to pass up on Mudiay at this pick. If Orlando does select Mudiay here look for Mudiay or Payton to be traded. It will be up to Orlando on which point guard they want to develop, but Mudiay is a great prospect for them.
6. Sacramento Kings: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke:
Justise Winslow is the most athletic player in the draft and that is saying a lot. Winslow has a great build for an NBA swingman at 6'6", 220 lbs. He can shoot it pretty well, but he can also attack defenses with drives to the hoop. Winslow's athleticism also makes him a great defender which is an admirable quality for a young prospect. His athleticism will allow him to match up with bigger swingmen. During his NBA career Winslow will play on the wing regardless of whether he is considered a small forward or a shooting guard. There has been quite a bit of discussion about the Kings potentially trading DeMarcus Cousins to the Lakers, but regardless Winslow will fit in well with this Kings roster. Rudy Gay is a great NBA wing player who could mentor Winslow. Do not be shocked to see Winslow earn a solid amount of playing time and even start some games. Winslow is a big time athlete that is physically ready for the NBA, he just needs to fine tune some skills.
7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia:
Mario Hezonja is another relatively unknown player from overseas. He has been on scout's radars because he already has a pretty polished game. Hezonja has shown that he has range to three as well as the ability to find open teammates. At 6'8", 215 lbs, Hezonja has a prototypical NBA small forward build. If he is able to add more muscle to his frame it would help his game out tremendously. Hezonja is also a pretty strong defender and rebounder. His all around skill set is intriguing many teams at the top of the draft. Hezonja is a guy that will most likely not start in his rookie season. He can take next year to work under Denver's athletic small forward, Wilson Chandler. Hezonja can also take advantage of the summer and next season to become stronger. He already has a great skill set and natural athleticism and down the road Hezonja could be a solid player for Denver.
8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona:
I believe that this pick will be the steal of the draft. Stanley Johnson out of Arizona has the potential to be a big time player in the league. This guy is a physical specimen at 6'6", 240 lbs. He is also up there with Justise Winslow in terms of athelticism. Johnson may be a little smaller than some small forwards in the league, but he makes that up with his athleticism. He plays well on both sides of the ball. He can hurt defenses from the perimeter and from drives to the hoop. His athleticism gives him an advantage on defense where he can stay in front of guys and alter shots. Johnson's upside is tremendous and he could be an all star caliber player in time. The Pistons have a strong front-court, but could use some help on the wing. Much like Winslow, Johnson could play shooting guard or small forward. Johnson has the potential to come into Detroit and start and be a productive player. I'll say it again that this could be the steal of the draft and look out for Stanley Johnson.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky:
Devin Booker had a strong season for Kentucky and showcased that he can fire the three ball. He has the ability to knock down jump shots from NBA three point range. This sharpshooter is being considered the best shooter in this draft class. At 6'6", 200 lbs, Booker has a very nice build for an NBA shooting guard. A quality that makes Booker even more special is that he is actually a pretty strong passer. He is willing to give up a shot for himself to give a teammate a better shot. Booker seems taylor made for the Charlotte Hornets who were dead last in the NBA in three pointers made last year. The Hornets have already shown that they are trying to improve their outside shooting by trading for Nicholas Batum of the Portland Trailblazers. The Hornets will continue to look for outside shooting help in this year's draft and Devin Booker should be the first guy on their list. If the Hornets select Booker he should be able to earn some quality playing time and help out the Hornet's three point struggles.
10. Miami Heat: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky:
Trey Lyles is a very skilled and talented post player. He has an arsenal of post moves to give himself open looks. Lyles is also very athletic and strong. He has an NBA build to him, but right now he is probably not able to back down NBA big men. In time Lyles could become a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. Lyles also has a nice shooting touch and can knock down mid-range jump shots and occasionally three pointers. Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat had a strong season, but could certainly use a partner in crime down low if Chris Bosh is traded or declines in performance. Lyles might not be able to step into the starting role right away, but in time Lyles and Whiteside could be a dynamic duo in the post. Lyles will need to learn from Bosh and prepare to be a starter for the Heat down the road.
11. Indiana Pacers: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky:
12. Utah Jazz: Myles Turner, C, Texas
13. Phoenix Sun: Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
15. Atlanta Hawks: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
16. Boston Celtics: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Montrezl Harrel, PF, Louisville
18. Houston Rockets: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
19. Washington Wizards: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson , SF, Arizona
20. Toronto Raptors: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
21. Dallas Mavericks: Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
22. Chicago Bulls: Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
25. Memphis Grizzlies: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
26. San Antonio Spurs: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Delon Wright, PG, Utah
28. Boston Celtics: Chris McCullough, PF , Syracuse
29. Brooklyn Nets: Norman Powell, SG, UCLA
30. Golden State Warriors: Guillermo Hernangomez, PF/C, Spain
