The NBA will welcome in a new group of talent tonight as the 2015 NBA Draft takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. ESPN will have live coverage beginning at 7pm. The First Round Draft Board Will Go As Follows:
#1- MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (Many believe that Karl-Anthony Towns will become the third #1 pick from John Calipari’s UK teams in the last six years. He will make an immediate impact wherever he goes and is NBA ready. The only question is does he go #1?)
#2- LOS ANGELES LAKERS (Things might be looking up for the Lake Show. Byron Scott’s second year in charge will see the return of Julius Randle and the possible final year for Kobe Bryant. It’s pretty much a given that if the Timberwolves take Towns with the 1st pick, LA will welcome NCAA Champion Jahil Okafor of Duke. Can he join the long list of great LA big men like Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq?)
#3- PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (The longest rebuilding project in recent memory continues. Look for Philly to draft Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell, thought to be the best guard in this year’s draft)
#4- NEW YORK KNICKS (Phil Jackson will look to make his second year in charge a significant change from last season. There are plenty of options to go with here, but China’s Emmanuel Mudiay seems to be the clear cut favorite to join Carmelo Anthony on the Knicks)
#5- ORLANDO MAGIC (Power forward Kristaps Porzingis seems to be the pick the Magic want)
#6- SACRAMENTO KINGS (The Kings have eyes for UK’s Willie Cauley-Stein. If DeMarcus Cousins stays with the team, they could be a deadly duo)
#7- DENVER NUGGETS (Denver are desperately in need of shooters and have multiple options with Duke’s Justise Winslow the likely choice if still available)
#8- DETROIT PISTONS (Motown are looking at Mario Hezonja and lack shooting power. He could possibly help out in that department)
#9- CHARLOTTE HORNETS (Michael Jordan could go with a shooter or another power forward. There’s nowhere to go but up for the Buzz. Many believe MJ will go with UK’s Devin Booker)
#10- MIAMI HEAT (Pat Riley has shown interest in multiple players and Dwayne Wade’s possible departure makes this pick interesting)
#11- INDIANA PACERS (Kentucky’s Devin Booker is a likely choice for Indiana’s need for an offensive shooter. But if he’s not available, Larry Bird has shown interest in Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky)
#12- UTAH JAZZ (Offense is needed back for the Jazz, so look for someone who can get it done in the paint)
#13- PHOENIX SUNS (No doubt the Suns take a power forward from this year’s loaded class)
#14- OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (Billy Donovan’s first year will likely include finding a good backup for Russell Westbrook. However, UK’s Trey Lyles is also on the radar for them)
#15- ATLANTA HAWKS (Atlanta received this pick from Brooklyn and with possible losses to free agency, they might be looking to insert someone into a soon to be vacant spot)
#16- BOSTON CELTICS (Coach Brad Stevens’ rebuilding project will continue and the Celtics could use someone at either end of the floor)
#17- MILWAUKEE BUCKS (Milwaukee will likely go with anyone who can score consistently)
#18- HOUSTON ROCKETS (Houston received this pick from New Orleans and will likely look for a backup guard)
#19- WASHINGTON WIZARDS (John Wall and the backcourt are good to go, so the Wizards will likely go with a big man)
#20- TORONTO RAPTORS (The Raptors could use help everywhere, so this pick is pretty much wide open)
#21- DALLAS MAVERICKS (Dallas really need youth on the team that is still run by an aging Dirk Nowitzki. Look for Mark Cuban to possibly go with a big. However, the NBA’s most maverick owner could easily pick someone unexpected)
#22- CHICAGO BULLS (With a new coach this season, the Bulls agenda is pretty much unknown. Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol will still anchor the offense, but will Jimmy Butler return to the Windy city?)
#23- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (With LaMarcus Aldridge probably leaving in free agency, Rip City will likely look to fill the void with Louisville star Montrezl Harrell. The power forward basically carried Rick Pitino’s team to the Elite Eight last season and is ready for the NBA)
#24- CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (The goal remains the same….find someone to complement Lebron. Kyrie Irving has the point guard spot locked, but rumors continue to swirl that Kevin Love is leaving the building and heading back home to Los Angeles. The Eastern Conference Champs will have to pick wisely)
#25- MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (With Marc Gasol becoming a free agent, the Grizzlies might be looking to get a big man in the draft)
#26- SAN ANTONIO SPURS (The Spurs are known for picking players from overseas. Don’t be surprised to see this happen again)
#27- LOS ANGELES LAKERS (The Lakers received this pick from Houston as part of the Jeremy Lin deal last season. Expect the Lakers to choose a guard with this pick. GM Mitch Kupchak would be smart to go with either Louisville’s Terry Rozier. Rozier was one of the few offensive weapons for Rick Pitino last season and played both point and shooting guard. He could be used as a great backup to either Kobe Bryant or Jordan Clarkson)
#28- BOSTON CELTICS (The Celtics received this pick from the Los Angeles Clippers)
#29- BROOKLYN NETS (The Nets received this pick in the Joe Johnson trade to Atlanta)
#30- GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (The NBA Champions have become known for three point shooters, so don’t be surprised to see them draft a deep shot threat)
Tonight dreams will be made and expectations will be high. Don’t miss the 2015 NBA Draft, tonight at 7:00pm on ESPN.