Draft Needs: Southeast Division
The Southeast Division features five teams from each stage of the NBA life-cycle.
At the top, there's the Miami Heat, who are fresh off four straight Finals appearances. They're joined by the Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks, who are building through the draft in hopes of becoming perennial contenders. Finally, there's the Orlando Magic, who have toiled at the bottom of the standings since Dwight Howard's departure.
Here are the draft needs for each team:
Miami Heat
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 26, No. 55
Area of Need: A mobile big who can defend the rim
The Heat have found their identity as a small-ball team, but they're missing one key ingredient: a mobile rim-protector. Given their immediate need, their chances of finding a suitable candidate with the 26th pick is slim - but there are few prospects who could fit the bill.
Potential Targets: Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan; Isaiah Austin, C, Baylor
If the Heat want more of a scoring touch, a player like McGary would be a nice fit. McGary has a polished post game, and he has proven to be a strong rebounder. If Miami opts for defense instead, Austin would make some sense. Austin stands at a full seven feet and has a 7-foot-4 wingspan.
Washington Wizards
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 46
Area of Need: Stretch four
The Wizards don't hold any first-round draft picks in the upcoming draft, as they surrendered their pick to Phoenix in exchange for center Marcin Gortat. Luckily, if the Wizards manage to re-sign their free-agents in Gortat and forward Trevor Ariza, they shouldn't have any holes in their starting lineup.
In the event the Wizards snag a first-rounder, they would be well-served to draft a floor-stretching four. Ironically, the Suns seem quite amenable to trading away some of their picks.
Potential Targets (if they acquire a first-round pick): Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State; Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA
Payne has greatly improved his draft stock by virtue of his insane draft combine measurements, and he would slot in perfectly as a floor-stretching first big off the bench. At 23, Payne has both the instincts and physicality necessary to excel in the professional ranks.
If he's unavailable, the Wizards could look to add a player like Anderson, who projects as a small forward with great size and shooting touch. He has a versatile offensive skill set that should allow him to serve as an effective point forward for the Wizards off the bench.
Charlotte Hornets
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 9, No. 24, No. 45
Area of need: Play-making wing
The Hornets capitalized on a weakened Eastern Conference, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. That success masked a dreadful offense that ranked in the league's bottom five - negating the team's top-10 offense and derailing any chance it had of giving the Heat a scare in the opening round of the playoffs.
The lottery ping-pong balls bounced their way, landing them the ninth pick by way of the Detroit Pistons. They also own the 24th pick from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Potential Targets: Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan; Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
With Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson dominating the ball on offensive, the Bobcats would be wise to take a sharpshooter like Stauskas with their ninth pick. He is deadly from long range, and projects to be a player in the mould of the Warriors' Klay Thompson. With their second pick, a player like Napier would fit their play-making needs. After all, you simply can't field enough clutch point guards from UConn on one NBA team.
Atlanta Hawks
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 15, No. 43
Area of Need: Play-making wing
The Hawks are primed to make a run to the top of the conference next season, as All-Star center Al Horford is slated to make his return from his pectoral injury. With Horford and Paul Millsap in the starting lineup, the Hawks will have sufficient frontcourt weapons to dominate East opponents However, they lack the perimeter players to complete the inside-out attack.
Potential Targets: Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana-Lafayette; P.J. Hairston, SG, North Carolina; Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
The Hawks boast the 15th pick, which puts them in position to draft a quality player like Payton or Hairston. Both players averaged better than 19 points per game in college, and are able to create their own look, which is something the Hawks struggle with. If his stock drops near the time of the draft, Ennis might also fit the Hawks' needs, as he proved to be a capable play-maker at the college level.
Orlando Magic
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 4, No. 12
Area of Need: Best player available
The Magic boast one of the league's youngest rosters, with promising prospects like Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo entrenched in their starting lineup. However, despite their youth, the Magic lack that truly transcendent player necessary to take their franchise to the next level. They'll be looking to add significant talent with the fourth pick.
Potential Targets: Dante Exum, PG, Australia; Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana
If any one of the triumvirate of Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins or Joel Embiid becomes available, the Magic should pounce. If not, they should target the player with the most upside. Exum is a freakishly athletic point guard who has drawn comparisons to Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, and should be available at the fourth slot. If they prefer a big, Vonleh is a bruising power forward capable of anchoring a defense in the paint.
