Draft Needs: Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division was something of a train wreck in 2013-14.
It featured a franchise that couldn't make the playoffs despite having the second-highest payroll in the NBA, a franchise going through an honest rebuild that requires more time, and a franchise that tied the record for the longest losing streak in league history.
As a result, the division can obviously stand to benefit from one of the most loaded draft classes in at least 10 years.
Here are the draft needs of the Atlantic Division's five teams:
Toronto Raptors
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 20, No. 37, No. 59
Area of Need: An aggressive small forward who can mesh into Dwane Casey's defense-first philosophy
In a league where small forwards need to be versatile, the Toronto Raptors are seriously lacking at the three.
Although Terrence Ross made massive strides this past season, particularly on the defensive end, he still doesn't drive enough for a player of his stature and he's yet to find ways to compensate offensively in games where his shot isn't dropping. As a result, it wouldn't hurt the Raptors to grab an aggressive small forward who can compete with Ross for minutes.
Potential Targets: K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson; Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State; Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse
If McDaniels is still available come the 20th pick, he would seem to be an ideal fit. He was praised for his defense at Clemson and his presence under the rim is astounding for a 6-foot-6 small forward. If McDaniels is unavailable, players like Early and Grant offer similar skill sets.
Brooklyn Nets
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: None
Area of Need: Youth at all five positions
The trade that sent Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets sent the franchise's first-round pick in the upcoming draft to the Boston Celtics. That's obviously not ideal for an aging team like the Nets, and it doesn't help that the Philadelphia 76ers hold their second-round pick. Nor does it help that the Nets will be over the salary cap until the 2015-16 season.
Basically, a franchise that desperately needs young players at all five positions won't be able to acquire one in this year's draft.
Potential Targets: Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia
If the Nets are willing to trade for a late first-round pick, it would be wise to look towards acquiring a center who can help out in the event that Brook Lopez continues to be plagued by ankle injuries. The Nets have also reportedly made Lopez "very available" to interested franchises, meaning they could be ready to move on from the Stanford product.
If that's indeed the case, Nurkic seems like someone the Nets would be interested in acquiring. At 6-foot-10 and 280 pounds, he's one of the biggest players in the draft, and the Nets could keep him off their salary books for a season or two while he develops in Europe.
New York Knicks
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: None
Area of Need: High-scoring center or point guard
Just like their crosstown rivals, the New York Knicks are entering the 2014 NBA Draft with zero picks and will be forced to watch the rest of the league benefit from a loaded class.
With so much of the Knicks' future up in the air and the team only beginning to establish an identity until Phil Jackson, it's tough to say who the Knicks are looking for in their rebuilding efforts.
A lot obviously hinges on whether or not Carmelo Anthony is in Manhattan next season, but on the assumption he stays, the Knicks could stand to benefit from a center or point guard who can help take some of the scoring load off 'Melo.
Potential Targets: Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut; Jordan Clarkson, PG, Missouri
In the unlikely event that the Knicks trade for a late first-round pick, they'd likely focus on acquiring a point guard. The upcoming draft doesn't feature many high-rated centers and Raymond Felton is reportedly set to be traded this season, meaning they'll need some help at the one sooner rather than later.
Boston Celtics
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 6, No. 17
Area of Need: Rim protector
If the Boston Celtics are approaching their rebuild with a win-now mentality for next season, as reports of their pursuit of Kevin Love would suggest, acquiring a power forward who can make an instant impact would be beneficial.
As it stands, the Celtics are going into 2014-15 with Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Brandon Bass as their main big men. It's not exactly a rotation that can guarantee success, and the Celtics would be wise to go after a rim protector who has a brighter future than the aforementioned names.
Potential Targets: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona; Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana, Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is reportedly "locked in" on selecting Gordon with the team's sixth overall pick. However, if one of Vonleh or Randle is still available, Ainge might think twice about about pursuing Gordon.
Philadelphia 76ers
Picks in 2014 NBA Draft: No. 3, No. 10, No. 32, No. 39, No. 47, No. 52, No. 54
Area of Need: Someone who can drop at least 20 points per game
The Philadelphia 76ers led the NBA in possessions per game last season, but by not having an efficient scorer, they weren't able to capitalize on having the ball so often.
With both the third and 10th-overall pick in the upcoming draft, the 76ers are poised to acquire two players who can guarantee consistent scoring through the team's rebuild with solid field goal percentages.
Potential Targets: Andrew Wiggins, SG, Kansas; Joel Embiid, C, Kansas; Jabari Parker, SF, Duke; Dario Saric, PF, Croatia
It really doesn't seem like the 76ers want to draft anyone not named Andrew Wiggins. There are even reports the franchise is in conversation with the Cleveland Cavaliers over trading for their first-overall pick, just to make sure Wiggins ends up in Philadelphia.
Of course, if the phenom from Toronto is snatched up before the 76ers' third pick, they'll almost certainly take whoever's remaining between Embiid and Parker.
With their 10th-overall pick, Saric could help complement Wiggins with his presence in the paint.