The NBA Draft is meant for teams that are in the dumps to take their best shot at finding a savior, and for the playoff squads to find their missing piece. Here are five picks that absolutely represented what the draft is all about.
No. 3 Jahlil Okfafor, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Knicks fans who initially cursed their luck for landing the fourth pick saw the Los Angeles Lakers snap up D’Angelo Russell and thought the basketball gods had finally smiled upon them. Then the 76ers pulled a swerve and drafted Okafor, who spent much of the NCAA season as the presumptive top pick.
Okafor is already a dominant force in the low post, and is the most NBA ready prospect in the draft class. The 76ers may have drafted centers for three straight drafts, but Joel Embiid’s future is clouded by injury, and Okafor could be the best prospect of the three regardless. Maybe Philly is finally ready to win?
No. 10 Justise Winslow, G/F, Miami Heat
Rumor has it that Dwyane Wade is unhappy in South Beach and may leave via free agency. If he does, the Heat have his replacement. Winslow is not going to replicate Wade’s otherworldly offense, but he has the upside to be that great on the defensive end.
Winslow was limited by the offensive talent around him at Duke—he shared the court with two other first round picks, Okafor and Tyus Jones—but he can score. Winslow’s shooting woes are overblown, as evidenced by his 41.8 percent mark from 3-point range. He’s left-handed, and very strong at the rim. This is a slam dunk pick.
No. 12 Trey Lyles, F, Utah Jazz
The Jazz got deeper in the frontcourt by adding Lyles, and gave themselves tremendous roster flexibility. Lyles’ shooting and passing ability allow him to play alongside Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors in spurts, or fill in for either of them at any time.
He also allows the Jazz to move a big man if a great opportunity presents itself. Lyles couldn’t show off his full skill set with Kentucky because of how loaded the team was, but Jazz fans are in for a treat.
No. 28 R.J. Hunter, F, Boston Celtics
Boston may have whiffed by taking Terry Rozier at No. 16, but they might have landed a Stephen Curry-esque shooter with Hunter at the back end of Round 1. Hunter’s percentages aren’t fantastic, but he had a bullseye on him every night as Georgia State’s lone wolf. In Boston he will be in an offense that encourages his brand of chucking. He has insane range, and will become one of the more fun players the league has to offer.
No. 14 Cameron Payne, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
Unlike last season, the Thunder decided to draft a player they plan on using in the upcoming season. Payne is a point guard capable of scoring, but has a more traditional approach than Russell Westbrook does. Payne will allow for more off-the-ball work from Westbrook, where he may become an even more devastating weapon.
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