The Miami Heat had to be thrilled to see Justise Winslow fall into their lap at No. 10.
At the conclusion of this year’s draft, many teams walked away with the players they desired. However, others weren’t so lucky. Here’s a quick breakdown of who struck gold and who struck coal in this year’s draft.
WINNERS
Minnesota Timberwolves
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 04: Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Wisconsin Badgers battles for position on a against Karl-Anthony Towns #12 and Aaron Harrison #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Simply by having the first overall pick and taking Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves are worthy of being seen as winners in this year’s draft. Let’s not forget that Minnesota also acquired the rights to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ selection, Duke point guard Tyus Jones, for two second-round picks. Towns will have an immediate impact on a resurgent Timberwolves squad, while Jones will provide an interesting second option behind Ricky Rubio.
Los Angeles Lakers
By taking Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell instead of Duke’s Jahlil Okafor with the second overall pick, the Lakers allowed themselves to chase the big free agents of the summer such as Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan, Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge. Taking Okafor would’ve left Los Angeles with minimal options in regards to signing quality backcourt free agents, so Russell was the wise choice. Wyoming’s Larry Nance, Jr. isn’t a bad pick, either. Great draft for the Lakers.
Denver Nuggets
The selection of point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, a player many draft analysts didn’t see going past sixth overall, signifies the end of the Ty Lawson era in Denver. This means forward Kenneth Faried will likely be on the trading block as well. A smart move by the Nuggets, as this team is in desperate need of a rebuild. With plenty of valuable assets, Denver should receive a nice return on their players.
Miami Heat
Duke’s Justise Winslow was projected to go anywhere from fourth to seventh overall in this year’s draft, but fortunately for the Heat and president of basketball operations Pat Riley, Winslow fell all the way to tenth overall. Adding Winslow gives Miami a solid two-way prospect who could become one of the league’s best wing players in a few years. He has drawn comparisons to San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard and Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler.
Chicago Bulls
This may surprise some people, as the Bulls were a team many thought would go after a wing player. But when Arkansas’ Bobby Portis, a player believed to be worth taking between the 15th and 20th spots in the draft, fell to them at 22, there was no way general manager Gar Forman was going to pass on him. Portis has great size and plays with a fiery edge that new head coach Fred Hoiberg will love. This also gives Chicago a reason to move forward Taj Gibson or center Pau Gasol, two players for which the team could receive a nice return (when Gibson heals from his ankle surgery).
LOSERS
New York Knicks
The looks on the Knicks fans’ faces at Barclays Center when New York selected Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick were priceless. Instead of taking a more NBA-ready player like Winslow, Mudiay or Arizona’s Stanley Johnson, president of basketball operations Phil Jackson took the project in Porzingis, which reportedly has All-Star Carmelo Anthony upset. For a team that was supposed to be making moves to compete now, it looks like a rebuild is in order. What does that mean for Anthony?
Sacramento Kings
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 29: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the second half during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on December 29, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
All the pre-draft drama about head coach George Karl and All-Star DeMarcus Cousins is enough to make Sacramento losers, but selecting center Willie Cauley-Stein sixth overall seals the deal for the Kings. While Cauley-Stein isn’t a bad player, but taking him sixth was a bit of a reach. He’s an excellent defender and rim protector, but his rebounding and (especially) his offensive game need work. Mudiay would’ve been a much better choice here. This will be a very interesting season for Karl, Cousins and the Kings.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets traded guard Lance Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers for forwards Matt Barnes (who was then moved to Memphis) and Spencer Hawes and moved guard Gerald Henderson and 2014 first-rounder Noah Vonleh to Portland for forward Nicolas Batum. Charlotte brought in guard Jeremy Lamb from Oklahoma City for guard Luke Ridnour, but the team must have a lot of confidence in him and guard P.J. Hairston to avoid drafting a shooting guard like Devin Booker. Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky III is certainly a player who would create more space for center Al Jefferson, but wouldn’t Hawes be doing that?
Dallas Mavericks
With guard Monta Ellis opting out and former All-Star Rajon Rondo proving to be a bust, selecting Virginia’s Justin Anderson instead of a point guard could bite the Mavericks in the butt. While Anderson isn’t a bad player, taking Tyus Jones would’ve made more sense here. Perhaps Dallas is planning on addressing the position in free agency. But for now, there is a large void in the team’s backcourt.
Brooklyn Nets
Trading center Mason Plumlee and second-rounder Pat Connaughton to the Portland Trail Blazers for 23rd overall pick Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and guard Steve Blake was a big mistake. Point guards Deron Williams and Jarrett Jack are both under contract, so where does Blake fit? This was essentially Plumlee and Connaughton for Hollis-Jefferson, and the Arizona product has too many concerns on the offensive end to warrant this trade. Rash move by general manager Billy King. 29th overall pick Chris McCullough is also a huge question mark due to his health.