1) The Charlotte Bobcats(Lottery odds: 25.0%)- Anthony Davis
The Bobcats had the worst winning percentage in NBA history last season, and certainly deserve the best player in the draft, Anthony Davis. His incredible shot-blocking made the Kentucky Wildcats an incredibly difficult to beat as they went undefeated in SEC regular season play(no small feat). Davis would give the Bobcats a formidable frontcourt of Bismack Biyombo, B.J. Mullens, and Tyrus Thomas. The Bobcats have a lot of other needs and if they don’t land the top pick, then I could see them looking for help at small forward with either Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. You cannot pass on the unique talent of Anthony Davis if they do land the top pick however, and he would instantly make the Bobcats a decent defensive team.
2) Washington Wizards(Lottery odds: 19.9%)- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Kidd-Gilchrist can play shooting guard or small forward and gives the Wizards flexibility in their rotation while also giving them a unique two-way player who can handle the ball, pass, shoot, and defend. Gilchrist would give the Wizards one of the most intriguing back-courts in the NBA, and with their in-season addition of Nene make the Wizards an interesting team defensively and give them a solid core for the future.
3) Cleveland Cavaliers (Lottery odds: 13.8%) – Jared Sullinger
Yes the Cavaliers already have Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao, and Samardo Samuels. However, when a player with Sullinger’s low-post moves, strength, and competitive drive comes along and you can pair him with one of the most efficient rookie point guards the NBA has ever seen, then you draft him. The NBA is still a pick and roll league , and you could run pick-and-roll and post-ups through Sullinger and let Irving spot up for open jumpers. Who knows what percentages will shoot next year if he doesn’t have to create all of the offense by himself. (Altough I will miss the fantasy numbers he put up for my team as a result of this.)
4)New Orleans (Lottery odds: 13.7%)- Harrison Barnes
Yes, I know the Hornets already have Eric Gordon, but there is not guarantee that he would actually stay. The brutal truth is why would he stay on a team where unwise roster moves have given them many holes in their roster. Barnes reportedly has the work-ethic of a young Kobe Bryant to go along with a sweet shooting stroke, high basketball IQ, violent finisher at the rim, and fearless in the clutch. He could end up being a more athletic version of Paul Pierce: a player who does just about everything well, but does not blow you away with any 1 particularly fantastic skill. This would be a great pick-up for them at the 4 spot.
5)Sacramento (Lottery odds: 7.6%)- via trade Kendall Marhsall
I believe the Kings should get a true point guard who can put DeMarcus Cousins in a position to succeed and that man is Kendall Marshall. I also believe they can probably trade back a couple spots and still get Marshall. He currently pops up on Chad Ford’s draft machine in the 10-14 range, and that would be a steal for the Kings who need to shake things up a bit. Tyreke Evans is great trade bait, or he could take over the shooting guard spot and would be a great combo with Marshall. Marshall just broke the ACC single-season assists record, and Roy Williams has called him a point guard with some of the best court vision and ability to push the fast-break that he has ever coached.