[tps_header]And the No. 1 pick is …[/tps_header]
[tps_title]Nos. 5 to 1[/tps_title]
No. 5 Orlando Magic
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Cauley-Stein, 7’ and 242 pounds, would fill a need for Orlando at the post, especially with his defensive presence as a tremendous shot blocker. Many scouts believe Cauley-Stein is the best overall defender in the draft. Orlando’s defense, especially in the paint, was severely lacking last season as the Magic allowed opponents to convert 49.9 percent of their two-point attempts. Orlando was also one of two teams in the NBA (Boston was the other) that did not have one player average at least one block per game.
No. 4 New York Knicks
Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Porzingis long-term is one of the best prospects in this draft according to scouts. On a short-term basis, he is a project only because the 19-year-old must fill his 7’1” and 220-pound frame more to handle the rigors of facing NBA power forwards. Porzingis has drawn plenty of scouting attention from New York, which is in need of a player of Porzingis’ skill set to stretch the floor offensively and provide Carmelo Anthony more freedom to operate.
No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers
D’Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State
Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis, a 7’1” and 220-pound prospect who can extend his game to the perimeter, is receiving plenty of attention with this pick by the 76ers. Russell, however, is the best available prospect overall in the draft according to many scouts. Aside from Philadelphia taking the best talent available with this selection, Russell also provides the 76ers a playmaker and shooter they desperately need at the point guard position.
No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers
Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Multiple league sources have confirmed to media outlets that if Minnesota chooses Towns as the No. 1 pick, the Lakers will definitely go with Okafor. Some speculation persists that the Lakers will choose Russell instead with this pick. The Lakers, however, need to fill a void in the post with the absence of a true big man since Pau Gasol left to Chicago before the last season. Scouts believe Okafor is the best low-post scorer in this draft with tremendous nimble moves for a 6’11” and 270-pound player.
No. 1 Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF-C, Kentucky
Recent media reports suggest that Minnesota will undoubtedly take Towns as the No. 1 pick. Minnesota GM/coach Flip Saunders reportedly favored the selection of Okafor before observing a workout of Towns in Los Angeles. Towns, at 7-feet and 250 pounds, will provide the Timberwolves a post presence that was lost when Kevin Love was traded to Cleveland. Towns will provide Minnesota the flexibility it needs by manning the post on offense and defense very well in addition to stretching the opponents with his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter.
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.[/tps_footer]
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