Sports Poets Society

#1 Minnesota Timberwolves Lottery luck means Minnesota can take either Okafor or Towns to solidfy the middle . #2 Los Angeles Lakers Whichever elite big man is left after Minnesota picks is likely headed to L.A. #3 Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia has one first round pick and a whopping five second round selections. #4 New York Knicks The Lottery didn't go as they wanted , but there will still be plenty of talent available at No. 4. #5 Orlando Magic In need of perimeter scoring, power forward Kristaps Porzingis could be the best bet. #6 Sacramento Kings The Kings could be in good position to find the ideal Cousins compliment in Cauley-Stein . #7 Denver Nuggets In need of shooters , the Nuggets will have a handful of interesting options in play. #8 Detroit Pistons Mario Hezonja or Winslow could be the way to go for a team lacking shooters . #9 Charlotte Hornets Do the Hornets go with a power forward again, or go for the shooter they need? #10 Miam...

1. Kristaps Porzingis Latest Rumors: SAC Power Forward / 6-11 / Sevilla (Spain) / 1995 11.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg Many scouts in Europe see "Zinger" as a no brainer Top 5 pick. He has a diverse skill set, and great length and his lack of bulk would work well alongside DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings have taken a 2-guard in the lottery in successive drafts, so it seems unlikely that they would opt for Hezonja here, but then again it's Sacramento so anything is possible. With Rudy Gay signed long term, Winslow and Stanley would also seem to make less sense.   Twitter: @kporzee Comparison: Pau Gasol Global Ranking: 6th Salary: $2,831,900*  ------------------------------------------------   2. Trey Lyles Latest Rumors: DET Power Forward / 6-10 / Kentucky / Freshman 8.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.1 apg Detroit is prepared to let Greg Monroe walk in free agency and Lyles would be a good replacement, giving them a PF whose face-up skills would mesh well with Andre Drummond. Lyl...

by DRAFTOLOGY Prospect Scouting Pro:     Ottimo in penetrazione al ferro (Slasher/finisher)     IQ , visione di gioco, rapido nelle scelte.     Eccellente ball-handler.     Mentalità vincente Contro:     Tiratore di striscia     Poco giudicabile in difesa     Non sempre pronto a prendere responsabilità offensive, troppo altruista Atletismo/Fisico Per il ruolo che ricopre, i quasi 2 metri di statura sono una dote assai interessante, soprattutto se abbinati a quel fisico asciutto e atletico. Gli 87 kg sono pochini , ma il body type sembra in grado di supportare una crescita muscolare. Queste caratteristiche ne fanno uno tra i più veloci con il pallone . Velocità laterale ed esplosività sono nella media, buona la velocità di piedi. Attacco Eccellente lettura delle situazioni offensive abbinata a grande rapidità di decisione . Slasher capace di attaccare le difese dal pal...

1. Karl-Anthony Towns LATEST RUMORS:  MINNESOTA Center / 7-0 / Kentucky / Freshman 10.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.1 apg The Timberwolves have to explore all options here and a case could be made that guards D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay have more star potential than Towns and Okafor. But for a team like the Timberwolves that has difficulty attracting talent through free agency, a chance to solidify their frontcourt is likely too difficult to pass up. Not to mention trying to team Russell with Rubio along with Wiggins could backfire and cause Rubio to want out. Towns is less NBA ready offensively, but his superior mobility, defense and overall potential make him the choice over Okafor. Twitter: @KarlTowns Comparison: Andrew Bogut Global Ranking: 1st Salary: $4,753,000* ------------------------------------------------ 2. Jahlil Okafor  LATEST RUMORS:  LAKERS Center / 6-11 / Duke / Freshman 17.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.3 apg The Lakers could decide th...

1. Justise Winslow Latest Rumors: ORL Shooting Guard / 6-6 / Duke / Freshman 12.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.1 apg The Magic took a high energy, defensive minded, though undersized 4 in last year's draft with Aaron Gordon. One trend GM Rob Hennigan seems to consistently follow is drafting defensive-minded players, and Winslow showed great ability in his freshman year and has a chance to be a defensive stopper. Willie Cauley-Stein is a player that the team is said to be very high on. We view the No. 5 pick as a reach for him, but he would certainly fit into their defensive minded system. Twitter: @IAmJustise Comparison: Kawhi Leonard Global Ranking: 5th Salary: $3,117,900* ------------------------------------------------ 2. Mario Hezonja Latest Rumors: DEN Shooting Guard / 6-7 / FC Barcelona (Spain) / 1995 8.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.1 apg The Nuggets need to swing for the fences with the player they view having the greatest chance to be a star. Hezonja fits that. He's go...

1. D'Angelo Russell Latest Rumors: PHI Point Guard / 6-5 / Ohio State / Freshman 19.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.0 apg Russell is seen by some scouts as the top talent in this year's draft. It is widely assumed that the Sixers are hoping he falls to their pick, allowing them to pair him with Joel Embiid as their cornerstones. Sixers GM Sam Hinkie is extremely closed mouthed, so if you hear a rumor about what they will do, it is advisable to take it with a grain of salt. Russell is well liked within the organization and his shooting ability is what gives him a slight edge over the stronger and more athletic Mudiay for them. The team has a budding superstar in Joel Embiid if he can stay healthy, so they would certainly prefer to see the two centers go before their pick and have their choice between Russell and Mudiay. Hinkie was the only GM to get over to China to see Mudiay, so credit him for being well prepared for this decision. Twitter: @Dloading Comparison: Brandon Roy Globa...