1. New Orleans Hornets
Anthony Davis: PF, 19, 6-10, 220, Kentucky, Fresh.
While conspiracy theories will abound, basketball purists will appreciate that a team that competed admirably all season long with limited resources was rewarded with some good karma in the form of the No. 1 pick. Hornets general manager Dell Demps wasn't particularly coy about who they might select following the lottery drawing, joking saying that the pick is "top secret." Certainly the team will go through a process including medical evaluations, interviews and potentially a light workout, but it's impossible to look at their roster and style of play and not say that Davis is precisely what the doctor ordered. New Orleans' rebuilding process just got a major boost.
2. Charlotte Bobcats
Thomas Robinson: PF, 21, 6-9, 240, Kansas, Junior
Although the Bobcats and their fans will certainly be disappointed not to end up with Anthony Davis after the miserable season they endured, they should get over that fairly quickly when they realize they are about to add an extremely important piece to their roster who is arguably more ready to compete from Day One than Davis.
Robinson will bring a blend of strength, athleticism and competitiveness that the team sorely lacked this season inside the paint. He will pair well with 2011 draft pick Bismack Biyombo to form one of the longest and most explosive interior frontcourts – certainly defensively – in the NBA.
3. Washington Wizards
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: SF: 18, 6-7, 228, Kentucky, Fresh.
The Wizards will also be disappointed initially not to end up with the top overall pick after finishing with the league's second-worst record. But that should be short-lived as well when they realize that a very exciting piece in their rebuilding process is on the way in Kidd-Gilchrist.
With the Wizards sporting the worst small forward rotation in the NBA this season, Kidd-Gilchrist could fill an immediate hole, bringing a degree of intensity and toughness that will immediately improve their perimeter defense. He's arguably the most competitive player in this draft. Still very much a work in progress offensively, he would form a lethal transition duo with speedster John Wall, as well as the hyper athletic Jan Vesely.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Bradley Beal: SG, 18, 6-4, 201, Florida, Fresh.
Sporting virtually nothing in their backcourt going into next season outside of Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, the Cavs need immediate help at the shooting guard position. Beal has the perfect skill set and demeanor to compliment Irving, which should make him an extremely attractive pick. Andre Drummond will likely also get a long look here.
5. Sacramento Kings
Andre Drummond: C, 18, 6-10, 251, Connecticut, Fresh.
This could be shades of 2010, where arguably the second-most-talented player in the draft fell to the No. 5 pick, only to be swooped up by the Sacramento Kings. Drummond could slip for different reasons than DeMarcus Cousins did, but there's little doubt the two complement each other fairly well, possibly forming one of the biggest and most physically gifted frontcourts in the NBA. The question is whether Sacramento will find a way to get the most out of Drummond's immense talent, and whether they are prepared to take on another project player who may take a couple of years to pan out.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn)
Jared Sullinger: PF/C, 20, 6-9, 280, Ohio State, Soph.
The Trail Blazers have been looking for a strong interior option to pair with LaMarcus Aldridge for quite some time, and this draft will finally give them an opportunity to do so. Going into next season with only Kurt Thomas and Aldridge under contact, Jared Sullinger certainly appears to be an attractive option here, as his skill set compliments what they already have.
7. Golden State Warriors
Harrison Barnes: SF, 19, 6-8, 223, North Carolina, Soph.
The Warriors took a major leap of faith in trading fan favorite Monta Ellis for injured center Andrew Bogut and handing the full-time ball-handling responsibilities to Stephen Curry, who lost most of the season to an ankle injury. If everyone stays healthy, they have a very intriguing roster on paper, but still could use some additional scoring punch on the wing. Harrison Barnes duplicates many of the things Klay Thompson and Dorell Wright do. He's also not a particularly gifted shot creator, but he has great size and scoring instincts and still has plenty of room to improve at age 19.
8. Toronto Raptors
Jeremy Lamb: SG, 19, 6-5, 185, Connecticut, Soph.
While the Raptors anxiously await the arrival of their 2011 lottery pick, Jonas Valanciunas, next season, they have a chance to plug another hole. Finding a successor to starting point guard Jose Calderon, who is entering the final year of his contract, is a priority, especially considering that Valanciunas will need to have offense created for him, at least initially. The Raptors' wing rotation also looks unsettled, with DeMar DeRozan still unable to find a consistent jump shot, and very little starting material around him. One solution might be to pick Jeremy Lamb, one of the most talented scorers in the draft, and move DeRozan to small forward.
9. Detroit Pistons
John Henson: PF, 21, 6-11, 220, North Carolina, Junior
The Pistons struggled on both ends of the floor last season, ranking 29 th in offensive efficiency and 24 th on defense, meaning this lone pick will surely not solve all their problems. Pairing Greg Monroe with a long and athletic shot-blocker/rebounder like Henson could be a good start, though. The two seem to complement each other fairly well. Finding a long-term solution at small forward will also be a priority, which could mean Harrison Barnes if he's available.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota)
Damian Lillard: PG, 21, 6-2, 185, Weber State, Junior
The Hornets competed admirably despite being forced to trade their franchise player, Chris Paul, and seeing his replacement, Eric Gordon, lose much of the season to injury. That doesn't mask the fact they lack talent at many key positions, particularly in the frontcourt where two of their most experienced players (Carl Landry and Chris Kaman) are free agents this summer. Jarrett Jack exceeded expectations, but may not be a long-term solution, meaning a potential upgrade at point guard could also be in order. Lillard would complement the likes of Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon extremely well, even if Kendall Marshall's court vision and passing savvy could also get a long look here.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LA Lakers)
Fab Melo: C, 21, 7-0, 250, Syracuse, Soph.
The Cavs seemingly need everything except a starting point guard at this stage, and adding some size and bulk to the frontcourt wouldn't be a bad idea. With the Cavs ranked as one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA this season, Melo has the potential to help in that area down the road once he gets experience.
op:
