Sixers, using their stockpile, upgrade their backcourt with D'Angelo Russell (3rd pick) and 6'6 guard Devin Booker (16th) from Kentucky, and take guard Gary Payton Jr Oregon State) early in the second round (33rd) with guard Oliver Hanlan (35th) from Boston College
The Celtics use their two selections (15th and 26th) on 6'5 guard Jerian Grant from Notre Dame, and guard Buddy Hield from Oklahoma
The Cavs, also with two first rounders (24 and 28), take Melo Trimble (Syr) and 6'4 UCLA guard Norman Powell

The rest:

Orlando takes 6'6 Justise Winslow from Duke
Detroit drafts Trey Lyles, 6'10 from Kentucky
Charlotte sneaks 6'8 Mario Hezonja past customs from Croatia, just because we ain't seent him don't mean he can't play

Washington adds Frank Kaminsky 7 footer, from Wisconsin
Atlanta Hawks steal 7 footer, Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, who is made for great press, Broadway and GQ covers
The Pacers take 6'7 Kelly Oubre from Kansas

The point being, our Eastern Conference neighbors - Philly, Boston and Cleveland - all have an excellent chance at hitting on one (or all) of their multiple first round picks, and upgrading their rosters next season, via the draft.

Context.

misterearl wrote:via NBADraft.net (endorsed by The Answer Man) projects the first round going like this:

Sixers, using their stockpile, upgrade their backcourt with D'Angelo Russell (3rd pick) and 6'6 guard Devin Booker (16th) from Kentucky, and take guard Gary Payton Jr Oregon State) early in the second round (33rd) with guard Oliver Hanlan (35th) from Boston College
The Celtics use their two selections (15th and 26th) on 6'5 guard Jerian Grant from Notre Dame, and guard Buddy Hield from Oklahoma
The Cavs, also with two first rounders (24 and 28), take Melo Trimble (Syr) and 6'4 UCLA guard Norman Powell

The rest:

Orlando takes 6'6 Justise Winslow from Duke
Detroit drafts Trey Lyles, 6'10 from Kentucky
Charlotte sneaks 6'8 Mario Hezonja past customs from Croatia, just because we ain't seent him don't mean he can't play

Washington adds Frank Kaminsky 7 footer, from Wisconsin
Atlanta Hawks steal 7 footer, Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, who is made for great press, Broadway and GQ covers
The Pacers take 6'7 Kelly Oubre from Kansas

The point being, our Eastern Conference neighbors - Philly, Boston and Cleveland - all have an excellent chance at hitting on one (or all) of their multiple first round picks, and upgrading their rosters next season, via the draft.

Context.

This is spot on. Exactly what the draftexpress podcast said--the draft is deep and will reward many teams through the first round that is why I believe all year we needed to be aggressive concerning the draft and look into trading our next pick (2017) into this years draft as we can expedite rebuilding the team. There will always be 1 or 2 teams that will not want the pick or would like to move the pick to another year. OKC at 19 with 85mm in payroll is a big example. They might take the Knicks 2017 pick top 10 protected for their 19 pick and we can take a small salary off their hands.

I'm a much bigger believer that drafts picks will help the team MUCH stronger than many or all of our current roster players with the exception of Schevyd(if he doesnt sign elsewhere) We need a youthful infusion of players we choose. The guys we have now are slow inconsistent and lack skills.

nixluva wrote:Another way to look at this deep draft is that there is much more likelyhood that some very good players may slip to the 2nd rd and fall out of the draft completely. This looks like a good year to get into the 2nd rd and unsigned FA's. I'm not convinced that in such a strong draft year that teams will be willing to trade one to us. I'm going for the low hanging fruit this year and I think Phil will also.

nixluva - nice try. Your eternal optimism, in light of the facts is a beautiful thing. The evidence has shown there is a dramatic drop in the number of players who contribute in the NBA who are chosen AFTER the first round.

Of course, there are exceptions. However, betting on Uncle Phil to beat every other NBA General Manager to sign those rare exceptions is nothing more than a wish upon a star.