The NBA Draft is a week away, and there is a lot of speculation about who will be going where. I will break down the first five picks of the draft, and in turn I will explain why each player is the best fit for that team.
1. John Wall, Washington Wizards
Wall is easily the most talented player in this year's draft. The Wizards are sure to draft him with the first overall pick, but questions have risen about whether or not he can play alongside Gilbert Arenas. Both players need the ball in their hands in order to perform on the court. However, I could see the Wizards either trading Arenas after his handgun incident last year, or possibly moving him to shooting guard. Let's face it, Arenas is on his way out in Washington. I wouldn't sacrifice a sure-fire superstar like John Wall in order to keep Gilbert Arenas happy. Wall will be a key piece in the rebuilding project for Washington.
2. Derrick Favors, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has a very difficult decision to make with the second pick in this year's draft. However, Favors will be a better fit for the Sixers than the alternative, Evan Turner, would be. Elton Brand was a failed experiment in Philadelphia, and Favors gives the Sixers an excellent alternative to the aging Brand. He will be an excellent addition to the Sixers, who are also in somewhat of a rebuilding process. Favors brings a strong, athletic frame to the post which the Sixers are in desperate need of for next year. With Favors on the team, he should also command some attention away from Andre Iguodola and Jrue Holiday so that they can make plays as well. Unlike Turner, Favors doesn't need an offense to run through him which will also be a positive aspect for Iguodola, the obvious leader of the Sixers.
3. Evan Turner, New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets were originally crushed after not only losing the top pick in the draft, but also falling to the third pick. They will be extremely lucky if Turner can fall into their lap here. Evan Turner will bring instant offense to a Nets team who notoriously struggled throughout the season last year. He will most likely play shooting guard, which will force Courtney Lee to come off of the bench. Turner, along with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, will make for a pretty decent three player attack for New Jersey next season. The other added bonus of Turner being drafted by the Nets is the attraction of a previously dismal team to one of potential. If Turner is drafted by the Nets, he could attract some max-free agents to join him.
4. Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves
The fourth pick is another spot with a lot of speculation swirling around it. However, I think that Wesley Johnson is the best fit for the Wolves. DeMarcus Cousins is the other option, but he hasn't worked out for Minnesota yet. He also would not fit in with the Wolves because of the fact that Al Jefferson and Kevin Love are already an established front court duo. The best part about Johnson is the fact that he WANTS to play in Minnesota! Johnson played for Syracuse where close friend Jonny Flynn also played. Johnson will bring a scorer to the small forward position, and should help Minnesota improve on their fifteen win season last year.
5. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Not much to say here. Cousins is easily the most talented center in this year's draft. He will bring an inside presence that is greatly needed to Sacramento. The Kings could also put together a pretty good core of young, talented players by drafting Cousins. Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, and Cousins could become the three main players for Sacramento's future. Just think of the possibilities if the Kings still had Kevin Martin! That would certainly be a formidable team. The Kings are also experiencing some buzz around the league with free agents, and Cousins would do nothing but help bring a big name to Sacramento.
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