2015 NBA Predictions – Draft Recap: Top 5 Biggest Winners

2015 NBA Predictions – Draft Recap: Top 5 Biggest Winners: While landing a marquee free agent can certainly transform an NBA team from a pretender into a contender, the NBA Draft is also a great way for a team to acquire players that will eventually take them to the next level. Of course, not every team gets it right every year, but for those teams that do hit on a solid pick, they move that much closer to contending. On the heels of the 2015 NBA Draft, here is a closer look at this year’s biggest winners.

2015 NBA Predictions – Draft Recap: Top 5 Biggest Winners

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

There are plenty of examples of a team holding the No. 1 pick and blowing it, but the Timberwolves knocked this one of the park. Not only does top pick Karl-Anthony Towns have superstar upside thanks to his offensive versatility and defensive presence, but he also fits a major need for the Timberwolves, who came into the draft needed defensive help in the frontcourt and a go-to scorer down low. Working a trade for Tyus Jones was also a nice move. Jones is too small to be a star at the point guard spot, but he is smart, skilled player capable of spelling Ricky Rubio while maintaining the up-tempo pace the Timberwolves plan to use. In a year or two, the Timberwolves are going to be making some serious noise.

2. Miami Heat

Sometimes, a team is able to luck a diamond out of the rough because of their own intuition. Other times, a gem simply falls into their laps, and this is exactly what happened when Justise Winslow was still sitting their when Miami was on the clock. The Heat wasted little time grabbing Winslow, who is an excellent athlete and one of the top perimeter defenders in this class. He has plenty of offensive upside, as well, and he gives the Heat a quality option to spell both Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng and eventually replace Deng completely. The bottom line is that Miami was able to add an NBA-ready player to a lineup that will likely feature Wade, Chris Bosh, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. Miami suddenly looks like one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference.

3. Los Angeles Lakers

Having the guts to pass on Jahlil Okafor in favor of D’Angelo Russell was a brilliant move by the Lakers. Russell a dynamic point guard that can beat defenses with his scoring and passing, and his presence will make life a lot easier for everyone else on the offensive end. Equally as important, Russell makes the Lakers a more attractive option for free-agent big men, and LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love are among the elite bigs rumored to be interested this offseason, and history says the Lakers will have no trouble attracting a franchise big man at some point. The second-round pick of Anthony Brown was also solid. Brown is a sharpshooter with great size, and he will provide some much needed spacing and perimeter firepower. The Lakers are now just a free agent away from being very relevant again.

4. Orlando Magic

If you haven’t watched Mario Hezonja play, you will be in for a treat. He is a lights out shooter with great range, and he has legit NBA athleticism and uses it to attack the basket. He is the type of player that can get his own shot at will, and for an Orlando team stockpiled with versatile athletes like Aaron Gordon and Victor Oladipo, a reliable scorer like Hezonja fills a huge need. Don’t be surprised if the Magic are pushing for the playoffs in the weak Eastern Conference as soon as next season, and this team is going to be exciting to watch in the coming years.

5. New York Knicks

Despite the cascade of boos from fans during draft night, the Knicks actually made out pretty good. Yes, the Kristaps Porzingis pick is questionable, but only because he may need time to develop and Carmelo Anthony is in his prime right now. Porzingis had the highest ceiling of any of the prospects remaining, so selecting an inferior prospect that may or may not provide Anthony with help any sooner could be judged as equally foolish. Plus, the Knicks made a great move by working a deal for Jerian Grant. Grant has the size and skills to play either guard position, and he gives the Knicks a play-making ball-handler that they desperately need. The bottom line is that a terrible Knicks team got a lot more talented with this draft.

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