How Can I Help You? Memphis Grizzlies

How much longer will Gay be a Grizzly?

After upsetting the San Antonio Spurs as an eight seed and taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games last year, a lot was expected out of the Memphis Grizzlies this season. And after a late season surge followed by a home playoff series, it seemed like they would be able to meet expectations. Then you saw what happened. They blew leads, had issues with Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph, and lost to the Clippers. The team looks to get back on track, starting with the 2012 draft.

The Grizzlies begin the teams that only have one draft pick. From here on out, the rest of the teams will have just their lone pick. All the teams that had multiple picks have been covered already.

Some of the more interesting free agents decisions lie in Memphis. Their time with Gilbert Arenas went better than many had expected, but there doesn't seem to be much reason to bring this nut case back. Hamed Haddadi likely won't return either. He's a nice player off the bench, but isn't vital to the team and can be passed on. The O. J. Mayo decision looms here. Many think Mayo will be let free. His attitude problems have caused the team headaches and he's almost been traded multiple times. Mayo is a very talented scorer and provided the Griz with a lift off the bench, but his days in the state of Tennessee have been numbered for a while now.

Finally, of course, is the Mareese Speights-Darrell Arthur debate. Both are talented and young power forwards who would be more than capable of backing up Randolph. So who do they choose? Speights has a better low post game and is the superior rebounder, but Arthur is the better defender and showed a lot of promise before he went down with an injury last season. My thought is that they'll at least sign one of them, if not both (because you don't know what you'll get with Randolph these days), so we'll call them King Sparthur.

Another storyline to remember is the possible trading of Gay. It seems as though he doesn't fit into the team's makeup, and Memphis could get a nice haul for him. They would be without a small forward, and Gay is one of the best, so keep an eye on that.

Now let's look at the Grizzlies' current team. Mike Conley is the point guard and has developed into one of the best in the league. He is in his prime and is showing no signs of slowing down, which is why I'm confused as to why so many mocks have Memphis selecting Marquis Teague, Kentucky's PG.  Sure, they'll want a backup (although they did draft Josh Selby last year), but why waste your only pick on something that's not a serious need? A veteran guard to come off the bench would be great for this team. It worked with Derek Fisher and the Thunder this year and it actually worked with Arenas on the Grizzlies too. So sorry to be a spoiler, but this squad does not need a point guard and Teague is not the pick. Shooting guard is a completely different story. Presumably without Mayo, all Memphis has is defensive veteran Tony Allen. They will want to add SG who has big time scoring ability, but they need  to be careful not to draft a Mayo clone.

Either Arthur or Speights (Philly) may not be back in Memphis.

At small forward lies Gay and Quincy Pondexter. Although Pondexter was a capable backup last season, the question mark that is Rudy Gay may make this team draft a SF. At power forward is the mess of Randolph and King Sparthur. I don't see the team drafting a PF because they have the ability to figure out that position with the players on their current roster. Finally, Marc Gasol would be the lone center if Haddadi leaves. Memphis may want to find a big to help him out.

So let's see here. We need a big time scorer and shooting guard, a small forward with high potential, or a C to back up Gasol. And they have to be physical. That is the Grizzlies' style and they'll want players who will buy into it. With all that being said, let's explore the options for Memphis' only selection, #25.

There are three tiers of shooting guards that the Grizzlies can choose from here. In the first tier, they would have to move up to grab Dion Waiters or Terrence Ross. Waiters stock is rising fast and Ross will probably already be picked high so unless they make a big move, they may not be able to grab one of them. Oh, and they SHOULD NOT draft Austin Rivers. Remember the Mayo clone reference? Yeah, that's him.

The second tier is a trio of players who should mostly be available around #25. Doron Lamb is probably their best bet. He adds clutch scoring and leadership. He knows what it takes to win and will buy into Memphis' style. John Jenkins from Vanderbilt may be the best shooter of the draft. He's lights out from anywhere and is able to create his own shot with pump fakes. He will struggle in some areas, so whoever drafts him will know what they're getting, but he could be instant offense off the bench. Evan Fournier from France is another prospect who excels at getting to the basket.

Right below these guys is the third tier that consists of Jared Cunningham, Will Barton, and Khris Middleton. Cunningham probably won't be considered because he is a defensive specialist. Both Barton and Middleton have a wide arsenal to score. Middleton's the better shooter, so that could tilt things in his favor.

White will become the NBA's swiss army knife.

If the team looks to go the small forward route, there are a plethora of guys around this spot in the draft, and there certainly should be a few of them left. Terrence Jones and Perry Jones both have the potential that the Grizzlies are looking for, but it would be surprising if they're still on the board. Royce White from Iowa St. is a high risk/high reward kind of guy who could really be special if he masters all of his tools. Vanderbilt's Jeffery Taylor is a versatile player who shoots at a very high percentage and could become a top defender in the NBA. Quincy Miller is similar. The Baylor product's defense is aided by his incredible wingspan (7'3") and he can create his own shot. Finally, Moe Harkless from St. John's could be a very good scorer in this league and although he is still raw, has great potential.

Here's how I would rank the SF's for Memphis: Perry Jones, Terrence Jones, Harkless, White, Taylor, Miller. If they decide to draft at this position, they should follow this chain.

If, by chance, the team does go the center route, there are two options: Fab Melo and Festus Ezeli. There is a chance Melo may be gone by now, but that doesn't matter, because Ezeli fits better with the Grizzlies. Ezeli is strong, has a big frame, and a long wingspan. His quick feet are also a plus. The Nigerian big man would embrace the physical Memphis game.

Who they draft depends on who is left, so let me create a short list of prospects. Excluding Waiters, Ross, and both Jones', they should draft in this order: Lamb, Harkless, White, Jenkins, Taylor, Middleton, Ezeli, Miller, Barton. Ultimately, I think they'll draft White. He has lottery level talent and may already be picked here, but I have a hunch he may drop to this spot. Even if the team doesn't get rid of Gay, White would be a very good backup.

With that, the team's starting lineup would still be Conley, Allen, Gay, Randolph, and Gasol, and the bench would consist of Selby, White, Pondexter, and King Sparthur. This team still has issues at depth and perimeter scoring, but they have options in this draft and free agency could help them even more.

The Indiana Pacers nearly beat the Miami Heat this past season in the playoffs. They're now on the clock. Who do they take? Check back to find out.

How Can I Help You? Atlanta Hawks

Johnson has yet to live up to his massive contract.

It's the same story every year with the Hawks. They have a good core. They make the playoffs. They have talented players. And then they go nowhere. Atlanta has to find a way to change that, and the draft may be the answer.

The guys to build around on this team are Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford. Johnson was the beneficiary of a gluttonous contract not too long ago. Horford is one of the best up and coming centers in the league. And Smith, while he has been the subject of trade talks, is an incredibly talented player, especially on the defensive end.

The team has quite a few free agents. Ivan Johnson is a restricted free agent, and he was a nice find for the Hawks. His rebounding will get him resigned and backing up Smith. Willie Green and Kirk Hinrich were solid guards off the bench. It would not be a shock to see the team resigning either of them. Hinrich can still teach starter Jeff Teague a thing or two. Jannero Pargo and Vladimir Radmanovic are both expendable and won't return. Tracy McGrady and Jerry Stackhouse are much too old, and shouldn't be brought back. Erick Dampier did nothing for Atlanta, averaging 0.1 points per game. He's gone.

With that, the team would bring back its main players, but still need to make some adjustments. Teague has the ability to be a top PG in the NBA, but is still growing. Hinrich backing him up is a good pairing. Then, at shooting guard lies Johnson, who still needs to live up to his major contract. Green will play behind him.

At small forward is the incumbent Marvin Williams. Williams was drafted so high and has yet to live up to his potential. With no one behind him, the team will look to add a SF. At power forward are Smith and Johnson. And then at center are Horford and Zaza Pachulia. It looks like Atlanta has good players and a depth. Every position has capable talent aside from small forward. The issue seems to be that the Hawks talent is just not good enough. They'll look to add that in the draft.

Atlanta picks 23rd and 43rd in the draft. It's important for them to aim high, but not too high and take too big of a risk. Let's take a look at the choices.

Jones would be pumped to be a Hawk.

There are a handful of intriguing forwards in the draft. Iowa St.'s Royce White has several tools that he can use to help his team, but it doesn't seem like his potential puts him at what the Hawks are looking for. Moe Harkless from St. John's has fantastic scoring ability, but he probably won't be ready to help the team right away. If Perry Jones or Terrence Jones are still available, the team should grab one of them immediately. Perry is the better choice because of his massive potential and incredible versatility, but Terrence is safer and has NBA level scoring and rebounding skills. Jeffery Taylor from Vanderbilt is another player who has a lot of different skills, but his ball handling deficiency may steer the team away from him.

In the end, I see Terrence Jones falling a bit and Atlanta happily taking him. It would be a steal if they can get him.

At #43, the Hawks will truly be looking for the best player available. A great find would be if they can pick out a solid defender who can contribute immediately. I'll go over some players like that.

"Atlanta is this way?"

Tyshawn Taylor from Kansas can defend the perimeter well, but also has a nice offensive game to pair with it. Andrew Albicy from France is a hard nosed defender who could come in for Teague and be disruptive. Jared Cunningham has the length and skills to defend most wing players, but he's shooting up draft boards. Kris Joseph from Syracuse has a massive wingspan to help his game. JaMychal Green of Alabama averaged 1.6 blocks per game last season.

I believe that Taylor is the way to go here. If that happens, the team will have a starting lineup of Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Terrence Jones, Josh Smith, and Al Horford, and a bench of Tyshawn Taylor, Kirk Hinrich, Willie Green, Marvin Williams, Ivan Johnson, and Zaza Pachulia. Atlanta's problems may not be completely solved, but these moves will certainly help their team.

Up next are the Memphis Grizzlies who look to elevate themselves to contend at the top of the Western Conference.

How Can I Help You? Boston Celtics

Do these guys have what it takes to win another?

Now here, we have a real puzzle. After losing to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals, is it time to break up the Boston Celtics' core? Or do they have another title run in them? Who do you resign? How do you draft? We'll take a look at all of these scenarios.

Personally, I believe that Boston should keep its team together. Yes, they are old, but also extremely talented. They shocked everyone in the playoffs this year, and I think they have what it takes to do it again. The Celtics just have to be careful with who they resign and how much they resign them for.

There are only five players on the team that won't be free agents: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Avery Bradley, JaJuan Johnson, and E'Twaun Moore. The first three are well know key cogs to this team, while the two rookies from Purdue may be the future of this team. Let's break down every free agent.

Keyon Dooling was a nice spark off the bench during Boston's playoff run, but it's unlikely that he will be resigned. Ray Allen, of course, is a big question mark. Allen's play declined greatly this year due to injuries. If the Celtics keep their Big 4 together, do they oust Allen and make it a Big 3 again? I have to believe that Allen will be resigned for a smaller contract. Mickael Pietrus was one of the main contributors off the bench, and he should be resigned because of his defense and three point shooting. Marquis Daniels and Sasha Pavlovic will both leave town, and I don't think too many Celtic fans will be crying because of that. Jeff Green should get a new contract after making it through his heart conditions. He'll be a big help off the bench playing both forward spots. Kevin Garnett will almost definitely be given more money. He revived his career this season and he may have a few good years left in him. Brandon Bass had a fantastic season at PF for the team, and he will likely exercise his player option to stay in Boston. Chris Wilcox, Ryan Hollins, and Sean Williams are expendable and will not be missed. The Jermaine O'Neal project will end in Boston. And finally, Greg Stiemsma will probably get brought back for his defense.

Phew. This is just too much. Now that that's all projected (obviously it's subject to change, so the accuracy of all of this is questionable), let's take a look at the Celtics' depth chart.

PG: Rajon Rondo, E'Twaun Moore
SG: Avery Bradley, Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce, Mickael Pietrus
PF: Brandon Bass, Jeff Green, JaJuan Johnson
C: Kevin Garnett, Greg Stiemsma

Boston has two picks in the first round (#21 and #22) and one pick in the second round (#51). In my opinion, I think the team should draft a wing scorer (specifically one for if Allen is injured or too old and to be his eventual replacement) and a defensive minded center (to back up KG and learn under him and sorry Stiemer, but your run won't last forever). And with the 51st pick, Boston should really take the best player available. Who knows, maybe they'll find a small forward that will eventually wind up succeeding Pierce? Let's see what we've got to work with.

The reason why I think taking an enforcer in the paint this high is important is because of the Celtics' previous title run. Having Kendrick Perkins down low made a huge difference against the Lakers. And when they didn't have him for Game 7 in 2010, they lost their chance at a title.

Melo will be an enforcer in the NBA.

So who to take? There are two options: Fab Melo from Syracuse and Festus Ezeli from Vanderbilt.  Melo is a defensive nightmare. His shot blocking and shot altering ability is out of this world. Plus, he's also been developing his offensive game a bit. Ezeli's size, bulk, and ability to muscle opponents down low are what makes him attractive. I like Melo here because he's a more dynamic defender.

The shooting guard pick is not as clear cut. There are actually of lot of different ways that Boston can go about this. The most intriguing scenario is having Austin Rivers, Doc Rivers' son, fall to pick #21. I doubt the Celtics would take him because the father-son relationship would complicate a lot of things, but it's some food for the thought.

There are three young men who would fit well in this position: Kevin Murphy, Khris Middleton, and Will Barton. All three have a knack for scoring. Middleton is incredibly dynamic, but injury history is a cause for concern. Barton is a wizard at attacking the basket, but needs more bulk. And Murphy is simply a pure scorer. The only problem with these guys is that selecting them this high in the draft is too much of a reach.

Evan Fournier from France could also be the pick. He has a solid scoring ability and is very clutch. His winning mentality will transfer well over to Boston.

Lamb has scoring that would be welcomed in Boston.

However, with all of these guys aside, I like Doron Lamb from Kentucky. Lamb is a great scorer and an efficient one at that, but his leadership quality cannot be ignored. He led the Wildcat freshmen to a title last year-as a sophomore. The Celtics will find just what they're looking for.

While I did say that "Best player available" is the mindset at pick #51, there's no shame if the Celtics have a SF in mind. Here are some of their options.

At small forward, while unlikely he will still be around, the most ideal selection would be Lamb's Kentucky teammate, Darius Miller. Miller is a very efficient scorer, and the Celtics picked two teammates in last year's draft, so it's not out of the question for them to do it again.

Kostas Papinkoloau from Greece is a hard working, high motor, lengthy defender who can also shoot the three ball. He would be welcomed on Boston. Jae Crowder from Marquette epitomizes hard work. It just remains to be seen if he can play on the perimeter full time in the NBA. Orlando Johnson from UCSB is a fluid athlete with a nice shooting touch. Finally, Tony Mitchell from North Texas has the tools to be a dominant player in the NBA, and he can reach his potential under Rivers and all of the Celtic vets. Out of all them, I say Papinkoloau has the best chance to make an immediate impact, but also be a part of Boston's future.

So now, let's take a look at that updated Boston depth chart.

PG: Rajon Rondo, E'Twaun Moore
SG: Avery Bradley, Ray Allen, Doron Lamb
SF: Paul Pierce, Mickael Pietrus, Kostas Papinkoloau
PF: Brandon Bass, Jeff Green, JaJuan Johnson
C: Kevin Garnett, Fab Melo, Greg Stiemsma

The team has not only improved, but now looks a lot younger. If the new guys mesh well with the Celtic's core and know their roles, Boston may have another title run left in them.

After that concoction in the lab, I'll focus next on the Atlanta Hawks, who also have a lot of figuring out to do.

How Can I Help You? Denver Nuggets

Gallinari could morph into a star.

The Nuggets are a very talented team. They received a bunch of pieces in the Carmello Anthony trade which morphed into a single unit playing as one. The transition that Denver made is impressive, but they're not quite at the level of title contender. Their biggest need is a superstar. Maybe Danilo Gallinari will become that. Regardless, with three draft picks, they'll be looking to add more cogs to their well oiled machine.

Denver has three free agents leaving. One is Andre Miller. The backup point guard was very good in spelling Ty Lawson and playing as more of a true PG, but he may want more money or a bigger role. I have a feeling that he won't return to the Nuggets. Rudy Fernandez was decent coming off the bench, but the team is crowded at the wing, so he's doubtful to come back. Finally, Javale McGee is a restricted free agent. Denver traded away Nene for McGee to get younger at center, so there's no reason he won't be back with the team.

Not many teams can say that backup point guard is one of their top needs, but it is for the Nuggets. Lawson and Miller complimented each other so well, and it's important for the team to not miss a beat at that position. That will likely be addressed later in the draft. Denver has a plethora of wing players to occupy both the shooting guard and small forward positions. Aaron Afflalo and Gallinari are the starters. Corey Brewer was a nice spark plug off the bench. Jordon Hamilton was a first rounder last season. Wilson Chandler was welcomed with open arms after his return from overseas. And Al Harrington had one of his best years last season, and can play both forward spots.

Harrington can play PF too, but the consensus is that the team needs more frontcourt help after McGee and Kenneth Faried. Faried is a high energy player and had a solid rookie year, but his offensive ability (like McGee's) is limited. Kosta Koufos, Timofey Mozgov, and Chris Anderson are all expendable.

The team is looking for a backup PG and depth at both the power forward and center positions. They pick 20th, 38th, and 50th. Let's begin, shall we?

I fully expect the team to take a big man at #20. The kind of point guard they're looking for is going to be there later in the draft. Also, it's worth noting that the two centers who will be around at this point of the draft are Fab Melo and Festus Ezeli. Neither have much offensive ability and wouldn't fit well with this team. Unless Tyler Zeller somehow drops here, the Nuggets should go power forward.

There's a bunch of questions about some of the PF's here. Is Terrence Jones big enough to play that spot? Is it possible that someone like Perry Jones or Arnett Moultrie could slip this far? Is it worth reaching on a big like Drew Gordon or Mike Scott?

Sullinger bring offense on the block.

Those are all questions that likely don't result in positive answer for Denver. That being said, I see two options here: Jared Sullinger and Andrew Nicholson.

Sullinger is a very skilled big down low. His post moves are physical and dominant and he has improved his jump shot as well. There are questions about his physical tools and lack of potential, but if Sully drops to #20, the Nuggets would be glad to scoop him up. Many think he won't, but I haven't come across too many teams yet who really want Sullinger, so he's the pick here if he's available.

Nicholson is a different kind of beast. His face up post game and crafty moves around the basket are how he scores. He can even stretch the floor and shoot threes. He doesn't have as much bulk as Sullinger, but he should be drafted by Denver if the Ohio St. PF is taken.

Denver may wind up reaching on Nicholson, as well as these next two picks, but they're going to get their guys, and there's nothing wrong with that. With pick #38, the team should go out and snatch Iona's Scott Machado. Machado has been mocked all over the second round, so the Nuggets won't want to take their chances and wait for him at #50. Machado may be the best pure point guard in the draft besides Kendall Marshall. He is stellar at running the offense and has amazing court vision. He'll fit well with a scorer like Lawson, both by complimenting him and being a change of pace guard.

Gates is literally a monster down low.

Now, with the 50th pick, the team will want to draft an offensive center to split time with McGee. Robert Sacre, Henry Sims, and Justin Hamilton aren't overly skilled on that side of the ball, and would't really be the best fits here. Instead, let's enter Cincinnati's Yancy Gates.

Gates weighs nearly 300 pounds, so despite his lack of size (6'9" for a center), he'll be a load in the post. He does need to get tougher, but Denver will like his skills with the ball. He has a soft touch around the rim and can also consistently hit mid range jumpers. If he works hard on his game, Gates could become a very dynamic scoring big man in the pros.

Denver gets just what they need by grabbing Sullinger, Machado, and Gates. That gives them a starting five of Lawson, Afflalo, Gallinari, Faried, and McGee, and a bench of Machado, Hamilton, Chandler, Brewer, Harrington, Sullinger, and Gates. Once again, this team has an enormous amount of depth, something that they could use for trade bait if they try to acquire a superstar.

In my next segment, I will discuss not only the draft of the Boston Celtics, but what they should do with their current players and free agents.

How Can I Help You? Orlando Magic

Howard's drama has taken its toll on the team.

A team that made it to the NBA Finals a mere three years ago is on the verge of collapsing under its selfish superstar and entering a very painful rebuilding process. The Orlando Magic need to trade Dwight Howard this season and get young pieces for him so they can start rebuilding. They'll do their best to replace aging players and free agents in this year's draft.

The biggest free agent leaving Orlando is point guard Jameer Nelson, and it's unlikely he'll be resigned. Nelson seems to have lost a step since the Magic glory days, and the team will be looking for his replacement. The other key FA is Ryan Anderson. Anderson had a breakout year last season. His combination of size and three point shooting has turned him into the cornerstone of this team. He's still only 24, so the Magic will do whatever it takes to resign him. Every other free agent will probably go, except for Earl Clark who will likely exercise his player option.

With that being said, the only point guard left on the roster is the ancient Chris Duhon who averaged 3.8 points per game last season. It's time to find a new PG. At shooting guard are Jason Richardson and J. J. Redick. This is a sticky situation. Richardson can still produce but is certainly getting older. Redick has improved over the years, but it's hard to say that he's a starting caliber player. SG is not a major need, but it wouldn't be shocking to see them draft one.

Hedo Turkoglu lies at small forward and he really needs to go. Orlando would love to dump his salary somewhere else. Power forward is the position where the Magic have the most depth. Anderson is the starter, Justin Harper is a second year man out of Richmond who is still developing, and Clark can play some minutes there as well. The team shouldn't draft for that position.

Then there's the question of center. You know Howard is out one way or another. Glen Davis is the current starter, and although he's only 6'9", he dominated filling in for Howard in a small Magic lineup. He's proven he can play and deserves the job. However, drafting a big man is not out of the question. They've been so used to having a dominant C, and at the very least, they'll want depth behind Davis.

So here are the Magic's needs in order of importance: Point guard, small forward, big man to back up (or replace) Davis, wing defender.

Orlando picks 19th and 49th in the draft. PG and SF are the two biggest needs, and we'll consider center too with the first pick.

Teague would be Orlando's PG of the future.

As I mentioned in one of my last articles, the best and only point guard to take at this position is Kentucky's Marquis Teague. Teague shined in the NCAA tournament last year and showed flashes of a talented and attacking PG like his brother, Jeff. Tony Wroten from Washington is another option, but Teague shows superior passing skills and potential.

If small forward is what they desire at this spot, look at a pair of Jones': Terrence and Perry. These two are very versatile and are oozing with potential, meaning they could still be available at #19 or could be already taken in the lottery. St. John's Moe Harkless is another choice, and although he is still raw, he will provide an immediate scoring punch.

Moving on to the 49th pick, the Magic still have a lot of options. A defensive SF is probably their best best, but don't be surprised if they draft a center. I've gone over quite a few times the big men is this draft because the C position is so thin. Andre Drummond will go in the lottery. Meyers Leonard and Tyler Zeller will go either right in or right out of the lottery. Fab Melo and Festus Ezeli will go late first round. That leaves the usual suspects: Henry Sims and Robert Sacre. While I think Sims is the better prospect, Sacre is a better fit for Orlando. His bulk will help with Davis' lack of size and his impressive post moves will try and help the team forget about Howard. Plus, he's an 80% free throw shooter, something that would make the Magic jump for joy.

At the three spot, two players jump out to me. Kris Joseph of Syracuse has incredible length and could become a very good defender in this league. Alex Young of IUPUI has excellent scoring ability, and he too could be a great defender.

Personally, I think the team should grab Teague and Sacre. That would give them a starting five of Marquis Teague, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Ryan Anderson, and Glen Davis, and a bench of J. J. Redick, Earl Clark, Justin Harper, and Robert Sacre. This team still looks like it could possibly sneak into the playoffs, and if they have a solid draft and get a good haul for Howard, the Magic should make a smooth transition.

Up next are the young and talented Denver Nuggets, who nearly stole a playoff series from the Lakers this year.

How Can I Help You? Minnesota Timberwolves

Rubio looks to build off of a big rookie year.

For a team that's been historically miserable in the draft, Minnesota may have finally turned it around. By drafting Ricky Rubio and swapping O. J. Mayo for Kevin Love, the signs are there that this team is close to the playoffs. Having their two stars healthy for the whole season is key, but they need to add more talent in the draft.

The Timberwolves are lucky to only be losing three forwards to free agency: Anthony Randolph, Anthony Tolliver, and Michael Beasley. Both Anthony's are mediocre players who never lived up to their potential so they're out. As is Beasley, whose talented yet erratic play had him at the center of trade rumors last season.

So the team is pretty much the same as it was last year. Rubio should take over the starting point guard position and Luke Ridnour will shift to a backup role. J. J. Barea is another guard to eat minutes. Shooting guard is a tough position. Wes Johnson, although ineffective, has now shifted to small forward, so the team is left with Martell Webster, Wayne Ellington, and Malcolm Lee. Lee was drafted last year as a defensive specialist, so he's the only important one here, but he's not a starting caliber player. Johnson will probably slide into a backup role and Derrick Williams will take over the starting duties at SF as he looks to live up to his #2 pick hype.

Love is the cornerstone at power forward, but the team found a hidden gem in Nikola Pekovic at center. He broke out last season and has established himself as the new starter. Darko Milicic will play behind him.

So while this team doesn't have a tremendous amount of depth (except point guard), its main need is a shooting guard, and its secondary need is a big man to get minutes off the bench for Love.

At this point, Dion Waiters will probably be gone. Austin Rivers probably will be too, but it's not impossible to think he could still be available. I first mocked Rivers to Minnesota, but I don't like him as a prospect. I think his game can succeed in the NBA, but individually, not in a team setting. He certainly wouldn't be a bad option here, but I caution the pick.

Lamb is a cool 'Cat under pressure.

Instead, take a look at Doron Lamb from Kentucky. Lamb was the go-to guy for an extremely talented Wildcats' squad last year. He was their most consistent scorer, and when they needed a basket, he would give it to them. His leadership and offense would be extremely valuable to the T-Wolves. Another option is John Jenkins from Vanderbilt, although with Minnesota's luck, he'd likely turn into a one-dimensional shooter and get lost in the shuffle.

The team also has the third to last pick in the draft, which they should use on a power forward. Since it's so late in the draft, they'll have to dig deep here. Greg Mangano from Yale is a big man who has the ability to shoot threes. However, he strays to the perimeter too much, and he's not as valuable as Love who also hits the deep ball. Kyle O'Quinn from Norfolk St. would be a physical rebounder and give Minnesota a frontcourt that can effectively clean the glass for 48 minutes a night. Mitchell Watt is an athletic post player and big time scorer, as evident in his play at Buffalo.

Selecting Lamb and Watt is the way to go here. That would give the T-Wolves a starting squad of Ricky Rubio, Doron Lamb, Derrick Williams, Kevin Love, and Nikola Pecovic, and a bench consisting of J. J. Barea, Luke Ridnour, Malcolm Lee, Wes Johnson, Mitchell Watt, and Darko Milicic. Call me crazy, but I think that that team could possibly make the postseason if it stays healthy.

Tomorrow, I attack another mess in the Orlando Magic.

How Can I Help You? Dallas Mavericks

Dirk wants another ring, but his 2011 teammates are all but gone.

Over the past few months, the Dallas Mavericks have received a wakeup call. They realized that their plan of capturing Deron Williams and Dwight Howard and giving Dirk Nowitzki one last run at an NBA title may not work out as perfectly as they thought. Then they got swept by the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. Now they have to deal with a slew of free agents. Dallas may be in trouble.

The main goal for the Mavs is to obtain the pieces to win Dirk another ring, so we'll keep that in mind. We'll also act as if the team won't be getting Williams or Howard, because neither of those are sure things (although Williams is more likely because Dallas would have to trade for Howard). Let's take a look at the guys they're losing first.

Both Jason Kidd and Jason Terry will likely not be back with the team. The duo that won a championship last year is getting old, and neither are truly starting caliber players. Kidd would be a great veteran backup and Terry may be limited even in his bench role. Delonte West is a guy that they could resign. West wouldn't demand a huge contract and he showed similar promise this year with Dallas as he did when LeBron James was on the Cavaliers. He's a talented and versatile guard that is very valuable and will likely remain as the team's shooting guard. As for Ian Mahinmi, the big man should find a bigger contract elsewhere, and not be resigned by the team.

All that being said, Dallas has a lot of holes. With Kidd gone, all that's left at PG is Rodrigue Beaubois. Beaubois is more of a high energy backup, so the Mavs will need a point man. Then, West is at shooting guard and Vince Carter is backing him up. While Carter wasn't outstanding last year, he should be good enough to come off the bench, although he is getting older.

Shawn Marion is still the team's small forward but they will be looking for his eventual replacement. The same goes with Nowitzki at power forward. He's still an All-Star, but the team will want to find a new PF knowing that he doesn't have too much time left in the league. And finally, Brendan Haywood is at center. Haywood is no more than a veteran backup. The team needs a new center.

So here's the theme for the Mavericks' draft: Draft the best player at nearly every position because we have serious needs everywhere with free agents and guys going gray, but look specifically for players who can make an immediate impact and help Dirk win a title.

Yeah, let's do that...

Dallas must understand that they're not going to give Nowitzki a championship team through their draft picks (#17 and #55), but rather give him championship teammates. With that in mind, let's find some players who can help out right away.

If the team is looking at a point guard, they'll likely miss out on the Lillard/Marshall sweepstakes unless they trade up. Therefore, the best (and only option) at this point in the draft is Kentucky's Marquis Teague. Teague is a great passer and a good scorer, but he has room for improvement, especially on his jump shot. He may not be able to make a big enough impact at the point in the next few years, so Dallas may look away.

The Mavs could also try to add a combo guard, in which case, Dion Waiters or Austin Rivers are options. It's questionable that they'll still be on the board at #17, but would add talent and scoring to the guard position. Rivers may be more NBA ready, but his attitude and style of play makes him a bigger risk. Waiters is a safer pick.

White's game is similar to Shawn Marion's.

There are a handful of small forwards if the team wants to look for a backup and eventual replacement for Marion. Moe Harkless from St. John's is a talented and athletic scorer who will add instant offense to this team. He'll also get the chance to learn under Marion. Royce White from Iowa St. is a very similar player to Marion in the sense that they both have a variety of tools (scoring, rebounding, defense, blocking shots). This may be the perfect place for White to refine his game and reach his full potential. Then there's Terrence Jones from Kentucky. While he took a step back from his freshman season, he can still score at the pro level and play both forward positions. Jefferey Taylor is another versatile option that has strengths in nearly every asset of the game.

A lot of talented PF's will be taken at this time, so Dirk's future replacement may not be taken in this draft. However, it's interesting to see if Dallas takes a look at St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson. Nicholson is similar to Nowitzki in the sense that he scores in so many ways, is crafty, and has a high basketball IQ. It's definitely a reach, but keep an eye out for that.

Fab Melo and Festus Ezeli are two defensive minded centers that should still be around for the Mavs' pick, I just can't seem them being selected. They're not going to contribute too much more than Haywood for at least a few seasons, and Dallas should draft a big man later instead.

That was a mouthful. See? This team is difficult because it put itself in a difficult position. With all of that being said, I think the team should take Harkless or White. Both players seem like perfect fits here, especially White. They'll be able to make an immediate impact while not being thrown into the fire right away.

Now, onto the 55th pick. The Mavericks should take the best player available, but keep point guard and center specifically in mind. Here's a few guys for those spots.

Satoransky is the tallest PG since Magic Johnson.

Tomas Satoransky of the Czech Republic is a combo guard who will be ready to play right away. He has great size (6'8") and solid offensive ability. Xavier's Tu Holloway is a physical scorer for a point guard and is developing his passing skills. A reach here would be Long Beach St.'s Casper Ware. He has all the tools to be a big time point guard, but his height (5'10") is an issue. He would be more of the next J. J. Barea than the next Kidd.

Because center is a thin position in this draft, I believe the Mavs look in free agency for a big to spell Haywood. If they do go this route, I suggest Justin Hamilton from LSU. Hamilton is a very mobile C with good hands and a high motor. He may be able to contribute in certain spots for Dallas.

In conclusion, I would go with Royce White and Tomas Satoransky. Those two would give them a starting lineup of Rodrigue Beaubois, Delonte West, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, and Brendan Haywood, and a bench that includes White, Satoransky, and Vince Carter.

Age and depth is a huge issue for this team in limbo, so the best they can do is to try to fix both to the best of their abilities. I think I did a pretty good job of helping them out with that. This team could be title contenders with Williams, Howard, or both, so they'll keep their fingers crossed.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are now on the clock, and we'll see if they truly have lost the title of "Worst Drafters Ever."