General managers around the league have a good idea what is needed to make their respective teams better next season and for those in good position in the players draft, help could be coming with the addition of some good young talent this summer.
Boston is in good shape as the Celtics own Brooklyn’s first round pick, which could be the top overall selection. Danny Ainge has already done a good job in adding talent as the franchise is currently third in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 25-15 record.
Looking ahead, the latest mocks from leading experts have the franchise taking a point guard with the pick and two PAC 12 guards are leading the way in the latest player rankings. Markelle Fultz of Washington and Lonzo Ball of UCLA are both excellent options in a year where the position is deep in talent.
Miami and Philadelphia are also in the market for a new floor leader and for the 76ers, they have been linked in several trade rumors, a move that could make this a playoff team in 2018. The Heat are also thin in the back court and Dennis Smith of NC State is another youngster ready to make a splash in the NBA and starting his career in South Beach would be a great start for the young man,
For those teams looking for help in the paint, Jonathan Isaac of Florida State and Lauri Markkanen of Arizona are the top two options. Isaac has been linked with Minnesota and Denver, both of whom need depth in the front court. Markkanen could be headed to New Orleans or Orlando to begin his professional basketball career.
While the season is in full gear, several youngsters will make a name for themselves in the coming weeks, but for the young men listed above, injuries are the only thing keeping them from becoming first round picks in June and with some luck, the players that help lead the league into the future.
