Mock Draft 2.0: Highlighting team needs for the lottery

Team Needs: Forwards, Starting center, Shooters

The Oklahoma City Thunder have an All-Star level point guard in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and seem to have hit both of their first-round picks last season in adding Josh Giddey and Tre Mann to the mix in the backcourt. That’s a strong foundation to build on, and the Thunder need to find frontcourt help with their two lottery picks this year.

Keegan Murray would be excellent value at No. 7 and provide some scoring and shooting punch from the 3 or the 4. The Thunder love to have their ball-handlers drive into the defense, and Murray can either spot-up around those actions to attack a scrambling defense or even do the driving himself, with his size to finish drawing even more help into the paint.

Team Needs: Wings, Positionally-versatile players, good defenders

The New Orleans Pelicans had an abysmal start to the season and never saw Zion Williamson play a single minute, but by the end of the year they had three rookies in their playoff rotation and took the top-seeded Phoenix Suns to six games. Unusually among teams picking in the lottery (the Pelicans are using the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick here) they have their starting lineup locked up: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas.

With Devonte’ Graham and Jose Alvarado behind McCollum, and Jaxson Hayes behind Valanciunas, the Pelicans now need to fill in from the 2-to-4 with players who can shoot, play defense and move fluidly between positions. Griffin’s shooting and athleticism make him an option at any of those positions, and he can join “Duke South” alongside Ingram and Williamson.