Pre NBA Lottery: Best Places For OSU’s D’Angelo Russell To Land
By Ryan Rosko
There are plenty of mock drafts that have been made regarding the next wave of NBA talent. That wave includes Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell, who is regarded by many to be one of the top picks late next month. Since the lottery has yet to occur, we can only guess what the order will be.
Emmanuel Mudiay from China (originally a commitment to SMU) and Russell are the top two guards in the 2015 NBA Draft and both have a very good chance at going in the top five picks.
According to ESPN’S 2015 NBA Lottery Mock Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the best chance at getting the number one pick with 25%. The New York Knicks (19.9), Philadelphia 76ers (15.6), Los Angeles Lakers (11.9), and the Orlando Magic (8.8) rounds out the top five best odds.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Ricky Rubio has signed an extension with the team late last year and the team already has other guards playing important roles like Kevin Martin and Zach LaVine. Andrew Wiggins, the recent winner of the Rookie of the Year award has played both SG and SF for the T’Wolves. Going forward, he should be just their SF. With 25%, Minnesota is not likely to drop out of the top two picks.
They have solid front court players but an upgrade is needed, especially with Kevin Garnett‘s age. Unless a trade happens for some forward/center help, they are going to have to go with a big man who will get mentored by Garnett, so I do not see Rusell going to the Timberwolves at all.
New York Knicks:
The Knicks are in the middle of a complete rebuild. Both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Shane Larkin have a bright future going forward.
There is not much to like in the front court outside of Carmelo Anthony, but their is a chance Russell could be considered more with New York especially if the Knicks pick three or later. If Russell did go to NY, playing time may be limited and it would be tough to grow as a player with the current roster.
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Philadelphia 76ers:
D’Angelo Russell would fit right into what Philadelphia is doing. Their roster is young and filled with plenty of big men. Nerlens Noel, Dario Saric (has yet to come to America), Joel Embiid (missed all of his rookie year) all has plenty of promise and potential.
The 76ers traded their starting PG Michael Carter-Williams at the trade deadline and really did not fill that position with a long term solution. The opportunity to play for the 76ers would provide Russell with immediate playing time, who can play both guard positions.
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Los Angeles Lakers:
D’ Angelo Russell would be a great addition to pair up with forward Julius Randle, the 7th overall last year by the Lakers. During the short term, Russell could be coming off the bench substituting in to play both guard spots, or start at PG, playing along side Kobe Bryant.
When Bryant decides to hang it up, Russell could slide into the permanent SG role for the team. Being that it is L.A., the former Buckeye could be playing for a good team fast with a team comprised of himself, Randle, Bryant, and potential top free agent signings.
Orlando Magic:
Sure the team could draft D’Angelo Russell, but they have more pressing needs. With recent draft picks in guards Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton coming along, Russell being selected here does not make much sense. The team has a good, but very young trio in Oladipo, Payton, and center Nikola Vucevic, so I do not expect Russell as a top preference for Orlando.
Teams currently projected without a top five pick who could sneak into one of the first five picks that also would be good fits for Russell includes the Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Hornets.
Of the teams that are at the top of the draft order, Russell would be in the best situation getting drafted by Philadelphia or the L.A. Lakers.
There are so many options with the draft picks order including some picks being transferred to other teams. The 2015 NBA Draft lottery is Tuesday evening and at that time we will have a better understanding of what to expect for Russell’s future.
Where do you hope Russell ends up? How high will be selected?
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