In this article I will discuss what two non-playoff teams with multiple first round picks may do in the draft, as they try to build their franchises.
This year the Charlotte Bobcats have two first round selections their own and one from Toronto. Charlotte is a team that can improve their team big time this off-season, they have a lot of cap space and have two nice spots in the draft. They have 4 free agents Jeff McInnis, Matt Carroll, Derek Anderson and Alan Anderson, and may only resign Matt Carroll. With their 1st selection the Bobcats may select a big man or a versatile player that plays good defense like Al Horford, Roy Hibbert or Julian Wright. With their 2nd first round selection I think they’ll go with a good combo guard or the best player available like Rudy Fernandez, Marcus Williams, or Aaron Gray. Overall the Bobcats don’t need to rely too much on the draft to complete their roster, management has vowed to be a big player in free agency this year possibly picking up Vince Carter or another high profile player.
This year the Philadelphia 76ers are tied with the Phoenix Suns having the most picks in the draft, having their own 1st round pick along with 2 other first rounders from Denver and Dallas. They also have a second pick from New York. The 76ers basically have 2 free agents Joe Smith and Louis Amundson, they have expressed interest in resigning both. The 76ers don’t really have much money to spend, they’re still paying off players who aren’t even on the roster anymore. So They will rebuild their team through the draft, with their 1st selection I think they would go with the best available like Tiago Splitter, Al Thornton, Acie Law, or Jeff Green. With their second selection I think they would go with a big forward like Thaddeus Young or Josh McRoberts. With their final first round selection they could with a good combo player like Dominic McGuire, Jared Dudley or Alando Tucker. I think with 2nd round pick they’ll go with a big man like Ante Tomic, Sean Williams or Herbert Hill. Overall the 76ers will just try and fill as many pieces as possible through the draft and try to continue the youth movement and life without A.I.
