Assessing the top 10 picks of the NBA draft
NEW YORK — Evaluating the top 10 picks in Thursday's NBA draft:
1. Karl-Anthony Towns, center, Minnesota Timberwolves: Towns can play both ends of the floor. And while his defense is ahead of his offense, he can finish at the rim and has the skill set to become an effective offensive player.
2. D'Angelo Russell, guard, Los Angeles Lakers: A bit of a curveball from the Lakers, who passed on a big man to take Russell, a 6-5 sharpshooter. The Lakers get a playmaker, and it indicates they think they can get a prominent center during free agency.
3. Jahlil Okafor, center, Philadelphia 76ers: This is the third consecutive year the Sixers selected a center. But Joel Embiid is sidelined with a foot injury and Nerlens Noel is an offensive work-in-progress, while Okafor provides interior scoring.
4. Kristaps Porzingis, forward, New York Knicks: Porzingis is one of the more intriguing lottery picks — a 7-footer with three-point range and pick-and-roll skills. Porzingis can move without the basketball, and Phil Jackson might have found a big man who can thrive in the triangle offense.
5. Mario Hezonja, guard-forward, Orlando Magic: The Magic wanted a three-point shooter who can stretch the floor and open driving lanes. They got that in Hezonja, a player who doesn't lack confidence.
6. Willie Cauley-Stein, center, Sacramento Kings: A surprise pick for the Kings, who have one of the league's best big men in DeMarcus Cousins. It will be interesting to see if Cousins and Cauley-Stein, an outstanding defender, can be on the floor at the same time.
7. Emmanuel Mudiay, guard, Denver Nuggets: Mudiay needs to improve his shot, but Denver got a point guard, meaning this could be the end of Ty Lawson's days as a Nugget.
8. Stanley Johnson, forward, Detroit Pistons: Johnson gives the Pistons a quick, strong slasher on the perimeter — just the kind of player they need with center Andre Drummond inside and shooters at the three-point line.
9. Frank Kaminsky, forward-center, Charlotte Hornets: Kaminsky is versatile offensive scorer who has traditional low-post moves either facing or with his back to the basket, and he's one of the rare 7-footers who can step out and make three-point shots.
10. Justise Winslow, guard, Miami Heat: Another pick that raised eyebrows with guard Dwyane Wade unsure of his future. Either way, Winslow is a steal with the 10th pick, and the Heat add a player who can create his own shot, handle the ball and work hard on the defensive end.