76ers: Back-up center or big wing
The Sixers face two major issues they need to solve with their roster. First, they continue to get absolutely demolished whenever Joel Embiid is on the bench, so they need to find a long-term solution to survive those minutes when their star big man is resting. The second issue will only be a problem if they decide to trade Ben Simmons, which seems increasingly likely with every passing day. Most of the players who they would potentially trade Simmons for, such as CJ McCollum, Zach Levine, or DeAngelo Russell, are regular sized point guards. The Sixers have long operated under the assumption they will have a giant 6’10” point guard in Simmons, so their roster is littered with guards who, while dynamic scorers, lack the playmaking ability to play the point full time and lack the defensive chops to guard bigger shooting guards. For example, see what Kevin Huerter did to Seth Curry in game seven of the eastern conference semis. If the Philly does decide to move on from Simmons they will need a bigger wing who can defend multiple positions and hit open 3-pointers. Although good luck getting one, there is no more valuable role-player than that. Perhaps Day’ron Sharpe (center) or Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (forward)?
Celtics: Playmaker/passer
Boston has reason for optimism despite the lackluster season. The have two young all-star level players in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They also have a decent collection of young players who could develop into solid role-players (i.e., Payton Pritchard, Romeo Langford, Aaron Nesmith, Robert Williams and Grant Williams). However, I think that to really make Tatum and Brown sing they will need to add a great playmaker and facilitator who can get the Celtics’ stars the ball on the spots on the court they can do the most damage. Maybe Pritchard could be that player one day but why not take another swing at that need in this draft if they get a chance to do so. Unfortunately the Celtics have no first-round picks at this time.
Knicks: Point guard/ playmaker
Once Elfrid Payton was excommunicated from the playoff roster in game two the immediate apparent flaw in the Knicks squad was lack of playmaking. The only point guard who got regular minutes was Derrick Rose and he has always been a score-first, score-second type of player. This meant that Julius Randle and RJ Barrett didn’t get the ball in advantageous positions to attack the Hawks defense. Perhaps Sharife Cooper or Ayo Dosunmo?
Nets: Best available pro-ready player
The Nets have three superstars, in truth they don’t really need anything. However, any championship contender could use more depth so the Nets should draft a low ceiling, high floor type who can help them right away. Perhaps Chris Duarte?
Raptors: Guard or center who can complement their young core
The Raptors have several nice young pieces including Fred Van Vleet and Pascal Siakam. And they got an incredible opportunity moving up in the draft lottery to the fourth overall pick. At four they should draft a player who has potential to be a future all-star and cornerstone player for their franchise. I believe they will have that chance since either Jalen Green or Jalen Suggs should be on the board. Either player has huge upside and either would be a nice fit with the young players currently on the roster, especially Suggs.
Hawks: Back-up point guard
When Lou Williams was traded to the Hawks mid-season he contemplated retirement. Fortunately for Hawks’ fans he elected not to and ended up being a valuable player in their playoff run to the eastern conference finals. However, if Williams choses to retire this offseason or trails off in effectiveness the Hawks will once again need help backing up Trae Young. Drafting a player like Jared Butler would be a good chance to get that help.
Heat: High-risk, high-reward player
The Heat have an established star in Jimmy Butler, a nice young core with Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and Bam Adebayo, they also have several quality veterans such as Goran Dragic or Andre Iguodala. However, this team seems to have a clear ceiling after getting swept by the, eventual championship winning, Milwaukee Bucks in the 1st round of the playoffs. What the Heat need most of all is a player to take a gamble on, someone who could be an eventual All-Star. And because they have a such a complete roster if their pick doesn't work out they wouldn't suffer as much as some teams might. Unfortunately they have no 1st round picks.
Hornets: Best available, especially if a center
Besides LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward the Hornets have a blank enough roster that they could draft a player at any position and fill a need. They also benefit from the fact that both aforementioned players are versatile enough to play multiple positions. So, the Hornets should draft whoever is the highest rated player still on their draft board. It would be especially great if they got a center since that is the only position where they don't have a young player (i.e. Ball-PG, Devonte Graham-SG, Miles Bridges-SF, PJ Washington-PF). Perhaps James Bouknight or Alperen Sengun (center) if they are really high on him.
Magic: Best available
The Magic have an almost entirely blank slate roster and could go anywhere with their, two, top-ten picks. The last time the Magic attempted a rebuild they had consistently terrible drafting luck, perhaps this time will go better. They could consider Scottie Barnes or Jonathan Kuminga.
Wizards: 3-&-D wing
I still believe that Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal could be a potent combo in the NBA. Unfortunately the Wizards' front office surrounded them with absolutely deplorable role players. Quality NBA teams surround their stars with players who can space the floor on offense and be effective defenders on the other end of the court. Most of their role players (i.e Davis Bertans) could do the former but really struggled to do the latter. Perhaps Moses Moody or Trey Murphy?
Bucks: 3-&-D wing
Having just won a championship the "needs" list for the Bucks isn't super long. However, Donte DiVincenzo's injury and Bryn Forbes' later struggles showed how valuable wing depth is for any championship team. The best way for Milwaukee to repeat is bring back their talented core and add depth on the perimeter. Unfortunately they have no 1st round picks.
Bulls: Play-maker
The Bulls have a few holes in their roster and could add a few different player types to fill them. I think their biggest need, however, is at point guard. They need a passer/play-maker type for the same reason the Celtics and Knicks (see above) do; the way to get the most out of their perimeter star, Zach LaVine, is to have a player who can get said star the ball in the positions where he can best attack the defense. The Bulls have no 1st round picks, much to their chagrin.
Cavaliers: Best available but not a small point guard
As a team still in the early stages of a rebuild the Cavaliers can go a lot of different directions this draft. The one direction they should not go is a small point guard. With Collin Sexton (drafted 2018) and Darius Garland (2019) they already have two on their roster (both Sexton and Garland are below 6'4"). If they were to draft another similar player they could seriously hurt that players development or the development of Sexton or Garland. If they end up trading either player all this will be a moot point. Perhaps they'll draft Evan Mobley (7' center) or Jalen Green (6'5" shooting guard).
Pacers: High risk, high reward especially a play-maker
There are two parts to the Pacers' needs. The first is that like the Heat, when healthy, they have enough talent to be a decent playoff team but probably not enough to be a championship contender. The second is that all their best players, such as Domantas Sabonis, TJ Warren, or Caris Levert are all iso focused and don't spread the ball the way a lot of the best teams do. Josh Giddey is a prospect who would fit both roles nicely.
Pistons: Best available
The Pistons shouldn't overthink this, all their current best players are versatile enough to fit with any of the top prospects. The Pistons have the 1st overall pick and should draft whichever player is at the top of their board. That player should be Cade Cunningham.
Grizzlies: Big wing or combo forward
Surrounding Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. the Grizzlies have put together a nice collection of young talent who have room to grow and expand in their roles. My only quibble is they are a little small, a lot of their best role players are these 6'4"-6'5" guards like Grayson Allen or De'Anthony Melton. Perhaps they could draft a risky prospect with high upside like Ziaire Williams or role player type like Trey Murphy.
Mavericks: High-risk, high-reward
To reach the full potential they have with Luka Doncic they have to find a Robin to his Batman. That was the idea behind the Kristaps Porzingis trade but that certainly has not worked for them in the way they hoped. Perhaps a high upside draft pick could develop into that player, however they have no 1st round picks.
Pelicans: Shooter
To maximize the potential in their young stars, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the player type the Pelicans need most is a floor spacer. Someone who can pull help defenders out to the perimeter while Zion rampages inside. They could look at Corey Kispert.
Rockets: Best available
Houston is in the opening stages of a full on rebuild, ideally in this draft they will get a franchise cornerstone who they can eventually assemble a winning team around. As such they should not worry about fit, this year they should be drafting the player who their future draft picks will fit around. Depending on their preference that player is probably Evan Mobley or Jalen Green.
Spurs: High-risk, high-reward
The biggest problem facing San Antonio is that out of their very nice collection of young players (including Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker, and Jakob Poeltl) there is probably no one with enough upside to be a future All-star. So the solution is for their front office to take a swing on a player who may be risky but has All-star upside. They could consider Josh Giddey or Alperen Sengun with their pick.
Clippers: Point guard or center
There are a couple of different directions the Clippers could go with their pick. They could draft a back-up center so they aren't as reliant on small ball when Ivica Zubac sits. On the other hand they didn't get exactly inspired play from their troika of point guards (Rajon Rondo, Reggie Jackson, and Patrick Beverly) so they might decide to draft a player at that position. If center perhaps Isaiah Jackson or if point guard perhaps Miles McBride.
Kings: Defensive minded forward
The young Kings had a fairly potent offense last season, however they hemorrhaged points on the other end of the court. Finding a player who can complement their back-court of De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton on offense while protecting them on defense is ideal for Sacramento. Perhaps Scottie Barnes or Franz Wagner?
Lakers: 3-&-D guard
The needs for the Lakers are pretty straightforward, they need a player who can guard the opponent's point or shooting guard while being able to space the floor for Lebron James and Anthony Davis on offense. They don't need someone who can generate his own shot, Lebron will do that for him, just someone who can knock down the open shots he'll get. They should consider Chris Duarte or Joshua Primo.
Suns: Back-up center
Although they drafted Jalen Smith only last year the injury to Daario Saric in the finals showed how vulnerable the Suns were at back-up center. Day'ron Sharpe would be a great fit with them.
Warriors: Big wing
Watching the Warriors in the play-in tournament against the Lakers this past season I was taken by how small they looked in comparison to the LA team. They have some nice complimentary pieces around Steph Curry but I think they could use some more size to battle against the bigger wings and forwards in the western conference. They should look at Franz Wagner or Trey Murphy.
Jazz: 3-&-D wing, emphasis on D
The series against the Clippers this past playoffs should the league how reliant the Jazz were on Rudy Gobert for their defense. He served as their anchor, covering up mistakes and blemishes on the perimeter. When the Clippers went small he was also forced to guard on the perimeter and, more importantly, couldn't protect the rim and cover for his teammates. Getting players who aren't as reliant on help defense is vital for the Jazz in future playoff series. Perhaps Josh Christopher or Quentin Grimes?
Nuggets: Scoring guard or forward
When Jamal Murray tore his ACL this season (also Will Barton and Michael Porter Jr. battling injuries) it became apparent the Nuggets needed scoring punch outside of Nikola Jokic and Murray. They could look for a player at either guard or forward position as long as he can put the ball in the basket. Tre Mann or Jared Butler would be nice fits for them.
Thunder: Best available
As a tanking team the Thunder aren't in a position to be choosy, they need to get as much talent on their roster as they possibly can. One thing that helps them is that their best you player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is very versatile so they don't have to worry roster overlap hurting his development, or the development of their draft picks. They might draft James Bouknight or Jonathan Kuminga.
Timberwolves: Defensive minded forward
D'Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns are both minus defenders and although Anthony Edwards has the potential to develop into a quality defender he is young and still raw. To maximize these players the Timberwolves need someone who can cover some of their defensive weaknesses. Unfortunately they have no 1st round picks.
Trail Blazers: Perimeter defense
Like the Wizards above I think the Trail Blazers can still build a quality team around their two stars, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. However, they need players who can help their stars on defense, especially on the perimeter. They too have no 1st round picks.