By Landis_2k
It’s draft day, and 23 teams enter today feeling optimistic about their furute prospects. The draft doesn’t necessarily make or break teams, but it does have widespread ramifications with each pick locked in.
Each teams knows what kinds of players they need to target. We broke down what exactly those needs are for each and every one of the teams who hope that Saturday will turn their fortunes for the better.
76ers GC
Draft Picks: 47, 67
Current Roster: Radiant, Steez, Breadwinner, Scretty
Primary need: Lockdown
Secondary need: Bench player
76ers Gaming returns four of its five starters from a lineup that saw them in a showdown for the championship in season two against T-Wolves Gaming. Looking to #RunItBack, they have a repeat visit to the championship in mind, and an MVP-caliber point guard in Radiant. They will be looking for a strong lock with their 47th pick to replace what Newdini brought to the squad in season two.
Blazer5 Gaming
Draft Picks: 40, 64
Current Roster: OneWildWalnut, Mama Im Dat Man, Lavish Phenom, Majes7ic
Primary need: Power Forward (Role Player)
Secondary need: Bench Player
After trading away their first round pick this offseason to Heat Check Gaming (now owned by Hornets Venom GT via a separate trade) to acquire Majes7ic, Blazer5 will be waiting until pick 40 to round out their starting lineup. With the most important positions of point guard and center locked down by reigning MVPs Mama and Walnut, retained player LavishPhenom playing small forward, and recently acquired Majes7ic most likely slotting into the secondary ball-handler role/shooting guard, it looks like the Blazer5 will be looking to secure a power forward with their first pick in this draft.
Bucks Gaming
Draft Picks: 12, 33, 53, 58
Current Roster: ARooks, Plondo
Primary need: Point Guard
Secondary need: Lockdown
Heading into their second draft in a row having to draft four players, Bucks Gaming look to build upon the success of their two retained players ARooks and Plondo with hopes of improving over an 8-8 season in season three. With their two stars averaging 18+ PPG last season in offball positions, they’re going to need someone to distribute the ball and share some of the scoring burden. It is fairly safe to say that the focal point for them in this draft will be solidifying the point guard and lock positions knowing that they will need consistency there this season to reach their goal of being a top team.
Cavs Legion GC
Draft Picks: 59
Current Roster: oLarry, All Hail Trey, Doza, Godddof2K, Strainer
Primary need: Bench Player
Secondary need: n/a
Cavs Legion enter this draft with their starting lineup mostly etched in stone. After bringing back Larry, Trey, Strainer and Godddof2K from last year’s squad and adding Doza through a trade with Heat Check Gaming, the 59th pick in the draft will be filling the role of the sixth man. They will be expected to push the team in practice, be ready if called upon (like Savage last season), cause zero distractions and fill the role of a pseudo-assistant coach.
Celtics Crossover Gaming
Draft Picks: 66
Current Roster: oFab, Mel East, NO xAUTOGRAPHSx, Bulleyy, MOAM
Primary need: Bench Player
Secondary need: n/a
Much like the Cavs Legion, Celtics Crossover Gaming have their starting five down pat. With four players returning from their season two roster (oFab, Mel East, NO xAUTOGRAPHSx, Bulleyy), and the addition of MOAM who will be on his third team starting this season after time with Jazz Gaming and Heat Check Gaming.
Gen.G
Draft Picks: 5, 21, 32, 34, 56
Current Roster: TurnUpDefense
Primary need: Franchise Point Guard
Secondary need: Scoring Option/Center
Both of this year’s expansion teams are looking to continue the success that T-Wolves Gaming had in their first year, and what better way to do it than by adding members of the squad that helped the T-Wolves get there, but only one expansion team can say they will start their season with a player that has a ring and that is Gen.G. The first international team and the first team in the league that does not represent an NBA franchise, Gen.G will look to bring their culture of success as an international esports organization into their first season in the league. The one player currently on their roster is a lockdown coming fresh off of a league title, so you should expect them to strongly consider adding a franchise point guard with the fifth overall pick and a secondary scoring option and/or a center with their 21st overall selection.
Grizz Gaming
Draft Picks: 45, 54
Current Roster: Goofy 757, Vandi, AuthenticAfrican, DDouble
Primary need: Shooter/Scorer
Secondary need: Bench Player
In one of the biggest offseason transactions the Grizz sent three draft picks to Knicks Gaming for one of the league’s best centers in Goofy 757. This move helped inject a little more star power into the lineup after the departure of ToXsiK during season two. Grizz Gaming is in good hands with Vandi at the point guard spot after he nearly averaged 18 points and 8.5 assists per game in just his first year in the league after being drafted 7th overall. With Vandi running the point, Goofy at C (most likely), they would bump AuthenticAfrican to the PF position and DDouble would stay at lock, meaning they would be looking for a shooter to space the floor with their third round selection.
Hawks Talon GC
Draft Picks: 16, 38, 46, 62
Current Roster: BP, MrStylez
Primary need: Best Available Non-Guard Scorer
Secondary need: Lock
Hawks Talon GC are one of six non-expansion teams with four or more draft picks in this year’s entry draft. After trading away both of their protected players in Rando and Dat Boy Shotz, they bring in the dribble god himself, BP from Kings Guard Gaming, and retain MrStylez giving them what looks to be a solid 1-2 punch at the guard positions. The Hawks Talon will want to bring in the best player available that plays the 3-5, preferably someone that can give them 15-20 PPG on a weekly basis to complement BP.
Heat Check Gaming
Draft Picks: 8, 13, 41, 48, 49
Current Roster: Hotshot
Primary need: Compatible Point Guard
Secondary need: Scoring Threat
Heat Check Gaming head into this season with their most consistent producer over the last two seasons, their center Hotshot. (Fun fact: Hotshot is the only player left on either championship roster from season one.) Averaging a double-double last season, Hotshot is trusting his head coach, Famous, to bring this roster back to the level they competed on in season one. At the top of the priority list for Famous has to be a point guard that will learn his playbook, run his offense and get his teammates involved. With all seven teams drafting ahead of them having voids at the PG position, Famous will have had to do his homework to land a franchise PG at 8th overall. Their 13th pick has the most boom or bust value because if a majority of the picks 1-12 end up being PG’s he may be looking at a top 5 overall player that has dropped to his second pick of the day.
Hornets Venom GT
Draft Picks: 6, 18, 19, 28, 55
Current Roster: Type
Primary need: Dominant Scorer/Primary Option
Secondary need: Secondary Scorer/Facilitator
The Warriors Gaming Squad were left with a next to impossible decision only being able to retain three players of their “Big 4,” someone had to be the odd man out and Type was it. Hornets Venom GT was not complaining. In Type they have a top-tier center coming off of a season averaging a double-double with multiple tournament wins and a chip on his shoulder after being left out of his former team’s plans. Realistically worried or not, the Hornets Venom leadership has recently been joking on Twitter about players not wanting to play in Charlotte. Well, after using all of their available trades before the season even kicks off, they have removed the thought of that from conversation. Look for point guard, scorer (2-4) and lock to happen with their first three picks this evening.
Jazz Gaming
Draft Picks: 10, 31, 57
Current Roster: YeahICompete, Lotty, Ria
Primary need: Defender
Secondary need: Another Scoring Option
Jazz Gaming has been one of the quietest teams this offseason in terms of signing and trades. They declared their protections on the Sept. 2 deadline, keeping YeahICompete, Lotty and Ria, and have done nothing else. They come into this draft with their point guard, center and secondary scoring option all already on the roster, leaving it hard to believe that they will not focus on defense primarily in this draft, but it would be very difficult to pass up on someone you believe could give you 15+ every night if they are on the board at 10.
Kings Guard Gaming
Draft Picks: 3, 17, 26
Current Roster: DatBoyShotz, BallLikeSeem, Yusuf_Scarbz
Primary need: BP Replacement
Secondary need: Defender
Kings Guard Gaming acquired a certified bucket this offseason from Hawks Talon GC in DatBoyShotz. His arrival will most likely move Yusuf up or down a position if Shotz feels most comfortable playing PF. They also gained the third overall pick but traded away a point guard averaging 19+ PPG with a retail build named after him. It is going to be difficult to replace the production that BP brought them in season two, but there will be guys available at three who have the confidence and resume to try and match it. If Kings Guard Gaming lands a future top point guard to pair with Shotz, Seem and Yusuf you will see them back in the playoffs for season three.
Knicks Gaming
Draft Picks: 2, 15, 25, 36
Current Roster: OriginalMalik, HazzaUK
Primary need: Star Power/Scoring
Secondary need: Best Complement to First Selection
Let it sink in that just a little over a season ago Knicks Gaming won the inaugural 2K League championship and here they are now, 545 days later, not having one person from that championship-winning team still on their roster. With their first-round pick from last season, OrigialMalik, still on the roster they have scoring power (15.4 PPG), but trading away Goofy 757 definitely gives them a hit to their star power in one of the biggest sports markets in the world. The expectation would be for them to take the best available player at second overall with no superstar to cater to currently. That player would be walking into a city primed for a talent they can clamor about.
Lakers Gaming
Draft Picks: 7, 24, 44
Current Roster: Vert, Mootyy, Kev
Primary need: Additional Scoring Option
Secondary need: Lockdown
Lakers Gaming will be looking to hit big with their first two selections to round out their roster. They will be looking to replace Kontrol and Detoxys in their starting rotation who represented the PF and lockdown positions last season. If they stick with Vert and Mootyy in the pick-and-roll and Kev on a secondary ball handler/sharpshooter you should expect that their seventh overall pick will be the best available remaining on their board at lock or power forward. They should be able to reload with their first two selections and should not expect to see another three win season this time around.
Magic Gaming
Draft Picks: 35, 60
Current Roster: Reizey, ToXsiK, DT, May
Primary need: Complementary Scorer (SG/SF)
Secondary need: Bench Player
Magic Gaming currently has four solid players slotted into the point guard, lockdown, power forward and center positions if everyone stays with their position from season two. This core should help Magic Gaming finish in the top half of the league again, with the goal clearly being making the postseason for the first time in team history and the burden will likely be shouldered by their ball handler, and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Reizey. Hard to argue that distinguishment after virtually averaging a double-double last season Reizey will be looking for similar production this season and most likely another certified bucket getter with the 35th pick. Their ultimate position will most likely be determined by if ToXsiK’s lockdown is at the 2 or the 3, but expect them to be an experienced guard/wing.
Mavs Gaming
Draft Picks: 39, 63
Current Roster: Dimez, Sherm, PeteBeBallin, Mo
Primary need: Front Court Pairing
Secondary need: Bench Player
The expectations for a team that is building around the first ever player drafted in the league are at an all-time high. After two seasons of not winning or really competing for any hardware, all eyes are on Dimez this season to see if he can help them turn regular season success into tournament and postseason trophies. He should feel comfortable with who he has around him since they return four of their five players from last year’s 12-4 team. They will just be looking for a front court addition to complement PeteBeBallin and Mo, it will most likely be a player that has Pro-Am experience at the power forward/center spot(s).
NetsGC
Draft Picks: 9, 29, 50
Current Roster: Shuttles, Rando, Wavy.Zay
Primary need: Lockdown Defender
Secondary need: Complementary Scoring Option
In their second season under their Head Coach/GM OG King Curt, NetsGC will look to improve over their 7-9 season record that saw them drop four games in a row in the last few weeks of the season. Looking to improve on the scoring of the departed NateKahl (traded to the Pacers for their 16th pick), Rando will come in from Hawks Talon GC having averaged 14.7 PPG last season. Rando will bring a different kind of energy to Brooklyn and to the pick-and-roll pairing of Wavy.Zay and Shuttles from season two. Look for NetsGC to draft a lock to replace Nate with their first pick unless they see a can’t miss scoring option sitting at 9th overall.
Pacers Gaming
Draft Picks: 4, 23, 61
Current Roster: Wolf 74, Swizurk, NateKahl
Primary need: Bonafide Scoring Option/Point Guard
Secondary need: Center
Pacers Gaming sent their superstar, Ramo, this offseason back to his season one home, Pistons GT, after acquiring him for their 4th overall pick in season two. After basically reversing the trade a year later they will be sitting at 4th overall today looking to draft a bonafide scoring option to jumpstart their group of stars. With NateKahl and Wolf 74 both coming off of campaigns as primary defenders it will be interesting to see who gets the nod to guard ball this season. Swizurk will be locked in at the guard/wing spot coming off of a season averaging 16+ PPG. Their top focus with their first two picks will be establishing their pick-and-roll duo at point guard and center. Hard to believe with the lack of centers needed around the league that they would need to reach for one with their first pick.
Pistons GT
Draft Picks: 14, 43
Current Roster: Ramo, DevGoss, Joseph, Demon JT
Primary need: Lockdown
Secondary need: Bench Player
Pistons GT were clearly not happy with their last place finish last season and that was evident by the trades they made. After swapping their fourth overall pick MrStylez mid-season for DevGoss from Hawks Talon GC, they were not done yet. This offseason they made the following moves: May > Magic Gaming (14th overall pick in return), 1st and 2nd round picks > Pacers Gaming (Ramo and 2nd round pick in return), 2nd round pick > Wizards District Gaming (Demon GT in return). So after all the dust settles they have only one player left from the original season two roster, and they look to rebound to their winning ways from season one, which saw them finish at third in the regular season standings. In DevGoss and Demon JT they have their back court pairing locked down, Ramo will be running a scoring build at the PF and Joseph will likely return to center, so they will be looking to draft a lockdown defender at 14th overall.
Raptors Uprising GC
Draft Picks: 11, 27, 42, 52
Current Roster: Kenny Got Work, Sick x 973
Primary need: Best Available (Guard or Lockdown)
Secondary need: Complementary Guard
After a season one finish at 4th overall, Raptors Uprising found themselves at the middle of the pack last season, tied with three other teams at 8-8 and spectating the playoffs. Bringing back their franchise power forward and season two center, they will have the four and five spots locked up. Now they will be looking for guards and a wing to join them in the 6. Expect them to take the best available 1-3 at 11th overall and fill in the pieces from there.
T-Wolves Gaming
Draft Picks: 22, 68
Current Roster: BearDaBeast, JMoneyRep817, FEAST, JoJo
Primary need: Lockdown
Secondary need: Bench Player
Following up the season and postseason run that T-Wolves Gaming had last season would be hard to do with the exact same roster, but losing out on their primary disruptor in TurnUpDefense is going to make repeating this season that much more difficult. His shoes will not be easy to fill seeing that he was one of the best all-around 2K players in the world having made the MyTeam Unlimited Tournament finals as well. Replacing TurnUpDefense with another top lock will allow BearDaBeast to feel more comfortable when running his signature, “5 wide for [the] bread!!” as he tweeted yesterday. Defense wins championships and bringing back another solid lock will be a priority for the reigning champs.
Warriors Gaming Squad
Draft Picks: 20, 65
Current Roster: CB13, BSmoove, Gradient, Jin
Primary need: Center
Secondary need: Bench Player
When you have a roster as strapped with talent from 1-5 as the Warriors Gaming Squad was last season, there is bound to be some turmoil when you can only protect three players from the impending departure coming when the expansion draft takes place. Type, their starting center last season, is now on the Hornets Venom GT because he was not made a protected pick prior. In CB13/Kina and BSmoove you have one of the better backcourt pairings currently in the league and they will be looking for who their new center will be when the 20th pick is revealed tonight.
Wizards District Gaming
Draft Picks: 1, 30, 37, 51
Current Roster: Dayfri, ReeseDaGod
Primary need: Star Player
Secondary need: Lockdown/Center
Wizards District Gaming currently sit on the iron throne; they have the coveted first overall pick in a draft pool that seems loaded with talent. Who will it be? The answer to that is not very clear but it should certainly be someone that Wizards DG firmly believes will be a franchise player and a top player in the league for years to come. Top talents Dayfri and Reese are not planning on spectating the championship this year, they want to play in it so it is imperative that they crush this selection. It would appear most likely that their first two picks will be a high-level scorer/talent first and then a lock and center in whichever order they feel better suits who they want with the next two picks.
