The intrigue started early in this year’s draft with a decision that highlighted today’s NBA culture. The Lakers chose D’Angelo Russell over big man Jahlil Okafor who would have been gone 1st overall 5 years ago.

The “small ball” method used by the Golden State Warriors to win a championship have other NBA teams wanting to load up on talented guards rather than taking a skilled low post player who were always valued more in the past as they were hard to find.

Just like any other trends, I believe they come and go and that there is more than one way to construct a team that can win an NBA title.

I really liked D’Angelo Russell and I actually think he has the highest ceiling out of all the draft picks in terms of becoming a superstar. However, Okafor would have been the safer pick and could have really helped the Lakers front line right away. The Lakers must believe that they can land one of the prized big men free agents instead.

Now most recaps done categorize teams into winners and losers, but I think that’s always a bit unfair because no one knows how the players will turn out until at least 3-4 years down the line.

So instead I’m going to put the picks into two categories “Makes Sense” and “Head Scratcher” based on team needs and fit.

Makes Sense

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns will fit in very nicely with the athletic and young nucleus the Timberwolves have already. Tyus Jones will be a solid backup to Ricky Rubio who can also fill in starting minutes if Rubio is injured again.

2. Orlando Magic

The Magic have young and talented players in the back court with Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo, but the problem is neither of them are good shooters. Mario Henzonja is an athletic wing who can play the 2 or the 3 that will give them some much needed spacing and 3 point shooting.

3. Houston Rockets

Sam Dekker sliding down the board to the Rockets was probably a huge blessing in disguise. Dekker gets to play on a contending team where his skill set is needed. At worst, Dekker will be a rotation player, but he definitely has the chance to develop into a Chandler Parsons type and be a team’s 3rd scoring option.

Head Scratchers

1. New York Knicks

Unlike a lot of the criticism that has been said about this pick, I actually like Porzingis as a prospect. He’s tall, long, athletic and can shoot the ball out to 3 point range. I don’t think he will be a bust and will eventually develop into a NBA starter. I disagree with those saying that the Knicks should have taken a player that can contribute right away because after Towns, Russell and Okafor there was a significant drop off in talent. While there were players who are more NBA ready than Porzingis, none of them were considerably better than him nor did they have his upside. I know Knicks fans are starving for success, but there wasn’t a player left on the board that would have helped them get back to the playoffs next season. The quick fix mentality has not worked in the past and it’s actually refreshing that the team is planning for the long term. My only criticism about the pick is that Porzingis isn’t a natural fit to Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher’s triangle system. He’s more perimeter orientated right now and it is unclear if he will ever develop a low post game. Waiting for him to develop is one thing, but even when he does he may not work well in that system.

2. Sacremento Kings

Willie Cauley-Stein is a good prospect, but the Kings already have a proven NBA center in Demarcus Cousins. The Stein pick could signal that Cousins is out the door which is the real tragedy of the situation. Players like Cousins don’t come along very often and he actually seemed to be committed to staying in Sacremento. The entire situation with Cousins and George Karl is just sad and speaks to the overall problems in the front office. If Cousins does end up being traded this summer, Stein will be remembered as the player the Kings drafted to replace Cousins, which will become a sad memory for Kings fans.

3. Boston Celtics

Terry Rozier is a tough, defensive minded point guard that should find a role in the NBA, but I don’t see the fit in Boston. I had Rozier as a late 1st round guy and I think that Boston definitely made a reach to grab him at 16. The Celtics already have young players in the back court with Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. I think they should have looked to draft a player at a position of greater need like small forward or center. R.J. Hunter was a much better pick at 28 because he will help the Celtics with their scoring and 3 point shooting needs.

Steals of the Draft

1. Justise Winslow to the Heat

2. Bobby Portis to the Bulls

3. Kevon Looney to the Warriors

All three guys landed in great situations on contending teams and will have the chance to learn and grow without being forced to contribute right away.

I’m predicting that the legacy of this draft will be producing a lot of good starters and rotation players with a few all-stars/all pro’s in Towns, Russell and Okafor.