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NBA Draft 2020: Biggest needs for each Western Conference franchise

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Robert Covington #33 of the Houston Rockets talks with James Harden (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

The 2020 NBA Draft is a couple of months away. What are the critical needs of each franchise team in the western conference?

We’re down to just four teams left in the 2019-20 NBA playoffs. The Miami Heat is up 1-0 on the Boston Celtics, while the Denver Nuggets completed another 3-1 comeback, beating the LA Clippers to take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the west. What’s clear is that the league is as wide-open as ever, which has plenty of implications. That includes what may happen in the 2020 NBA Draft.

As I’m sure has been explained already, this year’s NBA Draft will look vastly different. After the league delayed the draft in order to settle financial business, a new date (Nov. 18) has been reportedly settled. With the conference finals now underway, the season will soon be completed, and focus will finally head towards an actual offseason.

And it won’t come soon enough for the 13 franchises in the western conference whose seasons are completed. And you can make a legitimate argument that all of them have reasons for optimism.

Just look at the teams who missed out on the playoffs. The Phoenix Suns went a perfect 8-0, while San Antonio played well also. Memphis has a young star in rookie Ja Morant, while New Orleans has Zion Williamson. Golden State will return the “Splash Brothers” in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, while Minnesota has the No. 1 overall pick. Even Sacramento has promising young pieces to work with in the future.

For this piece, I’ll be taking a look at specific needs in the draft each team has to address, with the exception of the Houston Rockets, who doesn’t have a pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. If they do find a way to get involved, look for them to find either another “3 and D” wing, or a big man depending on if the new head coach wants to overhaul the roster.

Here are my thoughts on the rest of the teams in the west.

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