NBA Draft 2021: Biggest needs for all 30 teams ahead of draft day

Phoenix Suns – No. 29

Biggest need: Center

The Suns made it to the NBA championship series and assuming Chris Paul remains with the team, have a legit chance to remain a contender in 2022. Star guard Devin Booker and big man Deandre Ayton still have room for improvement, while the core of role players such as Jae Crowder and Cameron Johnson will be around as well.

The big weakness that was exposed for Pheonix in the finals against Milwaukee was the lack of frontcourt size, especially after Dario Saric went down with an injury. Among the players that could be available include Charles Bassey, Neemais Queta of Utah State, and EJ Onu, a star at Shawnee State from the NAIA level. If they can land a rotational frontcourt piece here, they’ll be in good shape to repeat as Western Conference champs.

Sacramento Kings – No. 9, 39

Biggest needs: Frontcourt help, shooting

It’s hard to see how this core is going to make the playoffs in the west anytime soon, despite  De’Aaron Fox averaging over 25 ppg and playing at an all-star level. Harrison Barnes, Tyrese Haliburton, and Buddy Hield are a solid group alongside Fox but the frontcourt, most notably big man Marvin Bagley III, who may not be with the Kings for long.

There just aren’t many big men that Sacramento can reasonably take in the top-10 after Evan Mobley is taken outside of Kai Jones. Another option could be to take a forward to eventually replace Barnes, with Franz Wagner or Corey Kispert as great options that would bolster the shooting and give them more scoring potential.