NBA Western Conference: Most important need for each Southwest Division team heading into the NBA Draft

Now that the 2019 NBA Finals have concluded with the Toronto Raptors becoming the newly crowned NBA Champions, the focus on the league shifts to the 2019 NBA Draft. For the moment, it appears the prime draftees will be Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and R.J. Barrett. These players are likely to go to the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, and New York Knicks respectively. However, the draft order of the remaining potential new entrants to the NBA is unknown.

The NBA Western Conference's Southwest Division contains an interesting mix of teams that could benefit from an infusion of new talent. The Division was well represented in the 2019 NBA Playoffs by the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs.

However, even they need new talent to round out their rosters. At the other end of the standings, the Dallas Mavericks were the West’s second-worst team with a regular season record of 33-49. Here is a quick look at the needs each team in this division should try to address at the 2019 NBA Draft.

#5 Dallas Mavericks

2018-19 NBA regular season: 14th seed with a 33-49 record

The Dallas Mavericks, owned by Mark Cuban, have had an interesting year. At last June’s draft, the Mavericks sent their 5th pick Trae Young and a 2019 top 5 protected pick to the Atlanta Hawks for the 3rd pick Luka Doncic. At midseason, the Mavericks swung a deal with the Knicks to acquire the injury-recuperating star power forward Kristaps Porzingis. Essentially Dallas’ management has already replaced the lost 2019 first round pick by trading for Kristaps Porzingis.

If Porzingis is healthy and able to play, he gives Dallas a dynamic big man that replaces what the now-retired Dirk Nowitzki once in the form of a young player with a myriad of skills. Teamed with Luka Doncic, 2019-20 should be exciting for Mavericks fans.

The Mavericks do still have their 2nd round pick at #37 overall. In examining the current roster of the Mavericks, acquiring a guard with this selection might make the most sense. The Mavericks ended this past season 24th in assists per game and 20th in turnovers.

Also considering that two of their top point guards, J.J. Barea and Devin Harris combined to play just 106 games and are 34 and 35 years old respectively, the Mavericks need some youth at the guard spot.

#4 New Orleans Pelicans

2018-19 NBA regular season: 13th seed with a 33-49 record

The New Orleans Pelicans are in the throes of a remake or rebuild of their roster. Superstar center Anthony Davis is likely to be traded. The Pelicans, though, also hold possession of the 1st overall pick and thereby have a myriad of options available to them.

One option is obviously the consensus 1st overall pick Duke University’s athletic powerhouse, Zion Williamson. Whether his talent translates at the NBA level or not (which it should) and whether the Pelicans return to respectable play right away or not, he at least gives the Pelicans fan base something to be excited about. While not quite a replacement for Anthony Davis, Williamson is a 6’8 275 lbs power forward who dropped jaws with awe-inspiring athleticism and dunks in the NCAA this past year. He would and should replace Davis' scoring immediately.

At the moment, the Pelicans need everything and a secondary move at the draft that would be bold and help their rebuild is to move Anthony Davis for a package including the Knicks #3 pick at the draft and then select Ja Morant or R.J. Barrett. Morant would provide a fast-paced point guard while Barrett - who is more likely to available on the board then - would offer a long wing player who can create off the dribble for himself or teammates and shoot well from downtown.

As a team, in the 2018-19 season, the Pelicans were only 34.4% from 3-point range which was 24th in the NBA overall. Further, point guards Jrue Holiday and Elfrid Payton combined for 15.3 apg but also committed 5.8 turnovers. Payton also only played in 42 games. Should the Grizzlies chose Barrett with the 2nd pick Morant would be an excellent selection at three if the Pelicans can convince the Knicks to part with it.

With the 39th overall pick, the Pelicans, if they cannot acquire the Knicks #3 pick for Davis, should seek out a guard as it is likely they would also move Jrue Holiday if they move Anthony Davis via trade.

#3 Memphis Grizzlies

2018-19 NBA regular season: 12th seed with a 33-49 record

The Memphis Grizzlies are another team in the throes of a rebuild of their roster. At mid-season, they moved longtime center Marc Gasol to the now reigning NBA Champions Toronto Raptors for Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, and C.J. Miles. One fact that was clear with the Grizzlies all year was that they could defend but could not score.

The Grizzlies were dead last in points scored at 103.5 and 25th in 3-point efficiency shooting the long ball at just 32.5%. The Grizzlies were also just 19th in assists per game. Point guard Mike Conley who played in 70 games is now likely to receive guaranteed pay through 20-21. Mike Conley is 31 years old and making over $32 million a year, so Ja Morant may find himself the Grizzlies' man at the point after the 2019 draft when the Grizzlies select 2nd overall.

With Jonas Valanciunas replacing an aging Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies have better interior scoring. They do need to find perimeter scoring and in particular good shooters. However, without a second round pick the Grizzlies' only other option is to select R.J. Barrett with the first round pick, rather than point guard Ja Morant, who shot the three in college ball at 30.8%

#2 San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs v Denver Nuggets - Game Seven

2018-19 NBA regular season: 7th seed with a 48-34 record

The San Antonio Spurs had a decent season with a new star player in DeMar DeRozan replacing a disgruntled Kawhi Leonard who wound up winning an NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors. DeRozan was asked to do a lot. He continued his high scoring ability in the mid-range game at 21.2 ppg but also had to distribute and create more offense averaging a career-high 6.2 apg. The excess ball handling came due to the Spurs having to deal with a serious ACL knee injury to point guard Dejounte Murray. While Murray should be back next season, the Spurs are severely weak at the point guard spot.

Guard prospects such as Tyler Herro, KZ Okpala, and Romeo Langford may still be available to draft but none of them may necessarily be the ball handling offensive orchestrator the Spurs need. One option for the Spurs might be to package this 19th overall pick and send it to another team in return for a veteran point guard. A good trading partner might be Charlotte who face the possible loss of point guard Kemba Walker to free agency. His development as a scoring closer this season and experience could help the Spurs.

Also considering the Spurs have 2 first round picks (they also pick at #49 in the second round), looking for an interior defender to help in the rebounding category is less of a priority and easier to find in this draft than a good point guard will be.

#1 Houston Rockets

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets - Game Six

2018-19 NBA regular season: 4th seed with a 53-29 record

The Houston Rockets completed a strange 2018-19 season. Starting poorly, things got better for Mike D'Antoni's side but ultimately they were not able to advance as far in the playoffs as they did last season falling in six games to the Golden State Warriors in the second round. The latest rumors out of Houston is that everyone on the roster is available for the right asking price. However, it's likely they are stuck with Chris Paul’s big contract.

The Rockets need help in a number of areas. First, they need ball handlers to take the pressure off of James Harden and Chris Paul. Harden was averaging 5 turnovers a game even though he also averages around 7.5 assists per game. Despite the nearly 16 assists between Paul and Harden, Rockets were 28th in the league in creating baskets. The Rockets were also poor when it came to defensive rebounds even with Clint Capela as their center.

The 2019 NBA Draft is likely going to be quiet for the Houston Rockets unless they make trades to buy their way into the draft. It is more likely that the Rockets make trades and sign free agents in the off-season to retool an offense and roster too heavily reliant on James Harden.