Its to early in the NBA and NCAA season to really talk draft but I have a few thoughts and they are positive for the Cs. My main point is this class looks to have a clear top 3 then a good but evenly talented next 12-15. The thing that works really well for the Cs is the fact that alot of this talent lies in the 3 and the 5 positions. Granted trades can happen and things can change but the current Cs roster has youth at PG (Smart), SG (AB, Young) and PF (Sully, KO, Powell). Depending on how you view young that leaves room for a young 3 and 5.
Looking at the projected 1st round from draft express.
Centers
Okafor #1
Towns #3
WCS # 9
Turner #14
Johnson #20
Kaminsky #21
I'm not high on Kaminsky but the other 5 should could very well be good to great starting centers. With the exception of Towns I left of a number of 4/5s in the draft. I could see five of these guys as lottery picks.
Small Forwards
Oubre #4
Hezonia #5 (6'8 so i count him as 3)
Winslow #7
Johnson #8
Dekker #11
Hollis-jefferson #17
That is a talented group I have been impressed with Winslow and loved Hollis-Jefferson last season. Dekker should have a break out year and measured better then I expected at a legit 6'9 over the summer. Johnson is a beast with a build like Ron Artest. I expect all 6 to go in the lottery.
Those two list could easily have 11 of the 14 lottery picks. Add from draft express 2PGs and 3 PFs that leaves 16 players. If the roster stays as it is I expect the Cs to fight for a playoff spot this should still leave them in the range for one of these high level SFs or Centers. My hope right now is Turner the under athletic but long and big Center from Texas or WCS the elite rim protector.