The NBA Draft has benefited the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers over the last few years more than any of the other teams in the league. Battling with key injuries to longtime franchise leader Kobe Bryant and his retirement ceremonial season, the L.A. Lakers have been through many changes to acquire their young talented roster. The Philadelphia 76ers have pretty much been the laughing stock of the league since the departure of Andre Iguodala several years ago. The Boston Celtics have made some very wise business moves to snatch fresh young talent while already being a title contender.
Philadelphia 76ers' 'The Process'
In 2014, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted two players they would not get to see play an NBA game until two years later. Of course, most fans thought of the move to be rather unwise at the time. Fast-forward to two years later and both Joel Embiid and Dario Saric are the frontrunners for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.
In the 2015 NBA Draft, they were able to get the number two overall pick Jahlil Okafor who came off winning a National Championship at Duke University. However, the 76ers got their biggest break in the 2016 NBA Draft when they selected the young phenom out of LSU Ben Simmons as the number one overall pick.
Now, a season later, they are back in the 2017 NBA Draft with a chance to finally put the finishing pieces to their puzzle.
With another top three selection this year, Philly is looking like the future powerhouse of the Eastern Conference with arguably the most promising frontcourt the league has ever seen.
L.A. Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers were a playoff team not too many years ago. Their roster included future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, but ever since then, they have experienced their worst losing seasons in franchise history.
However, thanks to drafting players like D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Larry Nance Jr, the Lakers already have a young crew that will be a contender with the right personnel.
Magic Johnson will now play a major role in reconstructing the franchise alongside owner Jeanie Buss. In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Lakers hold the number two overall pick.
They are expected to draft California native Lonzo Ball who was a stud at the local college of UCLA. Even if they decide to do otherwise, this year's draft is loaded with many great guards that could boost the Lakers into a contender out West immediately.
Boston Celtics
It's very rare to see a team that finished their season in the conference finals get the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft. The Boston Celtics were able to pull that off this year, thanks to some great business moves made by the franchise a few seasons ago.
Now, the Celtics are enjoying the benefits of that sacrifice while already having a contending team. If the Celtics draft the projected number one pick Markelle Fultz this summer, they are sure to be a force to be reckoned with.
Returning to its roots
The NBA seems to be returning to its roots. During the 1970s and 80s, the 76ers, Celtics, and Lakers were arguably the most exciting franchises to watch. Many players who played for these franchises back then are now Hall of Famers. With all three of these teams holding the top three picks in this year's draft, the NBA may just be able to resurrect those epic times that shaped the league into what you see today.
