NBA Draft Grades

Well basketball fans, the draft is behind us and we can officially look towards next year. There were two main themes I kept discussing before the draft:


1. The depth this class had. That's still accurate as evidenced by last night. Look at some of the undrafted guys as discussed by Jay Bilas:


- Alabama took a hit with both JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell going undrafted. So did Georgetown after Hollis Thompson and Henry Sims went unselected. Add New Mexico's Drew Gordon, Xavier's Tu Holloway, Long Beach State's Casper Ware, Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor, Ohio State's William Buford, Texas' J'Covan Brown, West Virginia's Kevin Jones and Iona's Scott Machado to the list of players who didn't get picked. 


2. The trades we were expecting. They didn't happen. There weren't big moves containing key players or high draft picks. The highest pick involved last night was 17. Most, including myself, expected movement up and down the board, starting with the second overall pick. Oh well.
To cap off the draft process, below we will grade every team A-Z on how Thursday went for them:


Atlanta Hawks
Players: John Jenkins, Mike Scott
Grade: B


The good news is that they filled some holes and got players that can contribute immediately. Jenkins was the best shooter in the draft and can contribute off the bench in that role. Scott is an experienced player that can give them some inside punch off the bench. With rumors swirling about Josh Smith, it was key to get another 4 man. Neither pick though was a "Wow" pick.


Boston Celtics
Players: Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo, Kris Joseph
Grade: A-


I thought Boston had a great first round. I don't care about Sully's injury risk... he's the best low post scorer in the draft and will contribute immediately. Fab Melo is big and he is a great inside defender. Remember they parted with Kendrick Perkins last year, and Melo can fill that role. His upside is also huge.


The reason the draft wasn't perfect is that they didn't add shooting. With the potential loss of Ray Allen, I thought they needed shooting, even if it was acquired in the second round. They stayed put and got Kris Joseph, who has upside, but doesn't really have an NBA position. Their offseason work is key now to keep/sign shooting.


Brooklyn Nets
Players: Tyshawn Taylor, Tornike Shengelia, Ilkan Karaman
Grade: D


The good here is Tyshawn Taylor. I think he can be a servicable starter for a long time (similar to Chalmers on Miami). The bad is that they need talent and they didn't have a first rounder. I'd would have much preferred the high pick than getting Gerald Wallace. Also, they need help now and getting two foreign guys doesn't do much for them. They will continue to be bad (particularly if Williams leaves and Howard never comes). Not a great night for me.


Charlotte Bobcats
Players: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeff Taylor
Grade: A+


I think the Bobcats finally did something good. I said before the draft that although Davis was the best prospect in the draft, MKG is the best player. So getting him at number 2 was the correct play in my opinion (as opposed to trading it). Jeff Taylor is similar to Taylor, but just not as talented. He is a winner and will also contribute immediately. These guys can help change the culture.


The move they made pre-draft to get Gordon and a pick was nice also. Gordon can give them some scoring punch that they need now. The pick could end up being a great lottery pick. That can lead to another game changer. These were all steps in the right direction.


Chicago Bulls
Players: Marquis Teague
Grade: A


I think this is tremendous value. Teague could have been much higher in a normal draft, and easily top 10 a year from now. He can be a backup right now (and great insurance for Rose), but can also become a star. They are really in need of a scorer/shooter though so now they must turn to free agency. Unfortunately for them, they didn't have a second round pick which could have been used to fill this need.


Cleveland Cavaliers
Players: Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller
Grade: C


This was an interesting draft for the Cavs. Ultimately they wanted Beal at 2 and failed to pull off the deal. So I though Waiters was a reach at 4. In fact, I think he is similar to Irving in many ways instead of complimenting him. The trade they did pull off was both good and bad. The bad was that they gave up 3 very quality picks to move up 7 spots. That seems like a ton to me! The good though was that Tyler Zeller has a lot of skill, goes well with there team, and fills a need. He will be a great big to run the floor with Irving and Waiters. Overall though, it was just an average draft.


Dallas Mavericks
Players: Jared Cunningham, Bernard James, Jae Crowder
Grade: C


Even though Tyler Zeller would have been a great fit for them, I thought their trade to get 3 quality picks was great. The problem is that I don't think they took advantage. Cunningham has upside and fills a need, but was a total reach. He could have been acquired mid-second round (or at least with one of their picks in the early 30's). Bernard James is a feel good story, but he's 27 and very unpolished. Jae Crowder is sort of out of position at the NBA level. All three picks to me were terrible value for their spots and no help immediately. In fact, it's no help in the long term either except for maybe Cunningham.


Denver Nuggets
Players: Evan Fournier, Quincy Miller, Izzet Turkyilmaz
Grade: B+


I'm usually not a big fan of drafting and stashing oversees (hence only a B+). But in this case I thought they did a good job. Denver currently has a lot of depth and are lacking in stars. So by drafting who they did I think they drafted by potential. Fournier was the best European player and prospect in the draft and could be a big time scorer. Izzet is a 7'0 perimeter big man, similar to Dirk (although I doubt he'll be that good). Both of these guys can be kept in Europe to develop since they have so many quality players currently on roster. Quincy Miller could be the steal of the draft. He has top 10 talent and upside, yet they got him in the second round. He is another guy that could turn into a star they lack.


Detroit Pistons
Players: Andre Drummond, Khris Middleton, Kim English
Grade: A+


Another team that took advantage of where they were drafting. They were looking for another big to pair with Greg Monroe and they got one. In fact, I think he's one of the better overall prospects in the draft and he is a different type of player than Monroe. The front line now has Robinson/Duncan size (although probably not ability). I thought they also drafted well in the second round. Middleton would have been a first rounder had injuries not slowed him down. English gives them shooting and scorer that they lost in Ben Gordon. Many though English could have been a late first rounder so they got him at a great spot.


Golden State Warriors
Players: Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, Draymond Green, Ognjen Kuzmic
Grade: A


This team had a lot of holes to fill and they did a good job filling many of them. Barnes has more upside than possibly anyone not named Davis. He gives them a scorer they lacked since the Monta trade. Ezeli gives them size that they coveted and could be a contributor sooner than most think. I love Green. He gives them a player at SF that knows how to win and be a team player. Kuzmic is another big they could afford to stash. They actually have some decent depth now so it was important to stash someone.


Houston Rockets
Players: Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, Terrence Jones
Grade: B


They never were able to get that top 10 pick they coveted. Nor were they able to trade Kyle Lowry (who is getting more and more disgruntled). But they did get 3 guys that can contribute now and possibly grow into stars. Lamb could become a big time 2 guard. The only issue is that Kevin Martin is there so his minutes could be limited unless they play small. White and Jones both are versatile and have great upside. They are similar though in their position so figuring out how to play and develop both of them will be a challenge. I would have preferred taking Zeller at 16 (cause they need a big) and drafting either White or Jones at 18. That would have filled more of what they needed.


Indiana Pacers
Players: Miles Plumlee, Orlando Johnson
Grade: F


My team did the worst job last night. They had the chance to get a real difference maker at 26 and they went with Miles Plumlee. What are you thinking Indiana? His ceiling is a backup player. You already have that in Tyler Hansbrough. I agree they needed a big, but why not Perry Jones whose ceiling is a superstar. I don't get it at all. If they really wanted him (for reasons unknown) they could have traded into the second round to take him there. In fact, he may have went undrafted. The paragraph at the top that contains some of the undrafted guys, I like most of them more than Plumlee and Indiana took him at 26 overall. Just stupid! Orlando Johnson could be a big time scorer which is nice... but Miles Plumlee?


LA Clippers
Players: Furkan Aldemir
Grade: D


It hurt they didn't have a first rounder. Now, the success of their season next year will come down to free agency. Furkan doesn't do anything for them and doesn't fill their needs. They need shooting and scoring... like now.


LA Lakers
Players: Darius Johnson-Odom, Robert Sacre
Grade: B


Just like the Clips, not having a first rounder hurt them last night. In a great class like this it would have been nice. I hated their off-season (and in-season) moves last year so I hope they do better. They took some nice steps here. Even though these 2 were late second rounders, they are talented and experienced players that may contribute immediately. They need that.


Memphis Grizzlies
Players: Tony Wroten Jr.
Grade: A-


They had only one pick in the draft but I think they got a potential all-star. He is similar to Rondo (as Jay Bilas said last night) in that he can't shoot but he does everything else well. If he can step in and play point, they could then use Conley as draft bait to get a big time scorer they need. I joked on Twitter last night they could send Conley and Mayo to the Hornets for Eric Gordon (who NO could do a sign and trade). Then they would be in business.


Miami Heat
Players: Justin Hamilton
Grade: A-


The defending champs drafted like the champs. They don't need a player to step in immediately because they already are the best. By trading their first rounder, they got a future first rounder (GREAT) and they saved the money of signing a first rounder now. They have a lot of long term contracts in place so that money is key. The pick they did make in the second round was all about size. And they could use size. Nice pick.


Milwaukee Bucks
Players: John Henson, Doron Lamb
Grade: B


They got a big and a guard. I like that. Lamb as second round pick was awesome. He is the second best shooter in the draft and that is key. His upside is also high. Henson is raw but a good defender. I'm not a big fan of him however. At 14 though it wasn't all that bad, although his former teammate Zeller (who I love) would have been better for me.


Minnesota Timberwolves
Players: Robbie Hummel
Grade: C


I actually think it was a good value pick. He is smart and adds shooting they need. I don't think he can be a huge difference maker however, but at 58 that's okay. The only real problem I had is that they didn't have a pick until 58. That kills a team that needs talent.


New Orleans Hornets
Players: Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, Darius Miller
Grade: A+


They really got some major assets last night. Obviously, Davis was the best prospect in the draft. He is one of the more promising big men we have had in the draft in a while. I also think Rivers can be a superstar. He has the talent and attitude to become great. Darius Miller is a very good second round pick. He fills a need vacated when Ariza was traded. He give a lot and can play right away.


The thing they have to decide is what position Rivers will play. To me, he is very similar to Eric Gordon: a small scoring 2 guard. Will they sign Gordon? Will Rivers move to point guard? Will they get a point guard in free agency? That's the next thing to work through. But in terms of acquiring talent, they did the best out of any team in the draft.


New York Knicks
Players: Kostas Papanikalaou
Grade: D


For analysis, see LA Clippers.


Oklahoma City Thunder
Players: Perry Jones III
Grade: A+


I loved their pick last night. PJIII has top 5 talent but hasn't realized it yet. If he does, getting him this late could be the pick of the draft. This gives them a potential star 4 man as good as Kevin Garnett. Also, they were thinking about trading Harden to get #2 and glad they didn't. If they can keep him long term and let PJIII develop into a star, they now have studs at every position and I love this lineup: 


PG Russell Westbrook
SG James Harden
SF Kevin Durant
PF Perry Jones III
C  Serge Ibaka


Orlando Magic
Players: Andrew Nicholson, Kyle O'Quinn
Grade: A


More than anything, they needed another impact player and they got that with Nicholson. He can be a great 4 man for a long time. Him and Howard make a great frontline. O'Quinn adds great size and will be a great backup big. He is also good insurance if they lose Dwight. The only negative is that they needed some backcourt help...but that can be acquired in free agency or with a Dwight trade.


Philadelphia 76ers
Players: Maurice Harkless, Arnett Moultrie
Grade: B


Even though they gave up a future first rounder, I think they got some nice talent. Both of these guys have good upside. I am not truly sold on either though. Just as easily as they could be good, they could be bad and busts. They are positions of need though and they got two more young pieces to add to their youthful core.


Phoenix Suns
Players: Kendall Marshall
Grade: B


This pick proves Nash will be gone. And with Nash gone, they do need a floor general. Marshall is the best passer in the draft so that was the good. The bad is that he can't shoot like Nash. He will also struggle some defensively. Free agency and future drafts will be important to lay a foundation around him. After all, he needs talented scorers to pass it to.


Portland Trailblazers
Players: Damion Lillard, Meyers Leonard, Will Barton
Grade: A-


I think they got a lot of talent and totally filled some holes. They wanted a point guard and a big man more than anything. Lillard and Leonard both have great upside. They are a tad risky but it could pay off. Lillard is an athletic point just like Rose. Leonard emerged this year at Illinois. He has the size for a great 5 man. His skills still need to develop a touch though.


Will Barton is an extremely talented player that could become a solid starter in the NBA. He can score it and has good size for a 2 man. He also will be about to work in slowly as they already have Wesley Matthews. If I am in Portland, I walk away excited about the prospects of all 3 players.


Sacramento Kings
Players: Thomas Robinson
Grade: B+


I thought their pick at 5 was smart. Robinson could be a good 4 man and will fit nicely with Cousins inside. He is a little undersized for a 4 man, but his athleticism should help (and being next to Cousins helps this also). They debated trading the pick and that could have been a good idea. If they could have nabbed Lowry and 2 of Houston's picks that may have been great too. The trade they did make was with Indiana and it was for cash. I think they could have used that pick to get more talent, but now it just depends on what they do with that money. If it helps go towards a good free agent in the future then it was well worth it.


San Antonio Spurs
Players: Marcus Denmon
Grade: C


Very similar to Minnesota. They didn't have a pick until the end of the draft. They don't have as many holes, but they are old and could use more young talent. Denmon can shoot it but doesn't have a position. They made guys like Danny Green and Gary Neal work so maybe he will too.


Toronto Raptors
Players: Terrence Ross, Quincy Acy, Tomislav Zubcic
Grade: D


I don't really like any of the picks. Ross is a great shooter and that was desired. But at number 8 he was a reach. There were so many other great players there and Ross could have been gotten lower. Everyone knew Houston wanted into the top 10. They could have easily traded their pick to Houston and moved down to take Ross there. Acy was a decent college player but doesn't have a position in the NBA. He is a power forward type but is 6'6. He does add energy but Toronto needs more than that. Lastly, for a team like the Raptors they need help now. A stashed player won't do anything for them.


Utah Jazz
Players: Kevin Murphy
Grade: C


Didn't really love them getting rid of their 18th pick, although Budinger will give them shooting. Murphy could be a great sleeper in this draft. He is a great scorer and will fit in well at Utah. It's nothing to get overexcited about though.


Washington Wizards
Players: Bradley Beal, Tomas Satoransky
Grade: A-


As much as I hate their pick at 32, I equally love their pick at 3. They needed a 2 guard and a shooter. Beal could be a superstar at that position. He will love playing with John Wall. He fits in better with them than nearly every other team. At 32, they had the chance to add another impact player. I think they wasted their chance with it. But Beal makes up for it though!


So there you have the draft analysis. Free agency will be interesting this year and so important for many teams. Who will improve through signing guys... we will have to wait and see.


Andrew