NBA Draft Grades

Last Thursday could be a major game changer for many franchises across the NBA landscape. No, we didn’t see any blockbuster deals like some expected, but we saw some draft picks traded, we saw potential superstars selected, and we saw some shocking picks nonetheless. So with the NBA Draft finally behind us, we wanted to share with you our thoughts on each team and grade them on their performance.

NOTE: Honestly each team’s grade is still “incomplete” because of the ongoing free agency period. Some teams have trades lined up already, others will be seeking trades based on who they drafted, and others still have holes to fill and free agency, rather than the draft, is how they will fill those needs. But, we’ll grade teams based on the draft alone anyways... cause it’s fun!

Atlanta Hawks

Draft Day Players: Adreian Payne (15), Walter Tavares (43), Lamar Patterson (48)

There is nothing “sexy” about this draft, as two of the players they drafted were college seniors with limited upside. With that said, Payne and Patterson have the potential to help immediately, which is probably what Atlanta was trying to accomplish. I particularly love Payne, as he can help on both sides of the floor and replace Elton Brand, who is a free agent. Tavares is a wildcard here, as he is young, big, and does possess huge upside. But he’s a player that will be stashed in Europe for at least a couple years.

Grade: B

Boston Celtics

Draft Day Players: Marcus Smart (6), James Young (17)

My draft grade is lower now than it could be in a couple of weeks. I love the talent they got in Smart and Young, but the Smart pick doesn’t make sense to me unless they trade Rajon Rondo. If they trade Rondo next month for some nice pieces (particularly at center or on the wing), then this draft becomes a sure A. With that said, Smart will be an excellent 2-way player for Brad Stevens for years to come, and Young has the potential to be a very good as well. If both find consistency on their outside shots, both could be All-Stars multiple times.

Draft Grade: B+

Brooklyn Nets

Draft Day Players: Markel Brown (44), Xavier Thames (59), Cory Jefferson (60)

My draft grade comes with a caveat: not having a first round pick due to their “all-in” trade last year really hurt them in a loaded draft. BUT, they picked extremely well in the second round and picked three guys capable of contributing in the near future. Brown can score the ball, Jefferson can rebound and do the dirty work, and Thames is really someone that can do everything on the court. So my grade is fairly high, due to the fact they picked well, not because they landed game-changers like other teams did.

Grade: A-

Charlotte Hornets

Draft Day Players: Noah Vonleh (9), P.J. Hairston (26), Dwight Powell (45), Semaj Christon (55)

Really think Charlotte nailed the draft. Adding Vonleh at #9 was an absolute steal, even though they planned on taking a shooter there. He can replace McRoberts at power forward (assuming Josh opts out), and he and Zeller are a great young combo paired up with Al Jefferson. This team needed a shooter, so grabbing Hairston at 26 was a home run. This guy tore up the D-League last year, and he’ll make an instant impact. Like Vonleh, Christon is another one that fell on draft night but is a massive steal. A couple months ago he was a definite first round pick, so he’ll be a nice backup for Kemba in my opinion. Powell could make the roster down the road and give some decent minutes off the bench. Charlotte was a playoff team in 2014, yet they added players that made them deeper for sure, and a couple that could become very dominant NBA players.

Grade: A+

Chicago Bulls

Draft Day Players: Doug McDermott (11), Cameron Bairstow (49)

The Bulls also needed a shooter, so coming away with McDermott was great for them. By trading their two first rounders for him, they may have saved a little money in the process too, which is important for free agency in July. Bairstow is another guy that fits Thibodeau’s mold well, but he may start in the D-League or worse as the roster is pretty loaded for the time being.

Grade: A-

Cleveland Cavaliers

Draft Day Players: Andrew Wiggins (1), Joe Harris (33)

I’m be tough on them because I’m not a Wiggins at #1 guy. Parker is who I would have drafted hands down. People talk about upside, but they ignore the tape. Did anybody watch college basketball last year? At worst, Parker is an unselfish version of Carmelo Anthony. At best he’s Kevin Durant. Wiggins doesn’t have that capability at all. I’d rather draft a superstar than a very good defender. Plus, trading the pick would have brought back a ton as well. If they really want Lebron, how could they not have traded #1 to Minny for Kevin Love? They blew their chance. With that said, Wiggins is still a nice talent, and Harris is a nice shooter. So I won’t go any lower than a C+.

Grade: C+

Dallas Mavericks

Draft Day Players: None

The Mavs entered the week with only a couple of second rounders, which they traded (along with players) to New York for Chandler and Felton. Didn’t love the trade, but Chandler could help them as he did a few years ago. They also didn’t own a first round pick because of a previous trade to OKC. I have to give them an F, as this was a great draft and they missed out.

Grade: F

Denver Nuggets

Draft Day Players: Jusuf Nurkic (16), Gary Harris (19), Nikoa Jokic (41)

I’m cheating a little and grading on their draft and the trade they made right before draft acquiring Aaron Afflalo for Fournier and a second rounder. Amazing deal for them since they acquired a starter for basically nothing. In the draft, they turned #11 into two potential All-Stars in Nurkic and Harris. Harris was a top ten player in this draft in my opinion, and Nurkic has massive upside and might end up being the best center in the draft. Jokic was a smart second round pick as well because he could be a solid player and he’ll be stashed in Europe since their current roster is already full.

Grade: A+

Detroit Pistons

Draft Day Players: Spencer Dinwiddie (38)

The lottery killed the Pistons, as Cleveland’s luck caused them to lose their draft pick to Charlotte. For a team that needed an impact star, this hurt. They did nail their second round choice though. Dinwiddie was a first rounder before his injury, and he brings great point guard skill to the table. I would love to see them part with Brandon Jennings and let Dinwiddie run the team from day 1.

Grade: B-

Golden State Warriors

Draft Day Players: None

Their draft pick was traded in order to acquire Aguodala last year. Good deal for them, as he’s better than anyone they could have landed in the 20’s. But it’s still tough for Golden State to swallow, as that pick could have been valuable in landing Kevin Love this season.

Grade: C

Houston Rockets

Draft Day Players: Clint Capela (25), Nick Johnson (42)

I like what Houston did, although I expected them to save cap space by trading #25. Nonetheless, Capela will stay overseas to develop while they make a run at Melo and others. Nick Johnson was a first round talent that can help them defensively right away. Solid selections if you ask me.

Grade: B+

Indiana Pacers

Draft Day Players: None

I’m a frustrated Pacers fan. We traded our first round pick to Phoenix, along with Plumlee and Green, to get Scola. At the time it was fine, but he didn’t help us get any closer to defeating the Heat. In fact, Plumlee and Green broke out with the Suns, and I’d love to have them back with us now. This first rounder could have gotten us a bench player that could score, something we still lack. Ouch!

Grade: F

LA Clippers

Draft Day Players: Chris Wilcox (28)

I like Wilcox, as he’s a terrific shooter that can stretch the floor for them. But they lack inside depth and drafted Bullock to do the same thing as Wilcox a year ago. Good player but wrong position.

Grade: C

LA Lakers

Draft Day Players: Julius Randle (7), Jordan Clarkson (46)

I thought LA did a nice job. Randle can help immediately, which is something Kobe will like. He also has a chip on his shoulder since he thinks he should have been higher. That’s good for them too. Clarkson was a first rounder a few months ago, and I believe he could help this year too as a bench spark plug. Now for those free agents…

Grade: A-

Memphis Grizzlies

Draft Day Players: Jordan Adams (22), Jarnell Stokes (35)

Memphis tried to get a scorer in Adams, which he is, but they needed one that could really shoot, which he can’t consistently. Stokes fits them well, but he’s simply a bruiser, so his upside is limited. So not terrible, but not great either.

Grade: C+

Miami Heat

Draft Day Players: Shabazz Napier (24)

The Heat nailed this draft for two reasons: 1. Napier fits a position of need and is a guy that can help immediately based on his experience. 2. Most importantly, this is whom Lebron wanted, so making him happy helps ensure he stays put. Win-win.

Grade: A+

Milwaukee Bucks

Draft Day Players: Jabari Parker (2), Damien Inglis (31), Johnny O’Bryant (36)

Another team that had a good night, as I think Jabari Parker was the best player in this draft. He’ll give them a star that can score tons of points. Inglis has massive upside due to his elite athleticism. O’Bryant gives them a big man that could be in the rotation. I think they got things right for the second year in a row.

Grade: A

Minnesota Timberwolves

Draft Day Players: Zach LaVine (13), Glenn Robinson III (40), Alessandro Gentile (53)

I give them an average grade because they could have acquired multiple first rounders by trading Kevin Love. The longer they keep him, the worse return they will get. They are failing in this area! The other reason this is average is that LaVine is very risky. He has massive potential, but there were sure things on the board. I like Robinson in the second, and I’ve heard Gentile could be good one day.

Grade: C

New Orleans Pelicans

Draft Day Players: Russ Smith (47)

No first round pick because they traded it to get Holiday last year, whom I like. They did as Russ Smith in the second, a productive college player, but one that lacks a position. He’ll have to play point guard, despite playing off the ball in college. He does play great defense though, which is nice.

Grade: C

New York Knicks

Draft Day Players: Cleanthony Early (34), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (51), Louis Labyrie (57)

I love Early, so he nearly makes up for the fact they didn’t have a pick in the first round. But I’m not sure he’s a superstar type of player, which they need since they are about to lose Carmelo. Not a huge fan of either of their other second round picks, which stinks as there were guys available that could help.

Grade: B-

Oklahoma City Thunder

Draft Day Players: Mitch McGary (21), Josh Huestis (29)

I like McGary, but I hated the Huestis pick. That puts them in the middle in terms of a grade. I added a minus because they should have traded for Iman Shumpert as was rumored, a guy that could help them immediately.

Grade: C-

Orlando Magic

Draft Day Players: Aaron Gordon (4), Elfrid Payton (10), Roy Devyn Marble (56)

They acquired good talent here no question, but I’m questioning the how and the why. Aaron Gordon is very talented defensively, and has the athleticism to be a great player. But without great size, and perimeter ability, I struggle to see what position he will play and I’m struggling to see how Orlando will score (they traded Afflalo). Exum, Vonleh, and even Smart/Randle were better selections for them at #4. Payton filled a point guard need for sure, but they gave up a future first round pick just to move up two spots. That’s very costly. The best scorer they brought in was Marble, but he’s not even guaranteed a spot on the roster. So good talent, but confusing too.

Grade: B

Philadelphia 76ers

Draft Day Players: Joel Embiid (3), Dario Saric (12), K.J. McDaniels (32), Jerami Grant (39), Vasilije Micic (52), Nemanja Dangubic (54), Jordan McRae (58)

Philly acquired a lot of assets on draft day, but it remains to be seen how they can help on the court. Embiid may end up being the best player in the draft, but his injury history is scary, he’ll be out for a while as is, and how will he fit with Noel? Saric was a top ten talent too, but he’ll be overseas for at least two more years, and he’s another big guy. McDaniels and Grant have upside and were once considered first rounders, but they can’t play offense so how will Philly score? Micic and Dangubic are nice players to stash, but will they ever help? McRae may fill the scoring void, but does he have NBA athleticism to truly help? The best thing about the draft is they picked up another future first round pick, and they guaranteed a top 5 selection next season.

Grade: C-

Phoenix Suns

Draft Day Players: T.J. Warren (14), Tyler Ennis (18), Bogdan Bogdanovic (27), Alec Brown (50)

The Suns used their picks in ways I thought they might. They got a wing scorer in Warren, a backup point guard in Ennis, and a great talent to stash overseas in Bogdanovic. The Suns are a team with a lot of talent now, but they still lack a star. Will they use these pieces to get a star (or two), or will they continue to be a balanced team?

Grade: B

Portland Trail Blazers

Draft Day Players: None

It would have nice to have a pick, maybe one to help the bench. But not sure if anyone at 24 would have helped much for a playoff team looking to take a step further.

Grade: C

Sacramento Kings

Draft Day Players: Nik Stauskas (8)

I like Stauskas and considered him the best shooting prospect in the draft, but I was shocked they went this direction, and there is work to be done. I also thought they would trade him to Chicago for 16 and 19, but Denver did that instead. We’ll see what transpires in free agency, and we’ll see what this means for McLemore.

Grade: B

San Antonio Spurs

Draft Day Players: Kyle Anderson (30)

The NBA Champions return their core, so they didn’t need to add anything big in the draft. What they did add though fit them perfectly, as Anderson is versatile, big, knows how to play, and may be the best playmaker/passer in the draft. That fits Coach Pop well, and many say he’ll be used like Diaw.

Grade: A+

Toronto Raptors

Draft Day Players: Bruno Caboclo (20), DeAndre Daniels (37)

They blew their 20^th selection taking a guy I’ve never heard of. Can’t believe he’ll help any time soon, or at all. Only reason this grade isn’t an F is because I love Daniels. He’s a nice second round pick for sure.

Grade: D-

Utah Jazz

Draft Day Players: Dante Exum (5), Rodney Hood (23)

Exum was one of my favorite players in the draft, and I think he’s a steal at 5. He can play with Burke due to different styles, and they can each handle the point guard duties when the other is resting. Hood was another steal at 23, as I thought he’d go around 15. He’s a nice shooter and scorer, and fills a need at the small forward spot. They took a step forward Thursday as a team, especially if they can now re-sign Hayward.

Grade: A+

Washington Wizards

Draft Day Players: None

The Wizards traded their pick to get Gortat, and guy that was monumental in getting them to the playoffs. Well done. Now I hope they can retrain him.

Grade: B

Now it’s on to free agency. Lots of holes to fill for teams and big names to fill them. Some teams need role players, others need stars, but every team needs help. It should be fun, exciting, and confusing, just like this draft was!

By: The Sports Guys