Every year I decide grading the draft on (or shortly after) draft night is silly because the draft is just one part of the off-season. We don’t know what will happen the rest of the way. With that in mind I’m doing more of a “grading the off-season thus far” thing than a “grading the draft” thing.
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Charlotte Bobcats
Cleveland Cavaliers
Utah Jazz
Atlanta Hawks
Jeff Teague
Sergey Gladyr
Jamal Crawford
Prior to draft night the Hawks gave up Acie Law and Speedy Claxton’s decaying body for Crawford. That trade doesn’t sound all that bad, but in reality the trade might be more like Law and Mike Bibby for Crawford. That doesn’t sound quite as good. Even without Bibby drafting a point guard would be a decent idea. Instead the Hawks took a guy in Teague that really isn’t a point guard. I think they would have been better off going with Maynor. It has not been a a disastrous off-season thus far, but they probably have gotten a bit worse than last year.
Grade: C-
Sergey Gladyr
Jamal Crawford
Prior to draft night the Hawks gave up Acie Law and Speedy Claxton’s decaying body for Crawford. That trade doesn’t sound all that bad, but in reality the trade might be more like Law and Mike Bibby for Crawford. That doesn’t sound quite as good. Even without Bibby drafting a point guard would be a decent idea. Instead the Hawks took a guy in Teague that really isn’t a point guard. I think they would have been better off going with Maynor. It has not been a a disastrous off-season thus far, but they probably have gotten a bit worse than last year.
Grade: C-
Boston Celtics
Lester Hudson
Perhaps it’s lazy to say a guy that once got a quadruple double is attractive because he can do it all, but Hudson can really do it all. He is definitely a big time scorer, but he can rebound from the guard position and he’s not a bad distributor either (although it’s tough to know just where that skill level is due to the skill level of his teammates). I don’t know that he’ll make the Celtics team, but this is great value for a guy late in the second round.
Grade: B
Perhaps it’s lazy to say a guy that once got a quadruple double is attractive because he can do it all, but Hudson can really do it all. He is definitely a big time scorer, but he can rebound from the guard position and he’s not a bad distributor either (although it’s tough to know just where that skill level is due to the skill level of his teammates). I don’t know that he’ll make the Celtics team, but this is great value for a guy late in the second round.
Grade: B
Charlotte Bobcats
Gerald Henderson
Derrick Brown
Cash
In what is a common theme in this draft, I don’t love Henderson, but I’m not sure they could have made a better pick there. He was somewhere around the best player on the board and he fits a need. Brown was really good value in the second round.
Grade: B+
Chicago Bulls
Derrick Brown
Cash
In what is a common theme in this draft, I don’t love Henderson, but I’m not sure they could have made a better pick there. He was somewhere around the best player on the board and he fits a need. Brown was really good value in the second round.
Grade: B+
Chicago Bulls
James Johnson
Taj Gibson
The Bulls made two reasonable picks, even if neither was great. Like pretty much every other team in the NBA, DeJuan Blair would have been a good fit. Still, Johnson is a guy with a fairly high upside that could be really good if he develops some perimeter skills. However, he’s athletic and long enough to get away with some time at the power forward position while he waits for those to develop. Gibson is probably just about a finished product and he may be forced to provide some minutes, particularly if Tyrus Thomas gets dealt. The Bulls are likely not done this off-season. They probably will not retain Ben Gordon and talks have been going about trading Kirk Hinrich. If they lose Gordon and Hinrich they will need some more players in the backcourt. This was an OK start to the off-season, but the potential still exists for it to be a disaster.
Taj Gibson
The Bulls made two reasonable picks, even if neither was great. Like pretty much every other team in the NBA, DeJuan Blair would have been a good fit. Still, Johnson is a guy with a fairly high upside that could be really good if he develops some perimeter skills. However, he’s athletic and long enough to get away with some time at the power forward position while he waits for those to develop. Gibson is probably just about a finished product and he may be forced to provide some minutes, particularly if Tyrus Thomas gets dealt. The Bulls are likely not done this off-season. They probably will not retain Ben Gordon and talks have been going about trading Kirk Hinrich. If they lose Gordon and Hinrich they will need some more players in the backcourt. This was an OK start to the off-season, but the potential still exists for it to be a disaster.
Grade: C+
Cleveland Cavaliers
Christian Eyenga
Danny Green
Emir Preldzic
Shaquille O’Neal
I’m in favor of the Shaq trade. On ESPN, Mark Jackson was criticizing it by saying that the Cavs really struggled to defend the pick and roll and Shaq is a terrible pick and roll defender. That may all be true, but this off-season is not over yet. But Jackson is correct that the Cavs need more bodies. With that in mind, Eyenga was a poor pick for the Cavs. Regardless of whether he ever turns into anything good, the Cavs maybe more than any other team out there could use immediate help. Eyenga will not be there. The only thing I can think of is that they want to save that money to spend on a veteran. Green was a good pick for them in the second round. I am not necessarily convinced that he is skilled enough to make the team, but Green is probably pretty close to a finished product and has a better chance of making the team than a lot of other second round picks.
Grade: B-
Danny Green
Emir Preldzic
Shaquille O’Neal
I’m in favor of the Shaq trade. On ESPN, Mark Jackson was criticizing it by saying that the Cavs really struggled to defend the pick and roll and Shaq is a terrible pick and roll defender. That may all be true, but this off-season is not over yet. But Jackson is correct that the Cavs need more bodies. With that in mind, Eyenga was a poor pick for the Cavs. Regardless of whether he ever turns into anything good, the Cavs maybe more than any other team out there could use immediate help. Eyenga will not be there. The only thing I can think of is that they want to save that money to spend on a veteran. Green was a good pick for them in the second round. I am not necessarily convinced that he is skilled enough to make the team, but Green is probably pretty close to a finished product and has a better chance of making the team than a lot of other second round picks.
Grade: B-
Dallas Mavericks
Rodrigue Beaubois
Nick Calathes
Ahmad Nivins
Two second round picks
Beaubois may have been a bit of a reach for Dallas, but if he was the man they like then I don’t have much of a problem with that pick, particularly considering I doubt there were many guys available that could have helped immediately. Dallas might as well take a high upside guy that they don’t need to pay now but may be available in a few years when they need to start rebuilding. They were pretty busy with dealing second round picks. They picked up a couple (one which turned into Ahmad Nivins) from Portland in the trade prior to the draft and they picked up another as they picked Mullens for Oklahoma City and got Beaubois back. Then they used a second round pick to get Calathes. That was a pretty good use of a second round pick because Calathes is another guy that might be able to help them after he gets some more work abroad.
Grade: B
Denver Nuggets
Nick Calathes
Ahmad Nivins
Two second round picks
Beaubois may have been a bit of a reach for Dallas, but if he was the man they like then I don’t have much of a problem with that pick, particularly considering I doubt there were many guys available that could have helped immediately. Dallas might as well take a high upside guy that they don’t need to pay now but may be available in a few years when they need to start rebuilding. They were pretty busy with dealing second round picks. They picked up a couple (one which turned into Ahmad Nivins) from Portland in the trade prior to the draft and they picked up another as they picked Mullens for Oklahoma City and got Beaubois back. Then they used a second round pick to get Calathes. That was a pretty good use of a second round pick because Calathes is another guy that might be able to help them after he gets some more work abroad.
Grade: B
Denver Nuggets
Ty Lawson
I probably like Lawson a bit more than the basketball community. Denver could use a point guard behind Chauncey Billups so this was a trade that makes a lot of sense for them. The first rounder they gave up for Lawson was actually a Charlotte first rounder. That makes it a bit risky because if Charlotte sucks that could be a pretty good pick (although there is some protection and I don’t know what that protection is).
Grade: A
Detroit Pistons
Austin Daye
DaJuan Summers
Jonas Jerebko
Fabricio Oberto
Second round pick
Cash
Of all teams that deserve an incomplete thus far for their off-season, Detroit would have to be towards the top of the list. That’s lazy though, so I’ll end up grading them anyway. Let’s see where they stand. First of all, they traded Amir Johnson for Oberto, whom they will likely get rid off. That will provide them even more money, which they will throw at some free agents. Ben Gordon is widely considered to be one of the targets. Who will be the other? Carlos Boozer? Hedo Turkoglu? Either way, the couple free agents they get will go along with Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey, as well as draft picks Daye and Summers. I am not sure how well it will work, but it might be fascinating. Neither Daye nor Summers are likely to be stars in the league, but they might both be able to contribute a couple minutes (especially as Detroit figures to have some roster spots available). The off-season thus far is probably going as well as Detroit could have hoped.
Grade: B+
Golden State Warriors
I probably like Lawson a bit more than the basketball community. Denver could use a point guard behind Chauncey Billups so this was a trade that makes a lot of sense for them. The first rounder they gave up for Lawson was actually a Charlotte first rounder. That makes it a bit risky because if Charlotte sucks that could be a pretty good pick (although there is some protection and I don’t know what that protection is).
Grade: A
Detroit Pistons
Austin Daye
DaJuan Summers
Jonas Jerebko
Fabricio Oberto
Second round pick
Cash
Of all teams that deserve an incomplete thus far for their off-season, Detroit would have to be towards the top of the list. That’s lazy though, so I’ll end up grading them anyway. Let’s see where they stand. First of all, they traded Amir Johnson for Oberto, whom they will likely get rid off. That will provide them even more money, which they will throw at some free agents. Ben Gordon is widely considered to be one of the targets. Who will be the other? Carlos Boozer? Hedo Turkoglu? Either way, the couple free agents they get will go along with Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey, as well as draft picks Daye and Summers. I am not sure how well it will work, but it might be fascinating. Neither Daye nor Summers are likely to be stars in the league, but they might both be able to contribute a couple minutes (especially as Detroit figures to have some roster spots available). The off-season thus far is probably going as well as Detroit could have hoped.
Grade: B+
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry
Acie Law
Speedy Claxton
That trade that netted them Law and Claxton’s insurance money for Jamal Crawford was good because it probably saved them money and got Crawford off the team. They are probably not getting any production from that trade, but that is most likely OK. Curry in a backcourt with Monta Ellis is not a wonderful thing, but Curry was still the most obvious pick there. Like the Pistons, it is much too early to give the Warriors a grade with any confidence because of the possible trade for Amare Stoudemire. I’m pretty happy with how things are thus far for Golden State.
Grade: A
Houston Rockets
Acie Law
Speedy Claxton
That trade that netted them Law and Claxton’s insurance money for Jamal Crawford was good because it probably saved them money and got Crawford off the team. They are probably not getting any production from that trade, but that is most likely OK. Curry in a backcourt with Monta Ellis is not a wonderful thing, but Curry was still the most obvious pick there. Like the Pistons, it is much too early to give the Warriors a grade with any confidence because of the possible trade for Amare Stoudemire. I’m pretty happy with how things are thus far for Golden State.
Grade: A
Houston Rockets
Chase Budinger
Sergio Llull
Jermaine Taylor
R.J. Anderson on Beyond the Boxscore had an interesting take on Houston’s draft. Noticably, the Rockets traded or bought their way into the second round three times. Daryl Morey is one of the smartest, most progressive general managers in the league, so it is possible that the Rockets have noticed that second round picks are undervalued in the NBA. Then again, it might just be a situation where the Rockets needed bodies to fill out a roster and this is the cheapest way to do it. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how the Rockets approach the draft in future years. Either way, the Rockets picked up some intriguing players in the second round. Budinger could have gone in the late first round without being a crazy pick and Taylor was a reasonable pick early in the second. It would not be stunning to see either make a roster, and they were able to take another guy they can stash overseas. I am inclined to believe that Morey might be onto something here.
Grade: A
Indiana Pacers
Sergio Llull
Jermaine Taylor
R.J. Anderson on Beyond the Boxscore had an interesting take on Houston’s draft. Noticably, the Rockets traded or bought their way into the second round three times. Daryl Morey is one of the smartest, most progressive general managers in the league, so it is possible that the Rockets have noticed that second round picks are undervalued in the NBA. Then again, it might just be a situation where the Rockets needed bodies to fill out a roster and this is the cheapest way to do it. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how the Rockets approach the draft in future years. Either way, the Rockets picked up some intriguing players in the second round. Budinger could have gone in the late first round without being a crazy pick and Taylor was a reasonable pick early in the second. It would not be stunning to see either make a roster, and they were able to take another guy they can stash overseas. I am inclined to believe that Morey might be onto something here.
Grade: A
Indiana Pacers
Tyler Hansbrough
A.J. Price
I’m not going to kill the Pacers for that Hansbrough pick. Sure, it seems early to take him in the late lottery, particularly ahead of guys like Earl Clark, James Johnson, and DeJuan Blair. But this is the 2009 Draft. I know a lot of people figured they would go point guard, and that would have been reasonable as well, but they are still OK there (and you can even argue they addressed that with Price, but I don’t imagine Price making the roster). Hansbrough will probably never be a good starter in the NBA, but he is probably good enough to eat up some minutes and I’m not sure they could have gotten much more than that at the 13th pick in this draft.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Clippers
A.J. Price
I’m not going to kill the Pacers for that Hansbrough pick. Sure, it seems early to take him in the late lottery, particularly ahead of guys like Earl Clark, James Johnson, and DeJuan Blair. But this is the 2009 Draft. I know a lot of people figured they would go point guard, and that would have been reasonable as well, but they are still OK there (and you can even argue they addressed that with Price, but I don’t imagine Price making the roster). Hansbrough will probably never be a good starter in the NBA, but he is probably good enough to eat up some minutes and I’m not sure they could have gotten much more than that at the 13th pick in this draft.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin
There is not a lot to be said about here. The Clippers had one of the easiest decisions to make in draft history and they got it right.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Lakers
There is not a lot to be said about here. The Clippers had one of the easiest decisions to make in draft history and they got it right.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Lakers
Chinemelu Elonu
Two second round picks
Two cashes
The Lakers played this draft the right way. They did not have a need for more bodies, so they picked up money (twice) and a second round pick (twice). They picked up Elonu at the end of the draft, but I imagine that is only because there is not much value out there for the second to last pick in the draft. I cannot imagine he makes the team.
Grade: B+
Memphis Grizzlies
Two second round picks
Two cashes
The Lakers played this draft the right way. They did not have a need for more bodies, so they picked up money (twice) and a second round pick (twice). They picked up Elonu at the end of the draft, but I imagine that is only because there is not much value out there for the second to last pick in the draft. I cannot imagine he makes the team.
Grade: B+
Memphis Grizzlies
Hasheem Thabeet
DeMarre Carroll
Sam Young
Quentin Richardson
Cash
I think the best thing the Grizzlies got out of this draft was the cash in the Darko Milicic trade. Thabeet is probably going to turn into a great help defender that will be incapable of much else. That’s not great to get out of the second pick in the draft; this draft was weak, but it was not that weak. Carroll might be a good defensive and energy player if he can keep his liver in check. Young is actually my favorite of all their draft picks. He is a relatively ready small forward that should defend well and not be a drain on the offensive end. In fact, he might have been a better fit on a team that could use some ready help where his help might accomplish something.
Grade: D-
Miami Heat
DeMarre Carroll
Sam Young
Quentin Richardson
Cash
I think the best thing the Grizzlies got out of this draft was the cash in the Darko Milicic trade. Thabeet is probably going to turn into a great help defender that will be incapable of much else. That’s not great to get out of the second pick in the draft; this draft was weak, but it was not that weak. Carroll might be a good defensive and energy player if he can keep his liver in check. Young is actually my favorite of all their draft picks. He is a relatively ready small forward that should defend well and not be a drain on the offensive end. In fact, he might have been a better fit on a team that could use some ready help where his help might accomplish something.
Grade: D-
Miami Heat
Robert Dozier
Patrick Beverley
Two second round picks
My favorite thing that they did was get a couple of second round picks from the Hornets. There was not a lot out there for them at that point and those picks might come in handy to move up in a future draft to get something they might want. I am not a big Dozier guy as I don’t think he provides much other than athleticism. I’m intrigued by Beverley because he does have talent and I would like to see how he has progressed since leaving Arkansas. Likely he will amount to nothing, but the intrigue is worth it at this point.
Grade: B
Milwaukee Bucks
Patrick Beverley
Two second round picks
My favorite thing that they did was get a couple of second round picks from the Hornets. There was not a lot out there for them at that point and those picks might come in handy to move up in a future draft to get something they might want. I am not a big Dozier guy as I don’t think he provides much other than athleticism. I’m intrigued by Beverley because he does have talent and I would like to see how he has progressed since leaving Arkansas. Likely he will amount to nothing, but the intrigue is worth it at this point.
Grade: B
Milwaukee Bucks
Brandon Jennings
Jodie Meeks
Bruce Bowen
Kurt Thomas
Amir Johnson
I get what Milwaukee was trying to accomplish with the Richard Jefferson trade (even if I am pretty surprised they couldn’t get anything at all back for him). So, they wanted to clear up money to keep Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions around (or maybe bring in some other free agent). The problem is that as nice as Villanueva and Sessions are, can you really build a contender around them? I’m dubious. This might be especially true regarding Sessions when they decided to take Jennings in the first round. I don’t know that we’ll see a lot of Jennings next year, but I’m excited to see how he plays. I do like the Meeks pick. His scoring ability is good enough where I could see him sticking. I get what the Bucks are trying to do, but I just can’t imagine it will work.
Grade: C-
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jodie Meeks
Bruce Bowen
Kurt Thomas
Amir Johnson
I get what Milwaukee was trying to accomplish with the Richard Jefferson trade (even if I am pretty surprised they couldn’t get anything at all back for him). So, they wanted to clear up money to keep Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions around (or maybe bring in some other free agent). The problem is that as nice as Villanueva and Sessions are, can you really build a contender around them? I’m dubious. This might be especially true regarding Sessions when they decided to take Jennings in the first round. I don’t know that we’ll see a lot of Jennings next year, but I’m excited to see how he plays. I do like the Meeks pick. His scoring ability is good enough where I could see him sticking. I get what the Bucks are trying to do, but I just can’t imagine it will work.
Grade: C-
Minnesota Timberwolves
Ricky Rubio
Jonny Flynn
Wayne Ellington
Henk Norel
Etah Thomas
Darius Songaila
Oleksiy Pecherov
First round pick
Second round pick
David Kahn was at least entertaining. I did not like their trade to Washington at first. I thought Foye was still a bit too good to give up for the fifth pick in a draft like this. Then they were unable to trade up to the second pick to get Rubio. Miraculously the rest of the league lost their minds and Rubio fell to the Timberwolves. I also like Kahn’s attitude towards Rubio thus far. Sure, you can listen to offers from teams like the Knicks, but Kahn has said that the Timberwolves aren’t going anywhere the next year or so anyway, so they are in position to wait a year or two for Rubio if necessary. I completely agree and I don’t want a guy like Rubio to be able to dictate where he goes. It takes guts to sit on him and wait, but I’m happy to hear they are willing to do that. I like Flynn as well, but I am definitely on the bandwagon that Flynn and Rubio do not make a ton of sense together. Rubio probably would have been a better match in the backcourt with Stephen Curry, and I would have absolutely loved this draft if the Timberwolves took Curry. The other big addition was Ellington. I am not positive he can be much more than a shooter in the NBA, but hopefully for Minnesota, the new point guards combined with a good low scoring threat in Al Jefferson will open up some outside jumpers. It would have been tough to do much better than Ellington at the spot they drafted.
Grade: B
New Jersey Nets
Jonny Flynn
Wayne Ellington
Henk Norel
Etah Thomas
Darius Songaila
Oleksiy Pecherov
First round pick
Second round pick
David Kahn was at least entertaining. I did not like their trade to Washington at first. I thought Foye was still a bit too good to give up for the fifth pick in a draft like this. Then they were unable to trade up to the second pick to get Rubio. Miraculously the rest of the league lost their minds and Rubio fell to the Timberwolves. I also like Kahn’s attitude towards Rubio thus far. Sure, you can listen to offers from teams like the Knicks, but Kahn has said that the Timberwolves aren’t going anywhere the next year or so anyway, so they are in position to wait a year or two for Rubio if necessary. I completely agree and I don’t want a guy like Rubio to be able to dictate where he goes. It takes guts to sit on him and wait, but I’m happy to hear they are willing to do that. I like Flynn as well, but I am definitely on the bandwagon that Flynn and Rubio do not make a ton of sense together. Rubio probably would have been a better match in the backcourt with Stephen Curry, and I would have absolutely loved this draft if the Timberwolves took Curry. The other big addition was Ellington. I am not positive he can be much more than a shooter in the NBA, but hopefully for Minnesota, the new point guards combined with a good low scoring threat in Al Jefferson will open up some outside jumpers. It would have been tough to do much better than Ellington at the spot they drafted.
Grade: B
New Jersey Nets
Terrence Williams
Courtney Lee
Rafer Alston
Tony Battie
I have no problem with that Vince Carter trade. I’m not sure if a team with Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, Lee, and Williams is any good, but I’m kind of excited about finding out. Terrence Williams figures to be a pretty good fit for the Nets. Trading Carter will likely mean this team is not all that good right now, but they’ve set themselves up to be players in the 2010 free agent class. The direction the Nets are headed right now is interesting.
Grade: A-
New Orleans Hornets
Courtney Lee
Rafer Alston
Tony Battie
I have no problem with that Vince Carter trade. I’m not sure if a team with Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, Lee, and Williams is any good, but I’m kind of excited about finding out. Terrence Williams figures to be a pretty good fit for the Nets. Trading Carter will likely mean this team is not all that good right now, but they’ve set themselves up to be players in the 2010 free agent class. The direction the Nets are headed right now is interesting.
Grade: A-
New Orleans Hornets
Darren Collison
Marcus Thornton
I like the Hornets and I want to think of something I like about their draft day, but I can’t find anything. Taking a guy like Collison that can really only play point guard does not make sense for the Hornets. I understand their desire for a better backup point guard, but this is not a team that is a back up point away from doing anything. They lack any depth inside and their wings are all getting pretty old (outside of Julian Wright). Thornton would be good value at 43 and it would even be reasonable to give up a second rounder for him. I don’t understand giving up multiple draft picks for him though. This is a pretty good position for Thornton. Not only does he get to stay home in Louisiana, but he goes to a team that he might make and he gets to play with the best point guard on the planet. If Thornton cannot succeed on this team, it’s not going to happen.
Grade: D
New York Knicks
Marcus Thornton
I like the Hornets and I want to think of something I like about their draft day, but I can’t find anything. Taking a guy like Collison that can really only play point guard does not make sense for the Hornets. I understand their desire for a better backup point guard, but this is not a team that is a back up point away from doing anything. They lack any depth inside and their wings are all getting pretty old (outside of Julian Wright). Thornton would be good value at 43 and it would even be reasonable to give up a second rounder for him. I don’t understand giving up multiple draft picks for him though. This is a pretty good position for Thornton. Not only does he get to stay home in Louisiana, but he goes to a team that he might make and he gets to play with the best point guard on the planet. If Thornton cannot succeed on this team, it’s not going to happen.
Grade: D
New York Knicks
Jordan Hill
Toney Douglas
Darko Milicic
I don’t think I would have done anything different with the 8th pick, but they have got to be kicking themselves that no one slipped to them. If I were the Knicks I would be spending an awful lot of time on the phone with Minnesota seeing if I could find a way to get Rubio. I’ll be interested to see if Douglas makes it. I like him a lot as a player, but I question how well his game at his size translates to the NBA. The thing with the Knicks that I am most excited about is how this (perhaps final) chapter of Darko’s career goes. The idea that D’Antoni is excited about getting a chance to work with Darko and use him in his system makes me excited. I doubt it works, but it was worth the price.
Grade: C
Oklahoma City Thunder
Toney Douglas
Darko Milicic
I don’t think I would have done anything different with the 8th pick, but they have got to be kicking themselves that no one slipped to them. If I were the Knicks I would be spending an awful lot of time on the phone with Minnesota seeing if I could find a way to get Rubio. I’ll be interested to see if Douglas makes it. I like him a lot as a player, but I question how well his game at his size translates to the NBA. The thing with the Knicks that I am most excited about is how this (perhaps final) chapter of Darko’s career goes. The idea that D’Antoni is excited about getting a chance to work with Darko and use him in his system makes me excited. I doubt it works, but it was worth the price.
Grade: C
Oklahoma City Thunder
James Harden
B.J. Mullens
Robert Vaden
Outside if Blake Griffin, Harden was probably the best fit for the Thunder. That doesn’t mean I think it was a smart pick, because I think Rubio will have the better career. That said, I can understand the Harden pick even if I don’t really agree with it. I think my most excited moment of this draft was when Dallas took Mullens for Oklahoma City because I was terrified he would slip two more spots to the Bulls and the Bulls would be tempted to take him. That kind of spells out my thoughts on Mullens. Vaden is a pretty good shooter, but I’d be surprised if he makes the team.
Grade: C-
Orlando Magic
B.J. Mullens
Robert Vaden
Outside if Blake Griffin, Harden was probably the best fit for the Thunder. That doesn’t mean I think it was a smart pick, because I think Rubio will have the better career. That said, I can understand the Harden pick even if I don’t really agree with it. I think my most excited moment of this draft was when Dallas took Mullens for Oklahoma City because I was terrified he would slip two more spots to the Bulls and the Bulls would be tempted to take him. That kind of spells out my thoughts on Mullens. Vaden is a pretty good shooter, but I’d be surprised if he makes the team.
Grade: C-
Orlando Magic
Vince Carter
Ryan Anderson
I don’t really like Carter. I don’t think you ride Carter to a championship. Luckily for the Magic he is probably at the point in his career where he won’t feel like he needs to carry a team (especially a team with some other good talent). The Magic were not going to be bringing back Hedo Turkoglu so they needed to make some kind of big splash to stay amongst the best in the East. I don’t anticipate this working, but it was probably the best option available to them. For that, I give the Magic credit.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia 76ers
Ryan Anderson
I don’t really like Carter. I don’t think you ride Carter to a championship. Luckily for the Magic he is probably at the point in his career where he won’t feel like he needs to carry a team (especially a team with some other good talent). The Magic were not going to be bringing back Hedo Turkoglu so they needed to make some kind of big splash to stay amongst the best in the East. I don’t anticipate this working, but it was probably the best option available to them. For that, I give the Magic credit.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia 76ers
Jrue Holiday
Jason Kapono
The 76ers have to be pleased. I was not that high on Holiday going into the draft, but that’s at least in part due to the fact that he could have been a top 10 pick. It is a completely different story at 17. He’s clearly still a gamble at 17, but virtually everyone would be a gamble at 17 and at least the upside with this gamble is very high.
Grade: A-
Phoenix Suns
Jason Kapono
The 76ers have to be pleased. I was not that high on Holiday going into the draft, but that’s at least in part due to the fact that he could have been a top 10 pick. It is a completely different story at 17. He’s clearly still a gamble at 17, but virtually everyone would be a gamble at 17 and at least the upside with this gamble is very high.
Grade: A-
Phoenix Suns
Earl Clark
Taylor Griffin
Ben Wallace
Sasha Pavlovic
Second round pick
Cash
I liked the Shaq deal for Cleveland, but I also like it for the Suns because they got his money off the payroll. If Phoenix wasn’t going anywhere last year they definitely will not be going anywhere this next year. The Clark pick was a solid one because of the high upside there and he is probably a good fit in Phoenix’s system (assuming they play the same way still under Alvin Gentry). It was a brilliant pick to take Blake Griffin’s brother. Now they can wine and dine Taylor, show him how wonderful they are, and then as soon as Blake can escape from Los Angeles his brother can tell him how great it is in Phoenix. Well done Suns!
Grade: B+
Portland Trailblazers
Taylor Griffin
Ben Wallace
Sasha Pavlovic
Second round pick
Cash
I liked the Shaq deal for Cleveland, but I also like it for the Suns because they got his money off the payroll. If Phoenix wasn’t going anywhere last year they definitely will not be going anywhere this next year. The Clark pick was a solid one because of the high upside there and he is probably a good fit in Phoenix’s system (assuming they play the same way still under Alvin Gentry). It was a brilliant pick to take Blake Griffin’s brother. Now they can wine and dine Taylor, show him how wonderful they are, and then as soon as Blake can escape from Los Angeles his brother can tell him how great it is in Phoenix. Well done Suns!
Grade: B+
Portland Trailblazers
Victor Claver
Dante Cunningham
Jeff Pendergraph
Patrick Mills
Their trade with Dallas to move up two spots prior to the draft was confusing. By most accounts the Kings were interested in Omri Casspi (and the Kings did in fact take Casspi) so the only guy that really made sense for Portland to take after that trade would be Casspi. Instead they take a guy in Claver that seemingly would have been there at their original pick. Surely Portland knows something the rest of us don’t, but that was odd. I wonder if Portland anticipates one spot for Cunningham or Pendergraph and plan on letting them battle it out for that spot. Mills slipping to the end of the second round is insanity. We already know he can compete with some of the best in the world. Sure, there are questions about his size and questions about whether he is more of a scoring guard in a small point guard’s body. I am not claiming that Mills is going to be an All Star point guard, but if he cannot play in the NBA in some capacity I will be stunned.
Grade: C+
Sacramento Kings
Dante Cunningham
Jeff Pendergraph
Patrick Mills
Their trade with Dallas to move up two spots prior to the draft was confusing. By most accounts the Kings were interested in Omri Casspi (and the Kings did in fact take Casspi) so the only guy that really made sense for Portland to take after that trade would be Casspi. Instead they take a guy in Claver that seemingly would have been there at their original pick. Surely Portland knows something the rest of us don’t, but that was odd. I wonder if Portland anticipates one spot for Cunningham or Pendergraph and plan on letting them battle it out for that spot. Mills slipping to the end of the second round is insanity. We already know he can compete with some of the best in the world. Sure, there are questions about his size and questions about whether he is more of a scoring guard in a small point guard’s body. I am not claiming that Mills is going to be an All Star point guard, but if he cannot play in the NBA in some capacity I will be stunned.
Grade: C+
Sacramento Kings
Tyreke Evans
Omri Casspi
Jon Brockman
Sergio Rodriguez
Cash
I think if Evans had stayed at Memphis another yaer or so he probably could have worked himself into a lottery quality player. I’m stunned the Kings actually decided he was there this year in the high lottery. Evans might not be a terrible player, but passing on Rubio is still shocking to me. I like the rest of their day though. By most accounts Casspi will be a pretty decent pick for them in the 20s getting a guy with Sergio Rodriguez’s talent along with a horse like Brockman with the first pick in the second round is pretty reasonable.
Grade: C
San Antonio Spurs
Omri Casspi
Jon Brockman
Sergio Rodriguez
Cash
I think if Evans had stayed at Memphis another yaer or so he probably could have worked himself into a lottery quality player. I’m stunned the Kings actually decided he was there this year in the high lottery. Evans might not be a terrible player, but passing on Rubio is still shocking to me. I like the rest of their day though. By most accounts Casspi will be a pretty decent pick for them in the 20s getting a guy with Sergio Rodriguez’s talent along with a horse like Brockman with the first pick in the second round is pretty reasonable.
Grade: C
San Antonio Spurs
DeJuan Blair
Nando De Colo
Jack McClinton
Richard Jefferson
This has already been a fantastic off-season for the Spurs. The Jefferson trade was fantastic and alone put them back amongst the favorites in the West. Then they somehow had arguably the best rebounder in college basketball history fall to them at pick 37. That is phenomenal for the Spurs. Taking De Colo was a savvy Spurs-like move. I don’t love the pick of McClinton (I would have preferred to see them take another foreigner), but despite his small size he is probably one of the top couple shooters in this draft. That might not be enough to make the team but it is worth a shot.
Grade: A+
Toronto Raptors
Nando De Colo
Jack McClinton
Richard Jefferson
This has already been a fantastic off-season for the Spurs. The Jefferson trade was fantastic and alone put them back amongst the favorites in the West. Then they somehow had arguably the best rebounder in college basketball history fall to them at pick 37. That is phenomenal for the Spurs. Taking De Colo was a savvy Spurs-like move. I don’t love the pick of McClinton (I would have preferred to see them take another foreigner), but despite his small size he is probably one of the top couple shooters in this draft. That might not be enough to make the team but it is worth a shot.
Grade: A+
Toronto Raptors
DeMar DeRozan
Reggie Evans
Ideally you’d get someone with a bit more polish in the top 10 but ideally there is more talent available in the draft. DeRozan’s upside is still off the charts, particularly if he ever learns to make a jumper. His length and athletic ability might allow him to be a contributor even if he never reaches his massive potential.
Grade: B+
Reggie Evans
Ideally you’d get someone with a bit more polish in the top 10 but ideally there is more talent available in the draft. DeRozan’s upside is still off the charts, particularly if he ever learns to make a jumper. His length and athletic ability might allow him to be a contributor even if he never reaches his massive potential.
Grade: B+
Utah Jazz
Eric Maynor
Goran Suton
A lot of people may have criticized the Jazz for taking a point guard in Maynor when they have Williams. I look at Maynor as a guy with true point guard skills but also a well-developed, broad range of skills that would allow the Jazz to get away with playing Maynor and Williams on the floor together from time to time. I’m not suggesting Maynor should be their starting shooting guard or anything like that, but the Jazz could play them together a bit. The Suton pick was kind of interesting because he kind of reminds me a little of Kosta Koufos. Suton’s lack of athleticism probably keeps him out of the NBA.
Grade: A-
Washington Wizards
Goran Suton
A lot of people may have criticized the Jazz for taking a point guard in Maynor when they have Williams. I look at Maynor as a guy with true point guard skills but also a well-developed, broad range of skills that would allow the Jazz to get away with playing Maynor and Williams on the floor together from time to time. I’m not suggesting Maynor should be their starting shooting guard or anything like that, but the Jazz could play them together a bit. The Suton pick was kind of interesting because he kind of reminds me a little of Kosta Koufos. Suton’s lack of athleticism probably keeps him out of the NBA.
Grade: A-
Washington Wizards
Randy Foye
Mike Miller
Cash
Washington appears to be going for the strategy where they just will try to outscore people. That is probably not a winning strategy, but I’m not sure if they had any other options here. Adding Foye and Miller to Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison may not work as a championship contender, but I’m pretty excited to see them try. If they can stay healthy we at least shouldn’t see them in the lottery again.
Grade: B+
Mike Miller
Cash
Washington appears to be going for the strategy where they just will try to outscore people. That is probably not a winning strategy, but I’m not sure if they had any other options here. Adding Foye and Miller to Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison may not work as a championship contender, but I’m pretty excited to see them try. If they can stay healthy we at least shouldn’t see them in the lottery again.
Grade: B+
