NBA draft grades - Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and 2017 winners, losers
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NBA draft grades - Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and 2017 winners, losers
by Chad Ford on 2017-06-21 02:08:00 UTC (original: http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/19701292/nba-draft-grades-los-angeles-lakers-new-york-knicks-2017-winners-losers)After a crazy night of surprising picks and big trades, here are my draft grades for all 30 teams.
Who made the best moves? Which teams had the worst night?
Every year I hand out grades just hours after the draft. As a college professor, I realize this is sort of like grading students after the first week of class.
Still, it's the ideal moment for an early look at what each team did on draft night. Not everyone will agree, but these evaluations are based on the intel provided by the teams themselves over the past several months.
Here's our take on how every team performed in the 2017 draft:
Atlanta Hawks: B+
Round 1: John Collins (19)
Round 2: Tyler Dorsey (41), Alpha Kaba (60)
The Hawks got value with Collins at 19, as we projected him to go several picks higher. Concerns about his short wingspan and ability to stretch the floor hurt his draft stock a bit. But I see him as a nice fit in Atlanta. With Dwight Howard gone and Paul Millsap likely to depart this summer, the Hawks really need bigs, and Collins has the potential to play both interior spots. His rebounding and efficiency in the paint will be welcome.
Dorsey's ability to shoot the ball and play both backcourt positions offensively could be a major plus for the Hawks. He's likewise a good value at 41. Kaba is a good athlete and can stretch the floor, making him a nice draft-and-stash option.
Boston Celtics: B
Round 1: Jayson Tatum (3)
Round 2: Semi Ojeleye (37), Kadeem Allen (53), Jabari Bird (56)
Just like last year, the trade rumors surrounding the Celtics didn't pan out and they took a dynamic small forward.
But Tatum isn't Jaylen Brown. They're opposites in some ways, because while Brown is an elite athlete and defender, Tatum was the best pure scorer in the draft but is just a so-so athlete and defender. The Celtics need offensive players beyond Isaiah Thomas who can get their own shot.
If Tatum learns how to defend and get others involved, he'll be a great NBA player. But he's a bit one-dimensional right now.
Ojeleye is a more typical Celtics pick. He's huge, he's physical and he plays with a high basketball IQ, reminding some scouts of Jae Crowder. It's not clear how he fits, but he's a good pick here. Allen fits another Celtics type as a super-strong, physical guard who excels on the defensive end. Bird is a solid athlete and good shooter who, as a freshman and sophomore, was regarded as a potential first-rounder.
Brooklyn Nets: C
Round 1: Jarrett Allen (22)
Round 2: Aleksandar Vezenkov (57)
The Nets made their big splash this week when they grabbed D'Angelo Russell (the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NBA draft) as part of a larger trade that sent Brook Lopez to the Lakers.
Allen is the heir apparent to Lopez, but they couldn't be more different. Lopez is a huge, skilled offensive player, while Allen is a slight, athletic rim runner and shot-blocker. Given the style the Nets want to play, he should be a good fit, but he's a project. Luckily the Nets have plenty of time to see if he pans out as they build around Russell.
Charlotte Hornets
: B+
Round 1: Malik Monk (11)
Round 2: Dwayne Bacon (40)
The Hornets wanted a shooter and Monk should be fantastic in that role -- the best scoring guard in the draft. He can be streaky as a shooter, his defense is questionable and he lacks ideal length, but he's such an explosive, instinctual scorer that I think he'll have a long career as a gunner off the bench or perhaps a starter -- especially if he works on his handle and can take over some point guard duties. There's a star quality to him.
Bacon is another good athlete and scorer. He gives the Hornets another weapon who should be able to carve out a role.
Chicago Bulls: B
Round 1: Lauri Markkanen (7)
Round 2: N/A
The Bulls are taking a lot of heat for the draft night trade that sent Jimmy Butler and the 16th pick to the Wolves for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and the draft rights to Markkanen. I'm not going to grade that trade. Kevin Pelton did that on our behalf and gave the Bulls an F.
As a draft pick, Markkanen was a solid choice. He's arguably the best shooter in the draft, a mobile 7-footer who will stretch the floor -- that's a very valuable NBA type. And with Nikola Mirotic heading into free agency, Markkanen fits a need.
His rebounding and defensive toughness are the question marks. But while I would've preferred Zach Collins or Malik Monk, this was a solid pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers: N/A
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: N/A
Dallas Mavericks
: B
Round 1: Dennis Smith Jr. (9)
Round 2: N/A
The Mavs were on the hunt for their point guard of the future and might have found him.
On talent, Smith was worthy of a top-five pick. He's arguably the best athlete in the draft and an elite scorer with point guard skills.
He doesn't have elite size or length, and the Mavs can only hope he plays with the kind of aggression that drives stars like Russell Westbrook to success.
I think he's more Steve Francis than Westbrook, but that still makes him a good pick here. If he hits his potential, the Mavs will have a very nice young core with Smith, Harrison Barnes and Nerlens Noel.
Denver Nuggets: C
Round 1: Tyler Lydon (24)
Round 2: Vlatko Cancar (49), Monte Morris (51)
The Nuggets sent the 13th pick to the Jazz for Trey Lyles and the draft rights to Lydon. Lyles had a great rookie season, but really stagnated as a sophomore. Denver already has several bigs with more skill than athleticism, so I'm not sure I see the appeal.
As for Lydon, he is a very good shooter and a good rim protector, but he's caught between positions and doesn't seem to have the requisite aggressiveness to turn the corner.
The Nuggets must be hurting a bit that OG Anunoby went one spot ahead of Lydon. They strongly considered drafting Anunoby at No. 13, and I believe they should've. Anunoby might not play much this year as he recovers from a torn ACL, but his long-term future appears much brighter.
Cancar is a versatile forward who can shoot the ball and make plays, and he'll be a draft-and-stash option. I'm surprised Morris went this low. He's the steadiest point guard I've ever seen at the college level -- he never makes mistakes. He wasn't a sexy pick, but seems like an ideal backup.
Detroit Pistons: B
Round 1: Luke Kennard (12)
Round 2: N/A
The Pistons wanted a shooter and Kennard is in a small group of players who can stake a claim to being the best shooter in the draft. He also has terrific toughness, a high basketball IQ and the ability to play some point guard in a pinch. I think he was selected a little high, but if the Pistons were drafting for need, it was a good pick in that sense.
Golden State Warriors: A
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: Jordan Bell (38)
The Warriors once again found a way to mine gold from the second round.
I love Bell's energy and ability to defend multiple positions. He's an elite shot-blocker and defender. He reportedly shut down every player he worked out against.
The Warriors can use that type of energy off the bench. I think Bell is going to be in the league a long time, and if he ever figures it out offensively? Watch out.
Houston Rockets: B-
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: Isaiah Hartenstein (43)
Hartenstein was a really good value for the Rockets here, a potential first-round prospect for most of the year before a disappointing performance at the Nike Hoop Summit hurt his stock. He's bouncy and aggressive. He just needs to work on his jump shot.
Indiana Pacers
: B
Round 1: TJ Leaf (18)
Round 2: Ike Anigbogu (47), Edmond Sumner (52)
The Pacers drafted the most Larry Bird-like player in the draft in Leaf. He's a super-skilled offensive weapon who can score from anywhere on the floor. He's not a great defender, but the Pacers should be able to hide him next to Myles Turner.
Anigbogu was an absolute steal at No. 47. He was ranked in the top 20 on our Big Board but slipped because of concerns about the long-term condition of his knees. If he can get healthy, he's got massive upside as one of the youngest players in the draft. He was worth the risk anywhere in the second round.
Sumner was a potential first-round pick before he tore his ACL this season. When healthy, he was a very good athlete and a dynamic scorer. He was a great value pick for the Pacers here.
Los Angeles Clippers: C+
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: Jawun Evans (39), Sindarius Thornwell (48)
Evans was a potential first-rounder who struggled in workouts, as his lack of size, length and athleticism hurt him. But in games, his feel and ability to score and distribute shine. He could have a nice career as a backup.
Thornwell is a versatile wing who can handle and score and proved to be a good shooter this year. His lack of elite athleticism lowered his draft stock, but he's a good fit for a veteran team like the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers
: B+
Round 1: Lonzo Ball (2), Kyle Kuzma (27), Josh Hart (30)
Round 2: Thomas Bryant (42)
The Lakers got the guy who has been groomed his whole life to play for them. Ball might be the best passer at the position since Jason Kidd, with a feel for the game that allows him to see plays almost before they begin. Whatever the flaws in his game, his ability to make his teammates better and to lead should make him a great long-term fit in L.A. He was the right pick.
Kuzma and Hart are much less sexy picks. Instead, both guys are fundamentally sound players who do everything well but nothing great. I can see them carving out nice careers as rotation players, especially Hart, who was underrated because of a poor performance at the 2016 NBA draft combine. Kuzma was more of a reach, as I thought there were better prospects on the board.
Bryant was once a potential first-round pick. He is huge and very skilled and plays really hard. It's his lack of athleticism, especially his heavy feet, that hurt his stock. Teams are looking for more mobility out of their big men. But Bryant is a talent and was worth the risk at No. 42.
Memphis Grizzlies
: B-
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: Ivan Rabb (35), Dillon Brooks (45)
Rabb was a potential lottery pick last year before his ill-fated decision to return to Cal for his sophomore season. While he actually got better during his second season, averaging a double-double, he didn't do enough to impress scouts, who started to pick him apart. They decided he wasn't strong enough and he didn't stretch the floor, lacking the game of a modern power forward. But he's talented and this was a good pick for the Grizzlies at this spot.
Brooks is a skilled wing who can score and handle the ball. His lack of athleticism hurt his draft positioning, but I think there's some Jared Dudley in him. His skill set should be a nice fit for the Grizzlies.
Miami Heat
: C+
Round 1: Edrice Adebayo (14)
Round 2: N/A
Bam Adebayo looks the part of a lottery pick, with an NBA body, long arms and explosive athleticism. He has particularly quick feet for a player his size, allowing him to guard multiple positions on the floor.
But there seemed to be something missing during his freshman year. He didn't always rebound or play with intensity. Despite his size and athleticism he struggled to finish over length. And while he reportedly has a nice perimeter game, he didn't show it at Kentucky.
Perhaps he'll be like Skal Labissiere and blossom outside of Kentucky. But I'm a little skeptical and I would've taken Harry Giles.
Milwaukee Bucks
: C-
Round 1: D.J. Wilson (17)
It felt like the Bucks reached quite a bit at No. 17 with Wilson. I love his combination of size, athleticism and shooting touch, and he can protect the rim. But he shied away from contact in the paint and was wildly inconsistent as a junior. It appears there's more sizzle than steak to his game.
Minnesota Timberwolves: B
Round 1: Justin Patton (16)
Round 2: N/A
The Wolves' big move took place as the draft started when they sent the No. 7 pick along with Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine to the Bulls for Jimmy Butler and the No. 16 pick. The swap earned the Wolves an A in Kevin Pelton's trade grades.
As for the pick itself, Patton isn't an obvious fit, but he has tremendous upside. He is long, runs the floor well, can rebound and was very efficient in the paint. He can even stretch the floor. He's a project, but a talented one.
New Orleans Pelicans: B
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: Frank Jackson (31)
Jackson is one of the best athletes in the draft -- a talented combo guard who can play both positions on offense though he's better suited to guarding point guards. A broken foot hurt his draft stock a little, causing him to slip four spots below where he ranked on our Big Board.
He reminds me of Jerryd Bayless and should be a good value at No. 31.
New York Knicks
: B+
Round 1: Frank Ntilikina (8)
Round 2: Damyean Dotson (44), Ognjen Jaramaz (58)
The Knicks have had a disastrous week from a PR perspective, with controversy swirling around their Kristaps Porzingis trade discussions. But on draft night, I liked what they did.
Ntilikina's combination of length, basketball IQ and point guard skills makes him a good get. If he becomes a more consistent shooter, he'll be a steal at No. 8. And though he's the youngest player in the draft, he is starting for his team in the French league finals. That's much stronger competition than in our NCAA tournament.
Dotson was one of my second-round sleepers. Had he not gotten into off-court problems at Oregon after his freshman year, I think he would've been a first-round pick as a sophomore. He can shoot and score and is a very good athlete. He reminds me a bit of Rodney Hood.
Jaramaz is a big point guard with good athleticism and the ability to slash to the basket. His jump shot and court vision are still works in progress, but he's a good draft-and-stash option.
Oklahoma City Thunder: B-
Round 1: Terrance Ferguson (21)
Round 2: N/A
The Thunder swung for the fences with Ferguson. He has the size, athleticism and jump shot to be a very good NBA wing. But teams were turned off after poor workouts and questions about why he left Arizona to play pro ball in Australia.
If his performance in the NBA is anything like it was in the Nike Hoop Summit, the Thunder got great value here. He seems like a boom or bust prospect.
Orlando Magic: A-
Round 1: Jonathan Isaac (6)
Round 2: Wesley Iwundu (33)
New team president Jeff Weltman and new GM John Hammond have a penchant for drafting, long, athletic versatile players who can score from anywhere and defend multiple positions. Both Isaac and Iwundu fit the bill perfectly.
Isaac is especially intriguing. Some scouts believe he has the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft, and yet he might also have the most bust potential of anyone in the top 10. That said, I think he's got a real chance to be a star. He has the physical tools and skills to succeed and should be terrific alongside Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic in the front court.
Iwundu has some playmaking abilities as a wing and is a capable defender. His offense is still unpolished, but if he can hit 3s, he has a chance to stick around.
Philadelphia 76ers: A
Round 1: Markelle Fultz (1), Anzejs Pasecniks (25)
Round 2: Jonah Bolden (36), Jawun Evans (39), Sterling Brown (46), Mathias Lessort (50)
When you land the best player in the draft and he happens to be a perfect fit for your team, you get an A regardless of what else you do. Fultz was exactly the type of player Brett Brown needed to complement Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Pasceniks was a nice pickup in the late first round. Whether they keep him in the NBA or let him continue to develop in Europe, his talent warranted a pick here. He's huge and super skilled -- sort of a poor man's Kristaps Porzingis without the defense. Lessort was likewise a good get as a draft-and-stash pick.
I love the Bolden and Brown picks as well. Bolden is another playmaking, rangy forward of the type the Sixers have collected in recent years. He had a great season in Serbia and has all the tools you look for in a modern forward. If he can improve his maturity he has a chance to be really good. Brown is one of the top five shooters in the draft. The Sixers really need shooting and he should be able to find his way into the rotation.
It was a great night for Sixers fans. The process is coming into focus. And the Sixers look like they'll be terrorizing the league in a few years.
Phoenix Suns: A
Round 1: Josh Jackson (4)
Round 2: Davon Reed (32), Alec Peters (54)
The Suns had some major internal debates over Jackson, De'Aaron Fox and Jonathan Isaac. Each of the three would've fit in his own way, but I like Jackson's fit the best. As an athletic wing with a defensive edge, Jackson brings a toughness that this young Suns squad desperately needs.
Reed also can supply a defensive edge and length as a potential backup to Jackson. And Peters is a steal. Had he not gotten injured I think he would've gone in the first round. Big guys who can shoot with his accuracy will always find a place in the league.
I love how the Suns are beginning to round into form. As this young core develops, they should be able to make some noise in the playoffs in a few years.
Portland Trail Blazers: B+
Round 1: Zach Collins (10), Caleb Swanigan (26)
Round 2: N/A
The Blazers packaged Nos. 15 and 20 to move up to get Collins, one of the more underrated players in the draft. He is tough, plays with an edge, can play in the paint or on the perimeter, rebounds and blocks shots. His versatility makes him a very good pick at No. 10. He'll need to gain strength, but that will come.
Swanigan is also very skilled and can play multiple positions on the floor. Conditioning is the only real issue for him. If he can stay in shape, or even get in better shape, he'll have a long career in the league. But that's a big if.
Sacramento Kings: A
Round 1: De'Aaron Fox (5), Justin Jackson (15), Harry Giles (20)
Round 2: Frank Mason (34)
It has been a long time since I've loved anything the Kings have done. But I loved this draft for them.
For one thing, the team desperately needed to address its culture. Just as important, it needed to fill some gaps on the roster.
Fox is the perfect point guard for Sacramento. It's not just his quickness and athleticism, it's his approach to the game -- the edge he plays with on both sides of the ball. The Kings have needed a true leader in the locker room and on the floor, and Fox has the intangibles to be that guy.
Giles was the steal of the draft. He was ranked No. 2 on our first Big Board before injury concerns slowed him down. If he gets back to full health and stays healthy, he has a chance to be the best player in the draft. The combination of Fox, Giles, Skal Labissiere and Buddy Hield has me very bullish about their future.
I am not as high on Jackson and believe they would've been better off showing patience and taking OG Anunoby. But if Jackson is going to consistently hit 3s and those patented floaters at the next level, he'll prove to be a good pick.
Finally, I love that they brought Mason in as a potential backup point guard. He is the toughest player in the draft, has great winning experience and can add to the culture the team is trying to build.
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It was a good night to be a Kings fan.
San Antonio Spurs: B+
Round 1: Derrick White (29)
Round 2: Jaron Blossomgame (59)
The Spurs have a way of finding sleepers in the late first round, and they may have done it again this year with White. The versatile combo guard had a terrific season at Colorado. He can score from anywhere on the floor, defends and is a terrific athlete. He's a bit old for his class, but given where the Spurs are, that won't bother them.
Blossomgame has size and athleticism, but it's his jump shot that's the question. He was a terrific shooter as a junior and a horrific one as a senior. If the younger Blossomgame shows up in the NBA, they'll have a Danny Green-type. But that's a big if.
Toronto Raptors: A
Round 1: OG Anunoby (23)
Round 2: N/A
Masai Ujiri had a gift fall into his lap when Anunoby slipped from the late lottery to No. 23 on concerns that his knee wasn't healing quickly enough -- some teams worried that he might have to redshirt his first season. And he might.
But that's shortsighted. He was the best 3-and-D prospect in the draft. Unless a team believed he'd never recover (and most players recover fully from a torn ACL), it seems overly cautious to pass on him. If and when he gets healthy, he should be a beast who can play and defend three positions on the court.
Utah Jazz: A-
Round 1: Donovan Mitchell (13), Tony Bradley (28)
Round 2: Nigel Williams-Goss (55)
The Jazz got Mitchell in for a courtesy workout (agents often bring in a player to work out with a team outside their draft range to get the jitters out) and fell in love. They were working all draft to figure out how to get him. The cost, the No. 24 pick and Lyles, was worth it.
His ability to defend both backcourt positions, run the point, shoot the 3 and get to the rim makes him very attractive to the Jazz, who see him as being a potential starter someday.
Bradley was another guy they coveted for his length and rebounding ability. They needed a player who could eventually back up Rudy Gobert, and Bradley has enough talent to do that.
I'm less thrilled with Williams-Goss. He's a consummate playmaker but a poor athlete who will struggle to defend his position.
Washington Wizards: N/A
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: N/A
The Wizards traded their one pick to the Hornets for Tim Frazier. Frazier would be a better fit as a backup point guard to anything they were going to find in the draft.
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6/23/2017 1:26 PM