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| (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) |
Atlanta Hawks; Grade: B+
+ 48th pick; C Keith Benson 6’11” 217 lbs
For where the Hawks picked, they got a fairly talented big man with upside. He improved every year in college and will continue to do so while backing up the likes of Al Horford, Etan Thomas, and Zaza Pachulia.
Boston Celtics; Grade: B
+ 27th Pick; PF JaJuan Johnson 6’10” 220 lbs (acquired from New Jersey for draft rights to Marshon Brooks)
+ 55th Pick; SG E’Twaun Moore 6’4” 192 lbs
+ 2014 second-round pick
The Celtics needed to fill a gaping hole at their big-man position left by Shaquille O’Neal. Johnson should be able to do just that.
Charlotte Bobcats; Grade: A
+ 9th pick; PG Kemba Walker 6’1” 184 lbs
+ 7th pick; PF Bismack Biyombo 6’9” 243 lbs (from Sacramento)
+ *Also picked up Corey Maggette from Milwaukee
The Bobcats had a great draft night. They drafted a proven player, and more importantly, a winner, who can score, distribute, and has a huge heart. They also nabbed another lottery pick in Biyombo who will turn into a dominate big man in the years to come.
Chicago Bulls; Grade: B
+ 23rd Pick; PF Nikola Mirotic 6’10” 225 lbs (acquired from Minnesota by way of Houston)
+ 30th Pick; Jimmy Butler SF 6’7” 222 lbs
In a weak draft, the Bulls didn’t need much going in. They did acquire an internationally proven center and a solid role player in Butler. Good pickups for an already great team.
Cleveland Cavaliers; Grade: A-
+ 1st Pick; PG Kyrie Irving 6’3” 191 lbs
+ 4th Pick; PF Tristan Thompson 6’9” 227 lbs
+ 54th Pick; PF Milan Macvan 6’9” 260 lbs
Let’s face it, the Cavs could’ve walked into any NYC park, picked up any Joe Schmo and it would’ve helped them out. The first overall pick was a no-brainer and the Cavs didn’t screw it up. So, kudos for that. Irving is a tremendous talent at the point guard position, and will certainly help the team out right away. With three other point guards on their roster (Baron Davis, Daniel Gibson, Ramon Sessions), they’ll have decent pieces to move around in trades if need be. Where they really need help is down low at the forward and center positions. Although Antawn Jamison can still put up big numbers, he’s also getting up there in age. Tristan Thompson’s biggest strength is getting to the free-throw line. However, as a 6’9” forward, that will likely change in the NBA as he goes up against much bigger defenders. His offensive game is lacking to say the least, but has tremendous room for growth.
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| DET drafts Knight from Kentucky. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) |
+ 8th Pick; PG Brandon Knight 6’3” 177 lbs
+ 33rd Pick; SF Kyle Singler 6’9” 228 lbs
+ 52nd Pick; PF Vernon Macklin 6’10” 244 lbs
The Pistons need a hell of a lot more than a few draft picks to help their team out. It’s still unclear which direction they’re going. Will they stick with their veterans or are they going for a complete overhaul? With their draft picks done, it looks like they’re going with complete overhaul and Brandon Knight is the man to start it with. Knight is a tremendously talented player that comes from an extremely talented line of John Calipari-coached point guards. He’s quick with the ball, long, athletic, and tough on the defensive end. Also, he’s only 18 years old. Yea, 18! He has incredible upside and room to grow. With all that said, great choice for the Pistons if they make the needed changes.
Indiana Pacers; Grade: B+
+ 15th pick; SF Kawhi Leonard 6’7” 227 lbs
+ 42nd pick; SF Davis Bertans 6’10” 211 lbs
*Both picks traded to San Antonio Spurs for G George Hill
The Pacers picked up the best available player at the 15th spot, only to trade him for George Hill. They really needed a point guard, and got just that.
Miami Heat; Grade; B-
+ 28th pick; PG Norris Cole 6’1” 174 lbs (from Minnesota by way of Chicago)
Norris Cole is a well-rounded point guard with proven leadership skills. He also has time to develop under Mario Chalmers before he eventually takes the reins of the team for good.
Milwaukee Bucks; A-
+ 19th pick; PF Tobias Harris 6’8” 223 lbs (from Charlotte)
+ 40th pick; PF John Leuer 6’11” 223 lbs
*Also acquired Stephen Jackson (from Charlotte); Shaun Livingston (from Charlotte); Beno Udrih (from Sacramento)
The Bucks pick up a lot of talented players here, filling gaps in their team with Harris and Jackson. Harris has a lot of upside to him and should become a solid NBA player when he matures, but that’ll take some time.
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| I'm sorry, but New Jersey's off-season starts and ends with Kim Kardashian. |
New Jersey Nets; Grade: B+
+ 25th Pick; SG Marshon Brooks 6’5” 190lbs (acquired from Boston for draft rights to JaJuan Johnson and a 2014 second-round pick)
+ 36th Pick; C Jordan Williams 6’9” 247 lbs
The Nets picked up a great shooter and an undersized but tenacious rebounder; two spots they needed help in.
New York Knicks; Grade: C+
+ 17th pick; G Iman Shumpert 6’5” 222 lbs
+ 45th pick; C Josh Harrellson 6’10” 275 lbs (from New Orleans)
To me, this is Donnie Walsh holding a big middle finger up to James Dolan on his way out the Garden door. The team needed the most help down low to compliment Amar’e, and had a great chance to pick that up in this draft. But the Knicks left players like Chris Singleton and Kenneth Fareid, two great rebounders and defensive minded low-post players, on the board to draft the unheard of Shumpert. Shumpert does have upside to him, though. He showed he was one of the most gifted athletes at this years combine, even posting a 36.5-inch standing vertical. He is also a tremendous defender, able to defend the 1, 2, or 3 spots. But the Knicks aren’t a defensive minded team, and won’t be so long as D’Antoni is at the helm. His athleticism also shows in the open floor, where he’s a great finisher, so he has potential to work in D’Antoni’s up-tempo system. However, his decision-making and shot consistency have often been questioned. If the Knicks wanted a 2 guard to compliment their existing pieces, they should’ve looked for someone with a better outside, spot-up shot. However, they did buy the draft rights to Harrellson, adding an Oakley-esque, low-post player they desperately needed.
Orlando Magic; Grade: B
+ 32nd pick; PF Justin Harper 6’9” 228 lbs (from Cleveland)
+ 53rd pick; SG DeAndre Liggins 6’6” 202 lbs
The Magic got two solid players despite picking late in the draft. Harper is a solid forward who can step out and hit the three consistently. However, he needs to improve strength and low-post game. Liggins is a good all around player, a solid pick in the second round.
Philadelphia 76ers; Grade: C
+ 16th Pick; C Nikola Vucevic 6’11” 260 lbs
+ 50th Pick; PF Lavoy Allen 6’9” 225 lbs
The Sixers needed a big man, and reached out and nabbed one of the tallest players in the draft. But Vucevic is slow and nonathletic, which won’t fit well into the Sixers style of play.
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| Raptors pick Jonas Valanciunas 5th overall. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) |
Toronto Raptors; Grade: B+
+ 5th Pick; C Jonas Valanciunas 7’0” 240 lbs
They needed a center and got one. But in broken English, Valanciunas said he plays a similar style of basketball to Chris Bosh, whom the Raptors lost last off-season. If that means he plays soft and can’t win the big one, can you say, “Epic fail?”
Washington Wizards; Grade: A
+ 6th pick; SF Jan Vesely 6’11” 243 lbs
+ 18th pick; SF/PF Chris Singleton 6’9” 230 lbs
+ 34th pick; PG Shelvin Mack 6’2” 205 lbs
The Wizards had arguably the best draft of any franchise. They added key needs to their team, and picked up three tremendous players. Jan Vesely is a freakishly athletic European who runs the floor well. He will mesh with John Wall in a heartbeat, as the two really compliment each other really well. Chris Singleton was the best defensive player in the draft. He’ll give them size, versatility, and even more athleticism. Shelvin Mack is arguably the best guard in this year’s draft. He has good size for a guard, is tough, and can shoot well. The Wizards did everything they needed to do, and really improved themselves through the draft.
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