Western Conference Draft Grades

Europe invades Newark as Western Conference teams look to Euro stars, who's names you probably can't pronounce, to usurp the Dallas Mavericks. by Jeff Laboon

Dallas Mavericks: C-

+ SG Rudy Fernandez (from Portland)

+ Rights to Petteri Koponen (from Portland)

The best draft ever. The coaching staff feels like they are on top of the world because they just won the championship, which means – in theory – that they have no necessary improvements. The Mavs are on a honeymoon that will last until next postseason if not later. The fact is, though, the Mavs needed youth. Rudy Fernandez is 26 years old, but he’s hardly reached his potential during his time in Portland.

Denver drafts Faried 22nd overall. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Denver Nuggets: B+

+ 22nd pick; PF Kenneth Faried, 6’8”, 228 lbs

+ 26th pick; SF Jordan Hamilton, 6’7”, 220 lbs (from Dallas)

+ PG Andre Miller (from Portland)

+ Future 2nd round pick from Portland

+ PF Chukwudiebere Maduabum, 6’9”, 210 lbs (from Los Angeles Lakers)

Let’s be honest, Denver took a sizeable publicity hit this season with the Carmelo Anthony trade because they lost a hometown star in Chauncey Billups. Picking up a former favorite like Andre Miller definitely helps the healing process. Plus, Miller can ball. He’s often overlooked, but he’s carried the Trail Blazers front court to the postseason since joining the franchise. The three draft picks add even more height and youth to a team that hardly lacks in either of those areas.

Golden State Warriors: C+

+ 11th pick; SG Klay Thompson - 6’7”, 205 lbs

+ 44th pick; PG Charles Jenkins - 6’3”, 220 lbs

+ Rights to 39th pick; F/C Jeremy Tyler - 6’10”, 260 lbs (from Charlotte)

New head coach Mark Jackson and the Warriors desperately needed size for the front court considering that both of their starting guards – Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis – are 6’3”. Thompson’s height fits the 3 position perfectly.  

Houston Rockets: A-

+ 14th pick; PF Marcus Morris – 6’9”, 235 lbs

+ 20th pick; PF Donatas Motiejunas - 7’0”, 222 lbs (from Minnesota)

+ 38th pick; SF Chandler Parsons – 6’9”, 200 lbs

+ 2012 Minnesota 2nd round pick

+ PG Jonny Flynn (from Minnesota)

I love this draft for the Rockets. They acquired a talented starting point guard in Jonny Flynn, a legitimate 7-footer who can step in for the oft-injured Yao Ming, and a prolific scorer in Morris.  

Los Angeles Clippers: A-

+ 37th pick; PF Trey Thompkins – 6’10”, 245 lbs

+ 47th pick; SG Travis Leslie – 6’4”, 205 lbs

The Clippers already have a fantastic roster and this pair of Georgia players adds to it. The Clippers may not seem relevant now outside of Blake Griffin’s Sports Center highlights, but they will be soon.

Morris is a LA native. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Los Angeles Lakers: B+

+ 41st pick; PG Darius Morris – 6’4”, 190 lbs

+ 46th pick; SG Andrew Goudelock – 6’3”, 200 lbs

+ 58th pick; PF Ater Majok – 6’10”, 225 lbs

+ Future 2nd round pick from Denver

I am a firm believer that the Lakers need to add depth and youth at point guard. Morris, who grew up in the LA area, ranked 5th in the nation in assists while at Michigan and averaged 15 ppg. I’m not saying that he will be the relief for Kobe Bryant on offense that the Lakers need for the future, but he certainly can score and distribute the ball. That’s all a franchise can look for when drafting this late.

Memphis Grizzlies: B

+ 49th pick; PG Josh Selby

The Grizzlies had one pick in this draft and decided to make a low risk, high reward pick. Selby’s stock fell because of an underwhelming season at Kansas caused by an injured foot. He has the potential to play against top guards and be a regular starter in this league. If this pick doesn’t work out for the Grizz, at least they only spent a late second rounder on him. Memphis took little to no risk by selecting Selby, who has a high ceiling, in my opinion.

Minnesota Timberwolves: A-

+ 2nd pick, PF Derrick Williams – 6’8”, 241 lbs

+ 23rd pick; SF Nikola Mirotic (from Houston)

+ C Brad Miller (from Houston)

+ A future Houston 1st round pick

Minnesota is a franchise that seems to grasp at straws every draft. First, they waste 2- top-five draft picks by selecting a pair of point guards (Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio). Then, they select a SF (Wesley Johnson) immediately after trading for one (Michael Beasley). Drafting Derrick Williams was a no brainer. He has the skills to be a real force in the NBA. Hopefully, Williams (and the newly signed Rubio) can help turn around the Wolves’ draft fortunes.

New Orleans Hornets: C+????

The Hornets traded away their second round pick to the New York Knicks for cash. General Manager Dell Demps said the players they wanted were already gone, so it was time to improve outside of the draft. I have to respect NOH’s decision to not waste this pick on someone they didn’t think would fit their franchise’s direction.

Oklahoma City Thunder: B+

+ 24th pick; PG Reggie Jackson – 6’3”, 208 lbs

Jackson is a phenomenal scorer and can be a great compliment off the bench for Russell Westbrook for the time being.

Phoenix Suns: A-

+ 13th pick; PF Markieff Morris – 6’10”, 245 lbs

The Suns lacked size since losing Amar’e Stoudemire to free agency. Morris led the Big 12 in rebounds and blocks last season and will push guys like Channing Frye, Marcin Gortat, and Robin Lopez for minutes.

Minnesota nabs Williams at 2. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Portland Trail Blazers: C

+ 21st pick; SG Nolan Smith – 6’2”, 185 lbs

+ 51st pick; SG Jon Diebler – 6’6”, 205 lbs

+ SF Tnaguy Ngomno (from Dallas)

+ PG Raymond Felton

You need to feel for Raymond Felton. He signs with the New York Knicks because he wants to be part of the franchise’s revival. Then he gets traded to Denver. Then he gets traded to Portland. In the past 13 months, he’s been on four different rosters – the fourth being the Charlotte Bobcats. I think Felton played excellent during his time in New York and will be able to fill in for starter Andre Miller. The real key in the Blazer’s draft success, though, is Nolan Smith. Smith carried Duke’s front court after first overall selection Kyrie Irving’s season ending injury. But his size is more appropriate for a point guard. I think Smith can be great, but the Blazers did not address their weakness at shooting guard. If they were going to trade Andre Miller, they shouldn’t have traded him for another point guard and then also drafted a point guard with their first round pick.

Sacramento Kings: A-

+ 10th pick; PG Jimmer Fredette – 6’2”, 196 lbs

+ 35th pick; SF Tyler Honeycutt – 6’8”, 187 lbs

60th pick; PG Isaiah Thomas – 5’10”, 186 lbs

+ SF John Salmons

The lines have been drawn in the sand. You’ve probably already picked your side. You either love Jimmer Fredette or you hate him. Anytime you can add the reigning National Player of the Year to your team, you had a good draft. Throw in a defensive forward like Tyler Honeycutt, additional depth at point guard in Isaiah Thomas (especially since Tyreke Evans is more of a shooting guard), and a veteran like John Salmons, and you had a pretty awesome draft. Last night was a big victory for Sacramento. The next step is an arena. Here We Stay!  

San Antonio Spurs: B

+ 29th pick; PG Cory Joseph

+ 59th pick; SG Adam Hanga – 6’7”, 200 lbs

+ Rights to 15th pick; SF Kawhi Leonard – 6’7”, 227 lbs (from Indiana)

+ Rights to 42nd pick; SF Davis Bertans – 6’10”, 211 lbs (from Indiana)

+ Rights to C Erazem Lorbek (from Indiana)

Good franchises can afford to add a whole crop of talent with the hopes of only one or two of those guys panning out. San Antonio seemingly applied this strategy last night by adding five players.

Utah Jazz: A-

+ 3rd pick; C Enes Kanter – 6’11”, 259 lbs

+ 12th pick; SG Alec Burks – 6’6”, 193 lbs

The Jazz have turned the losses of Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams into quite the exciting team. Burks fills a gaping hole at SG and Kanter brings some additional size to compliment Al Jefferson.