NBA Draft 2017: Grades for all 30 teams
By Chris Stone
The NBA Draft is over, so how’d everyone do? We’ve got grades for all 30 teams.
The 2017 NBA Draft has come and gone, which means it’s time to dole out some grades to all 30 teams in the league. Every pick made on Thursday night has a quick blurb followed by a final grade rating the overall value of the draft for the selecting team. We’ll proceed in alphabetical order.
Atlanta Hawks
No. 19: John Collins | PF | Wake Forest
Perhaps this will be the long-term replacement for Paul Milsap at the power forward spot in Atlanta. Collins was a hyper-efficient sophomore who averaged 28.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per 40 minutes despite being the age of a freshman. MORE.
No. 41: Tyler Dorsey | SG | Oregon
Dorsey is an excellent shooter who can both create his own shot and work away from the ball. There are serious questions about whether or not his athleticism can translate to the NBA level and if he’ll ever be able to contribute much defensively.
No. 60: Alpha Kaba | C | Mega Leks
A 21-year old center prospect with excellent size and length who hasn’t progressed as rapidly as expected. He’ll likely be a stash candidate.
Overall Grade: C+
The Hawks swapped pick No. 31 for No. 41 in a deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets earlier this week. They also took back Miles Plumlee, one of the worst contracts in the NBA, and aging guard Marco Belinelli. The trade rids Atlanta of Howard, but does not seem to actually have any tangible benefits for making the team better in the immediate future.
Collins is a player who could be productive in the NBA, but the defensive concerns are real. Those same concerns exist with Dorsey as well.
Boston Celtics
No. 3: Jayson Tatum | SF | Duke
Tatum will give the Celtics a potential go-to scorer on the wing and his fit with Jaylen Brown will be less of a concern than it would have been with Josh Jackson given Tatum’s ability to play some power forward. This requires a ton of trust in Tatum developing the rest of his game, though, as Jackson outclasses him in just about every area beyond getting buckets. MORE.
No. 37: Semi Ojeleye | PF | SMU
Ojeleye is a 6-foot-7 combo forward with the body and feet to guard multiple positions in the NBA. He’s also a 42.4 percent 3-point shooter. He’ll give the Celtics some added toughness in the frontcourt. This one is a very nice steal early in the second round.
No. 53: Kadeem Allen | PG | Arizona
He’s 24-years old and will be fighting for a spot on a crowded roster, but he has good defensive upside. Maybe he ends up in the D-League and earns a potential call up later in the season.
No. 56: Jabari Bird | SG | California
Bird is a late draft flyer who shot 37.0 percent on 3-pointers during his four-year college career. He’ll probably spend some time with Boston’s D-League affiliate.
Overall Grade: B
The Celtics sent the No. 1 overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the No. 3 pick this year and a future first rounder. Missing out on Markelle Fultz is definitely a downer here given that he’s the most likely superstar in the class and Tatum was not the best player available according to our board. However, landing Semi Ojeleye at No. 37 is a massive steal.
Brooklyn Nets
No. 22: Jarrett Allen | C | Texas
With Brook Lopez heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Nets needed to find a long-term solution at the center spot. Texas big man Jarrett Allen was the top available big man here. He’s got great physical tools at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, but those attributes didn’t necessarily translate to on court production with the Longhorns. MORE.
No. 57: Alexander Vezenkov | SF/PF | FC Barcelona
A 6-foot-9 combo forward who is a high-volume, high-efficiency scorer. He’ll be stashed by the Nets overseas.
Overall Grade: B+
The Nets previously owned pick No. 27 as well, but dealt it to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this week along with center Brook Lopez for point guard D’Angelo Russell and center Timofey Mozgov. The deal gives Brooklyn another young, talented prospect to build around and the cap hit from Mozgov’s contract should matter little to a franchise to so early on in its rebuild. Allen, meanwhile, is a solid bet at No. 22 who could ultimately turn into a rotation center or starter over the long-term.
Charlotte Hornets
No. 11: Malik Monk | SG | Kentucky
It was a bit of a fall for the Kentucky shooting guard, but Monk will bring some high level scoring to the Hornets. He was a 39.7 percent 3-point shooter during his lone year of college and was one of the best off-ball shooters in recent memory. He’ll do well with Kemba Walker setting the table for him. MORE.
No. 40: Dwayne Bacon | SG/SF | Florida State
Bacon is a 6-foot-8 bully who is a high volume scorer, but lacks some of the necessary efficiency. That’s mostly a result of struggling from behind the 3-point arc, but there’s some potential worth exploring here given his size.
Overall Grade: B-
The Hornets were the recipients of the No. 31 pick and Dwight Howard in the aforementioned deal and shed a terrible contract in the process. Maybe they’ll get a bit more out of Howard than Atlanta did and moving up 10 spots in the second round is certainly a good thing. Malik Monk also fell into their lap at No. 11, but Bacon is not the kind of prospect I would want to be taking a risk on early in the second round.
Chicago Bulls
No. 7: Lauri Markkanen | PF/C | Arizona
Markkanen will come to the Bulls as one of the centerpieces of the deal for Butler. He’s a 7-foot sniper who will help space the floor for a team that desperately needs it. Plus, if there’s any coach who has the offensive creativity to maximize his potential, it’s Fred Hoiberg. MORE.
Overall Grade: F
The Bulls finally moved on from Jimmy Butler by sending him to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and a swap of the No. 7 and No. 16 picks. The return here seems very light for Chicago and adds another non-shooting point guard to the mix in the backcourt. Selling Jordan Bell to the Golden State Warriors at No. 38 is also a disaster.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Overall Grade: N/A
For the second straight year, the Cleveland Cavaliers entered draft night with no picks. The franchise sent their first round pick, No. 26, to the Portland Trail Blazers for a 2018 first rounder and their second round pick, No. 53, to the Boston Celtics as part of a deal for Keith Bogans back in 2014.
Dallas Mavericks
No. 9: Dennis Smith Jr. | PG | North Carolina State
Seth Curry and Yogi Ferrell don’t appear to be the long-term solution at point guard for the Mavericks, so they snagged Dennis Smith Jr. at No. 9. The 6-foot-3 point guard may have the highest ceiling of any guard in the draft because of his athleticism and scoring ability, but the key will be whether or not he actualizes it. The Mavericks’ pick-and-roll screens may help. MORE.
Overall Grade: A-
The Mavericks got their guy at No. 9 and Smith should excel in their pick-and-roll schemes. He’s got elite upside. It’s just a question of if he can get there.
Denver Nuggets
No. 24: Tyler Lydon | SF/PF | Syracuse
Lydon has a legitimate NBA skill in that he’s an elite 3-point shooter with deep range, but this selection is a bit odd given the trade for Lyles. The two players overlap quite a bit in terms of their position and skill sets. Lydon does bring a bit more weak side rim protection that could pair nicely with Nikola Jokic. MORE.
No. 49: Vlatko Cancar | PF | Mega Leks
Cancar is a potential stash candidate who has upside as a floor spacer in the frontcourt and multi-positional defender, but it’s odd that the Nuggets continue to add power forwards.
No. 51: Monte Morris | PG | Iowa State
A potential backup point guard who is as trustworthy as it gets with the ball in his hands. He has shown some nice potential as a 3-point shooter as well.
Overall Grade: D
The Nuggets moved the No. 13 pick to the Utah Jazz for Trey Lyles and No. 24 then proceeded to draft a pair of power forwards and a backup point guard. Not exactly a successful night.
Detroit Pistons
No. 12: Luke Kennard | SG | Duke
This is an interesting one given that Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell was still on the board and he’s more of a two-way player than Kennard. That said, the Duke guard is one of the three best shooters in the draft and his pick-and-roll ability could be put on display in the Pistons’ system. MORE.
Overall Grade: B-
The Pistons get a quality shooter at No. 12, but with a two-way player on the board, they didn’t make the best selection they could.
Golden State Warriors
No. 38: Jordan Bell | C | Oregon
Once again the Warriors pull off a heist in the second round. Bell is ready to make an immediate defensive impact in the NBA. He can block shots and defend in space. He’s also a solid passer on the offensive end. Bell won’t be a star, but he’ll be a great role-player for years to come.
Overall Grade: A
The Golden State Warriors traded both their first, No. 30, and second, No. 60, round picks to the Utah Jazz as part of a deal to clear cap space for Andre Iguodala back in 2013. That’s a deal that has aged well.
Once again, though, the Warriors moved into the second round to grab a steal. Bell will bring them a nice defensive punch and his ability to move the ball will be very welcome.
Houston Rockets
No. 43: Isaiah Hartenstein | PF/C | Zalgiris
Hartenstein was flagged with a back condition, triggering his fall into the second round. He’s an intriguing offensive talent who can take opposing centers off the dribble, but needs to develop his 3-point shot to become a more valuable piece.
Overall Grade: C
Assuming Hartenstein is healthy, he’s nice value here, but given his fall, there seem to be some real questions.
Indiana Pacers
No. 18: TJ Leaf | PF | UCLA
Adding Leaf won’t help the sad feelings that Pacers fans have about inevitably losing Paul George, but the 6-foot-10 power forward should form an intriguing frontcourt alongside Myles Turner. Leaf is an efficient scorer who can space the floor out to the 3-point line. He’ll need Turner’s rim protection behind him, though, as he struggles to move laterally and defend in space. MORE.
No. 47: Ike Anigbogu | C | UCLA
The Pacers double down on the Bruins by selecting Anigbogu here. The 6-foot-10 center slipped due to injury concerns and is a long-term project who might develop into an elite rim protector.
No. 52: Edmond Sumner | PG | Xavier
Sumner is a lightning quick point guard who tore his ACL this season. He can’t shoot it yet, but there’s potential upside there given his size and athleticism.
Overall Grade: B+
Indiana gets a nice frontcourt partner for Myles Turner, a high upside backup big man and an intriguing point guard prospect. It won’t make up for Paul George, but it’s a nice start to the rebuild.
Los Angeles Clippers
No. 39: Jawun Evans | PG | Oklahoma State
Potentially pairing a young prospect who has been compared with Chris Paul with the actual Chris Paul is a brilliant move for the Clippers assuming they can bring Paul back in free agency. Evans is a high volume creator at the rim who led the nation’s No. 1 offense last season. He was a top 20 prospect on our big board.
No. 48: Sindarius Thornwell | SG | South Carolina
The Clippers get a nice 3-and-D prospect here to help fill out their bench. Thornwell is a very good defender who improved significantly as a shooter in his senior season.
Overall Grade: A
The Clippers previously traded their picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, using the No. 23 pick to offload Jared Dudley’s contract and their second rounder to bring in Austin Rivers, but they got back into the second round to land Evans, a great value at No. 39, and Thornwell at No. 48.
Los Angeles Lakers
No. 2: Lonzo Ball | PG | UCLA
Ball has the potential to bring Showtime back to Los Angeles with his elite court vision and unselfishness. The 6-foot-6 point guard will get the keys to the offense immediately with Russell off to Brooklyn. He’ll need to improve as a one-on-one creator in the halfcourt to maximize his potential. MORE.
No. 27: Kyle Kuzma | PF | Utah
With Lonzo Ball in the fold, the Lakers needed to add some shooting at the frontcourt positions. They’ve got a prospect who could eventually develop into a solid stretch power forward in Kyle Kuzma here. The 21-year old hasn’t had the results yet, but there’s some upside there. MORE.
No. 30: Josh Hart | SG | Villanova
Hart is a winner in every sense of the word and he’ll bring a certain culture to the Lakers’ locker room. He’s a solid and competitive defender who can knock it down from deep. Hart doesn’t need the ball to succeed — although he can run a bit of pick-and-roll — and should be able to fit in really well next to Lonzo Ball. MORE.
No. 42: Thomas Bryant | C | Indiana
Bryant is an interesting prospect to take a risk on given the Lakers need to find shooting in the frontcourt. He’s been developing his jump shot, but there are serious questions about his ability to defend in space. The length is there, but the foot speed just isn’t.
Overall Grade: B+
The Lakers shipped out D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets, which is a bummer because the potential pairing between Russell and No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball would have been fun. The franchise, though, has now positioned itself for free agency in the summer of 2018, which if they can accomplish what they think they can will be well worth it. Otherwise, this one’s not ideal given Russell’s potential.
The Lakers also dealt the No. 28 pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for the Nos. 30 and 42 picks, getting back some additional value in the process. While losing Russell is a downer, landing Ball and Hart are big wings for the team. Kuzma’s a project, but he could eventually add some needed frontcourt shooting.
Memphis Grizzlies
No. 35: Ivan Rabb | PF/C | California
Rabb was projected as a potential lottery pick last season, but didn’t show much development during his sophomore year at California. He can rebound it and has a solid post game, but he’s a nice potential bench big man and not much more.
No. 45: Dillon Brooks | SF | Oregon
Brooks is a play-making small forward who improved immensely as a jump shooter in his final season. He’ll need those shooting numbers to sustain to make it in the NBA as he’s unlikely to offer a team very much on the defensive end because he lacks athleticism.
Overall Grade: C-
The Grizzlies shipped out their first rounder in 2013 before it eventually made its way to the Portland Trail Blazers and their second rounder in 2014 to the Oklahoma City Thunder who flipped it to the Denver Nuggets, but they traded back into the draft with the Orlando Magic to grab a second rounder. Rabb is a fine talent, but nothing special and there were other big men available who were more attractive at this pick while Brooks is a decent pick up at No. 45.
Miami Heat
No. 14: Bam Adebayo | C | Miami
Big men who can defend in space are critical in the modern NBA and that’s Bam Adebayo’s best skill, but this is a bit of a reach for the Heat who are already heavily invested monetarily in Hassan Whiteside. Miami will get the best out of Adebayo, but the franchise could likely have made a move down to snag him. MORE.
Overall Grade: C-
The Heat overreached for a center at No. 14. Miami got the guy it wanted, but Adebayo was the No. 28 prospect on our draft board.
Milwaukee Bucks
No. 17: D.J. Wilson | PF | Michigan
Although Greg Monroe opted into his contract earlier this week, the Bucks still need some long-term help in the frontcourt. Wilson fits their prototype as a lengthy big man who can shoot it. He has a 7-foot-3 wingspan and nailed 37.3 percent of his triples this season for the Wolverines. MORE.
No. 46: Sterling Brown | SG/SF | SMU
Brown is a 3-and-D wing prospect who made 45.1 percent of his 3-pointers in college. He could be one of the draft’s best sleepers here in the second round.
Overall Grade: B
The Wilson pick isn’t a favorite of mine because his lateral mobility is a bit questionable, but Brown is a great snag in the second round for a team that prides itself on its 3-and-D wings.
Minnesota Timberwolves
No. 16: Justin Patton | C | Creighton
This is a bit of a head scratcher as the Timberwolves already have a plethora of frontcourt talent as the league is downsizing its lineups nearly across the board. Patton is a solid prospect who is the best rim runner in this draft and a developing shooter, but he’s not an elite defensive talent, which is what you’d want next to Towns. MORE.
Overall Grade: A
The Minnesota Timberwolves opted to speed up their rebuilding by dealing for Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls. Butler brings a legitimate superstar into the picture to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns. He’ll team up with Andrew Wiggins on the wing to form an intriguing defensive duo. Maybe those 50 win projections were a bit too early.
The Timberwolves also received the No. 16 pick in the deal, which they used to snag Justin Patton. Drafting another big man is a downer for a team that simply doesn’t need one, but the Butler trade was a steal that overwhelms the draft error.
New Orleans Pelicans
No. 31: Frank Jackson | PG | Duke
Jackson is a 6-foot-3 point guard who plays more like a shooting guard. He’s an efficient scorer who can fill it up from behind the arc, but there are questions about his defensive acumen and ability to make his teammates better as he averaged fewer than 3.0 assists per 40 minutes.
Overall Grade: C-
Jackson will give the Pelicans a young player who can replace Tim Frazier in the backcourt, but he wouldn’t have been my top choice at No. 31. The Pelicans also sold No. 52 to the Indiana Pacers.
New York Knicks
No. 8: Frank Ntilikina | PG/SG | Strasbourg
Ntilikina was linked to the Knicks throughout most of the process because of his potential as a point guard in the triangle system. He’s not an elite one-on-one creator, but he can pass it a bit and is an improving jump shooter. Plus, Ntilikina has the physical tools to develop into a versatile defender. MORE.
No. 44: Damyean Dotson | SG | Houston
The Knicks add a wing here. Dotson is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who hit 38.0 percent his 3-pointers over his four year college career. He’s a potential upside play in the middle of the second round.
No. 58: Ognjen Jaramaz | Position | Mega Leks
A 6-foot-4 point guard who is likely to be stashed overseas. He’s a developing play-maker and shooter.
Overall Grade: C+
Ntilikina is a solid prospect for the system the Knicks want to run, but he wasn’t the best player on the board at No. 8. Dotson is similar. There were other, better 3-and-D prospects available at No. 44.
Oklahoma City Thunder
No. 21: Terrance Ferguson | SG/SF | Adelaide
The Oklahoma City Thunder badly need to lock down more two-way talent on their roster and they’re taking a risk to find that here. Ferguson is a 6-foot-7 swingman who has the potential to be a solid 3-and-D wing, but he really struggled overseas in Australia last season, making just 31.3 percent of his 3-point attempts. MORE.
Overall Grade: B
The Thunder have to find more two-way wings, but very few of them existed in the 2017 draft. Taking a risk on a high upside play like Ferguson is perfectly fine even if there were a few better options available.
Orlando Magic
No. 6: Jonathan Isaac | SF | Florida State
New general manager John Hammond continues his trend of drafting lengthy players with athletic upside. Isaac could ultimately be the best defender in the class because of his versatility as a legitimate potential 1-5 defender. He’ll be a weird fit with Aaron Gordon, but he was the best guy on the board and a solid choice for the Magic. MORE.
No. 33: Wesley Iwundu | SF | Kansas State
Iwundu is another prospect who fits the Hammond profile. He’s got long arms and some defensive potential plus he can handle it a bit on the offensive end. The swing skill for him will be his shooting. He knocked it down from 3-point range as a senior, but struggled with his jumper in his first three seasons.
Overall Grade: B
Orlando landed a pair or prospects who fit their new general manager’s profile, but they’ll face some difficult choices regarding how to proceed with Gordon in the near future. Isaac has elite role-player potential and Iwundu is a worthy risk to take early in the first round, but his potential shooting woes could make him a tough fit on a roster that lacks many sharpshooters.
The Magic also dealt the No. 25 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for a future first rounder that previously belonged to Oklahoma City as well as a second round pick.
Philadelphia 76ers
No. 1: Markelle Fultz | PG | Washington
Fultz is a 6-foot-5 point guard who is widely regarded as the top prospect in the class because of his offensive potential. He fills a position of need for the Sixers and will form a trio of elite youngsters alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. MORE.
No. 25: Anzejs Pasecniks | C | Gran Canaria
Pasecniks is a 7-foot-2 Latvian center who is an excellent pick-and-roll threat and solid rim protector. He’s already 21-years old, but is reportedly open to being draft-and-stashed overseas. He’s obviously an odd fit in Philadelphia given their collection of centers already on the roster, but as a stash option it makes sense because the Sixers don’t necessarily need another young player on their roster right now. Maybe he’ll never come over. MORE.
No. 36: Jonah Bolden | PF | Radnicki Basket
Bolden originally played at UCLA before moving overseas last season, so perhaps he’s another stash option for the 76ers. He’s a 6-foot-10 power forward who brings a bit of defensive versatility and a nice 3-point shot, but obviously Philadelphia is pretty loaded at that position already.
No. 50: Mattias Lessort | PF | Nanterre
A powerful offensive rebounder who is likely another stash option for the the 76ers as they look to integrate so many young pieces into their roster.no.
Overall Grade: A
The Sixers shipped the No. 3 pick in 2017 and a future first rounder to the Boston Celtics for the rights to draft Markelle Fultz and get their point guard of the future. They also added a pair of stash candidates in the frontcourt after acquiring pick No. 25 from the Orlando Magic. However, with so many young players on the roster already, Philadelphia started moving second round picks, which caused them to lose out on some potential sleepers.
Phoenix Suns
No. 4: Josh Jackson | SF | Kansas
Jackson is a 6-foot-8 wing with the potential to be one of the best perimeter defenders in this class. He’ll cover up for Devin Booker’s deficiencies on the wing and help set up the offense in a secondary creator role. Given that Jackson was the No. 2 prospect on our board, Phoenix did well here. MORE.
No. 32: Davon Reed | SG | Miami
Reed is a 6-foot-5 guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan who fits the 3-and-D mold that NBA teams are looking for. He hit 39.5 percent of his 3-pointers in college and will give the Suns another nice option on the wing off the bench. These are the type of players you should take risks on in the second round given the importance of wings in the modern NBA.
No. 54: Alec Peters | SF/PF | Valparaiso
Peters is one of the best shooters in the draft, but there are concerns about how his athleticism will translate to the NBA. He’s a high character kid, though, and his shooting should earn him a roster spot.
Overall Grade: B+
Jackson was the No. 2 prospect on our board and the Suns also added a 3-and-D wing even if he was a bit of a reach at No. 32. Peters has a chance to make the roster simply because of his shooting ability.
Portland Trail Blazers
No. 10: Zach Collins | C | Gonzaga
Collins is a 7-footer who gives the Trail Blazers a center of the future down the line and he can probably play a bit with Jusuf Nurkic as well. Collins is the best rim protector in the class and his ability to space the floor a bit will be highly valuable in the modern NBA. MORE.
No. 26: Caleb Swanigan | PF | Purdue
The Trail Blazers continue to add to their frontcourt depth by landing the draft’s best rebounder. The question for Swanigan will be how he handles scoring over length in the NBA and whether or not he can defend in space against the litany of pick-and-rolls that he’ll see. MORE.
Overall Grade: C+
The Blazers dealt picks Nos. 15 and 20 to the Sacramento Kings for No. 10, moving up to snag Collins. The 7-footer is a nice piece and he should give them nice frontcourt depth, but doubling up with Swanigan is a bit odd, especially given the defensive concerns surrounding the Purdue big man.
Sacramento Kings
No. 5: De’Aaron Fox | PG | Kentucky
The Kings get their point guard of the future with Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox falling into their lap at No. 5. Fox is an elite player in transition, but his NBA game will probably make or break itself behind the improvement of his jump shot. MORE.
No. 15: Justin Jackson | SF | North Carolina
Nothing could be more Kings-y than selecting an upperclassman known for his 3-point shooting. After dealing for Buddy Hield earlier this year, Sacramento adds North Carolina’s Justin Jackson who made 37.0 percent of his 3s last season. MORE.
No. 20: Harry Giles | PF/C | Duke
Giles entered the NBA Draft with one of the most volatile stocks in recent memory because of his struggles on the floor after a couple of knee surgeries. However, he was once the top-rated prospect in the class and could be a top-level defender assuming he fully recovers. MORE.
No. 34: Frank Mason | PG | Kansas
Mason was college basketball’s National Player of the Year last season. He’s a hard-nosed kid who projects to be a backup point guard at the next level. His shooting off the dribble is elite, but size concerns will always haunt him around the rim.
Overall Grade: A
The Kings need assets and they acquired a few more by dealing the No. 10 pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for picks Nos. 15 and 20. That will give them more players to fill out a talent depleted roster.
The Kings used all four of their picks to grab high character prospects who can each play a role in their rebuilding process. Fox is the point guard of the future, Mason slots in well as a backup, Jackson brings scoring on the wing and Giles is a nice high upside play in the frontcourt.
San Antonio Spurs
No. 29: Derrick White | PG/SG | Colorado
This is basically the exact type of pick that you would expect the Spurs to make. White was a slightly under the radar prospect who had an incredibly productive year for Colorado this season. He’ll pair well with Dejounte Murray in the backcourt and give San Antonio some extra flexibility this season as they attempt to open up cap space. He should be ready to contribute right away. MORE.
No. 59: Jaron Blossomgame | SF | Clemson
A big wing with scoring upside. The key will be whether or not he can find the 3-point shot that he had as a junior. Luckily the Spurs have had some success turning non-shooters into shooters.
Overall Grade: B+
The Spurs nailed their first round pick and got some solid value in the second round assuming Blossomgame can find his jumper again.
Toronto Raptors
No. 23: OG Anunoby | SF/PF | Indiana
There are clearly some concerns about his ACL injury and his lack of an offensive game that caused Anunoby to fall a bit, but the 6-foot-8 wing is one of the best defenders in the draft. He has the potential to defend all five positions in the NBA and he’ll fit in well with what the Raptors want to do on that end. MORE.
Overall Grade: A
The Raptors landed a prospect we rated as a lottery level talent who fits their defensive system. He’ll need to improve offensively, but this is a great landing spot for Anunoby.
Utah Jazz
No. 13: Donovan Mitchell | SG | Louisville
Mitchell was one of the best two-way players left on the board at this point in the draft and Utah moved up to grab him. The 6-foot-3 guard has an improving jumper and his defense is elite. Mitchell should give the Jazz significantly more flexibility given some of the upcoming contract situations they’re going to face. MORE.
No. 28: Tony Bradley | C | North Carolina
Bradley gives the Jazz a younger, cheaper frontcourt prospect to help replace Lyles after they moved him to the Nuggets earlier in the night. The 6-foot-10 big man is an excellent rebounder, but there are questions about how well he’ll be able to defend at the next level. MORE.
No. 55: Nigel Williams-Goss | PG | Gonzaga
Williams-Goss is a winner who can create a bit of offense and shoot it from deep. He’s a solid offensive piece, but it’s not clear he has the chops to cut it defensively.
Overall Grade: B
The Jazz sent No. 24 and Trey Lyles to the Denver Nuggets for No. 13 and the rights to Mitchell. The 6-foot-3 guard is a great pickup, but the lack of athleticism in the last two selections is concerning.
Next: FanSided 2017 NBA Draft Tracker
Washington Wizards
Overall Grade: A
The Wizards traded their only remaining draft pick (No. 52) to the New Orleans Pelicans this week in exchange for back up point guard Tim Frazier. The 6-foot-1 guard is a totally serviceable bench option for a team that needs to add depth for the upcoming season. In short, the Wizards dealt a draft pick that was highly unlikely to turn into a useful NBA player into an already useful NBA player. That sounds like a win.