Fansided

Rookie Ladder: NBA Draft Resolutions

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 01: People cheer as the ball drops at midnight in Times Square on January 1, 2015 in New York City. An estimated one million people assembled on New York's Times Square to count down to the New Year. Crowd gathered to watch the famous crystal-covered ball drop despite bitter temperatures forecast for minus two degrees Celsius. (Photo by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 01: People cheer as the ball drops at midnight in Times Square on January 1, 2015 in New York City. An estimated one million people assembled on New York's Times Square to count down to the New Year. Crowd gathered to watch the famous crystal-covered ball drop despite bitter temperatures forecast for minus two degrees Celsius. (Photo by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Lauri Markkanen of the m Minnesota Timberwolves smiles while talking to the media after being selected seventh overall at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Lauri Markkanen of the m Minnesota Timberwolves smiles while talking to the media after being selected seventh overall at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Don’t rush to judge draft day trades

In today’s instant reaction-driven analysis, every move is immediately placed under a microscope. With the NBA Draft, that means trades completed on the night of the event are judged the moment they are announced — or tweeted out by Woj.

Last year, that was the case when the Minnesota Timberwolves swindled the Chicago Bulls by securing Jimmy Butler for the price of Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the rights to the seventh overall pick, which became Lauri Markkanen. When the move was first announced, many couldn’t believe how “little” the Bulls were able to get in return for a certified All-Star caliber talent.

Fast forward, and not only has Markkanen been a great addition in Chicago, he has been one of the most steady rookies in the entire 2017 class. The 7-foot stretch-forward has been the perfect piece for Fred Hoiberg’s spread motion offense. With Robin Lopez holding down the paint, Markkanen has been able to use his full array of perimeter skills to his benefit to begin his NBA career.

Markkanen may never reach the status that Butler has reached in the NBA, but with a franchise like the Bulls that was in major need of a rebuild, a piece with his potential is a much bigger piece for the future than Butler would’ve been had he remained in the Windy City. The other players involved in the deal also have a chance to give Chicago a shot in the arm in the long run. Dunn has taken a progressive step on both ends of the floor and LaVine could be the go-to-guy this team is missing once he returns to action after rehabbing a torn ACL.

In 2018, when the inevitable lottery deal happens, it would be best for everyone if we all just take a step back from our keyboards and let the players involved in the deal show what they can or can’t do in an NBA game before we hand out grades on a trade that involves unknown pieces.

Home/NBA