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It didn't take Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant getting traded to generate excitement in an action-packed NBA Draft. The majority of the teams improved. Some didn't.
Here are the grades, good, bad, and inconsequential.
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| Portland does well in Round 2 with the selection of Josh McRoberts. (Getty Images) |
The Good
Portland: The Blazers rid themselves of Zach Randolph and added Greg Oden. The wheels to Portland getting back on track have already been in motion for a few years now, but Thursday was special in more ways than just adding a brilliant young 7-footer. Randolph's contract had to go, and with LaMarcus Aldridge also developing and needing minutes, Kevin Pritchard was able to clear the path for his team's future. Channing Frye is a nice piece, and though he might not be a part of the team's long-term future, he'll have a two-year opportunity to prove whether he fits. Steve Francis will be bought out, which means the Blazers will have plenty of money to sign their impressive arsenal of young talent to extensions and maybe bring in a key veteran here or there. Second-rounders Josh McRoberts and Taurean Green should make training camp interesting, while internationals Rudy Fernandez and Petteri Koponen could arrive and contribute in a few years. It was a brilliant night. Grade: A+Memphis: The choice came down to Mike Conley Jr. and Joakim Noah, and the first big move of the Chris Wallace/Marc Iavaroni era was ultimately the right one. Although Noah's size and mobility are intriguing and perfect for the open court, the Grizzlies really needed a game-changing point to ensure their attack gets off the ground. Having witnessed Steve Nash the past few seasons, Iavaroni knows exactly how vital the right floor general is in a run-and-gun system. Conley's speed guarantees that they'll have a game-altering weapon. They missed out on Oden and Durant, but wound up with a potential franchise player all the same. Grade: A
Minnesota: Kevin McHale hasn't had very many positive draft memories, so maybe he should leave on this high note. Regardless of what happens with Garnett, the only logical choice with the No. 7 pick was the best player available, Corey Brewer. This was a no-brainer, even for the Wolves. They brought in Brewer's college buddy Chris Richard for a shot, which is a nice touch. Grade: A
San Antonio: The Spurs continued to use the Spanish League as their farm system for big men, picking up Brazilian Tiago Splitter, who they can leave out there for another year while they bring over Argentine Luis Scola. Splitter was once considered a lottery pick, so this is a great value choice for San Antonio. Ditto for Arizona forward Marcus Williams in the second round. Grade: A
Utah: The Jazz lucked out when Rice's Morris Almond was still available; he addresses their need for another perimeter scorer to swing next to Deron Williams. Almond is a confident kid who will come in and compete for time immediately, a rarity for a No. 25 pick joining a squad that just made the Western Conference finals. Grade: A
Atlanta: The Hawks could have traded one or both of their lottery picks for a veteran. Billy Knight kept both and then resisted the temptation to take Conley, opting for quality size in Al Horford instead. Because they were able to get Acie Law with the No. 11 pick, it turned out to be the right move. Horford helps make up for last year's bad pick of Shelden Williams and instantly becomes the top true big man on the roster. Law isn't as explosive as Conley, but will get the job done. He's tough-minded, skilled and will come in and challenge Speedy Claxton and Tyronn Lue for a starting spot. Atlanta filled its two largest areas of need without compromising itself. Still rebuilding, the pieces are starting to come together and ultimately will. By the time they do, fans in the city should be waking up from their slumber in time to notice. Grade: A-
Boston: It might be short-lived, but the Celtics are relevant again. In the Eastern Conference, the perception exists that anything is possible. Thanks, Cleveland. So instead of blowing up the team and starting all over, Danny Ainge went out and added Ray Allen, Jesus Shuttleworth himself. He'll be the best running mate Paul Pierce has ever had, which will keep Pierce in Boston and presumably happy. If Al Jefferson keeps improving, the Celtics have a legitimate "Big Three." Ryan Gomes, Kendrick Perkins, Gerald Green, Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen are young, but make for a decent supporting cast that can go out and make a playoff run. Boston didn't want to add another young piece, parlaying it into an All-Star, albeit not Jermaine O'Neal or Garnett. Grade: A-
Seattle: Because of the security blanket Durant provides, the Sonics believed they could afford to trade Allen, their most recognizable asset. If you're going to blow a team up, now would be the time. Sam Presti, tasked with giving the Sonics a new identity, leads the new regime and went to work, adding another superb wing to complement Durant in Georgetown's Jeff Green. That pairing will undoubtedly work, and the fact they get to grow together will pay dividends down the road. The Sonics are going to be major players in three years -- likely adding another high lottery pick next season -- and they hope young centers Robert Swift and Mouhamed Sene develop. Plus, Wally Szczerbiak's large contract will come off the books a few years earlier than Allen's would. In the short term, Seattle is probably going to do its share of losing, but you're starting to see the big picture taking shape. Grade: A-
Washington: They needed a big man, but Nick Young's availability changed everything for the Wizards. The deviation was justified. Somehow, Eddie Jordan will have to figure out ways to get Gilbert Arenas and Young on the floor together. Depending on how that plays out, the Wizards might have walked away with one of the draft's biggest steals. Second-round pick Dominic McGuire will have an opportunity to make the team, too. Grade: A-
Golden State: Brandan Wright's acquisition is definitive proof that Don Nelson is staying put and probably in it for the long haul. In giving up Jason Richardson, he's making a bold statement that he believes his team needs a true big man. Wright can be that guy, and his athleticism allows him to do it while keeping pace with the Warriors' run-and-gun style the way Andris Biedrins can. Nelson wasn't on board yet for Patrick O'Bryant's selection last season and never warmed up to the rookie. He's banking Wright can be his guy and will count on Monta Ellis and Mickael Pietrus to pick up Richardson's slack. Marco Belinelli was an interesting choice with the No. 18 pick. He's fearless, excels in the open court and can put the ball in the basket, so he definitely fits the profile. Way to stay true to yourself, Nellie. Grade: B
New York: Isiah Thomas gave Knicks fans something else to get excited about with the acquisition of Randolph, who will now be canonized on the New York airwaves as the next coming of Willis Reed. Can he play? Absolutely. Is he coming into his own in terms of maturity? It looked that way last season. Can he play with Eddy Curry? That's the $60 million question. Both command the ball and haven't proved adept at playing off other elite big men. Neither is particularly interested in playing defense, either. At face value, Thomas was able to get a potential All-Star in a Knicks uniform, which is good for a city thirsting for a team it can brag about. Identifying Wilson Chandler as the steal of the draft also gets Thomas brownie points on a night where he can go to bed with a justifiable smile. Thomas the GM just gave Thomas the coach one heck of an experiment with which to tinker. Grade: B
Chicago: The Bulls intend on keeping Noah. At this point, he's the runaway favorite among the five Gators drafted to add to his ring collection. He and Tyrus Thomas should make each other better as they develop behind Ben Wallace. John Paxson adds another solid piece, taking the safer option between Noah and Spencer Hawes. Hawes might wind up being the post scorer the Bulls have been missing, but Noah's athleticism is an asset you know you can rely on. Grade: B
New Jersey: Rod Thorn didn't hold Sean Williams' past indiscretions against him, placing his faith in his new forward's ability to stay out of trouble as a pro. If Williams can manage that, he'll fit right in with last year's pick Josh Boone behind Jason Collins and Nenad Krstic. Although Williams is raw, expect him to be able to block shots consistently from the moment he puts on a jersey. Grade: B
L.A. Lakers: If Kobe stays, which is what everything regarding the Lakers is predicated on these days, the acquisition of Javaris Crittenton looms interesting. Phil Jackson wanted to get a bigger guard to pair with Bryant and wound up with a lottery-level talent at No. 19. Drafting the rights to Sun Yue (China) and Marc Gasol (Spain), two of the more recognizable athletes in their countries, could be viewed as a pre-emptive measure to ensure jersey sales don't plummet if No. 24 goes elsewhere. Shrewd. Grade: B
L.A. Clippers: Al Thornton was the best piece on the board when it came time for Elgin Baylor and Co. to pick, so the Clips' night has to be declared a success. Thornton is going to be able to contribute immediately, which is precisely what a team with multiple building blocks like L.A. has acquired and is ultimately looking for. The Clippers added a young point guard to come in and stir things up in Marist's Jared Jordan, who strikes me as a Steve Blake-type who will find a way to stay in this league and contribute. Grade B
The Bad
Charlotte: Michael Jordan wants to win now, and he sent the message that he wasn't playing games with the Bobcats fans when he promised change. As Jordan does, he's willing to gamble to get what he wants. Richardson has proved he can be a go-to scorer, but he has never been able to stay healthy. His shot selection is also questionable. He's going to have to show up in Charlotte ready to soak in whatever guidance Jordan can offer, because J-Rich is going to be the guy -- and if he's not capable of handling it, he's going to make his boss look bad. I admire Jordan's mentality, but there's no denying it's a risk, because holding on to a young big man with the potential of Wright might have wound up being the better move for the team's long-term prospects. The selection of Jared Dudley didn't do much for me. Grade: C-
Sacramento: Hawes will probably be pressed into action before he's ready due to the Kings' lack of depth up front, so we'll know what he's about early. He has skills that are undeniable, and will benefit from learning from Brad Miller, but I'm not sold that this was the right pick for the Kings. On one hand, talented 7-footers aren't readily available, but considering the team's problems defending and hitting the boards, it was curious that they would add a player who scouts say will struggle in those areas. Grade: C-
Philadelphia: Taking Thaddeus Young over Thornton indicates that the Sixers wanted to maximize the earning potential of their lottery pick. Young might be a superstar one day. Thornton is very good, but at 24, isn't thought to have as high a ceiling since he's so developed. I think the Sixers whiffed on this one. In their situation, you take the guy you're comfortable with. They don't call prospects like Young hit-or-miss for nothing. Picking up Jason Smith was fortunate, as was acquiring first-round talent Derrick Byars and Kyrylo Fesenko in the second round. Grade: C-
New Orleans: With Nick Young available, the Hornets opted for the highest player on their draft board, the intriguing Julian Wright. Unless New Orleans plans on running more, I don't see this as the right move. Young could've filled the role as Chris Paul's backcourt mate for the next decade. The fit seemed perfect. Instead, the team chose Wright's upside, figuring it will find ways to get him on the court despite the fact he has no real position. The second-round pick of Adam Haluska did nothing to salvage the night. Grade: C-
Detroit: Joe Dumars became sold on Rodney Stuckey early, and better hope his eyes don't betray him. Nick Young was not expected to be available, but ended up being there for the taking. Because Stuckey had his promise, Detroit's hands were tied. Young is considered a better prospect than Stuckey by most people, so this is a move the Pistons could wind up regretting. Arron Afflalo and Sammy Mejia are decent prospects who aren't projected to be any more than role players. Grade: C-
Milwaukee: Larry Harris is under pressure to win now, and readily admits that. So why he brought in a player who doesn't want to be there -- and could help save his job -- makes very little sense. Milwaukee was practically forbidden to see Yi Jianlian, because his people were adamant that he not end up there. Even if he does show up, how does he fit? Do you not want any big men who can potentially play defense? Yi is a good athlete, but he's not going to be a shot-blocker. Andrew Bogut doesn't do that. Charlie Villanueva is more of a small forward than anything else. Brewer, Wright and Noah would've all made more sense as selections, but the Bucks believe Yi is special. It doesn't seem like it would be worth the trouble. Grade: D-
Houston: Considering the Rockets just moved Juwan Howard to pick up Mike James, it made no sense to draft Aaron Brooks with pick No. 26 since he figures to be a third-string guy. Tiago Splitter might not have helped you immediately, but if the Rockets brought him over in 2008, I guarantee he'd have much more impact than Brooks. McRoberts, Glen Davis or Nick Fazekas would have been better options, too. The Rockets needed quality size and wound up with the shortest player drafted. Grade: D-
The Inconsequential
Miami wound up with Daequan Cook, who disappeared down the stretch during Ohio State's NCAA Tournament run. He figures to be doing more cheering from the bench as he joins the veteran Heat. If anybody can tap into Cook's potential it figures to be Pat Riley, but you shouldn't expect to hear much from him for a while. Like Dorell Wright and Wayne Simien before him, Cook is someone Miami is stashing.
Dallas grabbed Nevada's Fazekas, Dirk Light, with the No. 34 pick. He has a shot at making the team, because he can definitely shoot the ball and might turn into something if he can add some muscle to his frame. The Mr. Irrelevant the Mavs provided us with is Milan Rakovic, a 6-foot-10 Serbian with a pro-level death stare.
Phoenix caused a stir by working out Noah and Brewer just before the draft, but never pulled the trigger on moving into the top 10. Instead, the Suns ended up with Alando Tucker and D.J. Strawberry, wings who won't see much action.
Orlando selected UNC's Reyshawn Terry with the No. 44 pick, which didn't get anyone in town excited. The Magic traded him for Rakovic following the conclusion of the draft.
Indiana snuck into the draft to get its hands on Stanko Barac, a 7-1 Bosnian who won't see the light of day here for a while, if ever.
Toronto, Denver, and Cleveland sat the draft out.
