Draft Grades and Impressions

[clyde21]

Butler should be plug+play, I would give him at least 15 mins a game to start, maybe 20

[zimpy27]

looking at it again the day after

Winners:

- Atlanta: just getting Jalen Johnson at 20 and Sharife Cooper at 48 is just bonkers...Schlenk really does it again and he's been one of the most underrated draft/personnel guys in the league...might be the best one @ this point...Johnson was 7th overall for me and Cooper was 15th overall...just absurd value and NBA teams should be embarrassed they let these guys drop

- Dubs: speaking of letting guys drop...Moody to the Dubs @ 14...my 5th ranked prospect. for once the Warriors capitalize on someone else's mistake in the draft and that a guy that is perfect fit on the team. Kuminga at 7 was just icing on the cake. This is surprising to me because I usually have the Warriors as draft losers.

- Orlando: pretty straight forward...Jalen Suggs @ 5 and Franz Wagner @ 8...two multi-position guys that can play two ways and provide a lot of versatility and playmaking to their group. Suggs can fit in easily with Hampton/Cole in the back court and same with Franz in the front court next to guys like Carter and Isaac...they didn't get cute and took perfect value fits and talent for that team.

- Spurs: yes the Spurs...Primo is one of the most underrated guys in this class...only question is how long was a team willing to wait for him to develop being so young and raw but looks like the Spurs made the long term play on him...you can make argument they could've traded down and got him but sometimes u just gotta pull the trigger. Joe Wieskamp @ 41 was a beautiful pick and the prototypical Spurs player.

Losers:

- OKC: not that they got bad players, but largely disappointing given the volume of picks they had...couldn't get a deal done to trade up and instead actually ended up trading down instead of taking guys like Sengun or Garuba who would've been good fits on that team. Giddey is good but wouldn't been my first choice @ 6 and Tre Mann is meh.

- Wizards: not a total bust because Isaiah Jackson should be decent but it's more about the opp cost with them...they passed up on both Sengun and Garuba...and Kispert @ 15 is a little too rich for "just" a shooter like Kispert...I get it, shooting is king in today's NBA but felt like they could've had that with a guy like Murphy at that spot who can offer more overall to the team long term.

- Kings: Kings went full KANGZ with this one again...after they killed it last year with Haliburton...taking Mitchell 9th overall especially over some of the guys that were available was just a huge reach...essentially the opposite of what happened with Hali last year...also from a fit standpoint I don't understand it, not sure what the plan is for him to play with Fox/Hali, don't see the fit there unless they stagger, and if that's your plan then why take the guy this high when much better fits were still on the board?

- Nets: draft all over the place, way too many players and could've easily packaged some picks to move up a couple of times to get guys that fit more easily around their stars. Cam Thomas is fine @ 27 but over Jaden Springer is a no go for me.

- Raptors: it's tough to call Raps losers because of their track record they have earned the benefit of the doubt but in the second round they had TWO opportunities to take Sharife Cooper and instead took Banton and Johnson and Cooper ended up going immediately after. i think there's a strong chance this could look terrible a few years down the line. Barnes over Suggs too is questionable but I understand it on some level so it's not a huge deal.


other thoughts....


Hornets killed it in the 2nd round with JT Thor/Scottie Lewis but I hate their first two picks (Bouknight/Jones) so i left them off both lists.

Clips gotta A STEAL in BJ at 51...in the right environment he'll pop off down the line and people will be wtfing themselves per usual

don't really understand what the Pacers are doing...Duarte is a decent player but is a win now guy essentially...why take a guy like that if you are trying to trade Myles Turner away? don't see the logic or roadmap for this team right now.

Cavs got the best player pound for pound in the draft @ 3 and that's all they did and needed to do.

Motor Cade might be one of the GOAT nicknames already.

Rockets got a lot of good players but not sure of the fit...Green's gonna be a stud but why take Christopher when you also have KPJ on the roster? i'd probably look to move KPJ pretty soon and just let Green/JC develop with Alpy.

Jazz with Jared Butler at 40...killed it...boggles my mind how Mitchell was 9th and Butler is 40th...but NBA GMs gonna NBA Gm

Good recap.

My feeling on Indy is that they want to become like the Nuggets. With Sabonis playing the Jokic role surrounded by shooters and dynamic scorers.

[SeattleJazzFan]

Butler should be plug+play, I would give him at least 15 mins a game to start, maybe 20

*should* but he has to play at the expense of one of Snyder's guys. I hope i'm wrong as i love the pick want to see him firmly in the rotation. 20+ minutes would be incredible.

[Marcus]

looking at it again the day after

Winners:

- Atlanta: just getting Jalen Johnson at 20 and Sharife Cooper at 48 is just bonkers...Schlenk really does it again and he's been one of the most underrated draft/personnel guys in the league...might be the best one @ this point...Johnson was 7th overall for me and Cooper was 15th overall...just absurd value and NBA teams should be embarrassed they let these guys drop

- Dubs: speaking of letting guys drop...Moody to the Dubs @ 14...my 5th ranked prospect. for once the Warriors capitalize on someone else's mistake in the draft and that a guy that is perfect fit on the team. Kuminga at 7 was just icing on the cake. This is surprising to me because I usually have the Warriors as draft losers.

- Orlando: pretty straight forward...Jalen Suggs @ 5 and Franz Wagner @ 8...two multi-position guys that can play two ways and provide a lot of versatility and playmaking to their group. Suggs can fit in easily with Hampton/Cole in the back court and same with Franz in the front court next to guys like Carter and Isaac...they didn't get cute and took perfect value fits and talent for that team.

- Spurs: yes the Spurs...Primo is one of the most underrated guys in this class...only question is how long was a team willing to wait for him to develop being so young and raw but looks like the Spurs made the long term play on him...you can make argument they could've traded down and got him but sometimes u just gotta pull the trigger. Joe Wieskamp @ 41 was a beautiful pick and the prototypical Spurs player.

Losers:

- OKC: not that they got bad players, but largely disappointing given the volume of picks they had...couldn't get a deal done to trade up and instead actually ended up trading down instead of taking guys like Sengun or Garuba who would've been good fits on that team. Giddey is good but wouldn't been my first choice @ 6 and Tre Mann is meh.

- Wizards: not a total bust because Isaiah Jackson should be decent but it's more about the opp cost with them...they passed up on both Sengun and Garuba...and Kispert @ 15 is a little too rich for "just" a shooter like Kispert...I get it, shooting is king in today's NBA but felt like they could've had that with a guy like Murphy at that spot who can offer more overall to the team long term.

- Kings: Kings went full KANGZ with this one again...after they killed it last year with Haliburton...taking Mitchell 9th overall especially over some of the guys that were available was just a huge reach...essentially the opposite of what happened with Hali last year...also from a fit standpoint I don't understand it, not sure what the plan is for him to play with Fox/Hali, don't see the fit there unless they stagger, and if that's your plan then why take the guy this high when much better fits were still on the board?

- Nets: draft all over the place, way too many players and could've easily packaged some picks to move up a couple of times to get guys that fit more easily around their stars. Cam Thomas is fine @ 27 but over Jaden Springer is a no go for me.

- Raptors: it's tough to call Raps losers because of their track record they have earned the benefit of the doubt but in the second round they had TWO opportunities to take Sharife Cooper and instead took Banton and Johnson and Cooper ended up going immediately after. i think there's a strong chance this could look terrible a few years down the line. Barnes over Suggs too is questionable but I understand it on some level so it's not a huge deal.


other thoughts....


Hornets killed it in the 2nd round with JT Thor/Scottie Lewis but I hate their first two picks (Bouknight/Jones) so i left them off both lists.

Clips gotta A STEAL in BJ at 51...in the right environment he'll pop off down the line and people will be wtfing themselves per usual

don't really understand what the Pacers are doing...Duarte is a decent player but is a win now guy essentially...why take a guy like that if you are trying to trade Myles Turner away? don't see the logic or roadmap for this team right now.

Cavs got the best player pound for pound in the draft @ 3 and that's all they did and needed to do.

Motor Cade might be one of the GOAT nicknames already.

Rockets got a lot of good players but not sure of the fit...Green's gonna be a stud but why take Christopher when you also have KPJ on the roster? i'd probably look to move KPJ pretty soon and just let Green/JC develop with Alpy.

Jazz with Jared Butler at 40...killed it...boggles my mind how Mitchell was 9th and Butler is 40th...but NBA GMs gonna NBA Gm

Good recap.

My feeling on Indy is that they want to become like the Nuggets. With Sabonis playing the Jokic role surrounded by shooters and dynamic scorers.

was the only thing that made sense to me as well. Try and utilize his entire skillset with guys that move really well off the ball to somewhat mitigate the lack of multiple shot creators. Let Caris do Caris things but with Sabonis making some of the other decisions you don't over use LeVert.

[clyde21]

Gm

Good recap.

My feeling on Indy is that they want to become like the Nuggets. With Sabonis playing the Jokic role surrounded by shooters and dynamic scorers.

was the only thing that made sense to me as well. Try and utilize his entire skillset with guys that move really well off the ball to somewhat mitigate the lack of multiple shot creators. Let Caris do Caris things but with Sabonis making some of the other decisions you don't over use LeVert.

yea that makes sense, LeVert can essentially play the Murray role, TJ Warren the Mpj role, then you got Brogdon/Turner as well...i can see this team making the POs this season tbh.

[FNQ]

I like the Rockets draft. I thought they should have went with Mobley over Green, but I still really like Green and I loved their other picks.

I hated the Hornets draft.

I hated their 1st pick, they will regret drafting tall Monta. I do like Kai and Thor where they got them, but they are long term pieces. But great value there.

Bouk though.. so incredibly overrated. His team wouldnt even let him dribble across the halfcourt line a lot of the time because his handles were so weak and he was so easily rattled by pressure.. he chucked bad shot after bad shot.. he should have been good defensively but wasn't. And he was constantly cited as a great cutter when he cut all of 22 times the past season.

I kept calling him tall Monta and Jamal Crawford going up to the draft, and I stand by it. He doesnt seem like a winning player and the sulky attitude while being drafted didnt deter that thought either

[zimpy27]

Good recap.

My feeling on Indy is that they want to become like the Nuggets. With Sabonis playing the Jokic role surrounded by shooters and dynamic scorers.

was the only thing that made sense to me as well. Try and utilize his entire skillset with guys that move really well off the ball to somewhat mitigate the lack of multiple shot creators. Let Caris do Caris things but with Sabonis making some of the other decisions you don't over use LeVert.

yea that makes sense, LeVert can essentially play the Murray role, TJ Warren the Mpj role, then you got Brogdon/Turner as well...i can see this team making the POs this season tbh.

I'll be interested to see what they get for Turner. After Raptors picked up Barnes, the swap of Siakam for Turner makes even more sense than before.

[FNQ]

– Biggest winners / losers (teams and players)
Warriors, Rockets, Hawks, Clippers, Magic

– Biggest steals / reaches
Steals: Butler, Cooper, Moody, BJ Boston, Bassey
Reaches: Giddey, Primo, Ziaire, Mitchell

– Biggest surprises
Barnes (4), Giddey (6), Primo (12), Butler (40), Cooper (48), Washington making a good trade

– Best UDFAs
Joel Ayayi (LAL)

– Grade your team's performance
A+ - we got our 1A and 1B guys at 7, with the 7 and 14 picks

[Marcus]

– Biggest winners / losers (teams and players)
Warriors, Rockets, Hawks, Clippers, Magic

– Biggest steals / reaches
Steals: Butler, Cooper, Moody, BJ Boston, Bassey
Reaches: Giddey, Primo, Ziaire, Mitchell

– Biggest surprises
Barnes (4), Giddey (6), Primo (12), Butler (40), Cooper (48), Washington making a good trade

– Best UDFAs
Joel Ayayi (LAL)

– Grade your team's performance
A+ - we got our 1A and 1B guys at 7, with the 7 and 14 picks

Ayayi i like quite a bit. Lakers aren't really into developing rooks as main pieces but they do a helluva job with those buy in guys that want to do the team things. I think Ayayi fits that mold.

[SeattleJazzFan]

I like the Rockets draft. I thought they should have went with Mobley over Green, but I still really like Green and I loved their other picks.

I hated the Hornets draft.

I hated their 1st pick, they will regret drafting tall Monta. I do like Kai and Thor where they got them, but they are long term pieces. But great value there.

Bouk though.. so incredibly overrated. His team wouldnt even let him dribble across the halfcourt line a lot of the time because his handles were so weak and he was so easily rattled by pressure.. he chucked bad shot after bad shot.. he should have been good defensively but wasn't. And he was constantly cited as a great cutter when he cut all of 22 times the past season.

I kept calling him tall Monta and Jamal Crawford going up to the draft, and I stand by it. He doesnt seem like a winning player and the sulky attitude while being drafted didnt deter that thought either

i have to agree about bouknight and i was a big fan of him in college. seems to be a natural scorer and i kept wanting him to look like a top 10 pick - just never did. always just continued to disappoint.

Bilas last night (paraphrased): "Bouknight couldn't shoot during the games, but in workouts he's been lights out."

so if he gets to play against air, he's damn good.

[Marcus]

was the only thing that made sense to me as well. Try and utilize his entire skillset with guys that move really well off the ball to somewhat mitigate the lack of multiple shot creators. Let Caris do Caris things but with Sabonis making some of the other decisions you don't over use LeVert.

yea that makes sense, LeVert can essentially play the Murray role, TJ Warren the Mpj role, then you got Brogdon/Turner as well...i can see this team making the POs this season tbh.

I'll be interested to see what they get for Turner. After Raptors picked up Barnes, the swap of Siakam for Turner makes even more sense than before.

if they do go that route and just go smallish with tons of movement, it could work in the same way it did for Miami a couple seasons ago. Not saying a trip to the finals but a tough team to deal with in general despite not having elite top tier talent.

[FNQ]

– Biggest winners / losers (teams and players)
Warriors, Rockets, Hawks, Clippers, Magic

– Biggest steals / reaches
Steals: Butler, Cooper, Moody, BJ Boston, Bassey
Reaches: Giddey, Primo, Ziaire, Mitchell

– Biggest surprises
Barnes (4), Giddey (6), Primo (12), Butler (40), Cooper (48), Washington making a good trade

– Best UDFAs
Joel Ayayi (LAL)

– Grade your team's performance
A+ - we got our 1A and 1B guys at 7, with the 7 and 14 picks

Ayayi i like quite a bit. Lakers aren't really into developing rooks as main pieces but they do a helluva job with those buy in guys that want to do the team things. I think Ayayi fits that mold.

Very bold of you to bold my bold

Warriors forum is probably gonna hate me for how much I talk about Ayayi the next couple years. I was obsessed with bringing him in if we had the chance.. he went UDFA and I was sure we'd try on him. Instead we get a kid from UCSB who's ok, I guess.

Ayayi is a great fit because he's used to being a 4th+ piece, he rebounds like crazy for a guard, and he's not weak anywhere. He can shoot a little, pass a little, defend a little, board a lot.. and he's just a great potential glue guy.

[FNQ]

I like the Rockets draft. I thought they should have went with Mobley over Green, but I still really like Green and I loved their other picks.

I hated the Hornets draft.

I hated their 1st pick, they will regret drafting tall Monta. I do like Kai and Thor where they got them, but they are long term pieces. But great value there.

Bouk though.. so incredibly overrated. His team wouldnt even let him dribble across the halfcourt line a lot of the time because his handles were so weak and he was so easily rattled by pressure.. he chucked bad shot after bad shot.. he should have been good defensively but wasn't. And he was constantly cited as a great cutter when he cut all of 22 times the past season.

I kept calling him tall Monta and Jamal Crawford going up to the draft, and I stand by it. He doesnt seem like a winning player and the sulky attitude while being drafted didnt deter that thought either

i have to agree about bouknight and i was a big fan of him in college. seems to be a natural scorer and i kept wanting him to look like a top 10 pick - just never did. always just continued to disappoint.

Bilas last night (paraphrased): "Bouknight couldn't shoot during the games, but in workouts he's been lights out."

so if he gets to play against air, he's damn good.

Shades of Chairman Yi

Bouk was gaining a following on the W's board.. one of the few places that should know better about the *iso scorer who cant handle, defend or shoot* experience

[Marcus]

Might need to go to the Hornets board for answers but does Bouknight bring something completely different than the combo of Rozier and Graham?

[SeattleJazzFan]

Might need to go to the Hornets board for answers but does Bouknight bring something completely different than the combo of Rozier and Graham?

he's a little bigger. but even if he works out, he doesn't bring anything different to the table than those guys. i agree however, that it would be interesting to hear a hornets fan's optimistic outlook on him.

[Marcus]

Might need to go to the Hornets board for answers but does Bouknight bring something completely different than the combo of Rozier and Graham?

he's a little bigger. but even if he works out, he doesn't bring anything different to the table than those guys. i agree however, that it would be interesting to hear a hornets fan's optimistic outlook on him.

yeah that's where i landed as well. outside of size I don't see where anything changed outside of gaining for more years of rookie dealness bringing in Bouknight and letting Monk walk.

[CP War Hawks]

I think this draft supplied alot of needs if not wants for every team. Really like what Atl got on paper, but they are really due a dud class from how well the past few have turned out.

[KembaWalker]

Might need to go to the Hornets board for answers but does Bouknight bring something completely different than the combo of Rozier and Graham?

Rozier and Graham are both combo guards that wanna play like PGs, Bouknight seems like a very pure SG which is probably a better fit next to LaMelo than those 2 in theory, but it only works if Bouknight is actually a much better shooter than he showed in college, which is what they were saying he showed in workouts + the combine

[Roger Murdock]

I personally think the Pistons will look back on tonight with regret.

Based on everything I read about Mobley and Green killing their workouts and Cade being meh + those guys have much better athletic profiles and long term upside

I think that Weaver actually wanted Green and passed because of media and fan pressure. Picking 2/3 in this class was straight up better than 1. And I think the Pistons were acutely aware of this, and I think they chickened out because they thought they’d get killed. It’s just my gut feeling and read on it based on all rumors. It was the safe, easily justifiable keep the job pick.

[Dr Positivity]

I am really curious as to one thing, perhaps Toronto fans can enlighted me.

But why did they take Barnes? Suggs seems like the perfect fit, to me at least,
Suggs
Trent
OG
Siakam
center
6th man FVV

It seems like Barnes at his best will be a player that has to share the position with either OG or Siakam.

Is the team looking to deal siakam or OG?

Masai has a type. Long athletic guys who play hard on defense, banking on them improving as shooters.