Which teams earned the top marks for their moves on Thursday?
The 2016 NBA Draft started in a predictable manner – Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram went off the board as the top two selections to Philadelphia and Los Angeles, respectively.
The Celtics were in the center of a plethora of draft rumors throughout the day in the build-up to the main event, centering around the No. 3 pick. Danny Ainge rebuffed an offer from Philadelphia of Nerlens Noel, Robert Covington and picks 24 and 26 for the third pick, presumably to select Kris Dunn. The Celtics were also pushing for a deal with the Bulls for Jimmy Butler, but talks never progressed into a trade. Without a move in place, Boston shook up the lottery and took California small forward Jaylen Brown, starting a relative domino effect of surprise picks throughout the draft.
How did each of the 30 teams do on draft night? Keep in mind that it takes years to fully evaluate a draft class, but these grades encompass how the team’s acquired value and maneuvered this year’s draft.
ATLANTA
In:
(12) Taurean Prince SF/Baylor
(21) DeAndre Bembry SF/St. Joseph’s
(44) Isaia Cordinier SG/France
Out:
Jeff Teague
Analysis: Atlanta got started a day earlier with its trade of Jeff Teague to Indiana, acquiring the No. 12 pick in the process. The Hawks surprised analysts and viewers with the selection of Prince at 12 – a slight reach – and also added St. Joseph’s small forward DeAndre Bembry later in the first round. Isaia Cordinier was a solid selection in the second round, and could be a good scorer down the road.
Grade: B-
BOSTON
In:
(3) Jaylen Brown SF/California
(16) Guerschon Yabusele PF/France
(23) Ante Zizic C/Croatia
(45) Demetrius Jackson PG/Notre Dame
(51) Ben Bentil PF/Providence
(58) Abdel Nader SF/Iowa State
2019 first round pick (Clippers)
Out:
Picks 31 and 35
Analysis: Boston was unable to move the third pick for an acceptable deal, and instead opted for Jaylen Brown with the third pick, taking the wing ahead of the consensus No. 3 prospect, Kris Dunn. Brown should become a very good player down the road, but the deal above involving Nerlens Noel would have helped the Celtics more immediately.
The Celtics made a brutal reach for Yabusele at pick 16, and took a better international prospect in Zizic at 23. Jackson and Bentil are terrific selections in the second round – both of which could have gone in the first round without a surprise. The Celtics also were able to get a future first round pick after dealing picks 31 and 35. Abdel Nader was one of the most random second round selections over the past few years, and likely will not contribute to the team.
Grade: C-
BROOKLYN
In:
(20) Caris LeVert SG/Michigan
(42) Isaiah Whitehead PG/Seton Hall
Future second round pick
Out:
Thaddeus Young
Analysis: Sean Marks continued to put his team on a rebuilding path, dealing Thaddeus Young for pick 20 and a future second round pick prior to the draft. The Nets used the newly-acquired pick on the oft-injured but very talented Caris LeVert. Isaiah Whitehead is a solid acquisition at the point, and he could fight for minutes right out of the gate. Brooklyn will not be good by any means next year, but the rebuilding process is trending in the right direction.
Grade: B
CHARLOTTE
In:
Marco Belinelli
Out:
Pick 22
Analysis: Charlotte traded out of the draft at pick 22 prior to the first selection, netting Kings guard Marco Belinelli in the process. That the Hornets would give up a first rounder for Belinelli remains a major question mark, and their draft grade is lowered accordingly.
Grade: D
CHICAGO
In:
(14) Denzel Valentine SG/Michigan State
(48) Paul Zipser SF/Germany
Robin Lopez
Jose Calderon
Jerian Grant
Spencer Dinwiddie
Out:
Derrick Rose
Justin Holiday
Cameron Bairstow
2017 second round pick
Analysis: Chicago jumped the gun on Wednesday, dealing former MVP Derrick Rose to New York for a package centered around Robin Lopez and Jerian Grant. On draft day, Chicago took the well-rounded Denzel Valentine to round out the lottery, a player that should crack the rotation right away. Zipser is a terrific draft-and-stash option in the second round.
The future is murky regarding the status of Jimmy Butler with the team, but strictly from a moves-made perspective, the team did well.
Grade: B+
CLEVELAND
In:
(54) Kay Felder PG/Oakland
Analysis: The newly-minted champions paid a couple million to select Felder, the tiny but stat-stuffing point guard from Oakland. Don’t be surprised if he’s the backup point guard at this time next year.
Grade: B
DALLAS
In:
(46) AJ Hammons C/Purdue
Analysis: AJ Hammons was one of top second round selections this year, and is a player that could provide definite first round value as a defensive anchor. He is already 24, but has the tools to be a starting center in the league one day.
Grade: A-
DENVER
In:
(7) Jamal Murray SG/Kentucky
(15) Juan Hernangomez PF/Spain
(19) Malik Beasley SG/Florida State
(53) Petr Cornelie PF/France
Analysis: Denver raced to the podium to select Jamal Murray, who fell to the team at No. 7 overall. Murray forms a dynamic backcourt pairing with Emmanuel Mudiay, the team’s lottery pick from a year ago. Hernangomez was a slight reach at 15, but can provide some floor spacing at the four, while Malik Beasley adds addition perimeter shooting to the Denver guard rotation. Cornelie is an interesting stretch-four that will continue to season overseas.
Grade: B+
DETROIT
In:
(18) Henry Ellenson PF/Marquette
(49) Michael Gbinije SG/Syracuse
Analysis: Stan Van Gundy and the Pistons let the draft come to them, selecting the seemingly lottery bound Henry Ellenson at 18 before using a second round pick on Michael Gbinije. Ellenson is a power forward that can play alongside Andre Drummond, while also filling minutes backing up the team’s franchise player. What’s not to like?
Grade: B+
GOLDEN STATE
In:
(30) Damian Jones C/Vanderbilt
(38) Patrick McCaw SG/UNLV
Analysis: Golden State added a pair of fringe first round prospects to the Bay Area, drafting Vanderbilt center Damian Jones to end the first round and buying a pick to select UNLV guard Patrick McCaw in the second. Both players will have a tough time seeing the court right away, but have potential to grow within the system.
Grade: B-
HOUSTON
In:
(37) Chinanu Onuaku C/Louisville
(43) Zhao Qi C/China
Analysis: Houston had a pair of second round draft picks, using one for the present and another for the future. Onuaku is a defensive, shot-blocking center in a similar mold as Clint Capela. Age concerns quashed any first round talk for Qi, but Morey and staff felt comfortable with the slender big man to take a chance in the second.
Grade: B-
INDIANA
In:
(50) Georges Niang PF/Iowa State
Jeff Teague
Thaddeus Young
Out:
Pick 20
George Hill
Future second round pick
Analysis: Indiana traded out of the first round and swapped point guards in a busy period for the team. Jeff Teague arrives from Atlanta to control the point, while Thaddeus Young arrives from Brooklyn as the team’s new power forward. Both fit in right away, but do they elevate the Pacers to the next level? Georges Niang is an intriguing forward that should make the roster.
Grade: B
LA CLIPPERS
In:
(25) Brice Johnson PF/North Carolina
(39) David Michineau PG/France
(40) Diamond Stone C/Maryland
Analysis: The Clippers needed to add interior depth behind Jordan and Griffin, and leave the draft with Brice Johnson and Diamond Stone. Johnson could become the team’s first traditional big man off the bench next season. Michineau was a surprising selection, given the more-talented draft-and-stash options still on the board.
Grade: B
LA LAKERS
In:
(2) Brandon Ingram SF/Duke
(32) Ivica Zubac C/Croatia
Analysis: The Lakers continue to rebuild, and did not overthink the second pick. Brandon Ingram had his pundits as a guy that should have been the top overall pick, and he should pair well with D’Angelo Russell as the start of a bright future. Ivica Zubac is a steal in the second round as a traditional back-to-the-basket center.
Grade: A
MEMPHIS
In:
(17) Wade Baldwin PG/Vanderbilt
(31) Deyonta Davis PF/Michigan State
(35) Rade Zagorac SF/Serbia
(57) Wang Zhelin C/China
Out:
2019 first round pick (Clippers)
Analysis: Memphis started out the night drafting a point guard, which could give an ominous sign about the state of interactions with free agent Mike Conley. Baldwin is a long and athletic point guard who does many things well. The team later traded the pick acquired from Jeff Green to draft top-15 talent Deyonta Davis at 31 as well as Serbian forward Rade Zagorac. Wang Zhelin was the 57th pick, and I would be surprised if he ever plays in the NBA.
Grade: B+
MIAMI
No additions or subtractions
Grade: Inc.
MILWAUKEE
In:
(10) Thon Maker C/Ath. Institute
(36) Malcolm Brogdon SG/Virginia
Analysis: The Bucks made the first major reach of the night, selecting Thon Maker with the No. 10 pick. Milwaukee hit gold with the lottery selection of Giannis Antetokoumpo a few years ago, but Maker is much more of a raw player that will need significant time to develop. He was a fringe first round prospect on my board. Brogdon is an experienced, defensive-minded guard that will fit Jason Kidd’s system.
Grade: D+
MINNESOTA
In:
(5) Kris Dunn PG/Providence
Analysis: Dunn was my third-ranked prospect, and seemed locked in at No. 3 before Boston could not get a trade put together. Dunn is the perfect floor general to pair with Wiggins and Towns, and gives the Wolves a backup plan should Ricky Rubio move on. Consider this your warning: The Wolves are going to be very good.
Grade: A
NEW ORLEANS
In:
(6) Buddy Hield SG/Oklahoma
(33) Cheick Diallo C/Kansas
Analysis: New Orleans added, perhaps, the draft’s top shooter in Buddy Hield, who should immediately add a scoring punch next to Anthony Davis. With Eric Gordon a free agent and Tyreke Evans unimpressive, Hield fills a need at the two, and should fit as a starter from day one. Diallo is a raw, but hard-working center that should benefit from playing with Davis and Omer Asik.
Grade: B+
NEW YORK
In:
Derrick Rose
Justin Holiday
2017 second round pick (Chicago)
Out:
Robin Lopez
Jose Calderon
Jerian Grant
Analysis: Five years ago, this would have looked like an amazing draft for New York, despite the team’s zero picks. The trade for Rose is risky and questionable, and puts a pair of high-usage players next to each other. I’m intrigued to see how it works out, and how Porzingis gets the shots he deserves. The team will miss Robin Lopez, but will look to spend at the position in free agency.
Grade: C
OKLAHOMA CITY
In:
(11) Domantas Sabonis PF/Gonzaga
(56) Daniel Hamilton SF/Connecticut
Victor Oladipo
Ersan Ilyasova
Out:
Serge Ibaka
Analysis: The million-dollar question in Oklahoma: is Kevin Durant happy? For better or worse, the Thunder dealt Serge Ibaka on Thursday to Orlando for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis. A Westbrook-Oladipo backcourt is extraordinarily athletic, while Sabonis provides added toughness and efficiency inside. On paper today was a win, but it all depends on the perception from Kevin Durant.
Grade: A-
ORLANDO
In:
(41) Stephen Zimmerman C/UNLV
2019 second round pick (Portland)
Serge Ibaka
Out:
Victor Oladipo
Ersan Ilyasova
Pick 11
Analysis: The Magic used a second round pick on Stephen Zimmerman from UNLV before trading an additional second rounder to Portland for a future second round pick and cash. Zimmerman has a decent stroke, but will struggle to defend at the NBA level. Enter Serge Ibaka, the newly acquired cornerstone from Oklahoma City. Ibaka is an aging rim protector who tends to float to the corner on offense. The value OKC received for the paint presence may have exceeded what Orlando got in return.
Grade: C
PHILADELPHIA
In:
(1) Ben Simmons F/LSU
(24) Timothe Luwawu SG/France
(26) Furkan Korkmaz SG/Turkey
Analysis: In the process we trust? With Sam Hinkie removed, the Sixers took Ben Simmons with the first overall pick before finding excellent value late in the first round with the selections of Luwawu and Korkmaz. Simmons has the tools to be a generational talent, but has to add an outside shot to get there. The latter prospects each graded out as lottery picks, and represented great finds by the new management.
Grade: A
PHOENIX
In:
(4) Dragan Bender PF/Croatia
(8) Marquese Chriss PF/Washington
(34) Tyler Ulis PG/Kentucky
Out:
Picks 13 and 28
Draft rights to Bogdan Bogdanovic
2020 second round pick (Phoenix)
Analysis: Phoenix ended up with a pair of lottery picks after a trade with Sacramento, netting Dragan Bender at No. 4 and Marquese Chriss at No. 8. The Suns did not give up too much in the trade with Sacramento, and restocked successfully at the forward position. Ulis has his flaws, but is a player I’d rather bet on than wish I had five years down the road.
Grade: A-
PORTLAND
In:
(47) Jake Layman SF/Maryland
Out:
2019 second round pick
Analysis: Originally without a pick, Portland traded a future second round pick and cash to Orlando to take Jake Layman with the 47th pick. Layman is a floor spacer that can defend multiple positions, but he likely won’t see much of the floor to begin his stint in Portland.
Grade: C+
SACRAMENTO
In:
(13) Giorgios Papagiannis C/Greece
(22) Malachi Richardson SG/Syracuse
(28) Skal Labissiere C/Kentucky
(59) Isaiah Cousins
Draft Rights to Bogdan Bogdanovic
2020 second round pick (Phoenix)
Out:
Pick 8
Marco Belinelli
Analysis: Sacramento started the day by fleecing Charlotte for a first round pick, and later traded down from 8 to 13 while netting pick 28 and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic has good potential as an NBA player, and could be brought over right away. Where the Kings had trouble was in reaching for Papagiannis, a player who was more of a late-first/early-second caliber player. He is a few years away from contributing for this team. Labissiere was a good value add late in the draft, and should be a piece to watch over the next few years. Isaiah Cousins should make the roster as a third point guard.
Grade: C
SAN ANTONIO
In:
(29) Dejounte Murray PG/Washington
Analysis: San Antonio did it again. The Spurs make a living out of drafting players lower than they should go, and had Dejounte Murray fall into their laps at No. 29. Murray could have gone as high as the late lottery, and brings a dynamic profile into an aging backcourt. Another nice draft from RC Buford.
Grade: A-
TORONTO
In:
(9) Jakob Poeltl C/Utah
(27) Pascal Siakim PF/New Mexico State
Analysis: Jakob Poeltl makes his way to Toronto as the ninth pick, and he will likely replace Bismack Biyombo as the backup center for the Canadian franchise. He has a similar game to Jonas Valanciunas, and should push for minutes. Siakim was a reach at No. 27, and will be used as an energy big man to start his career.
Grade: B-
UTAH
In:
(52) Joel Bolomboy PF/Weber State
(55) Marcus Paige PG/North Carolina
(60) Tyrone Wallace PG/California
George Hill
Out:
Pick 12
Analysis: Utah began the process by trading out of the No. 12 position for George Hill, who will start at the point in a backcourt with Gordon Hayward and Dante Exum or Alec Burks. The immediate value Utah will receive from Hill will outweigh the value received from a first round pick in the late lottery. The team snagged a trio of intriguing second round picks, the most promising of the bunch being Mr. Irrelevant, Tyrone Wallace. Bolomboy also remains in Big Sky country as a player that can rebound and defend off the pine.
Grade: B+
WASHINGTON
No additions or subtractions
Grade: Inc.
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