How did the teams of the Pacific division perform in the 2014 NBA Draft?
Los Angeles Clippers
Picks: C.J. Wilcox (No. 28)
Wilcox is a long defender who measured out with an impressive 6-foot-10 wingspan and 37.5-inch max vertical. He also made 39 percent of 3-pointers his senior year and is considered one of the best shooters in this draft. With that said, the Clippers have Matt Barnes, Jared Dudley, J.J. Redick, Jamal Crawford, Willie Green, and Reggie Bullock (whom they took in the first round last year) – all guys known to have similar talents. I like the general quality of this pick a little less due to the redundancy.
Grade: C
Golden State Warriors
Picks: None
The Golden State Warriors traded their 23rd overall pick as part of the trade that netted them Andre Iguodala. Iguodala averaged some of his lowest numbers since his rookie season, including 9.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.5 steals. Despite this, when healthy (played in only 63 games this season), Iguodala is the rangy, defensive stopper and shooter the Warriors like on the wings.
The recipients of the 23rd pick, the Utah Jazz, drafted Rodney Hood, who while talented, is no Iggy at this point in his young career. The Warriors are trying to win sooner rather than later, so having the proven player makes sense.
Grade: B
Phoenix Suns
Picks: T.J. Warren (No. 14) | Tyler Ennis (No. 18) | Bogdan Bogdanovic (No. 27) | Alec Brown (No. 50)
The Suns have only Marcus Morris and P.J Tucker under contract at the small forward position next year, and Warren can really fill it up. The former N.C. State forward lacks elite athleticism and elite outside shooting, but he makes up for that by being able to score in a variety of ways. The ACC Player of the Year carried his team last year, shooting better than 50 percent from the field despite taking more than 18 shots per game (nearly a third of all shots taken by the Wolfpack).
The Suns also added Syracuse freshman Tyler Ennis with the 18th pick, shoring up the lack of depth at the point guard position. Ennis has struggled shooting the ball, but is a natural point who could one day be a great leader of the second unit. Bogdanovic will more than likely wait a few years to make the jump to the NBA, but can score in droves, as well. With Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, Bogdanovic and Ennis the Suns have depth and flexibility at the guard spots. Brown is a huge prospect with average athletic intangibles whom they will look to develop into a defensive role player.
Grade: B+
Sacramento Kings
Picks: Nik Stauskas (No. 8)
Stauskas is an elite shooting prospect whose NBA Combine measurements came out much more athletic than initially expected. He shot 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from downtown his sophomore season, emerging as a star prospect. What concerns me with this pick is that the Kings selected Ben McLemore last year to do the same thing, all while ignoring a need at the point guard position. Elfrid Payton was still available at this point and would have fit nicely next to McLemore. By the same token they need a rim protector to pair with offensive juggernaut Demarcus Cousins and passed on Noah Vonleh, as well. I like the player, just not necessarily the fit.
Grade: C+
Los Angeles Lakers
Picks: Julius Randle (No. 7) | Jordan Clarkson (No. 46)
Randle was probably the most NBA-ready player not named Jabari Parker available, which fits with what the Lakers are claiming they will do: compete now. Randle is a load on the block and an absolute rebounding machine. He also gives the Lakers a physical toughness that they have lacked down low since Shaq left. The team was able to get its guy without having to move up and now has something besides Kobe on the roster to be excited about.
Clarkson is a huge point guard prospect who measured out at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. He started strong this past season, but then began to struggle mightily during the second half of the season. Predictably, he must improve his outside shot, but brings a different style to the point guard position than incumbents Kendall Marshall and Steve Nash.
Grade: A
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
