Northwest Division Draft Grades

Denver Nuggets- (C-)

Erick Green (46), Joffrey Lauvergne (55)

The Nuggets traded their late first round pick, which ended up becoming Rudy Gobert, for cash and an additional second round pick.  Erick Green was the ACC’s leading scorer for a Virginia Tech squad lacking impact players. He wasn’t just a chucker though, as he was at the top of the draft class’s rankings for both overall offensive efficiency and turnovers. Green is a tweener/combo guard but with Ty Lawson on the roster there’s no pressure to start, and he can be the scoring punch off the bench the Nuggets need. Lauvergne will be stashed for some years, and who knows if the Nuggets will ever bring him over. All in all I ding them for moving out of the first round and picking a draft-and-stash player, but love the direction they went with their first second rounder.

Minnesota Timberwolves- (B+)

Shabazz Muhammad (14), Gorgui Deng (21), Lorenzo Brown (52), Bojan Dubljevic (59)

It was widely reported that the Timberwolves were looking to add wing scoring in this draft, and that they especially coveted Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.  But once the Georgia guard was taken at 8 they began shopping their number 9 pick.  They were able to get the 14th and 21st picks from Utah which they turned into Muhammad and Deng. Muhammad at 14 would have been a huge steal a few months ago, but with recent developments concerning his character and age, he dropped on many boards.  All that notwithstanding, Muhammad was the best available scorer, possessing good upside and playing a position of need. Dieng is a project big who does many of the same things as Nerlens Noel (with lower upside), so not a bad late first round pick.  Lorenzo Brown is a pick I really like, especially at 52, as he could be one of the real sleepers of the draft. He has excellent size and court vision (has only played point for two years) while also being a sufficient scorer. My only doubts involve his similarity to Ricky Rubio and his lack of a proven jumpshot, but I still see him as a steal.  Dubljevic is a forward lacking athletic ability who excels at shooting who could be a nice stretch four with time.

Oklahoma City Thunder- (B)

Steven Adams (12), Andre Roberson (26), Alex Abrines (32), Grant Jerrett (40)

The Thunder got their first pick as a result of the James Harden trade, and used it to select both BPA (best player available) and fill a need. Adams has great upside and can already rebound, defend and bang in the the low post. If he can add some offensive game he will be an absolute steal for a team that needs a center for the future. Roberson is an elite rebounder who will probably carve his niche out as a bench player who can come in and add scrappy points and rebounds. Abrines is an interesting prospect from the point of view of a player who can do it all on offensive but hasn’t shown much else yet. He will add a needed scoring punch off the bench if he continues to develop, but that has yet to be seen. Jerrett was clearly drafted as a potential stretch 4 who could spread the floor for other players.  I admire the Thunder’s ability to add a need and a variety of other players as well.

Portland Trail Blazers- (B)

CJ McCollum (10), Allen Crabbe(31), Jeff Withey(39), Marko Todorovic(45)

I have been a huge fan of McCollum this entire draft process, but I’ve viewed him as more of a scoring point than a 2 guard. Portland already has the Rookie of the Year at point in Damian Lillard but is apparently looking to play the two together in the backcourt. I love both of the players but am not sure I like the idea of two guys under 6’3’’ playing together in the same backcourt. On the other hand, having two players who can play both guard positions is always advantageous, I just have my doubts concerning fit.  McCollum can add a scoring punch and be the main point off the bench while also playing next to Lillard when both are on the court. McCollum is a scoring first point, but has better court vision and basketball IQ than he is given credit for. Crabbe is a shooter without limits who can pour in points for a team that sometimes struggled with exactly that, while Withey is a single-dimensional player who is an elite shotblocker. Todorovic is also a draft-and-stash player who may never see the court.

Utah Jazz- (B-)

Trey Burke (9), Rudy Gobert (29)

Much like scoring for Minnesota, almost everyone knew that the Jazz were after a point in this draft, and after packaging their two picks they got the one that was widely considered to be the best true point. Burke is a floor general who I believe will excel for a team with as many big man options and shooters as the Jazz possess.  I also commend them for trading up to get their man as all the top points were gone by their original pick at 14. Gobert could be a steal as he only cost them a second rounder+cash, but will need time to develop and add strength. The Jazz appeared to have a plan for getting a point, which they stuck to with success and then decided to roll the dice with trading back into the first round.  This low risk strategy isn’t all that flashy but they got their man.

By Jamie McNeill

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