Boston Celtics:Ended night with rights to JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, and Nets' 2014 second-round pick Grade: B- The Celtics nabbed two former Boilermakers on draft day. I thought the E'Twaun Moore pick was good, as he has a slight chance of being a rotation guy someday, and that's all you can ask for late in the second round. JaJuan Johnson is intriguing, because he will definitely have to fill out and develop to be any kind of a difference maker in the NBA. Still, learning from Kevin Garnett will definitely help, as will playing in a defensive system that sends a lot of help to their bigs. Undersized big men can thrive in these kinds of defensive schemes. Still, Boston may have traded away a steal in MarShon Brooks to get Johnson. Brooks has the potential to be a dynamic scorer, and the Celtics may regret trading him away.
New Jersey Nets: Ended night with rights to MarShon Brooks and Jordan Williams Grade: A- The Nets received MarShon Brooks in a trade from the Celtics, and have to be happy about that. A scoring threat to pair with Williams in the backcourt, Brooks could have an immediate impact. Although I thought a team would take a flier on Williams late in the first round, he fell to the second for the Nets to grab. However, I don't know if this will be a good thing for them. I'm not a big believer in Williams, even if he does lose some weight. And getting compared to Michael Sweetney on draft day isn't the best way to start your NBA career.
New York Knicks: Ended night with Iman Shumpert, rights to Josh Harrellson Grade: C- The Knicks reaching for Shumpert seems a little puzzling, as they have a similar player in Landry Fields. It seems like there were several better options left on the board. New York also bought into the second round for Harrellson, who could be a decent reserve in a few years. Still, not much for the Knicks to be excited about on draft day.
Philadelphia 76ers: Ended night with Nikola Vucevic and Lavoy Allen Grade: B-
The 76ers got their man in Vucevic, who they hope will eventually succeed Spencer Hawes. Allen will probably not see much time in the NBA. No surprises from Philadelphia, but they are probably content with how things went down.
Toronto Raptors: Ended night with Jonas Valanciunas Grade: B The fans might not be happy in getting a player that might not come over this year, but Valanciunas is very skilled, and a lot of international scouts have him rated higher than Enes Kanter in terms of playing ability. When he does come overseas, he should make an immediate impact.
Chicago Bulls: Ended night with rights to Nikola Mirotic and Jimmy Butler Grade: B+ I really liked what the Bulls did on draft night. They didn't seem like they wanted to use up two roster spots on late-first round rookies, so it seemed like they were going to stash a European from the start. Although I had them getting Davis Bertans, they upgraded immensely with Mirotic. Even though he might not come over to play in the NBA for four years, he is extremely talented. Some experts say that Mirotic would have been a lottery pick had he been able to come over this year. I also thought the Bulls might reach on a shooting guard, given their dire need at the position. However, they took the best player available in Jimmy Butler. Butler seems like a great athlete and defender who can spell Luol Deng (who played 39 minutes/game last year) for stretches, and be an effective player. Excellent pick at # 30.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Ended night with Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Milan Macvan, and two future Orlando Magic second-round picks Grade: D+ The Cavaliers shocked everyone by picking Thompson 4th. I thought I was high on Thompson, and even I didn't think he should go higher than 7-11th. It seems the Cavaliers were really hoping Utah took Brandon Knight, but when they took Kanter off the board, Cleveland panicked. Thompson can definitely be an effective player in this league, but he's a bit of a gamble and there were several better options on the board. The Cavaliers will be a much better team because of the players they got in the draft, but not as good as they could have been.
Detroit Pistons: Ended night with Brandon Knight and Kyle Singler Grade: B The Pistons got an explosive guard in Knight, who was a steal at 8. This probably means that they have to move Rodney Stuckey, but it will be interesting if they try to make the two play together. I wasn't really high on Singler, but he's not a bad value pick in the second round.
Indiana Pacers: Ended night with George Hill, rights to Erazem Lorbek Grade: A The Pacers reaped the benefits of having Leonard fall to them. Even though he was not a good fit with them, they traded him for George Hill, who instantly fills the team's most pressing need. Hill is an explosive scorer that can play off the ball and compliment Darren Collison. The Pacers instantly made themselves a much better team, and not many teams can say that after this draft night.
Milwaukee Bucks: Ended night with Stephen Jackson, Beno Udrih, Shaun Livingston, the rights to Tobias Harris, and Jon Leuer Grade: B The Bucks got the perimeter scorer they need in Jackson, a veteran who can sometimes cause problems but whose ability to put the ball in the basket is unquestioned. Beno Udrih is a decent (yet overpaid) guard who can play quality minutes. Harris is a bit of a project, but a good talent to find midway through the first round. It seemed like Milwaukee had a good draft day, but not a great one.
Atlanta Hawks: Ended night with Keith Benson Grade: C The Hawks get a C because there simply was not much for them to do, good or bad. Benson was their only pick halfway through the second round.
Charlotte Bobcats: Ended night with Corey Maggette, rights to Bismack Biyombo, Kemba Walker, and Jeremy Tyler Grade: B+ The Bobcats had an excellent draft day (am I actually saying that?) They traded away Stephen Jackson, which makes sense for a rebuilding team. They got Biyombo, maybe the most intriguing player in the draft because of his defensive ability. They got Kemba Walker, a proven winner and effective floor general. What a haul for Jordan and the Bobcats
Miami Heat: Ended night with rights to Norris Cole Grade: B The Heat got a solid back-up point guard in Cole, who could spell Chalmers from time to time.
Orlando Magic: Ended night with rights to Justin Harper, DeAndre Liggins Grade: C+ The Magic traded for another big who can shoot in Harper, a good value pick in the second round, and got Liggins, who won't play enough to merit me writing more details about him.
Washington Wizards: Ended night with Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton and Shelvin Mack Grade: B Vesely was the Wizards guy, and is talented enough to be a starter this season. Singleton looks like a great defensive guard whose offensive game is a work in progress. Mack could be a good second round pick, as he is a competitor with enough talent to be a reserve combo guard. All in all, a good day for the Wizards.
Toronto Raptors: Ended night with Jonas Valanciunas Grade: B The fans might not be happy in getting a player that might not come over this year, but Valanciunas is very skilled, and a lot of international scouts have him rated higher than Enes Kanter in terms of playing ability. When he does come overseas, he should make an immediate impact.
Chicago Bulls: Ended night with rights to Nikola Mirotic and Jimmy Butler Grade: B+ I really liked what the Bulls did on draft night. They didn't seem like they wanted to use up two roster spots on late-first round rookies, so it seemed like they were going to stash a European from the start. Although I had them getting Davis Bertans, they upgraded immensely with Mirotic. Even though he might not come over to play in the NBA for four years, he is extremely talented. Some experts say that Mirotic would have been a lottery pick had he been able to come over this year. I also thought the Bulls might reach on a shooting guard, given their dire need at the position. However, they took the best player available in Jimmy Butler. Butler seems like a great athlete and defender who can spell Luol Deng (who played 39 minutes/game last year) for stretches, and be an effective player. Excellent pick at # 30.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Ended night with Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Milan Macvan, and two future Orlando Magic second-round picks Grade: D+ The Cavaliers shocked everyone by picking Thompson 4th. I thought I was high on Thompson, and even I didn't think he should go higher than 7-11th. It seems the Cavaliers were really hoping Utah took Brandon Knight, but when they took Kanter off the board, Cleveland panicked. Thompson can definitely be an effective player in this league, but he's a bit of a gamble and there were several better options on the board. The Cavaliers will be a much better team because of the players they got in the draft, but not as good as they could have been.
Detroit Pistons: Ended night with Brandon Knight and Kyle Singler Grade: B The Pistons got an explosive guard in Knight, who was a steal at 8. This probably means that they have to move Rodney Stuckey, but it will be interesting if they try to make the two play together. I wasn't really high on Singler, but he's not a bad value pick in the second round.
Indiana Pacers: Ended night with George Hill, rights to Erazem Lorbek Grade: A The Pacers reaped the benefits of having Leonard fall to them. Even though he was not a good fit with them, they traded him for George Hill, who instantly fills the team's most pressing need. Hill is an explosive scorer that can play off the ball and compliment Darren Collison. The Pacers instantly made themselves a much better team, and not many teams can say that after this draft night.
Milwaukee Bucks: Ended night with Stephen Jackson, Beno Udrih, Shaun Livingston, the rights to Tobias Harris, and Jon Leuer Grade: B The Bucks got the perimeter scorer they need in Jackson, a veteran who can sometimes cause problems but whose ability to put the ball in the basket is unquestioned. Beno Udrih is a decent (yet overpaid) guard who can play quality minutes. Harris is a bit of a project, but a good talent to find midway through the first round. It seemed like Milwaukee had a good draft day, but not a great one.
Atlanta Hawks: Ended night with Keith Benson Grade: C The Hawks get a C because there simply was not much for them to do, good or bad. Benson was their only pick halfway through the second round.
Charlotte Bobcats: Ended night with Corey Maggette, rights to Bismack Biyombo, Kemba Walker, and Jeremy Tyler Grade: B+ The Bobcats had an excellent draft day (am I actually saying that?) They traded away Stephen Jackson, which makes sense for a rebuilding team. They got Biyombo, maybe the most intriguing player in the draft because of his defensive ability. They got Kemba Walker, a proven winner and effective floor general. What a haul for Jordan and the Bobcats
Miami Heat: Ended night with rights to Norris Cole Grade: B The Heat got a solid back-up point guard in Cole, who could spell Chalmers from time to time.
Orlando Magic: Ended night with rights to Justin Harper, DeAndre Liggins Grade: C+ The Magic traded for another big who can shoot in Harper, a good value pick in the second round, and got Liggins, who won't play enough to merit me writing more details about him.
Washington Wizards: Ended night with Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton and Shelvin Mack Grade: B Vesely was the Wizards guy, and is talented enough to be a starter this season. Singleton looks like a great defensive guard whose offensive game is a work in progress. Mack could be a good second round pick, as he is a competitor with enough talent to be a reserve combo guard. All in all, a good day for the Wizards.
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