Draft Analysis (Western Conference)

This is part two of my 2-day reaction to the NBA draft. Today, the west!

Golden State Warriors: Ended night with Klay Thompson, Charles Jenkins, rights to Jeremy Tyler Grade: B- Although a lot of people expected the Warriors to draft Klay Thompson, I wasn't a big fan of the pick. I think his offensive style is a lot like Steph Curry's, and the Warriors really need a lockdown defender like Chris Singleton. Still, the value the Warriors got in the second round (nice reserve guard in Jenkins, sleeper in Tyler) makes their draft a lot better.
Los Angeles Clippers: Ended night with Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie Grade: F Okay, I'm cheating a little here by including activities that happened before the draft in my assessment. But why is everyone letting the Clippers off the hook for their terrible handling of the Baron Davis trade? I highly doubt that top 3 protecting the pick for 2011 and 2012 would have been a deal breaker for the Cavaliers. In those types of salary cap trades, pick protection is often a formality. And yet, the Clippers somehow gave the Cavaliers the chance at a #1 pick, which, of course, was going to happen. The disappointing thing is, Kyrie Irving would have been an excellent fit in Los Angeles. Playing alongside Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, the Clippers finally would have had a complete nucleus to build around. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. On top of that, they drafted an out of shape player with their first pick in the second round. For shame.
Los Angeles Lakers: Ended night with Darius Morris, Andrew Goudelock, and Ater Majok Grade: C- It was disappointing that the Lakers couldn't move up in the draft after starting the night with 4 second round picks. They got average value in Morris and Goudelock, and a guy who might never see the floor in the NBA in Majok. All in all, not a very good day for the Lakers.
Phoenix Suns: Ended night with Markieff Morris Grade: C- With the likes of Kawhi Leonard still on the board, the Suns took the worse Morris twin. Did I mention that the better Morris twin was still on the board as well? Some people think Markieff is a better NBA prospect, but I disagree. And I disagree altogether with the Suns taking any Morris with their only pick at 13. Disappointing.
Sacramento Kings: Ended night with John Salmons, Tyler Honeycutt, Isaiah Thomas, and rights to Jimmer Fredette Grade: D- The Kings draft day strategy was puzzling to say the least. Apparently, they got so caught up in trying to trade Beno Udrih and trying to rationalize taking Jimmer as high as their pick was that they forgot why they traded John Salmons and his abysmal contract in the first place. Now, they took on Salmons contract and moved down in the draft to do it! Getting good value in the Honeycutt pick doesn't make it that much better. Unless Isaiah Thomas miraculously turns into the next, well, Isiah Thomas, the Kings draft day was a failure.
Dallas Mavericks: Ended night with Rudy Fernandez and Petteri Koponen: C The Mavericks took a flyer on Fernandez by dealing Jordan Hamilton to the Blazers. I thought they would have been better served by keeping the talented Hamilton, but Fernandez has the potential to be the kind of shooter Dallas needs to put around Dirk. And for the record, their second round pick was Targuy Ngombo, but I don't see many Ngombo jerseys being sold in the foreseeable future.
Houston Rockets: Ended night with Johnny Flynn, Marcus Morris, and rights to Donatas Motijunas Grade: C- Another team that passed on Chris Singleton that I thought could have benefited from him. Other than that, thought it was an average draft for Houston.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ended night with Josh Selby Grade: B The Grizzlies only had one second-rounder to work with, but got a steal in Selby. If Selby is the player that everyone thought he was coming out of high school, he could play the minutes OJ Mayo did if Mayo indeed does get traded. If not, it's just a mid-second round pick that was used.
New Orleans Hornets: Ended night with cash Grade: I The Hornets get an I for incomplete, as they sold their only pick, a second rounder, to the Knicks.
San Antonio Spurs: Ended night with rights Kawhi Leonard, Cory Joseph, and Adam Hanga Grade: B In a trade that will benefit both sides, the Spurs dealt George Hill to get the defensive-minded Leonard. Despite being the #1 seed in the West last year, the Spurs defense slipped a little bit, and Leonard will help them get their defensive mojo back. The Spurs seemed to reach for Joseph, but it is hard to question a team that has drafted as brilliantly as the Spurs have recently.
Denver Nuggets: Ended night with Andre Miller, Kenneth Faried and rights to Jordan Hamilton Grade: B+ The Nuggets had an excellent draft night. By dealing Raymond Felton, the Nuggets got a veteran point guard that can help groom Ty Lawson for the future and got the rights to a very talented rookie in Jordan Hamilton. They also drafted the rebounding machine Kenneth Faried, whose signature skill will definitely translate to the NBA.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Ended night with Derrick Williams, Brad Miller, and Malcolm Lee Grade: C The Timberwolves also added a few picks in future drafts. David Kahn's idea seemed to be to continue to move out of the first round because he did not want another guaranteed rookie contract besides Williams. Still, he may have been better suited keeping Mirotic then. Mirotic isn't coming overseas for a few years, and Kahn wouldn't have had to pay him until when he did. Williams is a great talent, but must play the 3 to fit for the Wolves. Still, Kahn didn't mess up TOO bad, so I guess Minnesota fans are relieved.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Ended night with Reggie Jackson Grade: C The Thunder took Reggie Jackson, a point guard out of Boston College that I thought was a tad overrated going into the draft. Still, with one late first-round pick, there is only so much you can do.
Portland Trail Blazers: Ended night with Nolan Smith, Jon Diebler, Raymond Felton, and rights to Targuy Ngombo Grade: C The Blazers got younger at point guard by getting Felton, which was a trade that made sense for them. But both of their draft picks seemed to be reachers; Smith at #21 is a huge stretch, particularly with Faried still on the board. Diebler just doesn't seem like an NBA player to me. Sure, he can shoot, but so can a ton of players, and he has to get open.
Utah Jazz: Ended night with Enes Kanter and Alec Burks Grade: B+ Kudos to the Jazz for not letting their infatuation with Brandon Knight let them pass on the best player available at 3, which was Kanter. Bigs of Kanter's calibur are tough to come by. And Utah made their draft even better by getting a great scorer in Burks at 12. A very nice day for a rebuilding team that may be closer than we all think.