THE LOTTERY
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards, Guard/Forward, Georgia
Grade: A-
Edwards brings them a lot of scoring and high potential. The Wolves have no creation or ball handling outside of D'Angelo Russell, and even bringing back Malik Beasley doesn't help solve that. While Edwards can't create, he can handle the ball and create his own shot. They will pick up a point guard either later in the draft or in free agency (they did, Ricky Rubio!) Edwards does not cancel out 2019's Jarrett Culver pick. Russell, Beasley, Rubio, Edwards is a dynamic and complementary troupe of guards. Edwards can play the small forward spot as well, alongside any two of the three guards. Obviously Culver can as well, and in small lineups he can play alongside the trio.
2. Golden State Warriors
James Wiseman, Center, Memphis
Grade: B
The Warriors needed size. When they were winning back in the day, that role was being filled by Andrew Bogut. Wiseman is much different but will fill the same gap. He can drop well against the pick and roll, protect the rim, could be a top-tier finisher, and has promise of developing a jump shot. His monstrous athleticism allows him to be a beast rebounder right away. Golden State needs his size and strength next to Draymond Green, and especially against the teams they'll see in the Western Conference playoffs. If you imagine the 2015 and 2016 teams, the Dubs basically replaced Harrison Barnes with Andrew Wiggins (upgrade) and Bogut with Wiseman (modern update at the very least, higher ceiling). Their depth is not the same, but the offseason isn't over yet and the Warriors' roster has a lot of maneuverability.
3. Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball, Guard, New Zealand
Grade: A
Despite just signing Terry Rozier to a three year deal worth $57 million last offseason, Ball is too good to pass up here. Ball brings passing, vision, creativity, and handles, the quality of which you rarely - if ever - see out of a teenager. And then he's 6'6". He's mature from being in the spotlight since he was 12. The Hornets are the most star-deprived franchise in NBA history. Rozier won't be impossible to move if they need to, and Nicolas Batum's large expiring can help them too. Ball can fit either way, and alongside Most Improved Player finalist Devonte' Graham, Charlotte has a top-tier backcourt right away. It's possible they could lead the NBA in assists per game among two teammates right away.
4. Chicago Bulls
Patrick Williams, Power Forward, Florida State
Grade: C+
Williams flew up draft boards the past three or four days. He's a beast with an unreal frame at 6'8", his athleticism is truly as good as you can ask. He's tireless defensively at either forward spot, with tools to dominate. He could develop into a rim protector. Defense was the Bulls' biggest problem by miles. They're the worst defensive team in the NBA. Coby White, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen are all comically bad defenders. They have shopped guys, so we'll see what the roster looks like, but Williams is a high-floor, awesome player to add to any young team. Never started a game in college, now the 4th pick in the draft.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Isaac Okoro, Forward, Auburn
Grade: A
No secret that Cleveland has been in love with Okoro throughout the draft process. He's the best perimeter defender in this class, which is absolutely pivotal when your starting 1, 2, and 3 are Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Kevin Porter, Jr. His shot may never come around, but Okoro can handle anything else on offense decently well. He won't need to do that much with those guys around him. Dream fit for Cleveland; they get their guy. He'll probably be their starting power forward whenever they move on from Kevin Love, making Larry Nance Jr. a tremendous sixth man.
6. Atlanta Hawks
Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
Grade: A
Many people think he's the best big in the class because of his lightness on his feet and intelligence. He can defend the perimeter in ways that almost no one of his stature can. He can rebound and more importantly erase around the rim, which Atlanta sorely needs considering John Collins is the other member of their longterm frontcourt. He can play alongside Clint Capela as well if needed. His offense could develop into something that really belies his size, given his agility and touch.
7. Detroit Pistons
Killian Hayes, Guard, France
Grade: A-
The Pistons are so devoid of talent. They needed someone who could do a lot on offense, and Hayes is that. He's a scorer with nice, potentially high-end creation ability. He models his scoring after James Harden, but that is a bit of a lazy comparison. Still, he injects offense into this team and fits wonderfully alongside Saddiq Bey. Now that Luke Kennard has moved to LA, Hayes will have a lot of playmaking responsibility. If they keep Derrick Rose, he can play alongside or without him. Detroit needs another guard still. Hayes' defense is not bad.
8. New York Knicks
Obi Toppin, Forward, Dayton
Grade: B-
The Knicks love power forwards. They signed three of them last free agency. The last one they drafted was Kristaps Porzingis. They need offense and they need defense, but offense and spacing were definitely more dire. So Toppin's all-offense game is great for them. He can handle, pass, score inside and out. RJ Barrett, Toppin, and Mitchell Robinson is pretty nice at the 3, 4, and 5. Guard is still a need, but maybe they pick up Russell Westbrook. If they do, this team could be playoff-ready, Toppin was the most play-now prospect in the class.
9. Washington Wizards
Deni Avdija, Forward, Israel
Grade: A-
ZOOWEEMAMAAAAA. I'm a Wizards fan, I will not mince words. I did not dream that Deni would fall to this selection. I seriously never once even pictured him in a Wizards uniform until the Knicks selected Toppin. Avdija is a playmaking forward somewhere between 6'9" and 6'10". He can do a lot on offense, though there are questions about his jump shot. The mechanics look good, but he shot just 58.8% from the free throw line. Not sure you can be a shooter at all if that's the case. Still, he's an elite cutter and won't need the ball in his hands to succeed, which is huge playing alongside John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Rui Hachimura. His defense is quality, guarding 2-4, and he's even flashed as a secondary rim protector. His athleticism is solid with good speed. Similar to Troy Brown, Jr. so it'll be interesting how the Wizards finish out the roster.
10. Phoenix Suns
Jalen Smith, Power Forward, Maryland
Grade: C
A massive surprise. I didn't have Jalen Smith going until the 20s, but that doesn't mean much at all in this draft. Smith blocks shots and shoots threes as a big, which is enough to get enthused about. He isn't the strongest at 6'10" 225, but he fits well next to Ayton. He gained 30 pounds in his two years at Maryland. He's a good athlete, moves well, has a great motor, and rotates well. This probably means that Aron Baynes is gone. Smith won't be as good as him right away, but no telling in a couple years. And he'll cost way less. His immediate skills translate well for a team that wants to make the playoffs this season.
11. San Antonio Spurs
Devin Vassell, G/F, Florida State
Grade: B-
The Spurs have enough at guard and enough ball handling. They need shooting more than anything. Vassell brings that, and its super low-maintenance, which is a huge plus. And Gregg Popovich can never have enough defense. He can take a bigger step forward alongside Lonnie Walker IV and Keldon Johnson once DeMar DeRozan moves on. That's a scary wing triumvirate. Modernity for the oldest coach in the league. Derrick White and Dejounte Murray are both bad shooters right now, so the Spurs couldn't afford to compound that with a floor-narrower this pick. Vassell helps both of them breathe.
12. Sacramento Kings
Tyrese Haliburton, Guard, Iowa State
Grade: A
A player that was in my top 6 falls to the very end of the lottery. The Kings sorely lacked creation, and that was before Buddy Hield moving on became a certainty. De'Aaron Fox is the Kings' franchise player, and this gets him a lot of help. He won't have to carry and orchestrate the offense all by himself anymore. Haliburton is an offensive maestro and can shoot really well. He doesn't need shots to succeed, which will let him play well alongside the pure point guard Fox. He's an awesome defender who does all of the little things on both sides of the ball to win games. Maybe the best talent for draft spot selection of the night. I thought the Bulls would take him at 4.
13. New Orleans Pelicans
Kira Lewis, Jr., Guard, Alabama
Grade: B+
Considering the Pelicans have Lonzo Ball and just picked up Eric Bledsoe, this is a big picture selection. Lewis has a ceiling as a legit quality starter, but probably needs to learn for a year. That works just fine because trading Jrue Holiday cemented their status as not contending this season. Lewis scores at all three levels, is maybe the fastest player in the draft, and will learn facilitation skills as he goes. Playing alongside the playmaking, score-second Lonzo will fit his strengths and weaknesses well.
14. Boston Celtics
Aaron Nesmith, Forward, Vanderbilt
Grade: C
Not actually the best shooter in the draft, but a really good one. The Celtics are in win-now mode, and Nesmith's best skill being shooting is something that puts him in help-now mode. He may never be a plus defender, but he should never be horrible. 6'6" size is a plus, but he sort of lacks a position because he can't get to the hole well enough for a wing and can't handle as well as most guards.
THE REST OF THE FIRST ROUND
15. Orlando Magic
Cole Anthony, Guard, North Carolina
Grade: B+
A wonderful fit next to Markelle Fultz. Facilitation might have been his biggest question mark, but he really has a chance to be able to do everything. Tremendously skilled and a nice athlete. Will get the NBA game down quickly and leap forward next season after Evan Fournier's deal expires. I love the situation for him and the value for the Magic, who get the offense they need with magnificent upside.
16. Detroit Pistons
Isaiah Stewart, Center, Washington
Grade: C+
Undersized is the biggest negative on him. Stewart is the biggest dog in this class. He fights tooth and nail, is physical to make up for his stature, and works hard. The type of player you bet on, and the type of guy you're happy is in your locker room. Great production at Washington, and there's reason to believe in him as a floor stretcher.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder
Aleksej Pokusevsky, Big, Serbia
Grade: A+
The highest upside player we've seen in a long time, maybe ever. A rail-thin seven footer that handles like a guard, lights it up from deep, and can block shots. He has Nick Young types of confidence and swagger, and will make some of the most ridiculous passes you'll see at any level. Unbelievably chaotic and so much fun. Can't really score inside the paint, obviously needs to bulk up, and could be far away from legit contribution. None of that matters for Oklahoma City's Fort Knox of draft picks.
18. Dallas Mavericks
Josh Green, Guard, Arizona
Grade: B-
An awesome defender right away. Will be good at that at the NBA level right away. If he sharpens up the 3, he'll stick around for a long time. A great open court athlete at 6'6".
19. Detroit Pistons
TRADE
Clippers receive Luke Kennard
Nets receive Landry Shamet
Pistons receive Saddiq Bey, Forward, Villanova (via 19th selection)
Grade for the selection: A
Everyone kind of wins this trade. The Nets get Shamet, a shooter who can help right away and bolster their depth as the roster moves around. The Clippers get Luke Kennard, who is coming off of an injury but is a certain upgrade over Shamet if healthy because of his playmaking and shot creation. The Pistons get an intelligent playmaking wing, who is nice on defense and from deep. He fits their timeline better than the 24 year old Kennard.
20. Miami Heat
Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Kentucky
Grade: A-
An athletic PF/C who can produce rebounding and defend the rim well. His lateral quickness leaves something to be desired, and his poor offensive skill limiting him to the restricted area are caps on his ceiling. Still, he's going to play for the best coach in the NBA, and maybe franchise. The Heat develop guys like no one's business, and he'll add a layer the team lacked when Bam Adebayo got hurt in the Finals.
21. Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey, Guard, Kentucky
Grade: A+
One of my favorite players in the draft. Instant offense. A great complementary guard in general, an awesome complementary guard for Ben Simmons. Good defensively. Defends well above his 6'2" 6'3" size. Great intensity. Playmaking lacks, but he'll never be asked to be a lead guard.
22. Denver Nuggets
Zeke Nnaji, PF/C, Arizona
Grade: B
A versatile big in the traditional mold with a modern twist. Super productive and a high motor. Can put the ball on the floor a tiny bit and has good jump shot mechanics. Fits well next to Nikola Jokic defensively, which I'm sure was ultimately why he was the call. Everyone fits next to Jokic on offense. This selection could mean Paul Millsap or Mason Plumlee is out the door. Both are free agents.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves
Leandro Bolmaro, Forward, Argentina
Grade: C+
A sharpshooting, good sized wing that can put the ball on the floor. The first draft and stash of this class, he'll stay in Barcelona for a year before coming over. Wolves could use his spacing, and he could be in the NBA as soon as the season ends in Spain.
24. Denver Nuggets
RJ Hampton, Guard, New Zealand
Grade: B-
A project guard with freak skills. Was projected to be a top 5 pick as a high schooler. Perfect heir apparent to groom for Denver. Monte Morris is on the last year of his deal and will likely command a lot of money in free agency. Hampton can learn and redshirt for a year and then take over that backup point guard spot. No telling how he'll translate to the NBA quite yet, but he's got enough tools to fit well with Jamal Murray. Could be a nice defender as well.
25. New York Knicks
Immanuel Quickley, Guard, Kentucky
Grade: D+
Undersized scoring off-guard. He had a weird fit with also off-guard Tyrese Maxey, but was a 5-star point guard out of high school. Scoring ability is incredible, and he's like Chris Kyle from deep. His size finishing and on defense are question marks. Still, Knicks going all-scoring over offense as a whole is weird, and they could've gotten someone else or a better guard.
26. Boston Celtics
Payton Pritchard, Point Guard, Oregon
Grade: F
PAC-12 player of the year. Fearless and aggressive playmaker. Can get hot, especially at the end of games. Not likely to be more than a backup, but with high individual game ceilings. Modern guard. A reach at 26 though, questionable facilitator and shooter at times, which are the most important things for a backup point guard. They had the picks to get a much better guard. Pritchard is a downgrade from Brad Wanamaker, who already shouldn't have been their backup. They must have a bigger plan.
27. Utah Jazz
Udoka Azubuike, Center, Kansas
Grade: C-
Rudy Gobert needs a complementary big, and it had been Derrick Favors before last season. I expect Gobert to be traded because the Jazz don't want to supermax him and can't let him walk for nothing. Azubuike is mostly a one-trick pony drop coverage rim protector. Low and behold, he'll be doing that behind the GOAT Rudy Gobert. Jazz went fit here, so I can't blame them too harshly for that.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Jaden McDaniels, Forward, Washington
Grade: B-
Natural scorer and handler who needs to start hitting more shots and finishing better. An exceptional handler and shot creator for his size. If he puts it altogether he could be a lethal NBA scorer with all-star aspirations. Size and fluidity helps him on defense. Upside play whose career can go in a million different directions.
29. Toronto Raptors
Malachi Flynn, Point Guard, San Diego State
Grade: A
My comparison for Flynn was Fred VanVleet. With that boy likely gone, Toronto clearly remains fond of what he brought. Flynn is a modern floor general with similar size (not a compliment) to FVV. High IQ, almost never turns it over, and competes at elite levels on both sides of the floor. Perfect for Toronto.
30. Memphis Grizzlies
Desmond Bane, Guard, Texas Christian
Grade: A
Maybe the best shooter in the draft and a great passer for an off-guard. Every team can use a guy like Bane, and it's amazing that all the competitive teams at the end of the round pass on him. Never met a moment too big, and drilled a ridiculous percent (44.2) from deep despite being guarded like Jordan by TCU's competition. Strong, looks like a football player out there. Tremendous work ethic and intelligence. Downside comes from his lack of athleticism and finishing potential. Fine on defense but never will be great. Memphis needed a shooter like him, and he adds a lot of intangibles to a tough, gritty young core.
THE SECOND ROUND
31, Dallas Mavericks
Tyrell Terry, Guard, Stanford
Grade: A
Winning player, competitor, one of the best shooters in the draft. Instantly helps them recoup the loss of Seth Curry to Philadelphia. Low ceiling but not crazily low. Trey Burke went nuts in the playoffs this year and Terry is better than that.
32. Charlotte Hornets
Vernon Carey, Jr., Center, Duke
Grade: C
Physical beast, but horrific on defense. His offense is nice, but it doesn't cancel out his defense yet. Hornets will need to develop him the right way to turn him into a contributor. If he gets incredibly lucky and well-coached, he can be a force inside. Center is the biggest hole on Charlotte's roster now, so the pick still made some sense.
33. LA Clippers
Daniel Oturu, Center, Minnesota
Grade: C+
Strong and physical, but bad at defense outside of rim protection. That's not nothing! Will stretch the floor and score pretty well. Will rebound fine. But situational at best.
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