1. Minnesota Timberwolves select PF Karl-Anthony Towns
This was the obvious choice, as Towns has potential to be a dominant two-way player for years to come. Minnesota could be a really fun team to watch in the next few years, with Andrew Wiggins as well.
2. Los Angeles Lakers select PG D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell was a bit of a shocker, but I think it was the right move. Kobe will retire soon, so it's a good idea to find his possible replacement now. And the Lakers can also pair Russell with Jordan Clarkson.
3. Philadelphia 76ers select C Jahlil Okafor
Jahlil Okafor was the best player left, so it wasn't a bad idea to take him. But it creates a problem because the 76ers will have to trade at least one of Okafor, Joel Embiid, and Nerlens Noel. The Phoenix Suns' three point guard experiment only lasted half of the season.
4. New York Knicks select PF Kristaps Porzingis
Knicks fans were so rude when they booed Porzingis' name being called. This guy could be a real stud for many years. However, he's more of a project than an immediate contributor.
5. Orlando Magic select SG Mario Hezonja
The Magic made a good pick with Hezonja, because he is a great shooter, and at 6'8", can play small forward. If Tobias Harris can shift to power forward if he stays, or Aaron Gordon can play the 4 if Harris leaves. Either way, the Magic have improved a very solid core.
6. Sacramento Kings select C Willie Cauley-Stein
This was not a good pick. Emmanuel Mudiay was available, and they went for Cauley-Stein. He's not a bad player, but he's a bad fit with DeMarcus Cousins. As a great defensive player, he'll help, but he won't provide much offensive value unless he develops a jumper. The Kings could trade Cousins, though.
7. Denver Nuggets select PG Emmanuel Mudiay
The Nuggets found their point guard of the future. Ty Lawson should be headed to another team, so this pick is great. Mudiay's jump shot needs to improve, but he'll provide value anyways.
8. Detroit Pistons select SF Stanley Johnson
The Pistons could've opted for Justise Winslow, but Johnson is a better shooter, which explains the decision. Johnson doesn't have much downside and will be a good starter.
Stan Van Gundy might regret not taking Winslow if Johnson doesn't pan out as well.
9. Charlotte Hornets select PF Frank Kaminsky
Drafting Kaminsky was another strange pick. Charlotte likely would have been able to trade down to get him, and they probably shouldn't have taken him in the first place. They needed a wing player who can shoot, and Devin Booker and Justise Winslow were available. The Hornets also recently traded for Spencer Hawes, who does a lot of the same things as Kaminsky.
10. Miami Heat select SF Justise Winslow
This was a fantastic pick. He's a high-upside, athletic defensive player. If the Heat can keep Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, they should be able to make the playoffs, possibly with home court advantage. I was very surprised Winslow fell to number 10.
11. Indiana Pacers select C Myles Turner
Myles Turner will be a very good starting center if his positives outweigh the negatives. Roy Hibbert needs a change of scenery, so Turner is a good replacement. However, there is some risk attached, and he could be a big bust.
12. Utah Jazz select PF Trey Lyles
The Jazz made a good choice by taking Trey Lyles. He doesn't knock down treys yet, but is a solid mid range shooter. He is a very good fit with Utah.
13. Phoenix Suns select SG Devin Booker
The Suns could use more shooting, and Devin Booker will give them that. He isn't a high upside player, but he is a solid pick for Phoenix.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder select PG Cameron Payne
Cameron Payne could be OKC's next Reggie Jackson. He isn't as athletic as Jackson, but is a better shooter. He should be able to contribute to a contending team.
16. Boston Celtics select PG Terry Rozier
The Celtics messed up. Rozier likely would have been available at 28 or 33, and the selection just doesn't make sense. He's good defender, but not a good shooter or playmaker. They already have Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart, so why did they take Rozier?
18. Houston Rockets select SF Sam Dekker
Dekker could be a steal for the Rockets. The only problem is that they already have a lot of talented forwards that could hinder his development. They could have taken a backup point guard such as Jerian Grant, but trading away players is an option.
22. Chicago Bulls select PF Bobby Portis
This was another possible steal, but just like the Rockets, the Bulls will need to find minutes for him. He's tall and spaces the floor with shooting, and is also a solid defender.
23. Portland Trail Blazers select SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (traded to Brooklyn Nets)
If he can develop a solid jump shot, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will be an excellent player. He does lots of things very well and could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
28. Boston Celtics select SG R.J. Hunter
While Terry Rozier was a bad pick, R.J. Hunter was an excellent pick for the Celtics. He's an incredible shooter who's tall, but needs to get stronger and might not be a great defender. However, he has a lot of potential.
30. Golden State Warriors select PF Kevon Looney
The Warriors didn't need someone who can contribute now, so Kevon Looney is a good pick. Like R.J. Hunter, he needs to get stronger, but is a great rebounder and has lots of potential as a stretch 4.
5. Orlando Magic select SG Mario Hezonja
The Magic made a good pick with Hezonja, because he is a great shooter, and at 6'8", can play small forward. If Tobias Harris can shift to power forward if he stays, or Aaron Gordon can play the 4 if Harris leaves. Either way, the Magic have improved a very solid core.
6. Sacramento Kings select C Willie Cauley-Stein
This was not a good pick. Emmanuel Mudiay was available, and they went for Cauley-Stein. He's not a bad player, but he's a bad fit with DeMarcus Cousins. As a great defensive player, he'll help, but he won't provide much offensive value unless he develops a jumper. The Kings could trade Cousins, though.
7. Denver Nuggets select PG Emmanuel Mudiay
The Nuggets found their point guard of the future. Ty Lawson should be headed to another team, so this pick is great. Mudiay's jump shot needs to improve, but he'll provide value anyways.
8. Detroit Pistons select SF Stanley Johnson
The Pistons could've opted for Justise Winslow, but Johnson is a better shooter, which explains the decision. Johnson doesn't have much downside and will be a good starter.
Stan Van Gundy might regret not taking Winslow if Johnson doesn't pan out as well.
9. Charlotte Hornets select PF Frank Kaminsky
Drafting Kaminsky was another strange pick. Charlotte likely would have been able to trade down to get him, and they probably shouldn't have taken him in the first place. They needed a wing player who can shoot, and Devin Booker and Justise Winslow were available. The Hornets also recently traded for Spencer Hawes, who does a lot of the same things as Kaminsky.
10. Miami Heat select SF Justise Winslow
This was a fantastic pick. He's a high-upside, athletic defensive player. If the Heat can keep Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, they should be able to make the playoffs, possibly with home court advantage. I was very surprised Winslow fell to number 10.
11. Indiana Pacers select C Myles Turner
Myles Turner will be a very good starting center if his positives outweigh the negatives. Roy Hibbert needs a change of scenery, so Turner is a good replacement. However, there is some risk attached, and he could be a big bust.
12. Utah Jazz select PF Trey Lyles
The Jazz made a good choice by taking Trey Lyles. He doesn't knock down treys yet, but is a solid mid range shooter. He is a very good fit with Utah.
13. Phoenix Suns select SG Devin Booker
The Suns could use more shooting, and Devin Booker will give them that. He isn't a high upside player, but he is a solid pick for Phoenix.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder select PG Cameron Payne
Cameron Payne could be OKC's next Reggie Jackson. He isn't as athletic as Jackson, but is a better shooter. He should be able to contribute to a contending team.
16. Boston Celtics select PG Terry Rozier
The Celtics messed up. Rozier likely would have been available at 28 or 33, and the selection just doesn't make sense. He's good defender, but not a good shooter or playmaker. They already have Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart, so why did they take Rozier?
18. Houston Rockets select SF Sam Dekker
Dekker could be a steal for the Rockets. The only problem is that they already have a lot of talented forwards that could hinder his development. They could have taken a backup point guard such as Jerian Grant, but trading away players is an option.
22. Chicago Bulls select PF Bobby Portis
This was another possible steal, but just like the Rockets, the Bulls will need to find minutes for him. He's tall and spaces the floor with shooting, and is also a solid defender.
23. Portland Trail Blazers select SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (traded to Brooklyn Nets)
If he can develop a solid jump shot, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will be an excellent player. He does lots of things very well and could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
28. Boston Celtics select SG R.J. Hunter
While Terry Rozier was a bad pick, R.J. Hunter was an excellent pick for the Celtics. He's an incredible shooter who's tall, but needs to get stronger and might not be a great defender. However, he has a lot of potential.
30. Golden State Warriors select PF Kevon Looney
The Warriors didn't need someone who can contribute now, so Kevon Looney is a good pick. Like R.J. Hunter, he needs to get stronger, but is a great rebounder and has lots of potential as a stretch 4.
So what was your biggest surprise of the draft? Mine would have to be the Knicks somehow managing to trade into two picks that could help them (and they need a lot of help).
ReplyDeleteI wasn't expecting Justise Winslow to fall to the Miami Heat, but the biggest surprise for me was Terry Rozier drafted by the Celtics at 16. I was expecting them to take Bobby Portis when they were on the clock.
Deletegreat recap, son.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a good idea to expect the Knicks fans to boo at the draft... It will be fascinating to see whether Porzingis is a Nowitzki or a Milicic. Given the Knicks' track record... Good points on Russel, as well as the sixer's glut of big men. I doubt the Kings will trade Cousins, it just seems unlikely they can do better, despite his limitations. Keep writing!
ReplyDelete