The NBA Draft is complete, and the dust is just starting to settle after a night with several trades. Most notably, Jimmy Butler was shipped to the Timberwolves in a deal that was garbage for the Bulls. The Sixers drafted Markelle Fultz, Boston selected Duke’s Jayson Tatum, and the Magic drafted lengthy Jonathan Isaac.
NBA draft grades 2017: 76ers generate a ton of excitement
Teams in the Eastern Conference made solid additions to their squads, but many thought the 76ers did the best job.
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Let’s see how others graded the performance of each Eastern Conference team.
Picks: John Collins (No. 19), Tyler Dorsey (No. 41), Alpha Kaba (No. 60)
To quote Tom Ziller:
Not to be confused with Zach Collins, who went nine picks earlier! Zach won the Collins battle, but John may yet win the Collins war.
John Collins is a great rebounder and interior scorer. Dorsey is a great scorer who can score from anywhere on the court. Kaba is a great shot-blocker and rebounder.
SB Nation: B-
Yahoo Sports: B
NESN.com: A-
Picks: Jayson Tatum (No. 3), Semi Ojeleye (No. 37), Kadeem Allen (No. 53), Jabari Bird (No. 56)
To quote Ziller:
Boston drafted a defense-first bundle of fast twitch in Jaylen Brown a year ago. This year, it’s the smoother, more refined, natural scorer in Tatum. That seems like an appropriate combination, provided either can play power forward full-time in the NBA.
Ojeleye is a great defender and three-point shooter. Allen is a lengthy defender, and Bird is a decent scorer.
SB Nation: C+
Yahoo Sports: A-
NESN.com: A+
Picks: Jarrett Allen (No. 22), Aleksandar Vezenkov (No. 57)
Allen has the chance to be a great defensive center in the NBA. He has a 7’5 wingspan, which is great because he can use his length to block shots and defend the rim. Vezenkov isn’t as athletic as the other players in this year’s draft, but he plays with an edge and never gives up on plays.
SB Nation: B+
Yahoo Sports: A
Picks: Malik Monk (No. 11), Dwayne Bacon (No. 40)
Monk is arguably the best shooter in this year’s draft. He is deadly from beyond the arc and will make you pay if you leave him open. Like Monk, Bacon can score and make contested shots.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: B
NESN.com: B+
Chicago Bulls
Picks: Lauri Markkanen (No. 7)
To quote Ziller:
Let’s talk about the Jimmy Butler trade. The Bulls sent Butler and No. 16 to the Timberwolves for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and this pick. This is a good trade ... if the Bulls are ready to build from the ground up and develop youth well.
Markkanen is a 7’0 center who can shoot and has deep range. However, he’s not a strong rebounder or defender.
SB Nation: F-
Yahoo Sports: C+
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they lost to the Golden State Warriors, 4-1, in this year’s finals. To make matters worse, they didn’t get a chance to draft any players. June hasn’t been a great month for Cleveland fans.
SB Nation: Incomplete
Yahoo Sports: N/A
NESN.com: N/A
Chad Ford of ESPN: N/A
Pick: Luke Kennard (No. 12)
To quote Ziller:
Stan Van Gundy realizes he never should have traded Kyle Singler for Reggie Jackson and rights his wrong.
So, Detroit used the No. 12 pick on Kennard, a great shooter who can knock down open and contested shots with ease. He’s just a pure three-point marksman.
SB Nation: B
Yahoo Sports: A+
Picks: T.J. Leaf (No. 18), Ike Anigbogu (No. 47)
To quote Ziller:
As someone who watched plenty of UCLA basketball (I did it for the Lonzo), I have absolutely no idea if Leaf can play in the NBA. High school All-Americans typically make it, but not always.
Leaf is a great shooter, knocking down 46 percent of his threes last season. Anigbogu is an elite shot-blocker.
SB Nation: B
Yahoo Sports: B
NESN.com: C-
Picks: Bam Adebayo (No. 14)
To quote Ziller:
Adebayo gave John Calipari yet another year with three lottery picks! He did it! According to the ESPN broadcast, Bam (born Edrice) was given his nickname after flipping the coffee table while watching The Flintstones.
Adebayo is a great rebounder who plays with energy and grit.
SB Nation: D
Yahoo Sports: C-
NESN.com: B+
Picks: D.J. Wilson (No. 17), Sterling Brown (No. 46)
To quote Ziller:
There had been rumors Wilson might have a first round promise in the late 20s. So much for that!
Wilson has an excellent skill set, and Brown can shoot and play defense.
SB Nation: A-
Yahoo Sports: B-
NESN.com: B+
Picks: Frank Ntilikina (No. 8), Damyean Dotson (No. 44), Ognjen Jaramaz (No. 58)
Ntilikina is a lethal defender, and Dotson is a spot-up shooter who can also play defense. Jaramaz has the size and length to be effective at the next level. He just has to polish his skills. He’s also an athletic player who can drive to the hoop.
SB Nation: B
Yahoo Sports: A+
NESN.com: C+
Orlando Magic
Picks: Jonathan Isaac (No. 6), Andzejs Pasecniks (No. 25), Wesley Iwundu (No. 33)
To quote Ziller:
Here’s the good news: the Magic have John Hammond, who drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo, in their front office. Isaac has been compared to the Greek Freak. Here’s the bad news: Jonathan Isaac is not Giannis Antetokounmpo. He doesn’t have the court vision, hands, or ball skills Antetokounmpo did at this age. Still, a poor man’s Giannis is still pretty darn good.
Andzejs Pasecniks can finish at the rim and has great athleticism. Iwundu is a big wing who is a physical defender.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: B-
Picks: Markelle Fultz (No. 1), Jonah Bolden (No. 36), Mathias Lessort (No. 50)
To quote Ziller:
Sixers fans are — and should be — dancing in the streets over landing Fultz.
He’s a great scorer who doesn’t shy away from taking big-time shots. Bolden is an athletic forward who can finish at the rim and shoot. Lessort plays with a high motor and speed in the open court.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A-
Picks: OG Anunoby (No. 23)
Anunoby has the size, strength, and speed, to morph into a stellar defensive player in the NBA. He can defend up to four positions.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A+
NESN.com: B+
No picks
Washington traded the 52nd pick for point guard Tim Frazier.
SB Nation: Incomplete
Yahoo Sports: N/A
NESN.com: N/A
Chad Ford of ESPN: N/A
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