The 2017 NBA draft is officially in the books, and all teams in the Western Conference made quality additions to bolster their respective squads. From the Los Angeles Lakers drafting UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball with the second pick to the Sacramento Kings using the fifth pick on Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox, the Western Conference got stronger.
2017 NBA draft grades: Lakers and Kings were the top performers in the West
All 15 teams in the Western Conference selected players who they thought fit their systems. Let’s see how others thought of their selections.
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Now, let’s see how other sites graded the selections made by Western Conference teams.
Los Angeles Lakers
Picks: Lonzo Ball (No. 2), Kyle Kuzma (No. 27), Josh Hart (No. 30), Thomas Bryant (No. 42)
After the Philadelphia 76ers used the No. 1 pick on Markelle Fultz, almost every NBA fan knew that Los Angeles was going to select Ball. Ball is an excellent floor general with size and athleticism. He’s a terrific passer who enjoys getting his teammates involved early.
Later in the first round, Los Angeles selected Kyle Kuzma, an athletic forward with speed and a high motor, at No. 27. The Lakers used the 28th pick on Bradley but later traded him to the Utah Jazz. With the No. 30 and 42 picks, Los Angeles snagged Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A+
NESN.com: A-
Picks: Josh Jackson (No. 4), Davon Reed (No. 32), Alec Peters (No. 54)
Jackson is a great defensive player with athleticism and length. He’s also fearless when driving to the basket. Phoenix would love him because he can guard four positions. Reed, like Jackson, is an excellent defender who can shoot from beyond the arc. Peters is also a marksman from downtown.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A+
NESN.com: B+
Sacramento Kings
Picks: De’Aaron Fox (No. 5), Justin Jackson (No. 15), Harry Giles (No. 20), Frank Mason III (No. 34)
Fox is a speed demon with the ball in his hands. He can drive to the hoop and lay the ball up over taller defenders, and he uses his passing skills to make others around him better. Giles has the potential to be a great center in the NBA, but he’s suffered many knee injuries at Duke. Mason can shoot the ball, pass, and play stellar defense in half-court situations.
SB Nation: B+
Yahoo Sports: A+
Picks: Justin Patton (No. 16)
Minnesota traded Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the No. 7 overall pick to the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler and the No. 16 pick. Patton runs the floor really well for a big man and is a solid athlete.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A+
Picks: Dennis Smith Jr. (No. 9)
Smith is an athletic point guard who loves to attack the rim. He’s a fearless player who would fit in really well in Dallas.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A-
Picks: Frank Jackson (No. 31)
Jackson didn’t showcase just how talented he is at Duke, but he has the athleticism to thrive in the NBA. He can also shoot off the dribble.
SB Nation: B
Yahoo Sports: C
Picks: Tyler Lydon (No. 24), Vlatko Cancar (No. 49), Monte Morris (No. 51)
Lydon is an excellent three-point shooter, draining over 40 percent of his shots from behind the arc over a two-year stint. Morris is a floor general point guard who looks to pass first. Cancar has great length and plays with energy.
SB Nation: B
Yahoo Sports: C+
Picks: Zach Collins (No. 10), Caleb Swanigan (No. 26)
Portland traded up to select Collins with the No. 10 pick. He’s a defensive anchor who can block and alter shots at the rim. Swanigan can record double-doubles with ease and can shoot.
SB Nation: B+
Yahoo Sports: A-
Picks: Ivan Rabb (No. 35), Dillon Brooks (No. 45)
Rabb is a versatile forward who can record double-doubles and guard the paint. He was projected to be a first-round pick last year but decided to wait another year. His production dipped last season, making him a second-round pick this year. Houston traded Brooks to the Grizzlies.
SB Nation: B-
Yahoo Sports: C
Picks: Terrance Ferguson (No. 21)
Ferguson is really athletic and can shoot. He could play well alongside Russell Westbrook, who needed another shooter to pass to.
SB Nation: B
Yahoo Sports: B+
Utah Jazz
Picks: Donovan Mitchell (No. 13), Tony Bradley (No. 28), Nigel Williams-Goss (No. 55)
Mitchell is a lengthy player who can play anywhere in the backcourt, and Bradley is excellent at crashing the boards. Williams-Goss is a point guard who can shoot, pass, and corral rebounds.
SB Nation: B+
Yahoo Sports: C-
Picks: Juwan Evans (No. 39), Sindarius Thornwell (No. 48)
Evans is another point guard who loves to get others involved and run the offense. He drew comparisons to Clippers point guard Chis Paul. Thornwell is a great defender who plays with high energy and passion. He can also shoot and play in the post.
SB Nation: B
Yahoo Sports: A+
Picks: Isaiah Hartenstein (No. 43), Dillon Brooks (No. 45)
Hartenstein was projected to go in the first round but slipped to the second. The Rockets traded Brooks to Memphis.
SB Nation: B-
Yahoo Sports: A
Picks: Derrick White (No. 29), Jaron Blossomgame (No. 59)
White is a combo guard who can shoot, pass, and has excellent handling skills.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A
Picks: Jordan Bell (No. 38)
The Warriors gave the Bulls $3.5 million to select Bell. Bell is a walking triple-double who can defend.
SB Nation: A
Yahoo Sports: A+
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