gpikeNBA Team Draft Grades Part 3
June 28th 2011 03:27
Oklahoma City: The Thunder drafted Reggie Jackson from Boston College with the 24th pick. This was their only choice of the night. Jackson is very similar to someone else on the Thunder roster, Russell Westbrook. With Jackson's addition, the Thunder must be on the verge of moving backup point guard Eric Maynor. Jackson has the talent to be a star in the league, though he loves to shoot the ball. Sounds like someone else. Grade B-
Orlando Magic: Orlando was able to acquire Justin Harper in a draft-day trade and picked DeAndre Liggins with the 53rd pick. Both guys will help this team out. Harper played four years of basketball at Richmond. Last year, he led the team to the sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. He is a solid power forward who could complement Dwight Howard very nicely. Liggins is a defensive stopper, something the Magic needed during last season's playoffs versus Atlanta. Grade A-
Philadelphia: The 76ers brought in two big bodies who will help out a weak frontcourt. Nikola Vucevic was drafted with the first pick at 16. Then in the second round, Philadelphia picked Lavoy Allen with the 50th pick. Vucevic is the new starting center if Samuel Dalembert doesn't come back. He is a solid scorer, rebounder and defender. Allen is another smart guy who defends well and rebounds. Grade B
Phoenix: Markief Morris was the first of the Morris twins from Kansas picked at 13 to Phoenix. Markief is a little taller then twin brother Marcus who went to Houston at 14. Phoenix is banking on Markieff's ability to help the team defend big bodies. He is not much of a scorer, like Marcus is but more of a defender and rebounder. Grade B
Portland: The Blazers made a big trade in bringing in Raymond Felton as part of a three-team trade. Felton gets the Blazers younger at the point guard position and if they can sign him to a new deal after the upcoming season, stabilty at the position. Portland also drafted Nolan Smith, and Jon Diebler two guys who figure to be career back-ups. Though Smith may surprise some. He was a reach with the 21st pick, especially with Kenneth Faried still available. Diebler is a great shooter, something Portland needs. Grade C
Sacramento: Sacramento brought in four guys on the draft night, one of which who has played previously in town. John Salmons played three seasons at Sacramento from 2006-09. He will help the team off the bench as a sixth-man who can play three positions. The Kings drafted Jimmer Freddette with the 10th pick, Tyler Honeycutt at 35 and Isiah Thomas with the last pick of the draft at 60. Freddette figures to be the new starting shooting guard with Tyreke Evans as the point guard. Honeycutt is similar to Salmons in playing ability and Thomas will be the new backup point guard to Evans. Good draft for the Kings. Grade A-
San Antonio: The Spurs brought in four new guys in a very weak draft. All four figure to be bench players at first. Kawhi Leonard was brought in exchange for George Hill from Indiana at 15. San Antonio wants to move Richard Jefferson but he has too much money on his contract making this difficult. Though Leonard is the new sixth man. Corey Joseph was taken at 29, and he will be Tony Parker's new backup at point guard. Davis Bertrans and Adam Hanga were the Spurs final two picks. Bertrans will continue to work overseas and become a value once San Antonio needs him and Hanga was a late pick with little value. Grade B
Toronto: No idea what Toronto was thinking with taking Jonas Valanciunas with the fifth pick. Brandon Knight was still available. The Raptors need someone to score not another big awkward question mark in the middle. Valanciunas may not even make it to the NBA right away as he is in the middle of a buyout with his Lithuanian team. Valanciunas has the potential to be good, though he needs more bulk. Grade D
Utah: Utah had a good draft overall with taking Enes Kanter at 3 and Alec Burks with the 12th pick. Kanter is the new starting center with Al Jefferson now being able to move to power forward for the Jazz or Derrick Favors can move to this spot. Burks figures to be the new starting shooting guard alongside Devin Harris in the backcourt. Both guys should be in the NBA for years to come. Grade A
Washington: The Wizards drafted three guys who will contribute immediately to the team. Jan Vesely was taken with the sixth pick. Chris Singleton got drafted at 18 and Shelvin Mack was picked at 34. Vesely needs to add some bulk to his frame but he should grab the power forward spot. Singleton and Mack step into bench roles. Singleton can play four positions on the court. He is very versatile and will be a key asset to the Wizards as they work to get better. Mack is the new backup point guard to John Wall. Mack is a winner, something Washington is not used too, winning games. Grade A-
Orlando Magic: Orlando was able to acquire Justin Harper in a draft-day trade and picked DeAndre Liggins with the 53rd pick. Both guys will help this team out. Harper played four years of basketball at Richmond. Last year, he led the team to the sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. He is a solid power forward who could complement Dwight Howard very nicely. Liggins is a defensive stopper, something the Magic needed during last season's playoffs versus Atlanta. Grade A-
Philadelphia: The 76ers brought in two big bodies who will help out a weak frontcourt. Nikola Vucevic was drafted with the first pick at 16. Then in the second round, Philadelphia picked Lavoy Allen with the 50th pick. Vucevic is the new starting center if Samuel Dalembert doesn't come back. He is a solid scorer, rebounder and defender. Allen is another smart guy who defends well and rebounds. Grade B
Phoenix: Markief Morris was the first of the Morris twins from Kansas picked at 13 to Phoenix. Markief is a little taller then twin brother Marcus who went to Houston at 14. Phoenix is banking on Markieff's ability to help the team defend big bodies. He is not much of a scorer, like Marcus is but more of a defender and rebounder. Grade B
Portland: The Blazers made a big trade in bringing in Raymond Felton as part of a three-team trade. Felton gets the Blazers younger at the point guard position and if they can sign him to a new deal after the upcoming season, stabilty at the position. Portland also drafted Nolan Smith, and Jon Diebler two guys who figure to be career back-ups. Though Smith may surprise some. He was a reach with the 21st pick, especially with Kenneth Faried still available. Diebler is a great shooter, something Portland needs. Grade C
Sacramento: Sacramento brought in four guys on the draft night, one of which who has played previously in town. John Salmons played three seasons at Sacramento from 2006-09. He will help the team off the bench as a sixth-man who can play three positions. The Kings drafted Jimmer Freddette with the 10th pick, Tyler Honeycutt at 35 and Isiah Thomas with the last pick of the draft at 60. Freddette figures to be the new starting shooting guard with Tyreke Evans as the point guard. Honeycutt is similar to Salmons in playing ability and Thomas will be the new backup point guard to Evans. Good draft for the Kings. Grade A-
San Antonio: The Spurs brought in four new guys in a very weak draft. All four figure to be bench players at first. Kawhi Leonard was brought in exchange for George Hill from Indiana at 15. San Antonio wants to move Richard Jefferson but he has too much money on his contract making this difficult. Though Leonard is the new sixth man. Corey Joseph was taken at 29, and he will be Tony Parker's new backup at point guard. Davis Bertrans and Adam Hanga were the Spurs final two picks. Bertrans will continue to work overseas and become a value once San Antonio needs him and Hanga was a late pick with little value. Grade B
Toronto: No idea what Toronto was thinking with taking Jonas Valanciunas with the fifth pick. Brandon Knight was still available. The Raptors need someone to score not another big awkward question mark in the middle. Valanciunas may not even make it to the NBA right away as he is in the middle of a buyout with his Lithuanian team. Valanciunas has the potential to be good, though he needs more bulk. Grade D
Utah: Utah had a good draft overall with taking Enes Kanter at 3 and Alec Burks with the 12th pick. Kanter is the new starting center with Al Jefferson now being able to move to power forward for the Jazz or Derrick Favors can move to this spot. Burks figures to be the new starting shooting guard alongside Devin Harris in the backcourt. Both guys should be in the NBA for years to come. Grade A
Washington: The Wizards drafted three guys who will contribute immediately to the team. Jan Vesely was taken with the sixth pick. Chris Singleton got drafted at 18 and Shelvin Mack was picked at 34. Vesely needs to add some bulk to his frame but he should grab the power forward spot. Singleton and Mack step into bench roles. Singleton can play four positions on the court. He is very versatile and will be a key asset to the Wizards as they work to get better. Mack is the new backup point guard to John Wall. Mack is a winner, something Washington is not used too, winning games. Grade A-
Chris Singleton improves Washington's bench
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