1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLVGrade: B+
Bennett is arguably the most talented player in this class. He can score from the block and has range out to the three-point line. He’s a little undersized for a power forward at 6-foot-8, but his scoring ability should fit in nicely with the rest of the Cavaliers roster.
2. Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo, SG, IndianaGrade: B-
I’m not nearly as high on Oladipo as everyone else, and personally, I think Ben McLemore would have been a better fit in Orlando. However, with rumors that the Magic may ship Arron Afflalo to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, the Magic need a shooting guard and Oladipo will start from day one. If he can improve his offensive game, he can develop into a solid NBA player.
3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, GeorgetownGrade: A
This is the player we all speculated the Wizards to take, and they did it. Porter fits perfectly in Washington along with John Wall, Bradley Beal and their loaded front court. Porter is such a complete, selfless player that can affect a game without scoring. This is a win-win situation for both Porter and the Wizards.
4. Charlotte Bobcats: Cody Zeller, PF, IndianaGrade: D
Zeller is an athletic four man that can run the floor with the best of them. However, he struggled all year against big, physical defenders, which is what he is going to go up against on a nightly basis in the NBA. The Bobcats needed scoring and Ben McLemore was still on the board. I don’t like this pick at all for Charlotte. But then again, Michael Jordan made the pick, so naturally it would be bad.
5. Phoenix Suns: Alex Len, C, MarylandGrade: B
I’m not sold on Len yet. He has all the tools to be a very good NBA center, but he just doesn’t seem to have that go-to type personality. However, Phoenix needs a center and Len is the best center in the class. If the famous Phoenix training staff can get him healthy, this could turn into a very good pick.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky (traded to 76ers)Grade: A-
Originally, I hated this pick. Anthony Davis and Nerlens Noel play the same spot and I don’t know how that would have worked out in New Orleans. However, STEALING Jrue Holiday from the 76ers for Noel was a great move for New Orleans. Holiday had a great season last year and will fit perfectly alongside Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon.
7. Sacramento Kings: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
Grade: B+
The Kings needed a scorer, and McLemore is potentially the most explosive scorer in this class. He has a silky smooth jumper and is athletic and skilled enough to get to the rim. He is going to fit nicely alongside DeMarcus Cousins. He’ll help spread the floor for Cousins, and he’ll get open three-point opportunities from opposing teams double-teaming Cousins.
8. Detroit Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georiga
Grade: B-
Word on the street was that the Pistons were trying to move Brandon Knight to the two-guard spot, which would have allowed them to draft any of the top three point guards (Trey Burke, Michael Carter-Williams, C.J. McCollum) with this pick. Instead, they go with Caldwell-Pope, the scoring machine out of Georgia. He could become a solid wing scorer in the future, but I think they should have went with a point guard here. Looks like they may be sticking with Knight at the spot possibly now.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (traded to Utah)
Grade: B+
I think Burke is the best player in this class, and Utah is getting a very, very good player. Giving up two first-round picks (14 and 21) is a lot, but if they really liked Burke, it was worth it. Good move by both teams.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: C.J. McCollum, SG, LehighGrade: B
I think the backcourt duo of McCollum and Damian Lillard will be exciting, but I’m not sure how well it’ll work. Both of these two need the ball to be effective, and both look for their own shot before looking for their teammates. One thing is for sure: Portland will be fun to watch for the next few years.
11. Philadelphia 76ers: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, SyracuseGrade: B+
After trading Jrue Holiday away, the 76ers had a glaring hole at point guard. MCW has a ton of potential and one of the highest ceilings in this entire class. If he can develop a solid jump shot, his offensive game will flourish. He has the size and skill to be very effective; he just needs a year or two to develop.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Grade: A-
This pick makes a lot of sense for a couple of reasons. First off, Adams has all the tools to develop into a solid offensive player in the post. He could be the offensive post presence the Thunder have lacked the last few years. Secondly, he is a very good defender right now, and makes Perkins expendable when his contract runs out. Pretty much, he’s Kendrick Perkins 2.0 with way more upside. In a year or two, he could be a force down low.
13. Dallas Mavericks: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (traded to the Celtics)Grade: B
Olynyk is a very polished offensive player, but he doesn’t solve a lot of the Celtics’ issues. However, he is pretty versatile on offensive and can play either in the post or on the foul line area. Whoever the Celtics coach is next year is going to have fun using Olynyk in different roles next year.
14. Utah Jazz: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA (traded to the Timberwolves)Grade: B
Minnesota needs scoring help, and Muhammad is definitely one of the best scorers in the class. He plays extremely hard and has the potential to be a good defender as well. The only thing holding Muhammad back is his attitude issues, so if Minnesota can fix those issues, they may have gotten a steal here.
Read on to read about the rest of the non-lottery picks, 16-30.
15. Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, GreeceGrade: C+The Bucks made the playoffs this year, and had a real chance at making it back there this upcoming season. Antetokounmpo may not come to the NBA for another year or two, so he won’t help the immediate cause. Antetokounpo could turn out to be a stud, but he doesn’t help the Bucks right now at all, unless if he does actually ome to the NBA, which now seems expected.
16. Boston Celtics: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil (traded to the Mavericks, then traded to the Hawks)Grade: A-
Nogueira is full of potential and is a young, athletic freak. His size will allow Al Horford to move back to his natural power forward position, which makes him even more effective. The front court duo of Nogueira and Horford could be dangerous for opposing teams in the future.
17. Atlanta Hawks: Dennis Schroeder, PG, GermanyGrade: B+
I like Shane Larkin better, but Schroeder could be the Hawks point guard of the future. Schroeder is actually a very good fit in Atlanta, though, as he is a pass-first type of point guard. He’s the type of point guard that makes his team better the second he steps on the court.
18. Atlanta Hawks: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (traded to the Mavericks)Grade: A
I love Larkin and think he’ll turn into a very good NBA player. Dallas desperately needs a point guard, especially if they are going to make a serious push at Dwight Howard this offseason. He is uber-athletic and loves to throw lobs. Sound good to you, Dwight?
19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia
Grade: B
The Cavs got a big with the first pick in the draft, and now get their three-point specialst in Karasev. Karasev is a deadeye shooter that can really stretch the floor. He’ll get his fair share of open three-pointers with Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters driving to the lane.
20. Chicago Bulls: Tony Snell, SF, New MexicoGrade: C+
I’m not a huge fan of Snell. I thought Tim Hardaway Jr. and Reggie Bullock would have been better fits here, but Snell does fill a need. Chicago needed another guard, and they especially needed a shooter, and Snell fits both needs. I just don’t think he was the best choice there.
21. Utah Jazz: Gorgui Dieng – C/Lousiville (traded to the Timberwolves)Grade: B
This one hurts because I wanted my Brooklyn Nets to draft Dieng, but it makes sense for Minnesota. He’ll come in and be a nice role player and third big man behind Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic. He’ll come in from day one and rebound and defend, which is something the Timberwolves have lacked in the past.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Mason Plumlee, C, DukeGrade: B-
C’mon Brooklyn, we could have done better than Plumlee! Plumlee adds depth and athleticism to their frontline, but there were other areas the Nets could have addressed. If he can come in and be an energy guy for the Nets off the bench, it’ll end up being a decent pick.
23. Indiana Pacers: Solomon Hill, SF, ArizonaGrade: C
Once again, Hill fits the Pacers system pretty well but there were other wings on the board that were ranked higher than Hill. Reggie Bullock and Tim Hardaway Jr. would have been better picks here, but if the Pacers really liked Hill, then it’s not a bad pick.
24. New York Knicks: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, MichiganGrade: A-
I really like this pick for the Knicks. Hardaway Jr. is a scorer, but doesn’t necessarily need to dominate the ball to get his points. With Hardaway Jr. on the roster, the Knicks don’t have to bring J.R. Smith back and they can put the money into another player this offseason. Hardaway Jr. could step right in and play his role. Great pick for the Knicks.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Reggie Bullock, SG, UNCGrade: B+
The Clippers needed a shooter, and they got one in Bullock. He can really stretch the floor and will help open up the paint for Blake Griffin. Chris Paul will love having him spot up in the corner too.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Andre Roberson (traded to the Thunder)Grade: B
Roberson is an undersized forward, but can really rebound the basketball. He does all the little things for a team that help them win games. He could be the sparkplug off the bench for the Thunder, but I can’t see him making that much of an impact as a rookie other than being an energy guy.
27. Denver Nuggets: Rudy Gobert, PF, France (traded to the Jazz)
Grade: B
Utah already has a loaded frontcourt, but you can never have enough bigs. Gobert is huge, and had the longest wing span ever measured at the draft combine. In a year or two, Gobert could be a very serviceable NBA big.
28. San Antonio Spurs: Livio Jean-Charles, F, FranceGrade: N/A
I’ll be completely honest, I’ve heard of Jean-Charles once in the past few months of studying these prospects. I can’t even give this pick a grade because 1) I don’t know anything about this guy and 2) He’ll stay in Europe for a year or two anyway before he makes any impact in the NBA. Knowing the Spurs though, this guy will turn out to be a stud.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky (traded to the Warriors, then traded to the Suns)Grade: C
The Suns needed scoring help, and Goodwin can score the ball, but that’s about it for him. In his only year at Kentucky, Goodwin proved that he can’t play point guard, he can’t defend and that he is a team chemistry killer. The potential is there, but I’m not a fan.
30. Phoenix Suns: Nemanja Nedovic, G, Yugoslavia (traded to the Warriors)Grade: N/A
Okay, I’ll be honest again. I’ve never heard of Nedovic. I just did some quick research and from what I read he can shoot, but that’s all I know. If he can shoot, though, I’m sure he’ll fit in with the Warriors then with their other sharpshooters in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
