Grading Every Pick & Trade In The 2022 NBA Draft
Today is the big day. After weeks of waiting, the NBA Draft is finally here. Today, I will be grading every pick/trade I see.
After weeks of waiting, the NBA Draft is upon us. For three hours, we will watch (almost) every franchise show us how smart they are. Today, I will be grading every single pick and trade. Wish me luck.
#1 – Orlando Magic (Paolo Banchero, F)
OK! We’re starting with a bang! For weeks, Jabari Smith seemed like a lock for the #1 overall pick. Instead, the Magic went with Banchero, a player that’s also easy to love. It is interesting that Paolo didn’t work out with Orlando but they still picked him. Weird.
Banchero has the physical tools to succeed on both ends. He can shoot, pass, handle, and defend. Adding a consistent 3-PT shot would make him unstoppable. I think he’s the closest thing to Karl Malone in our league. That’s how good I think he is.
Orlando threw us all a curveball, but Banchero is the real deal. Great pick all around.
Grade: A+
#2 – OKC Thunder (Chet Holmgren, F)
This pick was much less of a curveball. I think Holmgren is the best player in this draft, and it’s not even close. I know his slender frame is cause for concern, but other than that?
Holmgren is an elite shot blocker. His long arms stretch out for miles, but he’s also agile enough to stay with guys on the perimeter. Offensively, he can shoot, pass, and handle. The best way to describe him is as a unicorn. Once he gets stronger, Chet has superstar written all over him.
His fit with playmakers like SGA and Giddey will be fun. Sam Presti had to wait a year for his game-changing big, but I think the wait was worth it.
Grade: A+
#3 – Houston Rockets (Jabari Smith, F)
The Houston Rockets got jammed here. I don’t know if they ever wanted Jabari Smith, but they got him because Banchero went first. I could be wrong, but that’s just my best guess. Still, I don’t think they can be that mad with his selection.
At 6’10”, Smith can guard all five positions defensively and plays like Rashard Lewis offensively. His ability to shoot off the dribble or over smaller defenders makes him a matchup nightmare. Along with that, Smith is a freakish athlete.
Smith will like Mikal Bridges in the NBA. I doubt he’ll ever become a superstar, but more of an overqualified role player.
Trading Christian Wood was meant to pave the way for whoever Houston took with this pick. While I think the Rockets are a little disappointed, Jabari Smith will turn out fine.
Grade: A
#4 – Sacramento Kings (Keegan Murray, F)
The Kings did it. They did it. For once, they looked at their roster and prioritized fit over talent. Instead of taking Jaden Ivey, another guard to clog up their backcourt, they went with Keegan Murray. Murray may not have the upside of Ivey, but he fits better. Three cheers for roster construction.
The late bloomer from Iowa is another versatile forward off the board. He could be a small-ball center with his length, build, and instincts. Able to pick-and-pop for triples and run off of screens. Houses excellent body control and can break down defenders off the dribble.
The best thing about Murray is that he’s low maintenance. He wants to win at all costs. I know Jaden Ivey has more upside, but the Kings couldn’t take another point guard. They just couldn’t. That’s why taking Murray here makes sense.
Grade: B+
(Note: Apparently, Jaden Ivey told the Kings he didn’t want to play for them. Whatever the reason may be, the Kings avoided disaster. At least Jaden Ivey is smart enough to know the good situations from the bad ones.)
#5 – Detroit Pistons (Jaden Ivey, G)
The Detroit Pistons just sat with their hands in their laps and got the best guard in the draft. I didn’t think Ivey would fall to them, but now that he has? Detroit now has their backcourt of the future, and they did it by doing nothing at all.
Ivey is an electric scorer who loves to get downhill – one of the quickest first steps in the draft. He can finish with either hand and seemingly glides to the rim. His jump shot is coming along, too. His 6’9″ wingspan gives him great defensive potential, even if he hasn’t realized it yet.
Ivey is a player with VERY high upside, the perfect player to put alongside Cade Cunningham. This pick couldn’t have been more of a home run.
Grade: A+
#6 – Indiana Pacers (Bennedict Mathurin, F)
After stealing Tyrese Haliburton, the rebuild is on for the Indiana Pacers. Taking Ben Mathurin, perhaps the best wing scorer in this draft isn’t a bad start.
Mathurin has unreal athleticism. He greatly improved at beating defenders off the dribble during his sophomore season at Arizona. He’s a heck of a shooter and a pure scorer at heart. Now, Mathurin isn’t all perfect.
He needs to develop as a defender & passer to become less one-dimensional. If he can’t do that, then he won’t be that impactful. Indiana went safe, so to speak, but this pick is far from a sure thing. Still, it’s hard not to like this new Haliburton + Mathurin duo.
Grade: B+
#7 – Portland Trail Blazers (Shaedon Sharpe, W)
(Rant Incoming)
OK. I THINK THAT SHAEDON SHARPE IS A FINE WING SCORER. HE HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST UPSIDES IN THE DRAFT. BUT THE GOAL IS TO WIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, RIGHT? WE JUST TRADED FOR JERAMI GRANT. SO WHY ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH ARE WE TAKING A PLAYER WHO DIDN’T PLAY IN COLLEGE?
SHARPE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MYSTERIES IN THE DRAFT. IF THE BLAZERS GO ALL IN, IS HE REALLY GOING TO GET THE DEVELOPMENT HE DESERVES? I PROBABLY SHOULDN’T BE COMPLAINING BECAUSE THIS IS THE HIGHEST UPSIDE PLAYER PORTLAND HAS DRAFTED SINCE DAME, BUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH DYSON DANIELS?
(Rant Over)
Now let’s look at Sharpe more rationally. He’s a jaw-dropping athlete who moves well in space. He’s a fantastic finisher around the rim – crafty getting downhill. Sharpe is a great shooter who isn’t all about himself, which gives me some hope he can fit in.
Experience will be an issue, and so will off-ball defense. Again, my question isn’t about Sharpe’s talent. I’m worried about whether he can keep up with a Blazers team rapidly retooling. We’ll see how this weird partnership unfolds.
Grade: B+
#8 – New Orleans Pelicans (Dyson Daniels, G)
God damn it. I wanted Dyson Daniels oh so badly, and now a Western Conference foe gets their hands on him. I hate my life.
Daniels is Evan Turner 2.0. He’s a taller guard who’s an amazing passer, solid floor general, and someone who can defend multiple positions. One of the smartest players in the draft, Daniels’ potential is off the charts. If his shooting comes along, there’s nothing he can’t do.
The Pelicans are trying to strengthen their backcourt. If Zion Williamson comes back, they’re going to be in the running for the playoffs. Daniels represents a somewhat high-ceiling player who can make an impact immediately. That’s exactly the player the Pelicans need.
Grade: A+++
(Why couldn’t this have been the Blazers????)
#9 – San Antonio Spurs (Jeremy Sochan, F)
Gregg Popovich is written all over this pick. I’m sure teams around the league are trying to find players like Draymond Green to run their teams in some way. Sochan is just that for the Spurs. He’s Mr. Utility.
He can defend all five positions with his length, strength, and agility. Sochan can fit any scheme, which is why he’s such a difference maker. The Baylor forward can also pass, handle, and score inside. Shooting is the only thing missing from his game.
Sochan is a player who could blossom into a real scoring threat, but at his worst, he would be the type of player championship teams need on their bench. There’s no losing with this selection. Sochan is going to the best possible place for his skills.
Grade: A+
#10 – Washington Wizards (Johnny Davis, G)
Davis had been rumored to go to Washington for weeks. This isn’t a surprise, and I like the pick. Even though I despise what the Wizards are doing with their franchise, they did a good job here.
Davis is a tough, gritty guard who can play defense. He’s one of the best mid-range scorers in the draft. Sure, he has to improve as a 3-PT shooter, but he’s a natural scorer. Add in great rebounding and an ability to make tough shots, and you’ve got yourself a game-changer at the two-guard.
I love the size and scoring that Davis brings to the table. Now it’s time to fix the endless other problems with their roster.
Grade: B+
#11 – OKC Thunder (via Knicks) (Ousmane Dieng, F)
The Knicks should have traded up in the draft. Instead, they traded this pick for three conditional first-round picks from OKC. That’s cool, I guess. The Thunder now get their hands on another interesting forward prospect in Ousmane Dieng.
The French prospect wasn’t productive in New Zealand. He’s an incredibly developmental player. At 6’10”, his top skills are ball-handling and playmaking. That makes him interesting enough, but anything after that needs a lot of work.
People throw out a lot of ‘could be‘ with Dieng, but I’m just not buying it. While I’m sure OKC will be patient with Dieng and develop him, I’m just not a fan. He’s too raw.
Knicks Grade: C+
OKC Grade: C
#12 – OKC Thunder (Jalen Williams, F)
This is a lot higher than I expected Williams to go, but I still love the player. Sure, he went to a mid-major in Santa Clara. And yes, he’s 21 years old. Those things could very well hinder Williams in the NBA. Getting around that, I think OKC hit a home run with this selection.
Williams can really do it all. He can create for others, handle the ball, shoot off the catch, attack defenses, and play high-effort defense. Williams even ran pick-and-rolls and handoffs in college, which makes him a unique forward.
Williams is a super role player guy. He can fit any scheme, and any team in the NBA could use him. Expect him to contribute from day one. Great pick from Sam Presti.
Grade: A
#13 – Detroit Pistons (via Hornets) (Jalen Duren, C)
The Hornets lucked into Jalen Duren, which means they’re trading him away to the Pistons. Go figure. If the Hornets don’t draft Mark Williams at #15, I will die of laughter.
Anyway, the Pistons stay busy. Detroit assembled their backcourt of the future, and now they just got their center of the future. Duren is an explosive, freak athlete who controls both paints. He’s a vertical threat in the pick-and-roll and an elite shot blocker on the other end.
Duren’s defense will be his strong point in the NBA. I think he can guard all five positions and be a real difference-maker. Pairing a guy like that with Cunningham and Ivey is fantastic. Great job by the Pistons.
The judge is still out on Charlotte. It all depends on what they do at pick #15.
Pistons Grade: A
Hornets Grade: B
#14 – Cleveland Cavaliers (Ochai Agbaji, F)
The Cavaliers needed help on the wing and more spacing. What does Ochai Agbaji do best? Shoot the hell out of the ball from the wing. Oh, and he’s one of the best defenders at his position. What’s not to love?
Well…for starters, his upside is nonexistent since he was a four-year college player. While that means he can contribute immediately, he’s not going to transform his game. He is what we know him to be.
Secondly, Agbaji didn’t put up great numbers throughout college. He became a knockdown shooter during his final two years at Kansas. Before that, he was well below average. Can he continue his newfound shooting in the pros?
At his core, Agbaji fills a need on the wing for the Cavs. I’m just not so sure he can be much more than he already is right now. Would have loved to see AJ Griffin go at this spot.
Grade: C-
#15 – Charlotte Hornets (Mark Williams, C)
I figured the Hornets would do this, but they scared me for a moment. They had their hands on Jalen Duren but traded him away. I guess they were going with Mark Williams all the way, and securing future assets isn’t half-bad, either.
Williams is another freak athlete down low who will be a wall defensively. His 7’7″ wingspan makes him immovable. I don’t know if he’s as fluid as Duren, but Williams will be a positive defensively. Offensively, Williams has shown flashes of a perimeter game. The bulk of his offense comes down low, where his soft hands and brute strength allow him to carve up space.
Charlotte’s biggest need was center coming into tonight. It took them a while, but they got their guy. Now, let’s find that coach.
Grade: A
#16 – Atlanta Hawks (AJ Griffin, F)
Injury concerns are likely the reason Griffin fell this far. Similar to Shaedon Sharpe, talent isn’t the problem for Griffin. The Hawks took a similar risk with Cam Reddish, and look where that ended up. Still, Griffin could be a home run pick for Atlanta.
Griffin is a patient wing who has a lot of dribble moves to get defenders off balance. Scores in the mid-range like Jimmy Butler – also has a knack for drawing fouls like Butler. Good cutter and passer. I need him to speed up his release to be a better 3-PT shooter. His frame and athleticism warrant great defensive potential, too.
All that is great, but Griffin missed two years of high school with knee and ankle problems. He’s not even 19 yet, but he’s more inexperienced than most in his class. This is a massive risk for Atlanta, one that has a high chance of failure.
Grade: RISKY
#17 – Houston Rockets (Tari Eason, F)
The Rockets have been linked to Eason for some time. Houston already got one versatile forward in Jabari Smith, so why not add another? The LSU Tiger is one of the best defenders in the draft. There’s a reason the Rockets had their eyes on him.
Eason can guard 1-5 with his length and agility. He’s incredibly active and even played minutes at center despite being just 6’7″. Getting out in transition is where he shines. Eason is a foul-drawing magnet, and it’s hard to stop his long strides in the open floor.
Eason has also become a much better shooter, so there’s reason to believe he could shoot 3s in the NBA. There’s a lot to like about this pick if you’re Houston.
Grade: A
#18 – Chicago Bulls (Dalen Terry, G)
Dalen Terry was a very late riser up draft boards, but I didn’t think he was going inside the top 20! The 6’6″ guard from Arizona is talented, but he’s not what the Bulls needed. They needed more size and rebounding, not their third defensive-minded guard.
Terry has the ball-handling to be a point guard in the NBA. He’s a good spot-up shooter and will only get better in this aspect. Defense is where Terry makes his money. He’s highly active and causes chaos with deflections and steals.
I like Terry’s skill set, but he’s not what the Bulls needed. They don’t need another guard who can play defense. Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball have things covered on that end. Chicago needed to add rebounding here, and they didn’t.
Grade: D-
#19 – Memphis Grizzlies (via T-Wolves) (Jake LaRavia, F)
The Grizzlies used their two picks in the back end of the first round to take LaRavia. The Wake Forest veteran has shot up draft boards in recent days. I didn’t do as much research on him, but since the Grizzlies are very good at drafting, I’ll trust them.
LaRavia knows his role and plays it to a T. Cuts well off-ball and runs well in transition. Doesn’t let the ball stick – keeps possessions moving. At nearly 6’7″, LaRavia could be a threat as a short-roller in pick-and-rolls due to his advanced awareness and playmaking.
Versatile defensively – able to guard numerous positions. While Jake isn’t overly athletic, he gets the job done. Not a bad spot-up shooter, either.
Grade: B
#20 – San Antonio Spurs (Malaki Branham, G)
The San Antonio Spurs continued their excellent draft by taking Malaki Branham from THE Ohio State University. It’s yet another Spurs draft pick that’s easy to get behind.
Branham gets low to the floor with his dribble. A surgeon at breaking down his defender – good at slithering into the paint. At 6’4″, he’s even posted up smaller guards, similar to Jalen Brunson. To top it all off, he can shoot 3s off the dribble and thrives in the mid-range.
With a sturdy frame defensively, Branham is a guy who can guard wings, too. He’s more of a score-first pass second guy, but there’s a lot to like about his ability to score. Not a bad pick for the Spurs.
Grade: B+
#21 – Denver Nuggets (Christian Braun, F)
I don’t love this pick, either. Braun is another Kansas upperclassman that doesn’t have a lot of upside. He’s not great at finishing through contact and struggled against the better college teams. But, Braun provides instant contribution to a Denver team looking to contend.
Braun is a strong, tough off-ball defender. He’s also very energetic on the ball. In other words, he’s a nuisance, both with his play and with his mouth. Solid rebounder. Braun was up and down as a shooter in college but good overall. Better off the catch than off the dribble. Solid ball-handler and finisher, too.
While Braun doesn’t stand out, I think he’s like Cam Johnson to the Suns. From day one, he’ll be a solid presence off the bench, the type of player needed in the playoffs. There’s some solace in that, even if he doesn’t have the highest upside in the world.
Grade: C++
#22 – Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies) (Walker Kessler, C)
This is one of the picks Minnesota got from Memphis as part of their deal. With it, they got Walker Kessler. I’m indifferent about this pick for a lot of reasons.
Kessler is the definition of a human mountain. At 7’0″, 256 pounds, he’s immovable in the paint. That’s why he averaged 4.5 blocks in college, and opponents stopped trying to go at him. Yet, Kessler is surprisingly agile for his size and isn’t a bad pick-and-roll defender.
Kessler’s soft hands down low make him a space-eater. But, his lack of floor spacing is concerning, especially in Minnesota. While Karl-Anthony Towns operates on the perimeter, I don’t think he can play with Kessler.
Kessler would take up too much space down low, making it easier for teams to double Towns, who is notoriously bad at playing out of double-teams. While he helps Minnesota in the rebounding department, I don’t love his fit. I’ll have to see how the T-Wolves use Kessler to believe in his fit.
Grade: C
#23 – Memphis Grizzlies (via 76ers) (David Roddy, F)
The 76ers are getting De’Anthony Melton in this trade, which is a great addition. He can shoot and score on his own. Think of him as a Danny Green replacement. Great value for Philly.
Back to the Grizzlies, who have been very active during this draft. With this pick, they took David Roddy, another late riser in this draft. And I have to say, I think I just found the weirdest player ever.
Roddy can pass, shoot, and play hard-nosed defense. He’s not a bad ball-handler was used like JJ Redick at times off screens. Roddy also bullies other guards down low and is crafty in the lane, using an array of moves to score. All of that is fine until you look at his physicals. Are you ready for this?
Roddy is 6’5″, 261 POUNDS! HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? The former HS quarterback shouldn’t be able to do all those things at his size, and yet he can. He’s one of the weirdest players I’ve ever encountered. Now, slimming down may help Roddy, but I love his build.
I don’t care how he works out in Memphis. I appreciate them picking a weird player like him.
Philadelphia Grade: A+++
Grizzlies Grade: Ballsy
#24 – Milwaukee Bucks (MarJon Beauchamp, W)
The Bucks got themselves a steal here. Beauchamp, whose name is as regal as his game, is a role player at heart. He’s going to fit on the Bucks like a hand in a glove.
Beauchamp knows how to play without the ball. Loves to get downhill off of handoffs. Attacks closeouts, which leads to explosive finishes at the rim. Aggression is what Beauchamp is about, on both ends. MarJon swarms opposing ball handlers with his 7-1 wingspan and quick feet.
Add in tough rebounding and great effort, and you’ve got a player capable of playing on a championship-contending team like Milwaukee. His lack of a 3-PT shot is his one drawback, but I think he fits in Milwaukee perfectly.
He’s not going to be asked to do much other than play hard defense. I think he’s more than capable of doing that.
Grade: A+++
#25 – San Antonio Spurs (Blake Wesley, W)
With their third and final first rounder of the night, the Spurs once again went after upside. Wesley is a very raw wing from Notre Dame. As a freshman, Wesley was more flashes than consistent results.
Still, there’s a lot of like about him. He’s a great ball-handler who is unpredictable in the best way possible. Not much of a shooter yet, however. Passes the ball well and has the chops to be a lead playmaker one day. Athletic finisher in the paint.
Long arms allow him to blanket opposing guards defensively. He’ll need some polishing, but the Spurs are going all-in on potential. That much has been clear from their selections tonight.
Grade: B
#26 – Minnesota Timberwolves (via Rockets) (Wendell Moore Jr., W)
The Timberwolves are another team that has been moving around the board tonight. With this pick, they’re getting Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr. Minnesota is pretty weak on the wings, so a 3&D player like Moore fills a need.
Moore is a smooth ball-handler at 6’4″ who loves attacking. Comfortable using screens – always looking for his teammates. Limits turnovers very well. Most likely going to be a secondary creator in the NBA, which is more valuable than ever.
One of the best catch-and-shoot shooters in this draft. Good touch on his floaters. With a 7-foot wingspan, he can guard multiple positions. Good build – can probably take on post defenders. While he’s not the most athletic guy in the world, Moore is solid around the board.
If the T-Wolves pull the trigger on a D-Lo trade, Moore gives them more ball-handling and playmaking. It’s safe to say I like this pick a lot more than their first selection.
Grade: A
#27 – Miami Heat (Nikola Jovic, F)
Jovic moved up and down draft boards in the past few weeks. His most recent trends had him moving down into the second round, but it’s easy to see why Miami lives the Serbian forward. Let’s just hope that Markieff Morris doesn’t attack him.
At 6’10”, Jovic is a shot creator, best with the ball in his hands. Moves well off the ball and operates out of the pick-and-roll very nicely for someone his size. Similar to Chet Holmgren, he’ll need to bulk up. That’s why going to a place like Miami is great for him.
In two years, I think Jovic will be riding a motorcycle. Mark my words.
Grade: B+
#28 – Golden State Warriors (Patrick Baldwin Jr., F)
Baldwin is another player who didn’t produce well coming into the draft and is riding the highs of his potential. Injuries really hurt Baldwin’s initial bid of being a lottery pick. But, Golden State is the place to go for development, so there is still hope for Baldwin to reach his potential.
At 6’9″, Baldwin was projected to be a two-way wing who could shoot and defend. His high release point made his jumpers unblockable. Comfortable shooting in every way imaginable. Prototypical size to handle a switching-oriented system like Golden State.
With time, the Warriors will hopefully be able to iron out Baldwin’s wrinkles. There is no risk in this pick for Golden State. They’re just trusting that, once again, they can find a diamond in the rough.
Grade: A
#29 – Houston Rockets (via T-Wolves) (TyTy Washington, G)
Letting Kevin Porter Jr. run the show last year was a disaster for Houston. While TyTy Washington isn’t an explosive athlete, he’s the steady hand the Rockets desperately need. With all their new versatile forwards, someone has to distribute the rock. That can be Washington.
An array of moves in the pick-and-roll to make up for his athletic deficiencies. Washington can make any pass in the book. Loves to operate in the mid-range with floaters and off-the-dribble twos. The next step for him is becoming more dangerous from behind the arc.
While his size (6’2″) will limit his defensive upside, Washington is a calming presence for the Rockets. That’s always a good thing.
Grade: B+
#30 – Denver Nuggets (Peyton Watson, F)
Watson is exhibit 93271 of production doesn’t matter anymore. Nobody cares that he averaged 3.3 points last season at UCLA. What matters is that he’s 6’7″ and has all the potential in the world. What could possibly go wrong?
Watson’s length makes him a multi-positional defender. I think he can handle quicker point guards in the NBA. Always brings effort. Solid off-ball defender – great instincts on rotations. Solid playmaker for his size, too. Watson isn’t much of a shooter but has shown signs of a mid-range game.
Denver won’t be getting a finished product, not at all. But, Watson could pay dividends down the line with his athleticism. We’ll see.
Grade: B-
Best of the 2nd Round
#31 – Indiana Pacers (Andrew Nembhard, G)
With the first pick in the second round, the Pacers took Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard. Or, as Woj calls him, Andrew Nemhard. Nembhard is like Tyrese Haliburton in a lot of ways.
First and foremost, he keeps his mistakes to a minimum. Reads pick-and-roll situations very well – plays cat and mouse with defenders before finding his roll man. Capable shooter off the dribble. Plays hard defensively and isn’t a bad defender despite being 6’3″.
And, also like Haliburton, he’s not overly athletic. But, as a backup floor manager that can settle things down? Another solid pickup for Indiana.
Grade: B+
#32 – Orlando Magic (Caleb Houstan, W)
Caleb Houstan was once projected to be a lottery pick. But, Houstan was inconsistent in college, leading to him slipping into the draft. Orlando is taking him on the chance he can reignite his career.
Elite shooter off the catch. Knows how to play without the ball in his hands. Houstan finds the weak spots in defenses and exploits them. At 6’8″, he’s a taller guard who can be a mismatch creator. Good team-oriented defender.
His limited athleticism and length are worrying but as a scoring wing? The Magic don’t have a lot of forwards outside of Wagner and Isaac, so Houstan will have the opportunity to earn minutes right away. We’ll just have to see if he can realize his once great potential.
Grade: A-
#33 – Toronto Raptors (Christian Koloko, C)
Christian Koloko was the last center prospect really worth picking in this draft. So, even though it feels like a reach, the Raptors desperately need a center. So, in that sense, it’s not the worst thing in the world.
Koloko is rawer than a California roll at this point in time. He’s similar to Jalen Duren and Mark Williams, his two contemporaries, in a lot of ways. Koloko can finish around the rim in a variety of ways. Showed signs of adding range to his game as a junior.
Defensively, he’s a nasty shot blocker. Moves well in space – keeps up with wings and guards. Koloko has gotten considerably stronger since his freshman season, a trend that will have to continue for him to succeed in the NBA.
Koloko didn’t play basketball primarily until he was 17 years old. He’s new to basketball like I’m new to high school. Understandably, he needs more development in the smaller areas of the game. Toronto may have filled a need, but this is a reach.
Grade: C+
#35 – LA Lakers (via Magic) (Max Christie, G)
Max Christie fits with the Lakers on paper. But, at the same time, he doesn’t. The Lakers don’t need developmental rookies. They need instant production, which isn’t what Christie is.
Christie looks good as a shooter, which is to say that he shot 32% from 3 during his lone season at Michigan State. Similar to Ousmane Dieng, there’s a lot of assuming of what Christie ‘could be,’ but I’m just not seeing it right now.
He lacks burst off the dribble, he’s turnover prone, and most importantly…HE’S NOT READY TO BE A ROTATIONAL PLAYER! Now, I don’t know who the Lakers could have gotten, if anybody, that would be ready to contribute.
All I’m saying is that LA’s innumerable amount of problems hasn’t been fixed by taking Max Christie. Nor will they be solved by Kyrie Irving.
Grade: C
#37 – Dallas Mavericks (via Kings) (Jaden Hardy, G)
The Dallas Mavericks haven’t been great at drafting around Luka Doncic. With limited resources, one small trade netted them Jaden Hardy, a player projected to be a first-round pick. Instead, he’s going to Dallas, where he’ll be an instant offense option for a team looking to contend.
Hardy can score from all three levels on the court. Good shooter off the catch – a must when it comes to playing alongside Luka Doncic. His 6-9 wingspan leaves room for defensive upside. Solid ball-handler, too.
Since Spencer Dinwiddie can handle the playmaking duties off the bench, Hardy will just have to score in bunches. If Jalen Brunson leaves, Hardy will have an even bigger role. I love the fit, but Hardy will have his hands full as a rookie. Can he rise up to the task?
#41 – New Orleans Pelicans (EJ Liddell, F)
After stealing Dyson Daniels from my heart in the first round, the Pelicans finished their draft by selecting EJ Liddell. Liddell was, by all measures, a lock to be in the first round. I don’t know how he slipped to the middle of the second round, but I still like his promise as a player.
The undersized power forward from THE Ohio State was a little bit older, but the talent is all there. With his size and agility, he can create mismatches all over the floor. A role as a small-ball center isn’t out of the picture.
Now, Liddell could be the classic Tweener if his athleticism and perimeter game don’t round out. He could be too big to be a wing but too small to be a center. That same logic could apply defensively. It’ll be hard to find Liddell a spot on the court, but I think New Orleans can do it.
Grade: A
#42 – New York Knicks (Trevor Keels, G)
Finally. Instead of making four interconnected trades involving a lot of picks, the Knicks drafted someone. Keels was another first-round caliber player, but he fell to the middle of the second round for reasons unknown.
Keels is a bully. You can’t throw him off his path when he drives to the rim. Takes advantage of smaller guards all the time. That sturdy build makes him a Lu Dort-like defender (potentially). Can play on or off the ball.
Keels may have slipped in the draft due to his body fat % at the combine, which was one of the worst measured. It also doesn’t help that he’s unproven as a shooter. But, hey! He rejoins fellow Dukie RJ Barrett. Forget everything I just said!
Grade: C-
#45 – Charlotte Hornets (Josh Minott, F)
Minott is very much a raw and unfinished product. But, his selection is Charlotte realizing what they need. At his best, Minott could be a game-changing defensive wing. Charlotte is on the right path to figuring out its defensive woes.
Minott is a long athlete with crazy athleticism. Doesn’t look to score and is the opposite of a shooter. Cleaning up his shooting mechanics would help him a lot. The best thing going for him is his energy and physical tools on defense.
Minott is a project player, but I’ll give Charlotte credit for taking him. These are the type of low-risk, high reward risks that sometimes pay huge rewards in the long run.
Grade: A
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