2021 Guru Draft Review
Aug 11, 2021 0:26:11 GMT -6
Portland TrailBlazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and 1 more like this
Post by Sacramento Kings on Aug 11, 2021 0:26:11 GMT -6
Welcome to the 2021 Guru Draft Review. This year's class is among the most talented in recent memory, and will no doubt produce a plethora All-NBA calibre players.
It should be noted that grades are given in comparison to the “obvious” pick, which are considered to be the highest NBA-drafted remaining player. Making this pick when it is also the best is rewarded just the same, and additional points are given to good picks of players drafted well below that spot in the NBA. Accordingly, reaching and making a bad pick is punished more than making a bad pick that is also the obvious one.
Pick #1: Cade Cunningham - Mavs
Grade: A
There’s not much that needs to be said about this pick, but Cade is fun to talk about so I’ll write a bit about him. Listed at 6’8 and 220 at Oklahoma State, Cade has the size and the skill to be the next game-changing, franchise-altering, all-star-game-making jumbo-playmaker type to take the NBA by storm. Trolls and morons alike have pointed to his negative assist-to-turnover ratio as indicating overrated or lacking passing abilities, but watching one game of his quickly puts to bed these notions. Shooting 40% from 3 5.7 attempts per game, Cade is also one of the best shooting prospects in the class, demonstrating the ability to hit off difficult 3s the dribble, above contests, and from deep range. At Monteverde High School, Cade commandeered a high-flying offense with fellow first round picks Scottie Barnes, Moses Moody, and Day’Ron Sharpe, throwing between-the-leg passes and pin-point lobs from all corners of the hardwood. While Cade won’t have quite the level of talent at Detroit that he did at Monteverde (no offense to Jerami Grant and co.), he demonstrated at Oklahoma State that he can still lead a successful offense without talent surrounding him. Defensively Cade is no slouch either, making timely rotations and using his size to body up bigger wings. While 15 of the 16 members of Guru would probably prefer Cade to be going to some other team, we can at least appreciate a franchise cornerstone joining a Pistons roster in need of high end talent.
Pick #2: Evan Mobley - Mavs
Grade: A+
Mobley was one of many prospects to see their stocks mysteriously fall during the pre-draft process, dropping from consensus number two to number three. Rather than join Christian Wood in the Houston frontcourt, he’ll likely slot in at the 4 alongside an interesting group of Cleveland youngsters. While his rim protection skills overlap with those of Jarret Allen , his perimeter defense and various offensive abilities should help to elevate the team on both ends of the floor. Developing his perimeter shot will be key to open up driving lanes for Sexton and Okoro, as neither the rookie forward nor Allen are currently serious shooting threats from outside the arc. Mobley’s 69% free throw percentage and 46% mark on two-point jumpers suggest moving out his shot is more than possible, and for the time being he’ll be able to provide offensive value with his post scoring and passing as well as being a lob threat and pick and roll partner to Garland and Sexton. At USC, Mobley thrived with more offensive usage, leading his team to a Sweet 16 appearance and winning Pac-12 Player of the Year, Pac 12 Rookie of the Year, and Pac-12 Defensive player of the year awards, the first player to ever win all three in the same season.
Pick #3: Jalen Green - Bucks
Grade: A-
As the first player to be drafted out of G League Ignite, Jalen Green’s offensive production against former NBA players and international stars is probably the most concise argument in favor of him. Green’s burst helps him get downhill and to the rim where his elite vertical explosion, body control, and hang time allows him to finish through touch contests. However, his reliance on simply flying past defenders means his handle is slightly underdeveloped; he can’t always break down defenders and get to his spots. Still, his gravity as a pull-up shooter and improvements as a reactive passer will prove a challenge for defenders trying to cut off all scoring avenues for him or his teammates. He has the most room to grow defensively, where he too often falls asleep off the ball and doesn’t consistently rotate. His athletic gifts provide him with an enviable ceiling, though, but the offensive usage he’ll likely inherit on Houston could pose an obstacle to his defensive development if he decides to embrace the Zach Lavine archetype.
Pick #4: Jalen Suggs - Wolves
Grade: A
Following the first major surprise of NBA draft night, the Orlando Magic’s rebuild received a significant boost with the addition of Jalen Suggs, leader of the historically productive Gonzaga offense. Joining Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, and RJ Hampton in the Orlando backcourt, Suggs will no doubt steal one of the starting guard roles, adding high-level passing, shaky shooting, and elite defense to an intriguing young core. Orlando’s notorious lack of spacing could make things difficult for Suggs who is at his best in a free-flowing, well-spaced offense, although he’ll undoubtedly thrive next to high-feel players like Wagner, and WCJ. Like Green, Suggs thrives in transition, where issues stemming from his undeveloped handle are minimized and his elite straight-line speed and vertical pop can be fully optimized.
Pick #5: Josh Giddey - Sixers
Grade: B
Sam Presti’s adoration of funky international players was once again on full show with this pick, surprising many who had swallowed the rumors of Bouknight or Kuminga. Whether he envisioned Giddey alongside SGA in the backcourt or at the 3 remains unclear, but either way his offensive skill set will provide the team with much needed passing prowess. Giddey’s best skill is easily his playmaking, which is assisted by his 6’7 frame and elite court awareness. While his poor finishing and handle inhibit his ability to penetrate and accept all space granted to him, his passing acumen will be much appreciated on a Thunder roster in need of high-level skills of any sort. Defense remains a work in progress for the Aussie, but flashes of advanced positioning and size give him potential to be at least a non-negative on that side of the court. Ironing out his shot will also be key in adding to his scoring gravity, but there’s enough to work with there that Thunder fans should be confident in his shooting development.
Pick #6: Scottie Barnes - Suns
Grade: A
The Toronto Raptors surprised everyone by passing on Jalen Suggs, who was seen by many as the perfect fit into a Raptors team with a surplus of forwards and wings. Instead, they opted for Scottie Barnes, who impressed in interviews and workouts with his contagious energy and high-level character. One of several elite Florida State defenders of the last couple draft classes, Barnes will no doubt provide even more switchable on ball defense to this Toronto team. And despite his verticality struggles, his length and ground coverage make him a strong team defender. Offensively most would point to his shot as the clear area for growth, but if Nick Nurse elects to use him as a lead ball-handler, ironing out his decision-making and improving his athleticism and handle to create advantages off the dribble will be important as well.
Pick #7 : Jonathan Kuminga - Sixers
Grade: D+
As an athletically gifted wing who relied on strength, body control, and contact absorption to get to his spots in the paint and finish, Kuminga was as intriguing a prospect as any coming out of high school. Add in the fact that he lacked a consistent three-point shot and was thus labelled “raw”, Kuminga garnered comparisons to the likes of Jaylen Brown and Pascal Siakam even before his time on G League Ignite. After putting up massive numbers in his first couple games, the hot takes began to fly, with some even proclaiming him to be deserving of the number one overall selection in the 2021 draft. But as the season continued and his efficiency and overall production fell precipitously, he saw his stock fall from a top 3 lock to some going as far to say he shouldn’t be picked in the top 10 or even top 14 (smirks). Given the Warriors’ experience with James Wiseman last year and indications that they were looking to add immediate impact players to their roster from the draft, their selection of Kuminga was somewhat surprising. However, minimizing the decisions he’ll have to make with the ball and avoiding issues stemming from his on-ball defensive deficiencies and general awareness by playing him as a small ball 5 could not only give the Warriors something useful out of him now but also pave the way for a clearer developmental pathway forward.
Pick #8: James Bouknight - Bulls
Grade: D
As the leading scorer on a UConn team lacking much talent of any sort, James Bouknight put up nearly 19 points a game on 45% shooting, leading his team to an NCAA Tournament appearance despite missing more than a month with an elbow injury. Using his elite body control and downhill athleticism, Bouknight made up for a shaky shot by getting into the paint and finishing in the paint and around the rim. Despite the attention he warranted from defenses, his passing game remains a work in progress, as occasional flashes of anticipatory reads are outweighed by poor decision-making in the paint and frequent forcing of bad shots. His biggest issues offensively are small hands that contribute to a loose handle and inconsistent shot mechanics that make contested shots especially challenging for him. He makes good use of a wide handle radius and sweeping left-right crossovers, but ball security and his transition play leave a bit to be desired. Defensively he’s not a total lost cause, but still routinely falls asleep off the ball, displays generally little effort, and gambles for steals. Making further use of his scoring gravity to cut toward the basket--a skill he developed at UConn--will be helpful if he ever joins LaMelo in Charlotte’s backcourt, although becoming a better spot-up shooter is also necessary.
Pick #9: Franz Wagner - Suns
Grade: B
Serving as a key component of Michigan’s stout Big 10 defense, Wagner anchored the Wolverines’ with his versatility and high feel. He displayed the ability to switch up or down a position, using his lateral quickness and size to hang with slightly quicker or bigger players. Among the best team defenders of the last two drafts, his court awareness coupled with elite anticipation and ground coverage led to numerous weakside blocks reminiscent of a certain Spurs rookie. While there is no doubt Wagner will contribute immensely for Orlando defensively, finding confidence in his shot will be imperative to him staying on the floor and possibly starting at the 3. Not lacking in the skill department, Wagner’s handle is functional and his elite touch makes up for contact aversion in the paint. He’s also capable of varied live-dribble passes, which are of great use for someone with his movement skills and size. However, he too frequently turns down open looks from deep, looking for the perfect shot rather than accepting the very good one. While his three point percentage invites skepticism, his high school shooting and free throw percentage eliminates concern. Taking more of these good looks from deep is necessary to create more gravity for himself, opening up avenues for his handle and driving lanes for teammates. On an Orlando team in desperate need of spacing, shooting will be the deciding skill for Wagner’s future.
Pick #10: Alperen Sengun - Suns
Grade : D-
The Houston Rockets’ draft strategy this year appeared to be a simple Best Player Available approach, as they loudly disregarded positional fit and basic developmental theory. With Christian Wood solidified in their frontcourt (barring a trade, of course), trading two future firsts for Sengun seemed to indicate their commitment to him as part of the team’s future. Unfortunately, this was a comically horrible decision. First, let’s establish what Sengun does well. He’s a patient, clever, experienced post player, employing excellent footwork and timely fakes to get clean looks at the rim. Patience serves him well in other ways, too, primarily through his post passing. But often he is too patient. He trudges away from his beloved dwelling under the basket to set screens at the top of the key. On defense, he rivals the likes of Obi Toppin, with a center of gravity closer to his head than his hips, feet like cinder blocks, and the urgency one might expect of someone evading a snail. Lounging under the basket, he’ll remain unperturbed as his assignment jogs out to the perimeter, and yet at times is still too slow to drag himself to the other side of the paint to contest a shot. His endurance is comparable to the average 63 year-old American, making rim-running a distant possibility; rim-lagging-behind-his-teammates would be a more appropriate description of Sengun crossing from one paint to the other.
Pick #11: Moses Moody - Pels
Grade: A+
Moses Moody had arguably the largest change in role from high school to college out of any one-and-done freshman this year. At Arkansas, Moody showed he can be much more than a spot-up shooter, demonstrating a fluid pull-up jumper, experienced foul-baiting, and flashes of playmaking. While his handle is impressive for someone who barely got to use it before making it to college, being more comfortable breaking down defenders off the dribble and expanding his handle radius could elevate his shot creation abilities. Subpar athleticism limits his finishing, but his combination of length and touch should be good enough to punish defenses who allow him into the paint. Given his reputation of a proficient, lanky shooter, those looking to label him a 3&D type have somewhat overrated his defense, and although he is above-average there, he needs to use his length more to make up for slower hips and lateral speed on the perimeter.
Pick #12: Tre Mann - Sixers
Grade: F
Watching Tre Mann play basketball only goes halfway in explaining why someone would choose to get a :100: emote shoulder tattoo, but it’s still worth an attempt to explain this decision. When I think about this emote in the context of basketball, I imagine a 13 year-old hypebeast, fully decked out in neon yellow Nike socks and shorts, a Nike shirt with the word “FREAK” in big letters across the chest and upper arms paler than a meringue pie. Crouching down to his knees, he brings the ball no more than a foot above the ground before exploding upward and launching threes from near half-court. Passing, of course, is an absurd idea never to be seriously entertained, defense merely a waste of time. Better to let the other team score and get the ball back sooner than expel effort to secure a lead. To Tre Mann’s credit, he does have a shifty handle and one of the better step-back threes, but awkwardly straddles the fence between lead guard and two guard; he’s not nearly a good enough passer to expect the ball to always be in his hands, nor a good enough cutter or perimeter relocator to play off ball. He’ll look to carve out a bench role on OKC, and could thrive as a shot-creator alongside players with too little leverage to speak up about his serious deficiencies on both sides of the court.
Pick #13: Jalen Johnson - Bucks
Grade: A+
Unfortunately for Jalen, his college career was cut short, seemingly due to his camp’s frustration with his lack of minutes and role on a Duke team that really should have made more of him. In the two games he played over 30 minutes in, he displayed his massive potential on both sides of the court in what are among the best two games of any college player this year. Against Coppin St. in Duke’s opener he put up 19/19/5/0/4 on perfect shooting (albeit with 7 turnovers) and later against Pitt an absurd 24/16/7/2/4 line with zero turnovers. Those searching for justification for lower rankings of him are quick to bring up drug usage allegations and a high school transfer onto a team that he never actually played for. While off-court mysteries will always be an outsized focus for fans, as Kevin Porter Jr. showed, talent weighs out. Jalen Johnson’s handle and passing are the best for anyone his size in this class, and despite inconsistent efforts defensively, his instincts, verticality, and awareness make him an elite secondary rim protector and help defender when locked in. A stiff, segmented shot produces awful misses, but the alignment gives hope that he can develop a reasonable spot-up 3 down the line. Atlanta’s forward position is loaded with talent and potential, but every team should be able to find a use for someone with Johnson’s two-way abilities.
Pick #14: Ziaire Williams - Sonics
Grade: A
Yet another example of a highly touted high school recruit encountering a series of obstacles in matching their expectations in college, Memphis’ near-spotless draft record will be put to the test with Ziaire Williams. From playing every game on the road to going into Covid protocol, Ziaire struggled to find his footing in Jerod Haase’s free-flowing motion offense. An acute lack of strength added to his struggles getting to the spots to take his signature contested jumpers, and slight imperfections in his shooting stroke gave him plenty of issues, as he finished at just 37% from the field and 29% from 3. Memphis’ development staff will be betting on his fluidity and touch as a wing creator, and his body control and decision-making will complement him nicely if he manages to find his shot. Adding weight will help defensively, too, where his robust efforts on and off the ball provide him another way to impact the game. Whether or not the Grizzlies elect to develop him in the G League or keep him in the NBA, an optimistic outcome for him has him slotting in nicely alongside the core of Ja and JJJ.
Pick #15: Usman Garuba - Wizards
Grade: A-
Heralded as the best defensive prospect of the class, Garuba will have no trouble serving as the backbone to Houston’s defense from the start. Despite being just 6’8, the soon-to-be former Real Madrid big man is a high-level rim protector, although he may well be better suited to play alongside a heftier frontcourt teammate a la Christian Wood. In addition to timely rotations and contests in the paint, his athletic attributes give him the ability to easily switch onto the perimeter; he has the footspeed to stay attached to wings and some guards, and the size and strength to match up with big forwards. While his shooting form and percentages fairly invite skepticism, he’ll be able to provide at least minimal offensive value as a roll man. He is among the better decision-makers of bigs in the class and is comfortable taking a couple dribbles before flying in for a dunk. Elevating his release point could help in making him a passable shooter, and even if he only shoots in the low 30s from deep he’ll provide enough spacing gravity to be a solid offensive player, with some handling and passing upside as well.
Pick #16: Josh Primo - Sonics
Grade: D
Although Primo had been gaining momentum in the days leading up to the draft and was considered a lock to see his name called in the first, the Spurs decision to take him at 12 over the likes of Alperen Sengun, Kai Jones, or Jalen Johnson came as a massive shock. As the draft’s youngest player, the Spurs development program will have plenty of time to mold him into a player worthy of a lottery selection, but that will be challenging in part because Primo doesn’t give them that much to work with. His current best skill is shooting, but a low dip and a slight left-to-right motion will necessitate some alterations. Adding strength and getting reps releasing at a higher release point will also help his pull-up game, which is the clearest path to offensive upside for him. He’ll also have to work on adding more moves off the dribble, using his body to sell crosses and hesis and become more comfortable with his left hand. Poor burst and vertical pop further inhibits his isolation scoring game, so if he is to become a threat off the bounce it is most likely to be outside the paint. Excellent length makes him a good on-ball defender, although his lack of strength hurts him here, too. Even on a Spurs team teeming with elite defenders, Primo’s off-ball lapses will only make it harder for him to find minutes in his first couple years, but at least he’s only 18, right?
Pick #17: Davion Mitchell - Thunder
Grade: D
Having seen his stock soar following a superb NCAA tournament, Davion somehow ended up on the Kings, a team that needed anything but a guard. His pesky defense will be of much help to a Sacramento team in dire need of just that, but his fit alongside Fox and Halliburton is questionable at best and impossible at worst. At only 6’1, he doesn’t have much hope to guard 3s, but if he can prove that his shooting his senior year at Baylor wasn’t a fluke, three-guard lineups won’t be out of the question, especially if the Kings make a move for Simmons or Siakam. Mitchell will hope to improve his pick and roll passing, learn to play at different speeds, and maybe add a floater, too.
Pick #18: Kai Jones - Wizards
Grade: D
Although Kai Jones’ fluidity and jaw-dropping dunks will excite Charlotte crowds, at the ripe age of 20 it’s well past concerning that his defense is as bad as it is. Cutting and the occasional dump-off pass remain the only argument that he doesn’t have the BBIQ of Javale McGee, but the frequency of missed rotations and ball-watching pose a solid case for the opposition. Charlotte’s severe lack of good defenders should stand in the way of Kai Jones becoming a starter barring a miraculous developmental journey, although James Borrego and co. could always just decide that LaMelo’s stats are of the utmost importance.
Pick #19: Keon Johnson - Thunder
Grade: B+
Even coming off a serious knee injury, Keon cemented himself as the best athlete in the class with high-flying dunks and mid-ranges released above the rim. Being as bursty and bouncy as him has its downsides, however, as it meant he never needed much of a handle to get past defenders nor the touch or ambidexterity to finish through contact. And although he is one of the best at pull-up 12 footers, his efficiency plummets the further out he goes; his shot from 3 lacks a consistent base and lower body mechanics, often resulting in bad misses. At 6’5, he should be able to guard 1-3, and with the best lateral quickness in the class will likely be tasked with the toughest matchup on defense.
Pick #20: Jaden Springer - Sonics
Grade: A+
Despite being only 18 and without any glaring weakness, Springer somehow fell to 28 on draft night, giving the Sixers yet another draft steal and a player who will be able to contribute immediately with significant upside down the road. His offensive game succeeds due to his elite strength and high release point, the two of which he makes use of to score efficiently in and around the paint. Although his handle and passing are both risk-averse, he makes the simple reads and is able to use his body to make space for himself when his handle doesn’t do quite enough. At Tennessee he shot very few 3s despite connecting on 44% of them; becoming more confident in shooting off the catch and off the dribble will open up other options for him offensively. Springer’s frame is also his best asset defensively, and combined with his hip speed and lateral quickness make him one of the best point of attack defenders in the class.
Pick #21: Bones Hyland - Bucks
Grade: C+
Bones is a certified Flamethrower ™, with the range and confidence to shoot it whenever he has the ball in the half court. The rest of his offensive game is mostly undeveloped, though, highlighted by a high handle, slow processing speed, and a thin frame. He has the most work to do defensively, where he’ll look to use his length to make up for awful screen evasion, ball-watching, and on-ball technique. He might be better suited at the 2, and playing alongside Monte Morris should make up for his defensive weakness and one-dimensional offensive game.
Pick #22: JT Thor - Sonics
Grade: A-
Owner of the best name in the draft, Thor saw his stock rise playing alongside Sharife, getting fed lobs and open 3s to highlight his strengths. News that he was actually a year younger than had previously been thought lessens some concerns about his decision-making and team defense. At 6’10, being able to shoot off the bounce as he can is enough to warrant a top 30 selection. Add in his movement skills and shot blocking technique and the matchup-nightmare two-way dominant big wing archetype that should have had the league drooling becomes painfully clear. Given his selection in the second round, he is unlikely to see major minutes early in his career, but developing in the G League should serve him well. A theme for the Hornets’ draft was surrounding LaMelo with play finishers, and should Thor ascend to NBA starter calibre his fit with LaMelo is unquestionably awesome.
Pick #23: Chris Duarte - Blazers
Grade: C-
At the age of 24, Chris Duarte will enter the league older than most of the 2018 draft class and some of the 2017 draftees as well. His 3&D appeal is undeniable, and he will no doubt be able to provide big minutes for Indiana from the start. His shooting however, isn’t as elite as the likes of Joe Wieskamp and Sam Hauser, and his defense isn’t near the level of Aaron Wiggins or Keon Johnson. He is moreso in the category of very good at everything; a useful rotation player but not good enough at any one thing to be a starter on a playoff team.
Pick #24: Corey Kispert - Bulls
Grade: C+
Corey Kispert isn’t the best shooter in the class, but his supplementary offensive skills make him more valuable than the pure shooter group. His handle is the definition of functional; not enough to create off the bounce but sufficient to attack closeouts and get all the way to the rim. His size and strength allow him to finish well, too, although he likely won’t be forced to do much besides shoot early on in his career. Defensively he surpasses shooting specialists, too, with the size and quickness to guard on the perimeter and a product of the Gonzaga coaching to keep him engaged off the ball. Washington’s forward rotation is slowly becoming clearer, and Kispert’s shooting gravity should give him plentiful minutes even if he doesn’t add much in other areas.
Pick #25: Jared Butler - Mavs
Grade: A+
Somewhat overshadowed by Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler’s role in Baylor’s championship season was widely understated, and despite a clearance from an NBA medical examination he saw himself fall to the Utah Jazz, who managed to snag him despite trading down. Butler’s offensive game starts with his shooting, which is inarguably elite, both off the dribble and the catch. He also possesses the tightest handle in the class, which he pairs with craft to penetrate and finish. While not the passer that Cade or Giddey is, he makes consistently good reads and can be trusted as a lead or complementary ball-handler. Defensively he checks all of the boxes as a proficient on ball defender and an engaged, high-level team defender. If all goes well in his first couple years, he could slide in alongside Mitchell in Utah’s backcourt as Conley fades out of the picture.
Pick #26: Josh Christopher - Kings
Grade: A
Arizona State’s wild, self-creation-oriented offense did little to help Christopher’s stock, but the electric, talented guard still had his moments of greatness. With a shifty handle and body fakes and stunts to go along with it, Christopher has immense upside as a creator. As an elite finisher and fundamentally sound pull-up shooter all of the pieces are there for the making of a successful scoring 2 guard. Where this archetype fits alongside Jalen Green remains to be seen, but Christopher’s defense should help him earn minutes on a young Houston team. If he can eliminate the left-to-right motion in his jumper and the forced long 2s and contested 3s, the talent between the 2 should outweigh their positional overlap.
Pick #27: Brandon Boston Jr. - Sonics
Grade: B+
Boston headlined Kentucky’s recruiting class as a consensus top 5 high school player, but suffered from the same Calipari syndrome that so many Kentucky one-and-dones have experienced over the years. He struggled with the physicality of SEC ball, and teammates including Devin Askew, Olivier Sarr, and Isaiah Jackson didn’t make life any easier. Adding weight should help Boston add to an impressive base of offensive skills, including an excellent handle and proven shooting ability. His pull-up shooting needs work, though, and adjusting his mechanics so his release is faster and closer to his body should enable him to more easily benefit from the open shots his handle creates. While defense shouldn’t be a major focus for the Clippers’ developmental; staff, Boston’s length and awareness is enough for him to be an average defender; anything more would be nice but meaningless if he doesn’t return to the form of the high school phenom he once was.
Pick #28: Trey Murphy III - Wizards
Grade: A
With a 50/40/90 season following a history of elite shooting and long arms creating hell on the wing, Murphy is one of few prospects labelled 3&D who is actually well above average at both the 3 and D. While he isn’t a threat as a movement shooter and his release from his shoulder minimizes some of the value being 6’9 should add, he brings exactly the elite spot-up shooting that Zion and the Pelicans need. Virginia’s positionally stringent defensive scheme didn’t allow Murphy to demonstrate much of any switchability, but being able to guard either forward position should be expected of him. Although he doesn’t add much outside of these two areas, the Pelicans don’t need him to do anything more, and providing two valuable things that the team desperately needs could make him a starter on day 1.
Pick #29: Kessler Edwards - Kings
Grade: A-
From the sparkling blue waters of Pepperdine to the bustling neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Kessler will hope his unorthodox shooting form doesn’t scare away Steve Nash and the rest of the Nets. Should his proven shooting record carry over, Kessler will be able to help the Nets as the best team defender at his position in the draft. His ability to switch between the 3 and 4, the occasional post hook, and the handle to take defenders off the dribble give him upside beyond the elite 3&D player he projects to be. With the departure of Jeff Green, Kessler would be an excellent option at the 4 to complement Brooklyn’s all-star core.
Pick #30: Sharife Cooper - Kings
Grade: A-
Sharife’s passing might be the single best skill in this year’s class. Size and shooting issues aside, how a player with legitimate primary creation upside fell to 48 will forever remain a mystery. Recent games in the Summer League and in workouts show that his shoulders have moved forward on his shots, leaving him with just lower body issues to work out. Despite his short stature, his handle enables him to penetrate with ease, where he can throw lobs, skip passes, or, his personal favorite, high-speed hooks to the corner lift shooter. He’ll most definitely never be a positive defender, but he manages to be in position just enough to not be unplayable. Should he find himself on a different team in the next couple of years, Sharife could lead a prolific offense with finesse and flair.
Pick #31: Santi Aldama - Raptors
Grade: C
The Grizzlies have found success lately drafting skilled, older prospects with clear NBA skills and finding ways to utilize them in their rotation. Aldama’s level of competition does put into question how translatable his production will really be, but the combination of shooting, handling, and touch is a slight improvement over Killian Tillie. Use him in the pick and roll as the ball handler or roll man and good things should happen, or simply as a spacer off the bench who can make the right pass when the ball finds him. His length helps defensively, and adding weight will help even more; he moves his feet fairly well and generally makes the right rotations. Although Memphis has no shortage of useful bigs, Aldama’s offensive skills might just be enough to carve out minutes.
Pick #32: Isaiah Todd - Celtics
Grade: F
Isaiah Todd might have been worthy of an early second round pick in a different year, but his combination of size, shooting, and poor defense is an archetype of which there was a surplus of this year. Playing in the G League seemed to have helped his stock, where despite unimpressive percentages he impressed with flashes of tough shot-making and hitting open 3s. Their team’s defensive coaching was clearly in need of serious change, but Todd’s high school career doesn’t provide much optimism there, either. If he manages to turn the flashes of turn-around fades and 30+ foot makes into real skills, his defensive shortcomings will be ignored and Bertans’ role would be under pressure.
Team Grades:
Dallas (Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jared Butler) : A+
Milwaukee (Jalen Green, Jalen Johnson, Bones Hyland) : A-
Minnesota (Jalen Suggs) : A
Philadelphia (Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Tre Mann) : C-
Phoenix (Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner, Alperen Sengun) : B-
Chicago (James Bouknight, Corey Kispert) : D+
New Orleans (Moses Moody) : A+
Seattle (Ziaire Williams, Josh Primo, Jaden Springer, JT Thor, Brandon Boston Jr) : A-
Washington (Usman Garuba, Kai Jones, Trey Murphy III) : B
Oklahoma City (Davion Mitchell, Kai Jones) : C
Portland (Chris Duarte) : C-
Sacramento (Josh Christopher, Kessler Edwards, Sharife Cooper) : A
Toronto (Santi Aldama) : C
Boston (Isiah Todd) : F
It should be noted that grades are given in comparison to the “obvious” pick, which are considered to be the highest NBA-drafted remaining player. Making this pick when it is also the best is rewarded just the same, and additional points are given to good picks of players drafted well below that spot in the NBA. Accordingly, reaching and making a bad pick is punished more than making a bad pick that is also the obvious one.
Pick #1: Cade Cunningham - Mavs
Grade: A
There’s not much that needs to be said about this pick, but Cade is fun to talk about so I’ll write a bit about him. Listed at 6’8 and 220 at Oklahoma State, Cade has the size and the skill to be the next game-changing, franchise-altering, all-star-game-making jumbo-playmaker type to take the NBA by storm. Trolls and morons alike have pointed to his negative assist-to-turnover ratio as indicating overrated or lacking passing abilities, but watching one game of his quickly puts to bed these notions. Shooting 40% from 3 5.7 attempts per game, Cade is also one of the best shooting prospects in the class, demonstrating the ability to hit off difficult 3s the dribble, above contests, and from deep range. At Monteverde High School, Cade commandeered a high-flying offense with fellow first round picks Scottie Barnes, Moses Moody, and Day’Ron Sharpe, throwing between-the-leg passes and pin-point lobs from all corners of the hardwood. While Cade won’t have quite the level of talent at Detroit that he did at Monteverde (no offense to Jerami Grant and co.), he demonstrated at Oklahoma State that he can still lead a successful offense without talent surrounding him. Defensively Cade is no slouch either, making timely rotations and using his size to body up bigger wings. While 15 of the 16 members of Guru would probably prefer Cade to be going to some other team, we can at least appreciate a franchise cornerstone joining a Pistons roster in need of high end talent.
Pick #2: Evan Mobley - Mavs
Grade: A+
Mobley was one of many prospects to see their stocks mysteriously fall during the pre-draft process, dropping from consensus number two to number three. Rather than join Christian Wood in the Houston frontcourt, he’ll likely slot in at the 4 alongside an interesting group of Cleveland youngsters. While his rim protection skills overlap with those of Jarret Allen , his perimeter defense and various offensive abilities should help to elevate the team on both ends of the floor. Developing his perimeter shot will be key to open up driving lanes for Sexton and Okoro, as neither the rookie forward nor Allen are currently serious shooting threats from outside the arc. Mobley’s 69% free throw percentage and 46% mark on two-point jumpers suggest moving out his shot is more than possible, and for the time being he’ll be able to provide offensive value with his post scoring and passing as well as being a lob threat and pick and roll partner to Garland and Sexton. At USC, Mobley thrived with more offensive usage, leading his team to a Sweet 16 appearance and winning Pac-12 Player of the Year, Pac 12 Rookie of the Year, and Pac-12 Defensive player of the year awards, the first player to ever win all three in the same season.
Pick #3: Jalen Green - Bucks
Grade: A-
As the first player to be drafted out of G League Ignite, Jalen Green’s offensive production against former NBA players and international stars is probably the most concise argument in favor of him. Green’s burst helps him get downhill and to the rim where his elite vertical explosion, body control, and hang time allows him to finish through touch contests. However, his reliance on simply flying past defenders means his handle is slightly underdeveloped; he can’t always break down defenders and get to his spots. Still, his gravity as a pull-up shooter and improvements as a reactive passer will prove a challenge for defenders trying to cut off all scoring avenues for him or his teammates. He has the most room to grow defensively, where he too often falls asleep off the ball and doesn’t consistently rotate. His athletic gifts provide him with an enviable ceiling, though, but the offensive usage he’ll likely inherit on Houston could pose an obstacle to his defensive development if he decides to embrace the Zach Lavine archetype.
Pick #4: Jalen Suggs - Wolves
Grade: A
Following the first major surprise of NBA draft night, the Orlando Magic’s rebuild received a significant boost with the addition of Jalen Suggs, leader of the historically productive Gonzaga offense. Joining Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, and RJ Hampton in the Orlando backcourt, Suggs will no doubt steal one of the starting guard roles, adding high-level passing, shaky shooting, and elite defense to an intriguing young core. Orlando’s notorious lack of spacing could make things difficult for Suggs who is at his best in a free-flowing, well-spaced offense, although he’ll undoubtedly thrive next to high-feel players like Wagner, and WCJ. Like Green, Suggs thrives in transition, where issues stemming from his undeveloped handle are minimized and his elite straight-line speed and vertical pop can be fully optimized.
Pick #5: Josh Giddey - Sixers
Grade: B
Sam Presti’s adoration of funky international players was once again on full show with this pick, surprising many who had swallowed the rumors of Bouknight or Kuminga. Whether he envisioned Giddey alongside SGA in the backcourt or at the 3 remains unclear, but either way his offensive skill set will provide the team with much needed passing prowess. Giddey’s best skill is easily his playmaking, which is assisted by his 6’7 frame and elite court awareness. While his poor finishing and handle inhibit his ability to penetrate and accept all space granted to him, his passing acumen will be much appreciated on a Thunder roster in need of high-level skills of any sort. Defense remains a work in progress for the Aussie, but flashes of advanced positioning and size give him potential to be at least a non-negative on that side of the court. Ironing out his shot will also be key in adding to his scoring gravity, but there’s enough to work with there that Thunder fans should be confident in his shooting development.
Pick #6: Scottie Barnes - Suns
Grade: A
The Toronto Raptors surprised everyone by passing on Jalen Suggs, who was seen by many as the perfect fit into a Raptors team with a surplus of forwards and wings. Instead, they opted for Scottie Barnes, who impressed in interviews and workouts with his contagious energy and high-level character. One of several elite Florida State defenders of the last couple draft classes, Barnes will no doubt provide even more switchable on ball defense to this Toronto team. And despite his verticality struggles, his length and ground coverage make him a strong team defender. Offensively most would point to his shot as the clear area for growth, but if Nick Nurse elects to use him as a lead ball-handler, ironing out his decision-making and improving his athleticism and handle to create advantages off the dribble will be important as well.
Pick #7 : Jonathan Kuminga - Sixers
Grade: D+
As an athletically gifted wing who relied on strength, body control, and contact absorption to get to his spots in the paint and finish, Kuminga was as intriguing a prospect as any coming out of high school. Add in the fact that he lacked a consistent three-point shot and was thus labelled “raw”, Kuminga garnered comparisons to the likes of Jaylen Brown and Pascal Siakam even before his time on G League Ignite. After putting up massive numbers in his first couple games, the hot takes began to fly, with some even proclaiming him to be deserving of the number one overall selection in the 2021 draft. But as the season continued and his efficiency and overall production fell precipitously, he saw his stock fall from a top 3 lock to some going as far to say he shouldn’t be picked in the top 10 or even top 14 (smirks). Given the Warriors’ experience with James Wiseman last year and indications that they were looking to add immediate impact players to their roster from the draft, their selection of Kuminga was somewhat surprising. However, minimizing the decisions he’ll have to make with the ball and avoiding issues stemming from his on-ball defensive deficiencies and general awareness by playing him as a small ball 5 could not only give the Warriors something useful out of him now but also pave the way for a clearer developmental pathway forward.
Pick #8: James Bouknight - Bulls
Grade: D
As the leading scorer on a UConn team lacking much talent of any sort, James Bouknight put up nearly 19 points a game on 45% shooting, leading his team to an NCAA Tournament appearance despite missing more than a month with an elbow injury. Using his elite body control and downhill athleticism, Bouknight made up for a shaky shot by getting into the paint and finishing in the paint and around the rim. Despite the attention he warranted from defenses, his passing game remains a work in progress, as occasional flashes of anticipatory reads are outweighed by poor decision-making in the paint and frequent forcing of bad shots. His biggest issues offensively are small hands that contribute to a loose handle and inconsistent shot mechanics that make contested shots especially challenging for him. He makes good use of a wide handle radius and sweeping left-right crossovers, but ball security and his transition play leave a bit to be desired. Defensively he’s not a total lost cause, but still routinely falls asleep off the ball, displays generally little effort, and gambles for steals. Making further use of his scoring gravity to cut toward the basket--a skill he developed at UConn--will be helpful if he ever joins LaMelo in Charlotte’s backcourt, although becoming a better spot-up shooter is also necessary.
Pick #9: Franz Wagner - Suns
Grade: B
Serving as a key component of Michigan’s stout Big 10 defense, Wagner anchored the Wolverines’ with his versatility and high feel. He displayed the ability to switch up or down a position, using his lateral quickness and size to hang with slightly quicker or bigger players. Among the best team defenders of the last two drafts, his court awareness coupled with elite anticipation and ground coverage led to numerous weakside blocks reminiscent of a certain Spurs rookie. While there is no doubt Wagner will contribute immensely for Orlando defensively, finding confidence in his shot will be imperative to him staying on the floor and possibly starting at the 3. Not lacking in the skill department, Wagner’s handle is functional and his elite touch makes up for contact aversion in the paint. He’s also capable of varied live-dribble passes, which are of great use for someone with his movement skills and size. However, he too frequently turns down open looks from deep, looking for the perfect shot rather than accepting the very good one. While his three point percentage invites skepticism, his high school shooting and free throw percentage eliminates concern. Taking more of these good looks from deep is necessary to create more gravity for himself, opening up avenues for his handle and driving lanes for teammates. On an Orlando team in desperate need of spacing, shooting will be the deciding skill for Wagner’s future.
Pick #10: Alperen Sengun - Suns
Grade : D-
The Houston Rockets’ draft strategy this year appeared to be a simple Best Player Available approach, as they loudly disregarded positional fit and basic developmental theory. With Christian Wood solidified in their frontcourt (barring a trade, of course), trading two future firsts for Sengun seemed to indicate their commitment to him as part of the team’s future. Unfortunately, this was a comically horrible decision. First, let’s establish what Sengun does well. He’s a patient, clever, experienced post player, employing excellent footwork and timely fakes to get clean looks at the rim. Patience serves him well in other ways, too, primarily through his post passing. But often he is too patient. He trudges away from his beloved dwelling under the basket to set screens at the top of the key. On defense, he rivals the likes of Obi Toppin, with a center of gravity closer to his head than his hips, feet like cinder blocks, and the urgency one might expect of someone evading a snail. Lounging under the basket, he’ll remain unperturbed as his assignment jogs out to the perimeter, and yet at times is still too slow to drag himself to the other side of the paint to contest a shot. His endurance is comparable to the average 63 year-old American, making rim-running a distant possibility; rim-lagging-behind-his-teammates would be a more appropriate description of Sengun crossing from one paint to the other.
Pick #11: Moses Moody - Pels
Grade: A+
Moses Moody had arguably the largest change in role from high school to college out of any one-and-done freshman this year. At Arkansas, Moody showed he can be much more than a spot-up shooter, demonstrating a fluid pull-up jumper, experienced foul-baiting, and flashes of playmaking. While his handle is impressive for someone who barely got to use it before making it to college, being more comfortable breaking down defenders off the dribble and expanding his handle radius could elevate his shot creation abilities. Subpar athleticism limits his finishing, but his combination of length and touch should be good enough to punish defenses who allow him into the paint. Given his reputation of a proficient, lanky shooter, those looking to label him a 3&D type have somewhat overrated his defense, and although he is above-average there, he needs to use his length more to make up for slower hips and lateral speed on the perimeter.
Pick #12: Tre Mann - Sixers
Grade: F
Watching Tre Mann play basketball only goes halfway in explaining why someone would choose to get a :100: emote shoulder tattoo, but it’s still worth an attempt to explain this decision. When I think about this emote in the context of basketball, I imagine a 13 year-old hypebeast, fully decked out in neon yellow Nike socks and shorts, a Nike shirt with the word “FREAK” in big letters across the chest and upper arms paler than a meringue pie. Crouching down to his knees, he brings the ball no more than a foot above the ground before exploding upward and launching threes from near half-court. Passing, of course, is an absurd idea never to be seriously entertained, defense merely a waste of time. Better to let the other team score and get the ball back sooner than expel effort to secure a lead. To Tre Mann’s credit, he does have a shifty handle and one of the better step-back threes, but awkwardly straddles the fence between lead guard and two guard; he’s not nearly a good enough passer to expect the ball to always be in his hands, nor a good enough cutter or perimeter relocator to play off ball. He’ll look to carve out a bench role on OKC, and could thrive as a shot-creator alongside players with too little leverage to speak up about his serious deficiencies on both sides of the court.
Pick #13: Jalen Johnson - Bucks
Grade: A+
Unfortunately for Jalen, his college career was cut short, seemingly due to his camp’s frustration with his lack of minutes and role on a Duke team that really should have made more of him. In the two games he played over 30 minutes in, he displayed his massive potential on both sides of the court in what are among the best two games of any college player this year. Against Coppin St. in Duke’s opener he put up 19/19/5/0/4 on perfect shooting (albeit with 7 turnovers) and later against Pitt an absurd 24/16/7/2/4 line with zero turnovers. Those searching for justification for lower rankings of him are quick to bring up drug usage allegations and a high school transfer onto a team that he never actually played for. While off-court mysteries will always be an outsized focus for fans, as Kevin Porter Jr. showed, talent weighs out. Jalen Johnson’s handle and passing are the best for anyone his size in this class, and despite inconsistent efforts defensively, his instincts, verticality, and awareness make him an elite secondary rim protector and help defender when locked in. A stiff, segmented shot produces awful misses, but the alignment gives hope that he can develop a reasonable spot-up 3 down the line. Atlanta’s forward position is loaded with talent and potential, but every team should be able to find a use for someone with Johnson’s two-way abilities.
Pick #14: Ziaire Williams - Sonics
Grade: A
Yet another example of a highly touted high school recruit encountering a series of obstacles in matching their expectations in college, Memphis’ near-spotless draft record will be put to the test with Ziaire Williams. From playing every game on the road to going into Covid protocol, Ziaire struggled to find his footing in Jerod Haase’s free-flowing motion offense. An acute lack of strength added to his struggles getting to the spots to take his signature contested jumpers, and slight imperfections in his shooting stroke gave him plenty of issues, as he finished at just 37% from the field and 29% from 3. Memphis’ development staff will be betting on his fluidity and touch as a wing creator, and his body control and decision-making will complement him nicely if he manages to find his shot. Adding weight will help defensively, too, where his robust efforts on and off the ball provide him another way to impact the game. Whether or not the Grizzlies elect to develop him in the G League or keep him in the NBA, an optimistic outcome for him has him slotting in nicely alongside the core of Ja and JJJ.
Pick #15: Usman Garuba - Wizards
Grade: A-
Heralded as the best defensive prospect of the class, Garuba will have no trouble serving as the backbone to Houston’s defense from the start. Despite being just 6’8, the soon-to-be former Real Madrid big man is a high-level rim protector, although he may well be better suited to play alongside a heftier frontcourt teammate a la Christian Wood. In addition to timely rotations and contests in the paint, his athletic attributes give him the ability to easily switch onto the perimeter; he has the footspeed to stay attached to wings and some guards, and the size and strength to match up with big forwards. While his shooting form and percentages fairly invite skepticism, he’ll be able to provide at least minimal offensive value as a roll man. He is among the better decision-makers of bigs in the class and is comfortable taking a couple dribbles before flying in for a dunk. Elevating his release point could help in making him a passable shooter, and even if he only shoots in the low 30s from deep he’ll provide enough spacing gravity to be a solid offensive player, with some handling and passing upside as well.
Pick #16: Josh Primo - Sonics
Grade: D
Although Primo had been gaining momentum in the days leading up to the draft and was considered a lock to see his name called in the first, the Spurs decision to take him at 12 over the likes of Alperen Sengun, Kai Jones, or Jalen Johnson came as a massive shock. As the draft’s youngest player, the Spurs development program will have plenty of time to mold him into a player worthy of a lottery selection, but that will be challenging in part because Primo doesn’t give them that much to work with. His current best skill is shooting, but a low dip and a slight left-to-right motion will necessitate some alterations. Adding strength and getting reps releasing at a higher release point will also help his pull-up game, which is the clearest path to offensive upside for him. He’ll also have to work on adding more moves off the dribble, using his body to sell crosses and hesis and become more comfortable with his left hand. Poor burst and vertical pop further inhibits his isolation scoring game, so if he is to become a threat off the bounce it is most likely to be outside the paint. Excellent length makes him a good on-ball defender, although his lack of strength hurts him here, too. Even on a Spurs team teeming with elite defenders, Primo’s off-ball lapses will only make it harder for him to find minutes in his first couple years, but at least he’s only 18, right?
Pick #17: Davion Mitchell - Thunder
Grade: D
Having seen his stock soar following a superb NCAA tournament, Davion somehow ended up on the Kings, a team that needed anything but a guard. His pesky defense will be of much help to a Sacramento team in dire need of just that, but his fit alongside Fox and Halliburton is questionable at best and impossible at worst. At only 6’1, he doesn’t have much hope to guard 3s, but if he can prove that his shooting his senior year at Baylor wasn’t a fluke, three-guard lineups won’t be out of the question, especially if the Kings make a move for Simmons or Siakam. Mitchell will hope to improve his pick and roll passing, learn to play at different speeds, and maybe add a floater, too.
Pick #18: Kai Jones - Wizards
Grade: D
Although Kai Jones’ fluidity and jaw-dropping dunks will excite Charlotte crowds, at the ripe age of 20 it’s well past concerning that his defense is as bad as it is. Cutting and the occasional dump-off pass remain the only argument that he doesn’t have the BBIQ of Javale McGee, but the frequency of missed rotations and ball-watching pose a solid case for the opposition. Charlotte’s severe lack of good defenders should stand in the way of Kai Jones becoming a starter barring a miraculous developmental journey, although James Borrego and co. could always just decide that LaMelo’s stats are of the utmost importance.
Pick #19: Keon Johnson - Thunder
Grade: B+
Even coming off a serious knee injury, Keon cemented himself as the best athlete in the class with high-flying dunks and mid-ranges released above the rim. Being as bursty and bouncy as him has its downsides, however, as it meant he never needed much of a handle to get past defenders nor the touch or ambidexterity to finish through contact. And although he is one of the best at pull-up 12 footers, his efficiency plummets the further out he goes; his shot from 3 lacks a consistent base and lower body mechanics, often resulting in bad misses. At 6’5, he should be able to guard 1-3, and with the best lateral quickness in the class will likely be tasked with the toughest matchup on defense.
Pick #20: Jaden Springer - Sonics
Grade: A+
Despite being only 18 and without any glaring weakness, Springer somehow fell to 28 on draft night, giving the Sixers yet another draft steal and a player who will be able to contribute immediately with significant upside down the road. His offensive game succeeds due to his elite strength and high release point, the two of which he makes use of to score efficiently in and around the paint. Although his handle and passing are both risk-averse, he makes the simple reads and is able to use his body to make space for himself when his handle doesn’t do quite enough. At Tennessee he shot very few 3s despite connecting on 44% of them; becoming more confident in shooting off the catch and off the dribble will open up other options for him offensively. Springer’s frame is also his best asset defensively, and combined with his hip speed and lateral quickness make him one of the best point of attack defenders in the class.
Pick #21: Bones Hyland - Bucks
Grade: C+
Bones is a certified Flamethrower ™, with the range and confidence to shoot it whenever he has the ball in the half court. The rest of his offensive game is mostly undeveloped, though, highlighted by a high handle, slow processing speed, and a thin frame. He has the most work to do defensively, where he’ll look to use his length to make up for awful screen evasion, ball-watching, and on-ball technique. He might be better suited at the 2, and playing alongside Monte Morris should make up for his defensive weakness and one-dimensional offensive game.
Pick #22: JT Thor - Sonics
Grade: A-
Owner of the best name in the draft, Thor saw his stock rise playing alongside Sharife, getting fed lobs and open 3s to highlight his strengths. News that he was actually a year younger than had previously been thought lessens some concerns about his decision-making and team defense. At 6’10, being able to shoot off the bounce as he can is enough to warrant a top 30 selection. Add in his movement skills and shot blocking technique and the matchup-nightmare two-way dominant big wing archetype that should have had the league drooling becomes painfully clear. Given his selection in the second round, he is unlikely to see major minutes early in his career, but developing in the G League should serve him well. A theme for the Hornets’ draft was surrounding LaMelo with play finishers, and should Thor ascend to NBA starter calibre his fit with LaMelo is unquestionably awesome.
Pick #23: Chris Duarte - Blazers
Grade: C-
At the age of 24, Chris Duarte will enter the league older than most of the 2018 draft class and some of the 2017 draftees as well. His 3&D appeal is undeniable, and he will no doubt be able to provide big minutes for Indiana from the start. His shooting however, isn’t as elite as the likes of Joe Wieskamp and Sam Hauser, and his defense isn’t near the level of Aaron Wiggins or Keon Johnson. He is moreso in the category of very good at everything; a useful rotation player but not good enough at any one thing to be a starter on a playoff team.
Pick #24: Corey Kispert - Bulls
Grade: C+
Corey Kispert isn’t the best shooter in the class, but his supplementary offensive skills make him more valuable than the pure shooter group. His handle is the definition of functional; not enough to create off the bounce but sufficient to attack closeouts and get all the way to the rim. His size and strength allow him to finish well, too, although he likely won’t be forced to do much besides shoot early on in his career. Defensively he surpasses shooting specialists, too, with the size and quickness to guard on the perimeter and a product of the Gonzaga coaching to keep him engaged off the ball. Washington’s forward rotation is slowly becoming clearer, and Kispert’s shooting gravity should give him plentiful minutes even if he doesn’t add much in other areas.
Pick #25: Jared Butler - Mavs
Grade: A+
Somewhat overshadowed by Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler’s role in Baylor’s championship season was widely understated, and despite a clearance from an NBA medical examination he saw himself fall to the Utah Jazz, who managed to snag him despite trading down. Butler’s offensive game starts with his shooting, which is inarguably elite, both off the dribble and the catch. He also possesses the tightest handle in the class, which he pairs with craft to penetrate and finish. While not the passer that Cade or Giddey is, he makes consistently good reads and can be trusted as a lead or complementary ball-handler. Defensively he checks all of the boxes as a proficient on ball defender and an engaged, high-level team defender. If all goes well in his first couple years, he could slide in alongside Mitchell in Utah’s backcourt as Conley fades out of the picture.
Pick #26: Josh Christopher - Kings
Grade: A
Arizona State’s wild, self-creation-oriented offense did little to help Christopher’s stock, but the electric, talented guard still had his moments of greatness. With a shifty handle and body fakes and stunts to go along with it, Christopher has immense upside as a creator. As an elite finisher and fundamentally sound pull-up shooter all of the pieces are there for the making of a successful scoring 2 guard. Where this archetype fits alongside Jalen Green remains to be seen, but Christopher’s defense should help him earn minutes on a young Houston team. If he can eliminate the left-to-right motion in his jumper and the forced long 2s and contested 3s, the talent between the 2 should outweigh their positional overlap.
Pick #27: Brandon Boston Jr. - Sonics
Grade: B+
Boston headlined Kentucky’s recruiting class as a consensus top 5 high school player, but suffered from the same Calipari syndrome that so many Kentucky one-and-dones have experienced over the years. He struggled with the physicality of SEC ball, and teammates including Devin Askew, Olivier Sarr, and Isaiah Jackson didn’t make life any easier. Adding weight should help Boston add to an impressive base of offensive skills, including an excellent handle and proven shooting ability. His pull-up shooting needs work, though, and adjusting his mechanics so his release is faster and closer to his body should enable him to more easily benefit from the open shots his handle creates. While defense shouldn’t be a major focus for the Clippers’ developmental; staff, Boston’s length and awareness is enough for him to be an average defender; anything more would be nice but meaningless if he doesn’t return to the form of the high school phenom he once was.
Pick #28: Trey Murphy III - Wizards
Grade: A
With a 50/40/90 season following a history of elite shooting and long arms creating hell on the wing, Murphy is one of few prospects labelled 3&D who is actually well above average at both the 3 and D. While he isn’t a threat as a movement shooter and his release from his shoulder minimizes some of the value being 6’9 should add, he brings exactly the elite spot-up shooting that Zion and the Pelicans need. Virginia’s positionally stringent defensive scheme didn’t allow Murphy to demonstrate much of any switchability, but being able to guard either forward position should be expected of him. Although he doesn’t add much outside of these two areas, the Pelicans don’t need him to do anything more, and providing two valuable things that the team desperately needs could make him a starter on day 1.
Pick #29: Kessler Edwards - Kings
Grade: A-
From the sparkling blue waters of Pepperdine to the bustling neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Kessler will hope his unorthodox shooting form doesn’t scare away Steve Nash and the rest of the Nets. Should his proven shooting record carry over, Kessler will be able to help the Nets as the best team defender at his position in the draft. His ability to switch between the 3 and 4, the occasional post hook, and the handle to take defenders off the dribble give him upside beyond the elite 3&D player he projects to be. With the departure of Jeff Green, Kessler would be an excellent option at the 4 to complement Brooklyn’s all-star core.
Pick #30: Sharife Cooper - Kings
Grade: A-
Sharife’s passing might be the single best skill in this year’s class. Size and shooting issues aside, how a player with legitimate primary creation upside fell to 48 will forever remain a mystery. Recent games in the Summer League and in workouts show that his shoulders have moved forward on his shots, leaving him with just lower body issues to work out. Despite his short stature, his handle enables him to penetrate with ease, where he can throw lobs, skip passes, or, his personal favorite, high-speed hooks to the corner lift shooter. He’ll most definitely never be a positive defender, but he manages to be in position just enough to not be unplayable. Should he find himself on a different team in the next couple of years, Sharife could lead a prolific offense with finesse and flair.
Pick #31: Santi Aldama - Raptors
Grade: C
The Grizzlies have found success lately drafting skilled, older prospects with clear NBA skills and finding ways to utilize them in their rotation. Aldama’s level of competition does put into question how translatable his production will really be, but the combination of shooting, handling, and touch is a slight improvement over Killian Tillie. Use him in the pick and roll as the ball handler or roll man and good things should happen, or simply as a spacer off the bench who can make the right pass when the ball finds him. His length helps defensively, and adding weight will help even more; he moves his feet fairly well and generally makes the right rotations. Although Memphis has no shortage of useful bigs, Aldama’s offensive skills might just be enough to carve out minutes.
Pick #32: Isaiah Todd - Celtics
Grade: F
Isaiah Todd might have been worthy of an early second round pick in a different year, but his combination of size, shooting, and poor defense is an archetype of which there was a surplus of this year. Playing in the G League seemed to have helped his stock, where despite unimpressive percentages he impressed with flashes of tough shot-making and hitting open 3s. Their team’s defensive coaching was clearly in need of serious change, but Todd’s high school career doesn’t provide much optimism there, either. If he manages to turn the flashes of turn-around fades and 30+ foot makes into real skills, his defensive shortcomings will be ignored and Bertans’ role would be under pressure.
Team Grades:
Dallas (Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jared Butler) : A+
Milwaukee (Jalen Green, Jalen Johnson, Bones Hyland) : A-
Minnesota (Jalen Suggs) : A
Philadelphia (Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Tre Mann) : C-
Phoenix (Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner, Alperen Sengun) : B-
Chicago (James Bouknight, Corey Kispert) : D+
New Orleans (Moses Moody) : A+
Seattle (Ziaire Williams, Josh Primo, Jaden Springer, JT Thor, Brandon Boston Jr) : A-
Washington (Usman Garuba, Kai Jones, Trey Murphy III) : B
Oklahoma City (Davion Mitchell, Kai Jones) : C
Portland (Chris Duarte) : C-
Sacramento (Josh Christopher, Kessler Edwards, Sharife Cooper) : A
Toronto (Santi Aldama) : C
Boston (Isiah Todd) : F