Philadelphia 76ers: N/A
Draft Picks: none
The 76ers entered the night with one draft pick (No. 23). Instead of dipping their hand into the draft pool, Philadelphia dealt the pick (plus Danny Green’s contract) to Memphis for De’Anthony Melton. Melton is a defensive-minded four-year veteran who can guard multiple positions across the wing. He gives the 76ers another strong athlete (who is still just 24 years old) to pair alongside Joel Embiid and James Harden. Additionally, Melton has shot just under 39-percent on his three-point attempts over the last two seasons. He’ll take over a majority of Green’s minutes.
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Brooklyn Nets: N/A
Draft Picks: none
The Nets didn’t have any picks heading into Thursday, but that didn’t stop them from being one of the main headlines of the night. The proverbial elephant in the room is Brooklyn’s ongoing saga with stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Reports prior to the draft indicated that Irving was prepared to search for a new team if he could not come to a long-term agreement with the Nets. As a result, some pundits pondered if Irving being moved would lead to Durant second-guessing his future with the club. Nothing materialized on draft night, but it’s certainly a situation to monitor over the coming week.
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Phoenix Suns: N/A
Draft Picks: none
Equipped with zero picks, the Suns have taken a different approach to team-building in recent years. Phoenix has eschewed the draft, seemingly looking forward to free agency to plug any holes on its roster. The biggest question mark remains Deandre Ayton’s future with the team. The reality of Phoenix’s situation is that a first-year player likely won’t help their current title aspirations. With Chris Paul’s advanced age, the Suns will need to find a satisfying sign-and-trade partner for Ayton and dominate free agency for a chance to return to the NBA Finals.
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Utah Jazz: N/A
Draft Picks: none
Utah traded their first-round pick to Memphis in the deal which netted them Mike Conley Jr. They traded their second-round pick to New Orleans two years ago for the rights to Elijah Hughes. Hughes played in 32 games for the Jazz before being shipped to Portland. Conley Jr. averaged 9.2 PPG in Utah’s short playoff run, and seemingly hasn’t been a perfect match in the backcourt with the defensively-averse Donovan Mitchell. However, the Jazz made sure to be highly active in the UDFA market. Following the conclusion of the draft, Utah came to terms with a pair of high-profile NCAA talents — UCLA scorer Johnny Juzang and Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn.
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Orlando Magic: A
Draft Picks: Paolo Banchero (1), Caleb Houstan (32)
The Magic stunned everybody to kick off draft night. After hearing Orlando was targeting Jabari Smith Jr. with the No. 1 overall pick all week, the Magic swerved and opted for Duke’s Paolo Banchero. It came as a surprise after it was reported the Magic hadn’t even had a face-to-face conversation with Banchero prior to the pick. Was it all a ploy to fool the other teams in the lottery? Or, did the Magic truly have a last-minute change of heart? We may never know, but Banchero is a premier talent who will immediately contribute for his new team.
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Oklahoma City Thunder: A+
Draft Picks: Chet Holmgren (2), Ousmane Dieng (11), Jalen Williams (12), Jaylin Williams (34)
Orlando’s shocking pick didn’t seem to throw OKC off their plan. From early on in the process, it was made abundantly clear that Thunder GM Sam Presti was enamored with Gonzaga’s unicorn Chet Holmgren. The lanky 7-footer has the potential to become a two-way phenom with his shot-blocking ability, three-point shot, and elite ball handle for a player his size. The Thunder weren’t done there, making a splash trade to acquire the No. 11 pick from the New York Knicks to draft France’s Ousmane Dieng. Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams are not related, but they each add value with OKC’s final two picks — Jalen as a scorer and Jaylin as an interior defender/playmaker.
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Houston Rockets: A
Draft Picks: Jabari Smith (3), Tari Eason (17), TyTy Washington (29)
They may have been preparing for Paolo, but the Rockets got themselves an elite talent in Jabari Smith Jr. The Auburn sharpshooter should be a nice piece playing off-the-ball alongside last year’s No. 2 pick Jalen Green. Defensively, Smith Jr. and Tari Eason should add plenty of versatility and athleticism in the frontcourt. At the back-end of the first round, Houston scooped up Kentucky’s TyTy Washington (who some projected to go within the first 20 picks). He’ll add some scoring punch on the bench, and could eventually take over Kevin Porter Jr’s. role in the starting backcourt next to Green.
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Sacramento Kings: B
Draft Picks: Keegan Murray (4)
Iowa’s Keegan Murray projects to be a quality NBA player. He does a bit of everything, and had no problem filling in different roles for the Hawkeyes. The Kings need as many winning players as they can get, and Murray projects to be a winning player. However, it’s hard to look past Sacramento potentially skipping over a game-breaking lead guard in Jaden Ivey. Sure, the fit next to De’Aaron Fox might have been clunky, but a team like Sacramento must swing for the fences for a chance to compete. This has the potential of a ‘Marvin Bagley over Luka Doncic’ situation. And, we see how that turned out for the Kings.
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Detroit Pistons: A+
Draft Picks: Jaden Ivey (5), Jalen Duren (13), Gabriele Procida (36)
The draft could not have broken better for Detroit. With the Kings skipping on Ivey due to their reluctance to pair him with De’Aaron Fox, the Pistons had no qualms with adding the Purdue standout to a backcourt which features last year’s No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham. Now, Detroit has a chance to have one of the most explosive guard tandems in all of basketball. At center, Memphis’ Jalen Duren will have a chance to start over Isaiah Stewart. Both Ivey and Duren were two of the most impressive athletes in the pool, and should fit in nicely alongside Detroit’s young core which features Cunningham, Stewart, Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes and Marvin Bagley Jr.
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Indiana Pacers: A-
Draft Picks: Bennedict Mathurin (6), Andrew Nembhard (31), Kendall Brown (48)
Mathruin was the clear pick here for Indiana. He provides the perfect balance alongside Tyrese Haliburton as a quick-twitched athlete who can play both on and off-the-ball. Additionally, Mathurin provides security in the event Indiana decides to ship off veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon. The Pacers added even more to their backcourt with Gonzaga’s Andrew Nembhard. He boasts the size and speed to thrive in the NBA’s up-tempo game. With their final pick, the Pacers took a shot on Baylor freshman Kendall Brown. He slipped on draft boards, but possesses tremendous upside as a wing stopper.
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Portland Trail Blazers: B+
Draft Picks: Shaedon Sharpe (7), Jabari Walker (57)
The Trail Blazers pulled no punches with one of the riskiest picks of the entire draft. Shaedon Sharpe didn’t play a second of college basketball after committing to the University of Kentucky. He’s an extraordinary shot-maker with the upside of Paul George and the downside of Ben McLemore. We have to commend the Trail Blazers for taking a chance, even though Sharpe may not contribute much in the short-term. With the second-to-last pick of the draft, Portland may have snagged themselves a steal in Colorado’s Jabari Walker. Walker is the son of former NBA player Samaki Walker, and is a quality defender with a solid outside jumper.
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New Orleans Pelicans: A
Draft Picks: Dyson Daniels (8), EJ Liddell (41), Karlo Matkovic (52)
New Orleans cleaned up shop with all three of their picks. Dyson Daniels was the ideal pick at No. 8. The Pelicans don’t have a true point guard on the roster. And, while Daniels doesn’t fit the mold of the prototypical pick-and-roll lead guard, he’s a savvy player with great passing instincts. He’ll fit in nicely on a team that already gets plenty of playmaking from Brandon Ingram, C.J. McCollum, and, hopefully, Zion Williamson. Taking EJ Liddell feels a lot like their homerun pick of Herb Jones last season — a veteran player who should excel on the defensive end.
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San Antonio Spurs: A
Draft Picks: Jeremy Sochan (9), Malaki Branham (20), Blake Wesley (25)
Much like the Pelicans, San Antonio did their best in nailing all three of their draft picks. Jeremy Sochan is about as on-the-nose of a Spurs pick as it gets. An unselfish, versatile player who will give it his all on the defensive end. Pop and the San Antonio coaching staff will ensure he is put in the best position to succeed as a player. With their next two picks, the Spurs took a pair of 19-year-old guards with tantalizing upside. The Spurs are building their team the classical way with high-upside, young players who could potentially develop into big-time contributors.
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Washington Wizards: C+
Draft Picks: Johnny Davis (10), Yannick Nzosa (54)
Can’t help but feel the Wizards dropped the ball here. Johnny Davis is lottery talent who could eventually develop into a strong two-way player. However, his upside seems a bit more limited than some of the other players who were on the board at the time. He’s not a great shooter or playmaker, and is a bit undersized as an off-guard. The Wizards typically have a knack for taking a swing on upside in the lottery — Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija — but this pick felt a bit too safe.
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New York Knicks: D
Draft Picks: Trevor Keels (42)
It can be argued that no fanbase left Draft night more disappointed than the New York faithful. The Knicks didn’t try to hide their infatuation with Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. After unsuccessfully trying to trade up to select Ivey, Knicks fans eagerly awaited their turn to draft a player. Except, the Knicks’ front office agreed to trade the No. 11 overall pick to OKC in exchange for future picks. They then flipped one of those picks for the No. 13 pick, only to immediately send that along with Kemba Walker to Detroit for Milwaukee’s 2025 first-rounder. In the end, New York shipped out No. 11, Kemba, and four second rounders for three (highly protected) future first rounders. Oh, and they got Duke’s Trevor Keels in the second round. He’ll fit in nicely with all of the other Knicks players who can’t shoot. What a mess.
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Charlotte Hornets: B+
Draft Picks: Mark Williams (15), Bryce McGowens (40)
Mark Williams may end up being one of the draft’s biggest steals. At 7-foot-2, he’s a massive presence in the paint — particularly when it comes to defending the rim. Utilizing his massive wingspan and athletic ability in transition, he seems like a perfect ‘lob’ partner for LaMelo Ball. Furthermore, the Hornets must be excited about Williams ability to move his feet and switch onto smaller guards. McGowens was projected to go a bit higher. The wing out of Nebraska can score in bunches — and projects to be a nice bench option. For where Charlotte nabbed him, they got good value.
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Cleveland Cavaliers: B-
Draft Picks: Ochai Agbaji (14), Khalia Diop (39), Isaiah Mobley (49), Luke Travers (56)
Agbaji is the guy we’re really focusing on here. Travers likely doesn’t make the team, Diop is a project, and Mobley — brother of Evan — looks destined for the G-League. Agbaji is a plus athlete with the ability to get to the rim. He shot nearly 41-percent from 3 as a senior. Duly, the 6-foot-5 guard should be able to defend multiple positions with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. If anything, Agbaji gives the team a bit of cover should Collin Sexton leave Cleveland in the offseason.
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Atlanta Hawks: A
Draft Picks: AJ Griffin (16), Tyrese Martin (51)
Griffin was a terrific value pick. The current state of the NBA necessitates having strong wing play. Griffin’s numbers at Duke weren’t overly impressive. However, we can contribute that partially to playing on a team with three other first-round picks (aside from also receiving average-to-poor coaching). Griffin is one of the draft’s best shooters. He projects as a real 3-and-D guy. Plus, he’s got the pedigree to succeed (dad is Adrian — former player/current coach). Without a doubt, the Hawks struck gold here. Griffin has top-10 talent, and seems like a very nice fit spacing the floor for Trae Young.
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Chicago Bulls: B-
Draft Picks: Dalen Terry (18)
There’s a lot to like about Dalen Terry. He’s a long, wiry wing athlete with good lateral quickness (thus projected as a good defender). He’s highly competitive, very savvy in terms of reading the game, and he’s a good passer of the basketball (possessing some point forward skills). Lastly, he’s the type of guy who will fill the stat sheet. It’s unlikely he’ll ever be a 20 point-per-game scorer — though he’ll make the little plays to help you win basketball games. There is some crossover here skill-set wise with Alex Caruso. Neither are great outside shooters. Some question whether the Bulls could’ve perhaps taken a more dynamic offensive player here.
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Minnesota Timberwolves: B
Draft Picks: Walker Kessler (22), Wendell Moore Jr. (26), Josh Minott (45), Matteo Spagnolo (50)
The Timberwolves continued to build its roster out with two more good young players. Kessler is the draft’s most prolific shot blocker. He’s legitimately an elite protector of the rim — and someone who can spell Karl-Anthony Towns when needing a rest. Kessler’s stroke from the perimeter actually is decent despite the poor shooting numbers. If he can be more consistent as a shooter, Minnesota can go big and create some real matchup issues. Moore is a muscular athletic wing in the mold of an Anthony Edwards. He’s nowhere near as skilled or talented. Yet, he’s good enough to be a rotation guy right away (especially if he continues in improving from beyond the arc).
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Denver Nuggets: B
Draft Picks: Christian Braun (21), Peyton Watson (30), Ismael Kamagate (46)
This was a great draft for Denver. Braun is a rotation guy right away. The front office raved about his ability in being competitive as a shooter, defender, and athlete. He is very capable in all aspects of the game — and is a guy you can trust down the stretch to make the right play. Watson is a play for the future. The former UCLA Bruin sat behind a host of veteran players in Westwood. However, we saw flashes of his immense potential. It’ll take some time for Watson to develop. He’s akin to a baby colt at this point. With that said, when the lightbulb goes on, you’ll see a legit 6-foot-9 wing with plus athleticism, high-end length, and a guy who can be a very elite defender.
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Memphis Grizzlies: B+
Draft Picks: Jake LaRavia (19), David Roddy (23), Kennedy Chandler (38), Vince Williams (47)
Memphis crushed it in this draft. LaRavia is a jumbo floor spacer with the ability to put the ball on the floor (he’ll be cover for Kyle Anderson should he leave in free agency). At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Roddy is effectively a tight end playing the four spot. He matches Memphis’ physical style of play, and has proven to shoot over 40-percent from three-point range in college (think Grant Williams). Chandler is a lightning-quick point guard from Tennessee with terrific on-ball pressure skills. He’ll push the tempo, compete like hell, and projects to be a perfect backup behind Ja Morant.
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Milwaukee Bucks: B
Draft Picks: MarJon Beauchamp (24), Hugh Besson (58)
Beauchamp’s story is terrific. The Seattle native went through four high schools, nearly quit the sport, ended up at a local junior college, and still ultimately became a first-round pick (after also being homeless for a stretch). He’s one of those guys with an edge. The opportunity to prove himself is clearly apparent, as Beauchamp was quite emotional when being selected. He’s a dynamic wing with impressive athleticism and defensive skills. In short, the exact type of guy Milwaukee wants/needs to fortify depth at the 2/3 spot.
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Dallas Mavericks: A-
Draft Picks: Jaden Hardy (37)
Hardy was once ranked by some publications as the No. 2 high school prospect in the country. He bypassed college in favor of the G-League. Some warts in Hardy’s game were exposed — particularly with his propensity to turn the ball over. He was projected as a first round pick…though dropped into the second round. Dallas traded up to get him, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he became a major player down the road. Hardy can fill it up on all levels — whether attacking the rim, in the midrange or beyond the arc. Think Jordan Clarkson with a bit more edge.
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Miami Heat: A-
Draft Picks: Nikola Jovic (27)
The 6-foot-11 forward out of Serbia is a talented player. He’s known for being a ridiculous passer of the basketball. You can put him at the high post, have him facing the rim, and even have him on the low block. Jovic simply has a sixth sense on putting the ball in the best possible spot for his teammates. Jovic is mobile to the point where he comes off screens to launch threes at nearly 7-feet. Duly, Jovic is a physical player who relishes contact and competitiveness. Sounds like a Heat player to me!
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Golden State Warriors: A
Draft Picks: Patrick Baldwin Jr. (28), Ryen Rollins (44), Gui Santos (55)
Baldwin was a top-five high school prospect last year. The jumbo 6-foot-9 wing had his pick of any school he wanted to attend. Instead, he opted for his dad’s mid-major program Wisconsin-Milwaukee over attending Duke. He struggled with his shooting numbers — and also had injury issues. Many thought his stock had absolutely plummeted. After some strong draft workouts, it was clear, Baldwin may have dealt with a tougher situation in college (aka untalented teammates) than previously thought. You’re looking at a versatile 6-foot-9 wing with some real talent. Of course, the Warriors did what the Warriors do…and smartly took a guy with sky-high potential.
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Toronto Raptors: B
Draft Picks: Christian Koloko (33)
Koloko is a first-round talent. Still a bit raw, it’s curious he dropped to the second round considering his jaw-dropping athletic ability. At Arizona, we were treated to watching a 7-foot-1 center switch off on guards and forwards with relative eases. He moves his feet better than any big man in this draft. Koloko isn’t super polished in the paint — though that doesn’t need to be his role. As a defensive stopper/shot blocker/energy guy dunking everything in sight, he’s perfect for what Toronto would want from its five position. Bet on Toronto maximizing all of Koloko’s potential.
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Los Angeles Clippers: B
Draft Picks: Moussa Diabate (43)
Diabate was a former five-star recruit for Michigan this past season. His playing time in Ann Arbor was a bit sporadic — though to be fair Juwan Howard utilized a clunky, oversized starting five featuring Caleb Houston, Diabate, and Hunter Dickinson. The Clippers won’t ask Diabate to be a scorer. All they’ll want is for him to rebound the basketball, defend the paint, and play with energy. He’s a freak athlete — and should translate well to the NBA if he takes care of the little things. In terms of a best-case scenario, think Clint Capela. Down the line, we could be looking at this pick as a major steal.
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Boston Celtics: C+
Draft Picks: JD Davison (53)
Davison was a top-10 high school prospect coming into Alabama. Many thought he’d perhaps be a surefire first-round pick. Things didn’t exactly go to plan for the flashy point guard. He struggled with his shooting from the perimeter (30.1-percent from three) and he turned the ball over nearly three times a game in less than 26 minutes on the floor. There are tools to work with, however. Davison has good size and he’s a very good athlete. It will take some development (likely the G-League) for him to reach his ultimate potential. Still, there’s something interesting about this player.
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Los Angeles Lakers: B
Draft Picks: Max Christie (35)
Instead of going for a more NBA-ready player, the Lakers smartly went for a player with a higher upside. Christie was a former McDonald’s All-American. We saw glimpses of the player he could be at Michigan State. He’s got a very nice stroke from the perimeter despite some inconsistent numbers. He’s not bashful when attacking the rim, and Christie also is (at the very least) competitive on the defensive end. The Lakers desperately needed wing help, and the 6-foot-6 guard could ultimately be that guy. Darvin Ham is known for his developmental skills, and those will be put to the test with Christie. If the Lakers hit, they could be looking at a future starter.
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