2016 NBA Draft Grades
1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons
The 76ers officially made the pick they were expected to make all along. I was so sure of this pick, that I wrote it like 2 hours before the draft. This is the 76ers' 4th draft since Sam Hinkie came and conquered (or just tanked and got kicked out) and only 2 of their 4 picks have seen the court: Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. All 4 players are bigs so you could say it's a bit of a logjam. Drafting Simmons will clog that drain even more, seeing as his most natural position seems to be as a power forward. But when you have the 1st pick, you worry about need later, and that is just what the 76ers are doing. They are certainly going to have to move either Noel or Okafor just to distribute the young talent across other positions besides power forward and center. Simmons, as of now, has not displayed any semblance of a reliable jump shot and has had trouble defending the ball, but those deficiencies can hopefully be neutered by the 76ers' staff. Simmons' 4.8 assists a game mirror his fantastic playmaking skills and his 19.8 points and 11.8 rebounds show he can play big. With a massive 250-pound frame of muscle, he is physically ready for the rigors of the NBA. It's just that not being able to consistently make three-pointers these days makes everything else harder. We as a nation saw it ourselves: Even LeBron's Cavs were trailing 3-1 until he found his jumper again. Simmons' strengths drown out his weaknesses and that is why he's the #1 pick and rightfully so.
Grade: A-
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram
Another obvious pick. Ingram is just what the Lakers need, a small forward who can conceivably do everything once he approaches his prime. When one of the biggest criticisms of a player is his small frame, you know that player is super talented and has no major basketball weaknesses. But it must be said. Young, athletic players such as Wesley Johnson who never got strong enough can become journeyman. But I believe in Brandon Ingram. I think his ceiling is a slightly worse version of Kevin Durant. If he fills out, Ingram should be able to defend, shoot and score at a high level. He had flashes of nifty playmaking at Duke, but he's not really known for his passing chops, though that is one of the easier NBA skills to develop if one puts in the work. I have no intel on this, but Ingram just seems like a really good person and hard worker. To be that string-bean like at 195 pounds and be able to average 17.3 points a game proves Ingram must have a fabulous work ethic. He's the kind of player who can fit on any team, especially one with Nick Young and Anthony Brown as the only other small forwards under contract heading into next season. This isn't a knock on Ingram, but I'm a little worried his defensive prowess will be useless for a team that is projected to start DeAngelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. All those guys may have high offensive potential, but are all awful at defense as of now. I really like this pick for the Lakers and Ingram could carry the torch Kobe Bryant left.
Grade: A-
3. Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown
In the first of many shockers this draft, the Celtics ultimately tuned out the 76ers/Bulls/Dunn noise. Brown potentially provides the Celtics with another great perimeter defender who has trouble creating for himself. I can smell the small ball lineups with Isaiah Thomas/Avery Bradley/Jae Crowder/Jaylen Brown and whatever center the Celtics trot out. Like so many players in the league, if Brown can develop a jump shot, the Celtics may have just drafted the Jimmy Butler they were trying to trade for. Realistically, I see Brown turning out as another player like Crowder, and those players are extremely valuable these days. I realize the Celtics badly want a star now, but Brown is a really solid pick here.
Grade: B+
4. Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender
I really love this pick for the Suns, as it's a great fit for them and Bender. They have had a glaring hole at the power forward position ever since they traded Markieff Morris at last year's trade deadline. All of a sudden, you're looking at a team stocked with young players with massive potential at every position. Eric Bledsoe is a top 10 point guard at only 26 years old. Brandon Knight, while he doesn't fit with the team, can score. Devin Booker, one of the youngest players in the NBA, is destined for stardom. Bender is about to be paired up with 23 year old big man Alex Len and I just love everything going on in Phoenix. Taking the youngest players in each of the past two drafts has netted real talent in Booker and Bender. Bender is the prototypical big for today's NBA. He can knock down threes, rebound, make plays, defend the rim and in space, and even handle the ball. Getting a shooter and rim protector with the 4th pick is a win for the Suns and Bender may be the opening-day starter.
Grade: B+
5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kris Dunn
This guy is the perfect pick for what Thibs looks for in a player. He grinds on defense and can't shoot! This pick seems like a precursor to a potential Ricky Rubio trade, but what do I know. If the Wolves stay pat, Dunn can serve as a valuable third guard off the bench and play around 18 minutes a game. The Wolves are building a monster on both sides of the ball in that Andrew Wiggins, Karl Towns, Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn project to be two-way players. Dunn is praised for defense and his ability to run an offense. I'm thinking his ceiling is a player of John Wall's ilk. While Wall is more explosive, Dunn is no slacker himself. He was the best player available in my opinion.
Grade: B+
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Buddy Hield
Jrue Holiday, Hield and Anthony Davis is starting to look more than a one-man show in which Anthony Davis plays incredibly, inevitably gets injured and leads to the Pelicans having an awful record. The Pelicans sorely needed a three point marksman to give Davis SOME space to operate. Last season, he was seeing triple teams at times because he had guys like Luke Babbit around him. Hield's calling card is that he can space that floor. He reportedly hit 85/100 three-pointers in a draft workout and has shown the ability to defend. It seems Buddy can only get better at defense since his usage will drop like the stock market in 2008 since he doesn't have to carry an offense like he did at Oklahoma. With a superstar like Davis on your team, just surround him with shooters, defenders and a playmaker. Holiday is a solid set up man and excellent defender while Hield could be one of the best shooters in the league. His age and limited athleticism limit his potential though.
Grade: B-
7. Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray
The Nuggets are low-key one of the most exciting young teams in the league, and nobody talks about them! They have youthful and skilled bigs in Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic and Joffrey Lovernge. A budding star at point guard in Emmanuel Mudiay and a rock solid two-guard in Gary Harris. There was a clear top 8 going into this draft, and the Nuggets opted for Murray's shooting and scoring ability over Chriss and his mysteriousness. With the way the NBA is leaning towards smaller lineups, it's easy to envision a three guard backcourt with Mudiay/Harris and Murray. The major knock on Murray's game is his defense, but that can be neutered if Mudiay and Harris guard other teams' top two perimeter players. Murray can hide on D and flat out get buckets for the Nugs on offense. Worst case, he's dropping 18 a game off the bench a la Jamal Crawford. I see a lot of Kyrie in him. Guys that can score with such ease will carve out long careers in the league.
Grade: B
8. Phoenix Suns: Marquisse Chriss
A trade! I really like this for the Suns. They gave up 13, 28 and Bogdanovic for 8, which they parlayed into Chriss. By drafting Bender and Chriss, there is now a really high chance that they just drafted their power forward of the future. I doubt both Bender and Chriss bust out. One of them is highly likely to turn into a star, it's just the law of averages. The Suns did not really give up much to get Chriss and while they probably just busted on someone, they also likely hit on one. Who is the bust and who is the stud is up in the air. Perhaps both become good. perhaps they both stink. The great aspect of the draft is it brings franchises so much hope. Pretty sure the Suns drafted the two youngest players this year. Chriss has so much potential. He could become a defensive menace using his freakish length and athleticism. Overall, the Suns had too many young asset than they knew what to do with. By opting for quality over quantity and consolidating their assets, they had a really nice draft.
Grade: B
9. Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl
A safe, unsexy pick. Poeltl fills a hole since Bismarck Biyombo is surely primed to depart after a great playoffs nudged him out of the Raps' price range. I would rather have selected Sabonis, seeing as he is interchangeable between the 4 and 5 and also roasted Poeltl in their matchup earlier this year. Poeltl is massive and has some nice post up moves. He plays fluid defense and showcases clean rotations but he just is reeking Tyler Zeller fumes.
Grade: C
10. Thon Maker
In a night full of surprises, this one trumps all. Maker never went to college; he attended some prep program in Canada that apparently let him stay eligible. John Hammond has never been shy to roll the dice on prospects and he has struck gold once with the Greek Freak, so why not try it again with Maker? Maker's awesome youtube highlights cloud his weaknesses, but they are signs of what he could become if molded correctly by the Bucks. If he maxes out his ridiculous potential, he could be like another Greek Freak: a ridiculously long and athletic physical specimen who can drive and protect the rim and defend perimeter players. If this pick pans out, hail John Hammond, who gives zero shits about what the rest of the NBA thinks about a prospect. There is a small chance Maker lives up to his hype, but he could become a Serge Ibaka type player, and those guys are extremely valuable. Grading this pick is premature since no one realistically knows what kind of player Maker will turn into, but isn't this whole exercise premature anyway?
Grade: C+
11. Oklahoma City Thunder: Domantas Sabonis
Now THIS was a trade! I'm trying to talk myself into the trade for the Thunder, who gave up Serge Ibaka for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and Sabonis. The thing is, guys like Ibaka who can shoot threes and defend all areas of the court are in rare demand, although Adams has become a terminator destroyer and Durant has become an incredible defender out of no where. Sabonis is tough as nails and he absolutely obliterated Poeltl in their matchup earlier this year. He can play both positions and I really love him as a player. His motor is non-stop and he finds nifty little ways to score in the post. I envision Sabonis being the starter in a couple of years and playing as a small ball 5 in some lineups. The trade opens up an awesome small ball group for the Thunder in Westbrook-Roberson-Oladipo-Durant-Adams. Sabonis looks like David Lee back when he was good, but he's better at defense and a tougher player. Really solid pick for Thunder.
Grade: B+
12. Atlanta Hawks: Taurean Prince
The Hawks basically just drafted another DeMarre Carroll. Prince is a bull who is a pain in the ass on defense and looks to already have a nice three-point shot in his repertoire. Starting at this stage in the draft, taking a proven player like Prince is a smart move, since he can physically hold up and contribute immediately for a playoff hopeful Hawks team as well as cater to long term needs. I'm telling you, we will be hearing from this man for the next 10-12 years. 3 and D players are so valuable to teams. Really nice pick for a Hawks team with a previously shaky wing rotation.
Grade: B
13. Sacramento Kings: Georgios Papagiannis
Not gonna lie: I have no idea what kind of player Papagiannis is. I hear he's athletic with a post game, but where are his minutes with Boogie, Willie, Kosta and Skal already ahead of his at the big positions? It seems redundant. While I love some of the Kings' later picks, I would have loved Wade Baldwin here. I have no right grading this draft pick, but working on the pretense that Vlade made this pick and that the Kings are stacked at center, I'm gonna give it a nice, clean...
Grade: D-
14. Chicago Bulls: Denzel Valentine
I don't like this. I'm really worried about Denzel's knees, plus the fact that he's gonna be 23 already on opening day. He's not too great on defense. I think if he can stay healthy he could carve out a career similar to what Evan Turner did for Boston off the bench this past season. On offense,Valentine brings everything to the table except athleticism. He's super smart and skilled at creating for teammates, swerving his way into the lane and is a marksman from deep. He's also a plus rebounder for his size. I'm just worried that he's really slow. Bulls might think of him as a starter when he's really like a super sub.
Grade: B-
15. Denver Nuggets: Juan Hernangomez
Really like this one for the Nuggets. They have been killing the draft these past few years and the result is a young team armed with potential at every position. Their assistant GM has a real knack for unearthing international talent and Hernangomez is as international as one can get. He stretches the floor, something incumbent power forward Kenneth Faried fails to do and he's solid on defense. Many people envision him playing as a 3, but in the small NBA, the bulk of his minutes will come at the 4. I'm not sure if he comes over immediately, but when he does, he'll positively contribute for the Nuggets. Looking like another solid international pick for Tim Connely and Co.
Grade: B
16. Boston Celtics: Guerschon Yabusele
The Celtics have so many picks that drafting a probable draft and stash guy like Yabusele is a smart move. I've heard rumblings of a French Draymond Green or a French Tristan Thompson. From those probably unrealistic comparisons, I'd say he's gonna be like Marvin Williams, someone who rebounds his heart out, tinkers with a jump shot and can play some defense.
Grade: C
17. Memphis Grizzlies: Wade Baldwin
Love the player-team fit. Baldwin plays such good defense, using his freakish 7'0 wingspan as a guard to terrorize anyone he's assigned to
Grade: A-
18. Detroit Pistons: Henry Ellenson
He's slow as a snail, but he can knock down threes as a big man, so he will always have value in the league. Ellenson's defensive shortcomings will be helped out a bit by Andre Drummond. Even though he is overrated as a defender, Drummond is still solid as a rim protector and he plays great defense just by grabbing every rebound, not allowing teams to get second-chance points.
Grade: C+
19. Denver Nuggets: Malik Beasley
I feel like the Nuggets just drafted another Gary Harris...which is great! Beasley looks like he can shoot, defend and sprinkle in some dazzling playmaking. Another pick I'm on board for with the Nuggets.
Grade: B+
20. Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert
This one all hinges on LeVert's health. Foot problems prohibited from finishing his last two years in college, but when he's healthy he does a bit of everything as a two-guard. He's smooth, can pass, shoot, get into the lane and defend. Big if, but if he can stay healthy, a wing tandem of him and the hawk-like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has some nice two-way potential.
Grade: B
21. Atlanta Hawks: DeAndre Bembry
Bembry is like Denzel Valentine except he cannot shoot, but plays much better defense. People have proclaimed him as the second best passer in the draft after Ben Simmons. The Hawks keep stacking up on the wing with a 36 year-old Kyle Korver and free-agent Kent Bazemore. Getting Bembry and Prince ensures that the Hawks will stay strong on defense. Atlanta is known for their superb development staff, so I would not be surprised if Bembry is the next Evan Turner and Prince is the next Demarre Carrol.
Grade: B
22. Sacramento Kings: Malachi Richardson
The King's last three lottery picks that were shooting guards have been Jimmer Fredette, Ben McLemore and Stauskas (?). Not the best track record, but I like the vibes Richardson is giving off. My spider-senses are picking up Wes Matthews vibes emanating from Richardson. He is freakishly long and does not disappoint on defense. His jumper is hit and miss while he has shown the ability to be an elite slasher. Honestly, the fact that he's not another big makes this a good pick, but we must factor that the King's environment is as toxic as living with asbestos in the air.
Grade: B-
23. Boston Celtics: Ante Zizic
Seems like another draft and stash. Zizic is long, an active rebounder and raw on defense. With Jared Sullinger, Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk and Tyler Zeller, I'm not sure where the minutes are for him right now, but the front court is the Celtics' weakest area so swinging for the fences isn't too bad.
Grade: C
24. Philadelphia 76ers: Timothe Luwawu
"Hello, one ticket to board the Timothy Luwawu hype bandwagon"
"Here you go sir"
Nothing gets me more turned excited than a young wing player who has great measurables and is super athletic. Their careers are so fun to chronicle. They either bust or dominate, with little room for grey area. Adding a defensive-minded wing next to Simmons is a wise move for the 76ers. This late in the draft, take flyers on prospects because its such a crapshoot.
Grade: B+
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Brice Johnson
Hope I'm wrong, because I feel guilty predicting a player doesn't make a positive impact, but I don't like this very much for the Clippers. They desperately need another wing player who can shoot and defend; someone like UNLV's Patrick McCaw. Brice Johnson is bouncy and should knock down some midrange jumpers, but the Clippers could have gotten an impactful 3 and D player. Also, don't like Johnson as a prospect. The new type of tweeter in the NBA is a power forward who cannot protect the rim or shoot from deep, and Johnson is just that. Also, he's old for a rookie.
Grade: D
26. Philadelphia 76ers: Furkan Kormaz
Another nice pick for the 76ers. At just 18 years old, Kormaz sports a sweet shooting stroke. Shooters are gold nowadays, and with Ben Simmons and a bunch of non-shooting bigs, the 76ers need all the shooters they can get. Expect Kormaz to be stashed for a year or two. He's like the guard version of Nikola Mitotic.
Grade: B
27. Toronto raptors: Pascal Siakam
Not gonna sugarcoat it, I have no idea who this man is. GM Masai Ujiri has a history of drafting anonymous foreign players in the first round (Bruno "2 years away" Caboclo). Talk to me in a couple years on this one. Doubt this guy comes over this year, but he sure has potential.
Grade: C+
28. Sacramento Kings: Skal Labissiere
Man did Skal drop. Nabbing him here is a good move, because the risk outweighs the reward. Is that how the saying goes? It's late and I'm running out of steam. It just seems like the Kings don't really know what do to with themselves. They now have 5 guaranteed roster spots devoted to just centers. Skal could grow into a nice rim protector with a money midrange jumper, but he also has major bust potential. Going to the Kings never helps any draft prospect.
Grade: B-
29. San Antonio Spurs: Dejounte Murray
The man's one concern is a broken jump shot, and he just got drafted by the team who employs shot-guru Chip Engellan. Look out. Also, if the Spurs draft you, it's a required A grade. I must be terrible at this, since this was my only A grade of the night, but draft grades are for fun so whatever.
Grade: A
30. Golden State Warriors: Damian jones
A big man to replenish the center position after they may lose 75% of their existing rotation at the position. Picture another Festus Ezili.
Grade: C+
Nice post Isaiah. Detailed with a distinct pov. I didn't know that much about so many of the draftees and I certainly didn't know how they would all fit (or not) with their new teams. Now I do. Thanks.
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