Sorry for posting this so late. I’ve been meaning to do so and just now found the time. As I’m sure many of you already could’ve predicted this list will probably be different than most other lists. Please comment with your thoughts and opinions!
Winners:
The Pistons: Lets start with the most obvious one here. They were able to get their guy in Jaden Ivey without having to move up. They followed that up with trading a future first for Jalen Duren. They then traded for Procida who is a great wing prospect. I don’t think there’s anything they could’ve done better honestly.
The Rockets: Another obvious one here. They got who many believed to be the top pick in Jabari Smith at #3. I believe he was the best fit for them out of the top 3 guys. They then picked up possibly the best 3&D prospect in Tari Eason at 17. Possibly their best pick imo was TyTy Washington at 29. This gives them much more flexibility with KPJs impending FA next offseason. If TyTy is good they no longer are forced to pay KPJ as much.
The Thunder: This one might be somewhat of a hot take as many people aren’t a fan of the thunders draft. Chet at 2 was obviously a great pick… no one can argue that. I personally like trading up for Dieng as well. 3 future FRPs is not an overpay for a guy like him imo. I also like the pick of Williams at 12. The other Jaylin Williams at 34 was also a good pick. They went after lots of long lanky high upside guys. That’s a strategy I can’t argue with for a rebuilding team.
Luka Doncic: This one might require a little explaining so hear me out. Going into this off-season most believed the Mavs needed to go after a big as well as a co star guard for Luka in order to take the next step. Trading for Wood was a good move and filled a need, but unfortunately took away their FRP. Then somehow Jaden Hardy fell all the way to 37. Hardy is a guy who I believed wouldn’t even be available at 26 had the Mavs picked their. Hardy is a guy who can simply put score the basketball. He is best off the ball which makes him an ideal co star to a heliocentric guy like Luka. Props to the Mavs because I believe they’ve made Luka a happy guy thus far in the off-season. Now we just need to see what they do with Brunson.
The Blazers: The pick of Sharpe at 7 was perfect. Gives them a potential superstar in the future who could contribute a little as soon as this year. Things might start off a little rough for him, but the potential is very clear. He will also benefit from beginning his career playing off of the ball alongside Dame. I also love the fit of Jabari Walker at 57. Walker is simply put a play finisher. He’ll never create for himself at a high level, but he’s more than capable of hitting the open shot or making the extra pass. He’s also a capable defender.
Losers:
The Kings: Let’s be honest, everyone knew the Kings would be here. They are every year. Picking Keegan Murray at 4 was a pick I personally hated, but at least you could somewhat squint your eyes and make it look like a decent pick. Things only got worse from there tho. It seemed like they had got a gift from the NBA Draft gods when Hardy was available at 37. In typical Kings fashion they of course sent him away. Honestly I just don’t know what they were thinking.
The Lakers: When they traded for pick 35 I really thought it was a good move. Then the pick came on the clock and their were so many good prospects still left. I thought “there’s no way they can screw this up… right?” No… I couldn’t have been more wrong. Don’t get it wrong, Christie is still a good prospect with lots of potential, but he just doesn’t make sense for the Lakers at that pick. If they were picking based off potential there were guys like Hardy, McGowens, Rollins, and Brown still available. If they were looking for guys of that 3&D guard archetype I think they would’ve been better off going with guys like Tevin Brown or Vince Williams Jr.
The Cavaliers: Picking Ochai at 14 wasn’t terrible, but I would much rather have Griffin or Eason there. Both of those guys can shoot almost just as well and have infinitely more potential as self creators and defenders. They followed this selection up by taking Diop at 39. This wouldn’t have been a bad pick at all if not for the fact that the Cavs already have a ridiculous amount of centers on the roster. Would’ve much rather them gone with a guy like Liddell.
Dalen Terry: Man this one hurts. As many of you know Terry is one of my favorite guys in this draft. Props to the Bulls for taking him, but I just don’t see the fit at all. I believe Terry to be a primary PG, so adding him to a roster with Lonzo and Ayo just doesn’t make a ton of sense to me unless you plan on playing one of them off of the ball. Terry could of course play off the ball and still be effective due to his size, defense, and energy. I just believe by asking him to do so you lose out on arguably his best skill in his playmaking.
The Pacers: This one is more of a slight loser. The pick of Mathurin at 6 is one I would’ve liked a ton if not for Sharpe still being on the board. Nemhard is a prospect I liked a ton, but I just don’t see the fit between him and the Pacers. They’ve already got Haliburton and Brogdon (for now) so I just don’t see the need for a 3rd PG. Snagging Kendall Brown was a great pick, but it does very little for me in terms of making up for the other 2 picks. Tevin Brown on an exhibit 10 is also a fantastic pick up. Just not sure if the last two pickups can make up for the first two.