After a few days of analyzing all 60 NBA draft picks, it’s time to analyze how the Eastern Conference did during last Thursday night’s 2015 NBA Draft. I think I may have been a little more complimentary toward the Western Conference, but hey, there’s a reason that half of the NBA has created a historically powerful conference over the last few seasons, while their counterpart habitually features below-.500 playoff teams.
With players like Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, and Kristaps Porzingis being selected to Eastern Conference teams, maybe this is the year there’s a shift of power in the NBA.
Probably not.
I digress. Below are your Eastern Conference draft grades:
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SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks
Picks:
Kelly Oubre (15) – traded to Washington Wizards, received Tim Hardaway Jr. in three team trade with New York Knicks, Marcus Eriksson (50), Dimitrios Agravanis (59)
Grade: C+
Explanation: It feels like a little bit of a disappointment for the Hawks to have posted the conference’s best record, have Brooklyn’s first round pick, and only walk away from the draft with Tim Hardaway Jr. Granted, there may not have been a player who Hawks brass felt would make an immediate impact quite like Hardaway, who should give coach Mike Budenholzer a better scoring wing off the bench than what he’s gotten out of Thabo Sefalosha, Shelvin Mack, and Kent Bazemore, but what he gives you in offensive he completely gives up on defense, which has been a strength of the Hawks bench. Hardaway is still just entering his third season in the NBA, and having averaged double digits in scoring both seasons in his career, an inefficient double digits at that, he could potentially become a real difference maker in this pass happy offense some day.
Washington Wizards
Picks:
Jerian Grant (19) – traded to New York Knicks, received Kelly Oubre in three-team trade with Atlanta Hawks, Aaron White (49)
Grade: B
Explanation: I’m not exactly sold on Oubre’s stock as a pro, but the Wizards were able to get a lottery-level prospect with the 19th pick in the draft, and for a team with a solid core that will continue to contend for their division, this draft pick was a hit. Oubre doesn’t really fill any glaring holes for the Wizards, who truth be told probably could have used a backup point guard like Grant, but Oubre is an athletic specimen with a smooth game, and has more star potential than most mid-late first round draft picks. I’m not sure if White makes the roster for next season, but with bigs like Kevin Seraphin and Drew Gooden expiring, there’s a chance Washington is desperate for a young big to absorb six fouls.
Miami Heat
Picks:
Justise Winslow (10), Josh Richardson (40)
Grade: A
Explanation: I’m not sure why the basketball gods feel they owe Pat Riley all of these gifts, but I’ve learned to stop questioning and just go along with it. The Heat walked away with the steal of the draft Thursday night, having Duke wing Justise Winslow fall in their lap for the tenth pick. Rumored to go as high as four to New York, Winslow appears to be as pro ready of a two-way prospect as there is in his draft class. Winslow was one of the most important players for the NCAA Champions, taking over games on both ends of the court, being a one man fast break, and converting on almost 42 percent of his three point attempts. I’m not sure that Richardson gives Miami anything that Tyler Johnson doesn’t, but adding Winslow might quiet down the Dwyane Wade rumors, and gives Miami one of the more talented rosters in the East heading into the 2015-16 season.
Charlotte Hornets
Picks:
Frank Kaminsky (9), Juan Pablo Vaulet (39) traded to Brooklyn Nets for two future second round picks
Grade: C+
Explanation: Is it just me or does it feel like Charlotte’s drafted the same player three years in a row now? I don’t think the Hornets got bad value taking Kaminsky with the ninth pick, but personally he’s my least favorite lottery-level prospect, and I’m kind of amazed that Rich Cho and Michael Jordan passed on both Winslow and Devin Booker in his favor. I know that the Hornets missed Josh McRoberts last season and were aiming to fill that void with Kaminsky, but it seems their biggest need the last couple of seasons has been to add another perimeter scorer to take some pressure off of Kemba Walker. I think Winslow and Booker could have filled that need relatively immediately, and that both have All-Star potential. I can’t say the same for Kaminsky, who I think will struggle physically from both a strength and quickness perspective.
Orlando Magic
Picks:
Mario Hezonja (5), Tyler Harvey (51)
Grade: B+
Explanation: After taking Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, and Elfrid Payton with their last three lottery picks, the Magic decided to focus on adding offense to their young core, and got the most dangerous perimeter scorer in the draft not named D’Angelo Russell in Hezonja. As much as I liked the idea of drafting Willie Cauley Stein and having him clean up after Nikola Vucevic, Hezonja’s a lethal shooter, and has a quick first step and explosiveness when driving to the basket. I’m intrigued to see what kind of leash new coach Scott Skiles will put on the Croatian scorer, especially considering Hezonja has only served bench roles in his professional experience, but he should help take some of the stress off of non-shooters Payton and Oladipo when he’s out there. With how little shooting ability this Magic team has, there’s a good chance you could see Harvey see some playing time for Orlando next season too, as the 6-foot-4 combo guard is coming off of three seasons in a row shooting over 43 percent from three for Eastern Washington.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Toronto Raptors
Picks: Delon Wright (20), traded Greivis Vasquez for Normal Powell (46) and 2017 first round pick (LAC’s)
Grade: B+
Explanation: I think the Raptors clearly grabbed a win Thursday night, as they seemingly were able to replace Vasquez with Wright, while adding a future first round pick. Wright’s immediately a defensive upgrade over Vasquez, and as much as Greivis’ offense screamed 25-year YMCA veteran, Wright’s quite crafty himself, and maintains the ability to run an offense, and score both off of penetration and as a shooter. Taking Wright and Powell shows that the Raptors are looking to improve their perimeter defense, and with Vasquez and Lou Williams both more than likely gone, the Raptors rookies should get a chance to make an impact from day one.
Boston Celtics
Picks:
Terry Rozier (16), R.J. Hunter (28), Jordan Mickey (33), Marcus Thornton (44)
Grade: B-
Explanation: I’m not sure the Celtics got a cornerstone player with either of their first round picks, but they were able to add four players who all have at least one transferable NBA skill, as Rozier is a talented slasher, Hunter and Thornton are outside threats, and Mickey’s a feared shot blocker. Rozier has great size and athleticism for a point guard, but is more of a scorer than anything, and lacking a dependable jump shot really doesn’t bode well for him looking to take playing time away from Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart. That seems to be my biggest concern with this draft class; all of these players are decent, but for a team with youth at almost every position, I don’t know that any of them are good enough to take minutes away from current players. I don’t doubt that Danny Ainge tried to go with best player available at every pick, but he better hope he can move some of these assets for a bigger piece at some point down the line.
Brooklyn Nets
Picks:
Chris McCullough (29), Pat Connaughton (41) – traded with Mason Plumlee to Portland Trail Blazers for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) and Steve Blake, traded two future second-round picks to Charlotte for Juan Pablo Vaulet (39)
Grade: C+
Explanation: As much as he regressed last season, I don’t quite understand the logic in giving up on Plumlee after just his second season in the league. With that said, I suppose getting a first round pick for him isn’t terrible value, and Hollis-Jefferson is a defense and effort guy who should really excel playing for Lionel Hollins. His inability to score may stop him from ever really breaking out, but RHJ has the potential to have a Tony Allen like effect on the game. I’m not really sure what to make of the Vaulet trade, other than we won’t be seeing him next season. Also unsure for next season is McCullough, who had his freshman year at Syracuse ended early after he tore his ACL back in January. When healthy, the 6-foot-10 can stretch the floor as a shooter, and is also an above average ball handler/facilitator for a guy with his size.
New York Knicks
Picks:
Kristaps Porzingis (4), traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to Atlanta for Jerian Grant (19) in three-team trade including Washington, traded two future second-round picks to Philadelphia for Guillermo Hernangomez (35).
Grade: B+
Explanation: Man am I tempted to give the Knicks an A here. Not only did they land one of the most coveted prospects in the draft, but they traded Tim Hardaway Jr., who’s value as an asset was questionable at best, and got back a starting caliber point guard in 19th pick Jerian Grant. As sure as all of the NBA reporters were that the Knicks were either A) going to trade the pick B) going to mess the pick up or C) do both, Phil Jackson showed that the organization is willing to wait to get their latest version of a rebuild right, taking Latvian 7-foot-1 stretch big man Kristaps Porzingis. I’m not sure that Porzingis will live up to the hype created for him over these last couple of weeks, but he sure seems to believe in himself, wanting to prove to the world that he isn’t soft like most European big men. While Porzingis comes across as a “to be determined” kind of player, Grant was possibly the best guard in college hoops last season, and brings toughness, leadership, and playmaking facilitation to a Knicks team in desperate need of literally everything. The Knicks were also able to acquire Porzingis’ frontcourt mate Guillermo Hernangomez, who is more of a traditional big focused on protecting the rim and grabbing boards.
Philadelphia 76ers
Picks:
Jahlil Okafor (3), Guillermo Hernangomez (35) – traded to New York, Richaun Holmes (37), Arturas Gudaitis (47), J.P. Tokoto (58), Luka Mitrovic (60)
Grade: A-
Explanation: How am I going to give the Sixers a lower grade when they walked away with the player who was being heralded as the no-brainer number one pick in this draft class for the overwhelming majority of the last year? I’ll talk fit in a minute, but Philadelphia unquestionably got the best talent available with the third pick, as Okafor suffered from being such a known quantity for so long. I think the concerns about his defense and whether or not he’ll be able to space a floor in the NBA are legitimate, but I also think he’s the best offensive big man prospect since DeMarcus Cousins. Okafor will be able to average somewhere from 15 to 20 points per game as early as next season, and if Joel Embiid is unable to suit up for a second straight season, I think Okafor and Nerlens Noel give Philadelphia one of the most exciting young frontcourts in the league. If Embiid can play, having three incredible big men prospects all beginning their careers screams “desireable/tradeable assets.”
CENTRAL DIVISION
Cleveland Cavaliers
Picks:
Tyus Jones (24) traded to Minnesota Timberwolves for Cedi Osman (31) and Rakeem Christmas (36), Sir’Dominic Pointer (53)
Grade: C
Explanation: Call me a hater, but I think Jones would have done a better job filling a need for the Cavs than Osman and Christmas combined, as Osman seems to be Turkish for “Joe Harris,” and Christmas, despite being a solid rim protector, doesn’t fit in with a roster that will more than likely feature Timofey Mozgov, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, LeBron James, and at least one or two more veterans in the frontcourt next season. I just think the Cavs were better off replacing Matthew Dellavedova with Jones, than trying to replace Brendan Haywood/Anderson Varejao with Christmas, who may not even make the roster. As someone who grew up down the road from St. John’s University, I was glad to see Pointer get drafted, but I’d be shocked if he’s a Cav come October.
Chicago Bulls
Picks:
Bobby Portis (22)
Grade: B
Explanation: There are some analysts who feel Portis could wind up being the most NBA-ready big man in his draft class, as his greatest attributes are effort and his size. Standing 6-foot-11, Portis could be a great pick-and-pop player for Fred Hoiberg, and even if he isn’t the greatest defender or rebounder, he’ll never give up on plays, and fits the mold of recent Chicago big men with his great attitude and high motor.
Milwaukee Bucks
Picks:
Rashad Vaughn (17), Norman Powell (46) traded with 2017 first round pick for Greivis Vasquez.
Grade: C
Explanation: I don’t really think Vaughn improves the Bucks at all, and with players like Sam Dekker, Grant, Wright, and Justin Anderson still on the board, I think the Bucks could’ve gotten some bench scoring and more had they gone with one of those four instead of Vaughn. I think Vasquez is a perfect player for Jason Kidd, as he’s a taller point guard with as competitive of a streak as any guard in the league, which should make him a great mentor for Michael Carter Williams. To say something nice about Vaughn, he was one of the top prospects heading into this past season and really has a lot of upside, I just think Milwaukee was in a position where it could’ve gotten a day-one contributor, not a project.
Indiana Pacers
Picks:
Myles Turner (11), Joseph Young (43)
Grade: B+
Explanation: Considering where the Pacers were before the Paul George injury, I think it’s a huge win that in the one season without him, they were able to land as highly touted of a prospect as Turner. A seven-footer who can block shots, shoot threes, and get up and down the court like a wing player, Turner fits with the quicker style of play that we’ve been hearing the Pacers want to switch over to. Still really raw, I think Turner could also benefit playing in the halfcourt in lineups with Roy Hibbert, as he really is his most effective facing up and playing farther away from the rim. I think Frank Vogel’s going to make Turner into a very good ballplayer, and landing Young in the second round is great value for the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year.
Detroit Pistons
Picks:
Stanley Johnson (8), Darrun Hilliard (38)
Grade: B+
Explanation: Stan Van Gundy picked up two wings who should be ready to contribute immediately in Johnson and Hilliard, with Hilliard being a capable “3&D” guy his last two years under Jay Wright at Villanova. As for Johnson, many had him pegged as the top wing prospect heading into this draft just several months ago, as his body is years ahead of his age, and his high motor matches his defensive intensity. Able to guard spots two through four, Johnson has great length and strength, and after shooting 37 percent from three last season at Arizona, he should be able to give Van Gundy a two-way player on the wing, something Detroit hasn’t had in a couple of seasons. Johnson has a high ceiling, and we’ll be talking about how this class featured him, Hezonja, and Winslow for years down the road.
