Alight now we have had a chance to look over everything, break down the trades and let it all sink in. That means it's time to start giving out the grades. Let Walker Sports break it down and tell you if your favorite team will be a lottery team again or battling for a NBA Championship.
Atlanta Hawks: Grade A)Yes, I know they didn't have a pick in the 2008 draft and that's why they get an A. They traded their pick to the Suns and they got Joe Johnson. Atlanta put themselves on the map by taking the Celtics to the limit in the playoffs and most of that was due to Joe Johnson's work.
Boston Celtics: Grade B-)The Celtics has good draft, it was nothing special. It's hard to make a big splash when you just won the NBA Championship a week before. The picks they made can mature into some good players. Most importantly was the one made as a result of the trade with Washington. Bill Walker has the most potential, that is why they Celtics get a B- and not a minus.
Charlotte Bobcats: Grade C+)D.J. Augustin is an upgrade over Raymond, but I would have been happier seeing this pick get spent on a bigman. Another problem is if D.J. is not mentally strong Larry Brown and Michael Jordan could break him and then you just have a lost talent.
Chicago Bulls: Grade A)The Bulls picked up Derrick Rose. A star point guard who will lead that team into the future. When it is all said and done, Rose will land somewhere between Deron Williams and Chris Paul.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Grade B)J.J. Hickson has the tools to develop into a solid player. But it will take time. Time the Cavs may not have with LeBron's contract wrapping up in a couple seasons. Better home J.J. comes thought quickly.
Dallas Mavericks: Grade D)Their first round pick was shipped to Jersey for J. Kidd, and well that just isn't working out. Their second round pick of Shan is pretty much worthless.
Denver Nuggets: Grade: I)The Nuggets traded their picks away for cash and future considerations. So we can't grade them til next year.
Detroit Pistons: Grade B+)If Walter Sharpe becomes what I think he can then he will be solid player. Look for him to follow in the mold that Maxiell did for the Pistons and that is a very good thing.
Golden State Warriors: Grade C+)The Warriors made their picks based on a lot of hope on future potential. Granted that is the name of the game, but I just don't like the idea of banking on Anthony Randolph becoming a stud player. Especially with the possibility of Baron Davis leaving.
Houston Rockets: Grade B)The Rockets made one trade too many on draft day. They should have stuck with Darrell Arthur, he would have been a great fit in the Rockets front line. However they traded Arthur for Donte Greene. Greene is good, but not great.
Indiana Pacers: Grade A) They made a lot of trades and it was a very good thing. Roy Hibbert will not be a star next year, and he may never become an All Star player, but he will be a consistent player and a strong presence in the middle for years to come. Throw in a back court that will feature T.J. and Brandon Rush you have to like that.
Los Angeles Clippers Grade B)Eric Gordon is the reason for this grade. He has the potential to become great, and they need all the hlep they can get in their back court.
Los Angeles Lakers: Grade C)The Lakers traded their first round pick and got Pau Gasol. If he had not been a bust in the playoffs I would have bumped their grade up. But Pau proved to be soft so the Lakers will suffer as a result.
Memphis Grizzlies Grade B+)The Grizzlies were a busy team last night but it could pay off. Darrell Arthur will be a solid big man who can play. Yes he has a kidney issue but it is doubtful it will big an issue during his career. The Grizzlies also picked up O.J. Mayo and yes there is a good chance he will be a good maybe even a great player. But something has just rubbed me wrong when it comes to him. This is why Memphis does not have an A.
Miami Heat Grade A)Great draft. Beasley, Chamers and Jackson. this is a great draft, so good that you have to wonder if the Heat have too much talent. Perhaps Wade is could still be on his way out of town.
Milwaukee Bucks Grade B-)The bucks picked up Joe Alexander and they already have Richard Jefferson. And well they just got rid of Yi who was a soft bigman. That being said, Alexander is a gamer and will do well.
Minnesota Timber wolves Grade B+)Kevin McHale may have gotten it right this time. Kevin Love is a good player who if he can stay in shape will be a solid pro. But I can't help but wonder what McHale was thinking when he traded for him. You have to wonder if he saw shades of himself in Love.
New Jersey Nets Grade A-)Good draft, got rid of Jeffersons contract. They also picked up Brook Lopez which was a steal at the 10th spot. In 2 years he will be completely matured and ready to be a solid contributor when LeBron comes to town in 2010.
New Orleans Hornets Grade I)The Hornets fall into the same catagory as the Nuggets. Lucky for N.O. they have a good nucleous of young players so the draft was not that big a deal.
New York Knicks Grade C-)Danilo Gallinari... yeah Knick fans booed I laughed and in the end no one will go home happy.
Orlando Magic Grade B)Courtney Lee is a good player. I think the Magic needed help at the guard spot and Lee will be a solid contributor there who can run and manage the court.
Philadelphia 76'ers Grade A)Good player up front strong and physical. He will be a solid pickup in Philly.
Phoenix Suns Grade B+)Robin Lopez could be a good pickup on a Suns team that is changing their focus to defense.
Portland Trailblazer Grade B+)Portland picked up more young talent and they are stocked. Personally I would have liked them to trade away at least one pick and get a vet in there to play with the kids, but eh... not a bad deal over all.
Sacramento Kings Grade C-)Thompson was a strange and I think a bad pick at 12 they could have done better. Sean Singletary could be the steal of the draft. He is a gamer, just a bit on the small side, but he knows how to work the ball up the court and get it to the open man or put it in the bucket if he needs to. However, he will need a lot of help.
San Antonio Spurs Grade C)The Spurs once again picked late and sadly this time there was no Tony Parker or Manu Ginobli sitting around. The Spurs will need to get young soon, but it won't happen this year.
Seattle Sonics Grade A-)Well they drafted an entire team, so that counts for something since they can run hockey shifts now. But much like Portland this is just a very young team that does not impress me much over all.
Toronto Raptors Grade B-)Their actual picks at the draft were not great, but getting Jermaine O'Neal could be huge if he can stay healthy.
Utah Jazz Grade Grade B)Koufos is big and strong just like Sloan likes them. He will add more toughness to an already solid front court. Sadly it will not be enough to put the Jazz over the top.
Washington Wizards Grade D)Walker Sports loves the Zards and GM Ernie Grunfeld but his pick of JaVele McGee was terrible. Somehow the Zards manage to pick up ever bum bigman in the world and put them on their roster. Another 7'2 guy who will never mature into what he should. The best move Washington made on the night was getting some cash in pocket.
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