Post by flamesfan (Grizzlies) on Sept 9, 2015 19:56:40 GMT
These are my Atlantic Division Draft Grades. I considered past production, potential improvement, draft position, other players available on the board, salary, player controllability and position versatility when assigning these grades. If you don’t agree with them, I don’t really care. These are my opinion and don’t really mean anything anyways. Feel free to debate in the comments below.
Wizards:
Round 1: 8th overall: CHA C Al Jefferson 13,500,000 (2016) B-
Round 2: 33rd overall: LAC SG Jamal Crawford 5,700,000 (2016) F
Round 3: 48th overall: MEM SF Jeff Green 9,200,000 (2016) F
Round 4: 73rd overall: DET PF Ersan Ilyasova 7,900,000 (2016, 2017x) C+
Wizards started with a solid pick in selecting Al Jefferson with his first selection. Jefferson brings first round talent to the table, but his 1 year contract lowers his value and a resign may not be available for him. More controllable players, like Draymond Green and Serge Ibaka, were left on the table, which makes this pick a worse decision. This was then followed by 2 of the most puzzling picks in the draft, in Jamal Crawford and Jeff Green. They each have diminishing roles and contribute very little other than points and threes. Many better options were available at each of these picks. They were each huge reaches, who probably shouldn’t even have been drafted at all. Both are easy F grades. Although Ilyasova is slightly overpaid, he was an alright selection as he provides a healthy amount of points, rebounds and threes with solid percentages. He also comes with a second year of control, which was tough to find this far into the draft attached to a player of Ilyasova’s ability. He should thrive in SVG’s system. Wizards’ draft left me questioning his strategy as he to have not selected pieces that’ll help him win or rebuild. Easily the worst draft in my opinion.
Wizards’ Overall Draft Grade: C-
Hawks:
Round 1: 2nd overall: MIA C Hassan Whiteside 1,000,000 (2016) B+
Round 2: 39th overall: ATL SG Kyle Korver 5,800,000 (2017) B
Round 3: 42nd overall: HOU C Dwight Howard 20,000,000 (2016, 2017x) B-
Round 4: 79th overall: HOU PF Terrence Jones 2,500,000 (2016) B-
Whiteside gives Hawks a young, high upside center who has proven he can pile up the blocks and rebounds. He is also dirt cheap, but Whiteside’s lack of term means that either him, Teague or Millsap will hit free agency within this resign period. I would’ve liked to have seen Hawks spend a bit more to get more term, but Whiteside is a solid pick. Korver should provide elite percentages as well as a pretty well rounded stat line at a reasonable cost for the next two seasons. Howard and Jones are each injury risks, but Hawks can afford to take on Howard’s monstrous salary after saving money in the earlier rounds. He can also get out of this contract after this season, which minimizes the risk. Howard hasn’t been his old dominant self on the court though due to lingering back issues. Jones has stepped up into a larger role due to Howard’s injuries, but will need to fight off some PF competition. Overall, Hawks put together a solid draft, with no amazing picks, but no poor ones either.
Hawks Overall Draft Grade: B
Grizzlies:
Round 1: 1st overall: DET C Andre Drummond 3,300,000 (2016) A
Round 2: 40th overall: DAL SF Chandler Parsons 15,400,000 (2016, 2017x) B+
Round 3: 41st overall: DEN PF Kenneth Faried 11,200,000 (2019) B+
Round 4: 80th overall: PHI PG Tony Wroten 2,200,000 (2016) A
I am not as high on Grizzlies’ draft as Cornvan, whose pants are probably still wet with piss, but he has no doubt assembled an impressive roster. Andre Drummond was a great first round pick, as he will be a huge boost in rebounds, blocks and FG%. Grizzlies should also have the resign to retain him long term. Parsons and Faried each have less than ideal salaries, but talent-wise, were two of the best options on the board. They fit well on Grizzlies team, as he continues to pile up the rebounds while Parsons contributes percentages and threes. They also both offer multiple years of control, with an out after this season on Parsons’ massive salary if he flops. Wroten was a sneaky good pick right at the end of the draft, as he should get as much floor time as he can handle in Philly. He should provide good counting stats at a low salary. Grizzlies strong draft makes him look like a championship contender from day one.
Grizzlies’ Overall Draft Grade: A
Heat:
Round 1: 3rd overall: UTAH PF Derrick Favors 12,000,000 (2018) A-
Round 2: 38th overall: WSH SF Otto Porter Jr. 4,700,000 (2016, 2017x) A-
Round 3: 43rd overall: PHI SG Nik Stauskas 2,900,000 (2016, 2017x, 2018x) B-
Round 4: 78th overall: SAS PF David West 1,500,000 (2016, 2017x) C
I originally felt Derrick Favors was a slight reach at the top of the draft, as I believed Draymond Green and Serge Ibaka to be better options, but upon another look, Favors was a really shrewd pick, as he will bring a lot to the Heat. He should bring near double-double averages, with a high FG% and solid defensive stats. His salary is also reasonable and comes with 3 years of control. Porter and Stauskas are each breakout candidates, but Otto Porter is much more proven and should have more of an opportunity in Washington, as a long potential stretch 4, who is a productive rebounder and defender. Stauskas didn’t show a lot in his rookie year and may not get as many shots as expected in Philly. David West was off the board in the 4th round, as his playing time should be limited with the Spurs, since he has Duncan and Aldridge in front of him. His counting stats should diminish and his percentages don’t make up for that. Overall, the Heat had a very solid draft.
Heat Overall Draft Grade: B
Magic
Round 1: 6th overall: LAC C DeAndre Jordan 19,700,000 (2018, 2019x) B
Round 2: 35th overall: BOS PG Isaiah Thomas 6,900,000 (2018) A-
Round 3: 46th overall: LAL SG Kobe Bryant 20,000,000 (2016) B
Round 4: 75th overall: IND PG George Hill 8,000,000 (2017) D
DeAndre Jordan’s high salary stops this pick from receiving a higher grade, but Magic managed to grab an absolute beast with his first selection. Jordan will be elite in rebounds, blocks and FG%, but will really kill Magic’s FT%. Magic went high risk-high reward with his first selection. Isiah Thomas is a great value at the end of the second round as he is on a cheap, long term deal. Although he comes off the bench, Thomas contributes a good amount of points, assists and threes, while knocking down his free throws at a high clip. Kobe is another boom or bust selection, but his expiring contract gives Magic an out after this season, he should be a nightly triple-double threat as he almost always has the ball. Magic’s 4th round selection of George Hill absolutely ruins his draft, in my opinion. George Hill almost completely drains Magic’s cap space left to fill out his bench and should return to his career averages of 11, 4 and 4 after thriving in Paul George absence. Hill was an awful pick, especially with a better option available in CJ McCullum, who has a cheap contract . Magic’s final pick derailed his draft in my opinion as it ruined his chance of finding any decent depth.
Magic Overall Draft Grade: C+
Wizards:
Round 1: 8th overall: CHA C Al Jefferson 13,500,000 (2016) B-
Round 2: 33rd overall: LAC SG Jamal Crawford 5,700,000 (2016) F
Round 3: 48th overall: MEM SF Jeff Green 9,200,000 (2016) F
Round 4: 73rd overall: DET PF Ersan Ilyasova 7,900,000 (2016, 2017x) C+
Wizards started with a solid pick in selecting Al Jefferson with his first selection. Jefferson brings first round talent to the table, but his 1 year contract lowers his value and a resign may not be available for him. More controllable players, like Draymond Green and Serge Ibaka, were left on the table, which makes this pick a worse decision. This was then followed by 2 of the most puzzling picks in the draft, in Jamal Crawford and Jeff Green. They each have diminishing roles and contribute very little other than points and threes. Many better options were available at each of these picks. They were each huge reaches, who probably shouldn’t even have been drafted at all. Both are easy F grades. Although Ilyasova is slightly overpaid, he was an alright selection as he provides a healthy amount of points, rebounds and threes with solid percentages. He also comes with a second year of control, which was tough to find this far into the draft attached to a player of Ilyasova’s ability. He should thrive in SVG’s system. Wizards’ draft left me questioning his strategy as he to have not selected pieces that’ll help him win or rebuild. Easily the worst draft in my opinion.
Wizards’ Overall Draft Grade: C-
Hawks:
Round 1: 2nd overall: MIA C Hassan Whiteside 1,000,000 (2016) B+
Round 2: 39th overall: ATL SG Kyle Korver 5,800,000 (2017) B
Round 3: 42nd overall: HOU C Dwight Howard 20,000,000 (2016, 2017x) B-
Round 4: 79th overall: HOU PF Terrence Jones 2,500,000 (2016) B-
Whiteside gives Hawks a young, high upside center who has proven he can pile up the blocks and rebounds. He is also dirt cheap, but Whiteside’s lack of term means that either him, Teague or Millsap will hit free agency within this resign period. I would’ve liked to have seen Hawks spend a bit more to get more term, but Whiteside is a solid pick. Korver should provide elite percentages as well as a pretty well rounded stat line at a reasonable cost for the next two seasons. Howard and Jones are each injury risks, but Hawks can afford to take on Howard’s monstrous salary after saving money in the earlier rounds. He can also get out of this contract after this season, which minimizes the risk. Howard hasn’t been his old dominant self on the court though due to lingering back issues. Jones has stepped up into a larger role due to Howard’s injuries, but will need to fight off some PF competition. Overall, Hawks put together a solid draft, with no amazing picks, but no poor ones either.
Hawks Overall Draft Grade: B
Grizzlies:
Round 1: 1st overall: DET C Andre Drummond 3,300,000 (2016) A
Round 2: 40th overall: DAL SF Chandler Parsons 15,400,000 (2016, 2017x) B+
Round 3: 41st overall: DEN PF Kenneth Faried 11,200,000 (2019) B+
Round 4: 80th overall: PHI PG Tony Wroten 2,200,000 (2016) A
I am not as high on Grizzlies’ draft as Cornvan, whose pants are probably still wet with piss, but he has no doubt assembled an impressive roster. Andre Drummond was a great first round pick, as he will be a huge boost in rebounds, blocks and FG%. Grizzlies should also have the resign to retain him long term. Parsons and Faried each have less than ideal salaries, but talent-wise, were two of the best options on the board. They fit well on Grizzlies team, as he continues to pile up the rebounds while Parsons contributes percentages and threes. They also both offer multiple years of control, with an out after this season on Parsons’ massive salary if he flops. Wroten was a sneaky good pick right at the end of the draft, as he should get as much floor time as he can handle in Philly. He should provide good counting stats at a low salary. Grizzlies strong draft makes him look like a championship contender from day one.
Grizzlies’ Overall Draft Grade: A
Heat:
Round 1: 3rd overall: UTAH PF Derrick Favors 12,000,000 (2018) A-
Round 2: 38th overall: WSH SF Otto Porter Jr. 4,700,000 (2016, 2017x) A-
Round 3: 43rd overall: PHI SG Nik Stauskas 2,900,000 (2016, 2017x, 2018x) B-
Round 4: 78th overall: SAS PF David West 1,500,000 (2016, 2017x) C
I originally felt Derrick Favors was a slight reach at the top of the draft, as I believed Draymond Green and Serge Ibaka to be better options, but upon another look, Favors was a really shrewd pick, as he will bring a lot to the Heat. He should bring near double-double averages, with a high FG% and solid defensive stats. His salary is also reasonable and comes with 3 years of control. Porter and Stauskas are each breakout candidates, but Otto Porter is much more proven and should have more of an opportunity in Washington, as a long potential stretch 4, who is a productive rebounder and defender. Stauskas didn’t show a lot in his rookie year and may not get as many shots as expected in Philly. David West was off the board in the 4th round, as his playing time should be limited with the Spurs, since he has Duncan and Aldridge in front of him. His counting stats should diminish and his percentages don’t make up for that. Overall, the Heat had a very solid draft.
Heat Overall Draft Grade: B
Magic
Round 1: 6th overall: LAC C DeAndre Jordan 19,700,000 (2018, 2019x) B
Round 2: 35th overall: BOS PG Isaiah Thomas 6,900,000 (2018) A-
Round 3: 46th overall: LAL SG Kobe Bryant 20,000,000 (2016) B
Round 4: 75th overall: IND PG George Hill 8,000,000 (2017) D
DeAndre Jordan’s high salary stops this pick from receiving a higher grade, but Magic managed to grab an absolute beast with his first selection. Jordan will be elite in rebounds, blocks and FG%, but will really kill Magic’s FT%. Magic went high risk-high reward with his first selection. Isiah Thomas is a great value at the end of the second round as he is on a cheap, long term deal. Although he comes off the bench, Thomas contributes a good amount of points, assists and threes, while knocking down his free throws at a high clip. Kobe is another boom or bust selection, but his expiring contract gives Magic an out after this season, he should be a nightly triple-double threat as he almost always has the ball. Magic’s 4th round selection of George Hill absolutely ruins his draft, in my opinion. George Hill almost completely drains Magic’s cap space left to fill out his bench and should return to his career averages of 11, 4 and 4 after thriving in Paul George absence. Hill was an awful pick, especially with a better option available in CJ McCullum, who has a cheap contract . Magic’s final pick derailed his draft in my opinion as it ruined his chance of finding any decent depth.
Magic Overall Draft Grade: C+