The NBA Draft brings with it hope, dismay, and questionable draft suit choices. For Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram it probably brought about fervent praying to avoid sending their souls to the eternal purgatory of the 76ers as opposed to the bright lights of Tinseltown reflected in Jack Nicholson's toothy Cheshire cat smile.
Now that the chips have fallen into place, here's a look at how the teams fared.
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Picks #1, #24, #26
Philadelphia 76ers
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Grade: A+
#1 Ben Simmons, SF6’10”, 240 lbs
The 76ers are the gold standard of tanking in the NBA, a perfect example of taking an axiom to its extreme conclusion, going a bit further, and falling off a cliff while yelling out "We believe in the process."
Their dogged determination had yielded to them the first and twenty-fourth pick in the NBA Draft. In Ben Simmons, they have a cornerstone to rest the hopes of the next decade upon.
Simmons is one of those players who can act as an energizer drink for an entire team, and his selection ought to bring an end to the tanking process if it hadn't already culminated with the hiring of Bryan Colangelo.
#24 Timothe Luwawu, SG 6’7”, 205 lbs
Luwawu brings an explosive package from France with a tenacious game on both ends of the floor, although he needs to be more disciplined on defense. He could have very easily been picked right after the lottery picks. His 6"11 wingspans will serve him well and his range extending to downtown (37% in the Adriatic League last season) makes him a smart pick.
#26 Furkan Korkmaz, SG6’5”, 175
The 76ers capped off their first round troika of picks with another international talent. The Turkish guard is just 18 years old and is seen as a long-term investment rather than one who can make an immediate impact. He'll likely spend a couple of years abroad before answering the call of the Sixers.
Korkmaz has the range and athleticism to be an effective contributor, but it's too early to anticipate the extent to which he can polish his skills, bulk up, and contribute in the NBA.
On the whole, the Sixers should give themselves a pat on the back for a good haul at the draft.
Pick #2, Los Angles LakersGrade: A+
#2 Brandon Ingram, SF6’9”, 195 lbs
Ingram's advent in the NBA comes on the heels of the departure of a hero/heel whose shoes will probably never be filled in Los Angles, much less in the entire league.
The Lakers did not mess up with this selection. Ingram and Simmons had the first two positions in the Draft locked up well in advance. As LeBron James just showed in the NBA Finals, it helps to have some size to be the engine driving a team.
Ingram will complement Randle and Russell on the floor and the trio could potentially bring the Lakers to playoff contention sooner rather than later. He still needs to bulk up though.
Pick #3, #16, #23Boston CelticsGrade: B
#3 Jaylen Brown, SG6’7”, 225 lbs
The Celtics can lay claim to playing with Celtic pride after their tenacious play over the recent years. Picking as high as the third spot did not net the Celtics a player who will make an immediate splash.
Brown will fit right into the Celtics' tenacious defensive gameplan, but his contributions on offense are in question. There was potential for the Celtics to shop this pick around to net an immediate contributor, but this selection comes across as a safe gamble as Brown's athleticism makes him a sensible bet.
#16 Guerschon Yabusele , PF6’8”, 270
Yabusele is a physically imposing presence with an imposing wingspan. He can put up points from inside and outside. He has the promise of becoming a valuable cog as a strong all-round scorer.
That being said, much of his attraction is his potential which remains to be realized.
#23 Ante Zizic, C6"11, 240 lbs
Zizic might just spend the next season overseas to refine his skill-set. He is a dominant presence on the glass and brings a toughness which will be beloved by the Celtics fans.
His limitation could be his lack of range, but there are plenty of big men who have carved a niche without having to pop jumpers from afar.
Picks # 4, #8Phoenix SunsGrade: A
#4 Dragan Bender, F7’0, 220
There have been instances when a foreign prospect comes to the league with a name befitting a top model. Andrea Bargnani comes to mind for one. Bender skewers that notion with a name fit for a Rockey nemesis or an international warlord.
As the old adage goes, you can't teach size. And Bender brings a package of size and tantalizing potential. Optimists can hope for a Porzingis and pessimists have a litany of picks to make the glass seem half empty.
The Suns have one of the best medical staff in the league, one which has served as the fountain of youth for many a veteran well past his prime. They ought to be able to aid Bender in optimizing his physicality for a long career. He has the tools to space the floor and should be able to contribute quicker than expected.
Along with Devin Booker, Bender can form a formidable one-two punch for the Suns.
#8 (via trade with the Sacramento Kings)Marquese Chriss, PF6’9”, 225
Chriss was traded to the Suns for the 13th and 28th pick, along with Bogdan Bogdanovic and a 2020 2nd round pick. Chriss has the potential to be a strong prospect down the line.
The Suns took a safe shot by grabbing a player with plenty of upsides, but it seems to be just that at this point.
Pick # 5Minnesota TimberwolvesGrade: A-
#5 Kris Dunn, PG6’4”, 215 lbs
The Timberwolves have had a glut of talent in the backcourt over the years, but Dunn ought to be a good match for a coach like Tom Thibodeau. It does bring up the question of Ricky Rubio, that maestro point guard in search for a jumper. Dunn isn't one to light it up from distance either so now the Wolves have two guards who can't stretch the floor.
That doesn't mean that Dunn won't make his presence felt immediately. He has won a couple of Big East Player and Defensive Player of the year awards and he brings a solid presence in the Wolves backcourt and an able complement to Andrew Wiggins.
Pick #6New Orleans PelicansGrade: A-
#6 Buddy Hield, SG6’4”, 215 lbs
No team disappointed more in the 2015-2016 season than the Pelicans. The clock is running out on them holding on to Anthony Davis and they needed to make an impact in the Draft to stabilize their ship. Hield ought to go a long way towards that.
He is a prolific scorer who can shoulder the scoring load and space the floor for Davis. Arguably the best shooter in this Draft class, Hield will be an immediate contributor for a team sorely in need of a punch.
Pick #7Denver NuggetsGrade: B+
#7 Jamal Murray, SG6’4”, 205
Murray is a steal at the seventh pick and he'll be an able complement to Emmanuel Mudiay. He may be a defensive liability at this stage of his career, but his ability to light up the scoreboard isn't in question.
It does remain to be seen how the young roster of the Nuggets will mesh together, but Murray is an undoubtedly a smart addition to the mix.
Pick #9Toronto RaptorsGrade: B+
#9 Jakob Poeltl , PF7"1, 240 lbs
Poeltl comes in insurance for Bismack Biyombo's replacement as the backup center and will likely make an immediate impact in keeping the Raptors steady on the inside.
His strong post game and presence on the boards makes him a solid bet for a contender looking to shore up.
Pick #10Milwaukee BucksGrade: B-
#10 Thon Maker, C7’0”, 218
The Bucks deserve applause for taking a risk with an 18-year-old prospect, but the cheers can quickly turn to jeers for not picking a safer prospect in favour of adding to their glut in the frontcourt.
Maker does bring an enticing ensemble in his size and jumper, but he is yet to be tested at the top level. He does have the tools to be a stretch four but the Bucks lack a D-league team for him to polish his skills. This pick just might come back to haunt them.
Pick #11OKC Thunder (via Orlando Magic)Grade: B+
#11 Domantas Sabonis, PF6’10”, 240 lbs
The Magic sent the 11th pick along with Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova to the Thunder for Serge Ibaka, The Thunder are likely thanking their stars for getting three quality pieces for one with whom they had reached their ceiling.
Sabonis will complement Steven Adams in holding down the fort and help the Thunder field a formidable frontcourt. He brings a lot of toughness and has the ability to connect on the mid-range jumper.
Pick #12, #21Atlanta Hawks (via Utah Jazz)Grade: B-
#12 Taurean Prince6’7”, 220 lbs
The loss of Jeff Teague will be keenly felt by the Atlanta Hawks, they hope to soften the blow with the addition of a prospect who can fill the role ably played by DeMarre Carroll.
Prince brings a steadying influence without jumping out in any particular area. He's one of the few wings in the draft who can make their presence felt on both ends of the floor. He could evolve into a capable 3-and-D wing.
#21 Deandre Bembry, SF6’6”, 220 lbs
Bembry can be expected to fit right in with the Hawks' system. He has solid court awareness and apart from stretching the floor, his game has bits and pieces of almost everything.
The Hawks play with a certain egalitarian philosophy, and Bembry's game ought to fit like a glove to that.
Pick # 13, #22, #28Sacramento Kings (via Phoenix Suns)Grade: C
#13 Georgios Papagiannis, C7’2”, 240
In addition to Papagiannis, the Kings now have four centers in DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos. Some speculate that he probably would have been available down the line when the Kings could have taken him with their 22nd pick.
Papagiannis is just 18 years old and his selection seems a tad bit questionable, it would be nice to be proven wrong on this one.
#22 Malachi Richardson, SG (via Charlotte Hornets)
Grade: B6’6”, 195 lbs
Richardson brings a freakish 7-foot wingspan to the table, one who can carve his own niche on offense and has the range to space the floor.
The Kings should be well served by his set of skills, and his recent impressive performances in the NCAA tournament ought to be a sign of things to come.
#28 Skal Labissiere, C6’11”, 220 lbs
Labissiere saw his draft stock fall over last year as he put up sub-par numbers. It doesn't help that he's 22 years old either. The Kings just keep stocking up on size, it does make for an interesting mix to keep an eye on though.
Pick #14Chicago BullsGrade: B+
#14 Denzel Valentine, SG6’6”, 220 lbs
Valentine has had his share of knee problems, but he is a solid sniper who can make an immediate impact for the Bulls who are now bereft of Derrick Rose.
Valentine has good floor awareness and his proven ability to distribute the ball will come as a balm for the Bulls who will be looking for some spark in the backcourt. He does need to pick up his game on defense though.
Pick #15Denver NuggetsGrade: B+
#15 Juan Hernangomez, C6’9”, 225
Hernangomez's combination of size, strength and stamina will serve him well when he develops further. He could be a dependable stretch four for the Nuggets in the future.
He won the Young Player of the Year award in the Spanish League, and has held his own against a high level of competition. For now, he will probably get his feet wet overseas.
Pick #17Memphis GrizzliesGrade: B
#17 Wade Baldwin IV, SG6’3”, 195
The Grizzlies could probably not have found a better fit for their Grit and Grind mentality. Baldwin is a tenacious defender and he will learn from the tutelage of Tony Allen. There are only a handful of defenders better suited for that.
Baldwin needs work on offense but he ought to instantly mesh in with the Grizzlies.
Pick #18Detroit PistonsGrade: B+
#18 Henry Ellenson, PF/C6’10”, 245
Ellenson is a good pickup who can play the 4 and 5 while stretching the floor. He can score inside and outside, and his ability to clean the glass should help him carve his space in the rotation.
He still has some way to go before he can call himself a solid defender, though.
Pick #19Denver NuggetsGrade: B+
#19 Malik Beasley, SG
6’5”, 190 lbs
Beasley is a steal at 19, a capable shooter who can light it up from anywhere, but his lack of size could hamper his prospects.
The Nuggets have added another capable scorer, but the fit remains to be seen. He has undergone a stress fracture surgery in his right leg, adding a question mark to his resume.
Pick #20Brooklyn Nets (via Indiana Pacers)Grade: C
#20 Caris LeVert, SG6’7”, 205 lbsGrade: C-
The Nets acquired LeVert while losing Thaddeus Young. LeVert has a long history of injuries, making him one of the riskiest picks in the entire draft. He does bring a potent offensive presence to the table when healthy, making him a worthy gamble.
The Nets are betting big on his health, if he can remain on the floor one can think about whether he can evolve into a regular contributor.
Pick #25Los Angles ClippersGrade: B
#25 Brice Johnson, SF6’9”, 228 lbs
Johnson comes in as a backup at the forward spot for a team which has tantalized and disappointed its fans for longer than any other. After Brandon Dawson's off court antics, the Clippers are making the right move in shoring up the frontcourt rotation for the future.
Given Johnson's athleticism, he ought to be able to contribute right off the bat, as he can identify with the Lob City moniker.
Pick #27Toronto RaptorsGrade: C
#27 Pascal Siakam, PF6’9”, 230 lbs
Siakam is more of a player who can clean up rather than one who takes the rotation by storm. He offers further insurance in case Bismack Biyombo bolts.
That being said, the Raptors could have probably experimented with a pick with more upside.
Pick #29San Antonio SpursGrade: B
#29 Dejounte Murray, PG6’5”, 170 lbs
Murray is a skilled and fleet-footed prospect who needs to work on his jump shot. Putting on some weight wouldn't hurt either.
It's hard to think of him and not wonder if the Spurs can mold another Ginobili here, or at least an imitation of one as the original is one of a kind.
Pick #30 Golden State WarriorsGrade: B
Damian Jones, PF7’0”, 244 lbs
Jones brings an insurance policy in case the Warriors can't hold on to Festus Ezeli. His athleticism and shot-blocking should serve as a nice complement to a team which is as complete as any.
Jones ought to thrive with a team where he isn't under pressure to break out, and he'll have plenty of opportunities to finish inside as the Warriors space the floor like no other.
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