Draft & Free
Agency
Now that NBA the draft is over and picks are made, the free
agency period is upon us. I will show
how teams break down and their areas of need.With only being a week removed from the draft free agency is in full swing and players are moving either by trades, or by signing as free agents. Will free agency fix some teams
problems or is more help needed to really make an impact for some.
New Orleans Hornets: A- With the numbers 1,10 and 46 picks in the
draft the Hornets in my book had a great draft with their picks of Anthony
Davis, Austin Rivers, and Darius Miller.
Those picks in the future will translate into monumental help towards a
championship. But only if they can
resign Eric Gordon through free agency. Without Eric Gordon the Hornets would
basically be back to square one. Yes
Anthony Davis will be defensive force in the middle, but he is a few seasons
away from the caliber talent they will need him to be in order for them contend
for a championship. Austin Rivers will not be a point guard in the NBA, but
with Eric Gordon in front of him he will be a great asset to the team via the
sixth man spot. Darius Miller will be a good swingman for sometime to come he’s
very good shooter and good defender. Now I still feel that they should have
kept Trevor Ariza, he would have been a great asset to their championship
hopes. But overall Hornets are going in the right direction. As long as they
keep Gordon.
Charlotte Bobcats: B+ The
Bobcats are the possibly the worst team in the NBA ever. But with a few changes can change the
complexity of the whole franchise. NBA
Draft the Bobcats drafted Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the first round with no. 2
pick overall. In my opinion the Bobcats
picked up the second best player in the draft. Kidd-Gilchrist in my opinion is
was the top SF/Swingman in the draft with his athletic ability and his ability
to defend just about any position from the point guard to the power forward
position makes him a rare commodity in the league. Plus as an added bonus his ability to get to
the rim with ease. Now he does need to work on his jump shot ability and become
a better shooter that will come. Also
with the 31st pick they took Jeff Taylor a forward from Vanderbilt
who is a great defender that will lock down just about anybody he comes across,
I think he will have to work harder at it in the NBA but he will be ok. Now they have made some moves to acquire
guard Ben Gordon from the Pistons and sent forward Corey Maggette to the
Pistons. As well making qualifying offers to guard D.J. Augustin and forward
Derrick Brown so the Bobcats are moving in the right direction.
Washington Wizards: A The Wizards to me is the one team which
has had the best offseason so far. With
the incoming players of Ariza, Nene, and Oakfor. With the three of them joining
the team they can actually have a decent frontcourt to try and contend for the
east. With the #3 overall pick the
Wizards draft Bradley Beal a very nice sized combo guard, with the ability to
play the point. He will open the floor
for John Wall and make things a little easier.
Also with the #32 pick the Wizards draft another guard out of Spain.
Tomas Satoransky a very big guard with great shooting ability but lacks in
defense. He will also help spread the floor for John Wall.
Cleveland Cavaliers: C- In my opinion this draft maybe they
needed a swingman to really go along with Kyrie Irving. Well I believed they
dropped the ball this draft; drafting Dion Waiters when there were way more
talented guards and swingmen still left in the draft. Not saying he shouldn’t
have gotten drafted, just not that high.
But they saved their draft this year by trading for Tyler Zeller a very
talented big man from North Carolina who has great defensive and offensive
potential. He just needs to get in NBA shape physically, and Kelenna Azubukie.
They sent their picks 24 Jared Cunningham, 33 Bernard James, and 34 Jae Crowder
to the Mavericks. So maybe an upgrade but only time will tell.
Sacramento Kings: A+ This draft went exceptionally well for the
Kings drafting Thomas Robinson 5th overall. Robinson who has the
most NBA ready body in the draft will be a great asset and counter part to
DeMarcus Cousins. He has some growing to
do but will make a great transition to the NBA. He can play with his back to
the basket, and while facing up. So with
the talent the Kings already have they possibly contend in the West. Well if they can get a coach to pull them all
together.
Portland Trail Blazers: B- The Trail Blazers draft was hard to
really hard to pick up on. They needed some help at just about every position
well they tapped a few positions with the drafting of #6 Damian Lillard, #11
Meyers Leonard, #40 Will Barton, and #41 Tyshawn Taylor who was traded to
Brooklyn. Now with those picks the
Blazers addressed some the areas where they need help. The biggest help they need to find is up
front. Some help for LaMarcus Aldridge
that will probably come from free agency by the way most likely will be Roy
Hibbert, who is more likely to leave Indiana, if they don’t match the offer
from Portland. Hibbert is probably the
most sought after big man this free agency class. Time will show all.
Golden State Warriors: C+ The Warriors in my opinion made a
questionable choice at pick #7 taking small forward Harrison Barnes from
UNC. In my thought their pick at 35
Draymond Green would be a better fit and player in the NBA. Harrison Barnes yes has great athletic
ability, but he is lacking in a lot of other areas. Where as Draymond Green is
a do it all type of swingman. Green
lacks in his defense but can do so many other things. Picks #30 Festus Ezeli and #52 Ognjen Kuzmic
will add some length, youth and athletic ability upfront at the center
position. But since the Warriors didn’t
lose anything this offseason, but got rid of their headache during the season.
So the Warriors may be able to make some noise out west overall.
Toronto Raptors: D The Raptors in the first round picked up
something in which most people said they needed a scoring guard. Terrence Ross
might not be the quickest guard out there but he can score, and the Raptors
needed that. But the Raptors second and
third picks are a mystery to me (probably many others). They picked up some upfront players where they
should picked up maybe a swingman with great scoring ability on the outside. They wanted to hopefully land Nash, which
would have helped them into the playoffs and maybe more. But only time will
tell.
Detroit Pistons: B- The Pistons this season needed to draft big
and draft to replace some wing scoring. The Pistons upgraded their frontcourt
with drafting Andre Drummond a very lengthy defender and scorer around the
basket. Plus he rebounds. Just needs to work on his free throw shooting big
time. Plus they took Khris Middleton a
forward who will help a rapidly aging Tayshaun Prince. As well as they get back Kyle Singler which
whom they drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft. He will help with lighting the load for
Prince as well. They also got another
guard to help with the missing wing scoring of Rip Hamilton. So with the squad they have now starting to
gel the Pistons might have a break out season in the next few years, and stop
being an after thought.
Houston Rockets: A+ The Rockets in this draft have done some
good work. They drafted my sleeper
Jeremy Lamb at #12. A kid who is very long, very quick, and a very good
shooter. He will be able to create his own shot. Then with their next first
round pick Rockets select possibly a steal in Royce White. White showed dominance
during this past college season where he showed an all around game. They get a
swingman who can dribble, pass, shoot, and has no problem going to the block
and play with his back to the basket.
Then the Rockets drafted an x-factor out of Kentucky in Terrence Jones.
A player with great athleticism, who can leap out the gym. He has to get his body ready to endure a NBA
season. But in the long he will be the
x-factor for the Rockets maybe more. Now
all that’s left to do is fill the void of the sudden retirement of Yao
Ming. They need a big man to control the
middle. They might be able to offer up their picks for Howard but who knows if
that will even please Orlando the Howard is acting. But no doubt Howard can
help the Rockets tremendously.
Phoenix Suns: B+ The Suns one and only draft pick was a good
one. They took Kendall Marshall with the
13th pick overall. He is and
was the best passer of the draft class. With this pick the Suns would be able
to get a guy who can give them the same efficient mind set as they had with
Steve Nash. Key word had with Steve
Nash. Nash will probably sign with
someone else in order to try and win a championship before his career is up (Lakers,
Knicks, Raptors, or Mavericks). So
getting Marshall keeps them in that running mindset in which Marshall can push
the ball and be efficient (plus he is young).
The only thing the Suns really lose is the scoring of Nash. Marshall
will have to work on his scoring ability.
Milwaukee Bucks: C+ The Bucks are need of some scoring
help. Yeah they acquired Monta Ellis.
But he won’t be able to do it alone. So
they needed in my book to get someone to help him score. Brandon Jennings needs
to be more consistent with his scoring. He kind of fell backwards, with his
scoring from his rookie season. They went and drafted big man John Henson from
UNC. He will have to work on his scoring ability inn the NBA. Get a little
stronger, and develop an NBA ready body before I say he will help them with
their scoring woes. Defensively Henson
will be great asset. They did in the
second round address the scoring issue with drafting Doron Lamb who is very
athletic and can score in a variety of ways, and can shoot fairly well, but will
have to adjust to the NBA. But I believe
he will be helpful in years to come for Milwaukee.
Philadelphia 76ers: D- Now if the 76ers did not have the core
people under contract, then I don’t know what this draft was for. This team dropped the ball this draft for
some reason. Drafting of Harkless leaves
many scratching their heads. Yeah they did address the frontcourt with some
picks of Justin Hamilton of LSU and Tornike Shengelia a forward from Belgium.
But nothing that they chose will help this team turn the corner and contend
with the Eastern Conference in the future. But they did get a draft day trade
with the Heat which sent a very good big man their way in Arnett Moultrie so
that may give them what they need the most scoring, and upfront no less. But only time will tell if these moves pan out
or not.
Dallas Mavericks: F Looks as if the Mavericks these last two
off-seasons have lost on what to do during draft and free agency time. They let most of their championship team slip
through their hands last offseason, and this offseason they probably will have
no help for Dirk. Seeing as Deron Williams has now signed back with the Nets,
the new report is that Nash is going to the Lakers so no Dwight Howard, and
they traded both of their picks from this years draft to the Cavaliers. But none I think will make an immediate stamp
on the league. But one does standout in
my eyes and that is Jae Crowder 6-6 Forward from Marquette who can do it all,
the only question where does he fit in with the Mavericks. I guess we will have
to wait and see if they turn it around his offseason and make some moves to
better their chances. But for the meantime it doesn’t look good. Dirk maybe all
alone in this one.
Orlando Magic: C- The Orlando Magic are pretty much the team
with the most turmoil this year dealing with in my opinion the biggest baby to
hit the stage thus far (Of course Orlando played the biggest villain in the
whole matter). Now I am a Dwight Howard
fan but he has not been the greatest of people this year. He wants to win no doubt but he has a funny
way of showing it. He said he wouldn’t
opt of his contract at the end of this season. But since the season ended you
had a feeling that he would request to be traded. He wants to go to Brooklyn
but the Nets have done other deals so the Magic while they try and trade him
had an alright draft to try and replace him with some rebounders, defenders,
and scorers upfront for them next season. Pick #19 Andrew Nicholson a forward
with great, great potential on offense and defense. He can score in a variety
of ways with his back to the basket, or facing up. With range out to the three
point line. Kyle O’Quinn the 49th pick at center with Dwight like
qualities where as he is a good defender, decent low post scorer, and a great
rebounder. But overall their soap opera
will be over soon. One thing is for sure
the Orlando Magic will be without Dwight Howard next season he will be either a
Laker, Rocket or a Net only time will tell.
Denver Nuggets: C The Nuggets are in a matter of sorts at a crossroads,
they traded away Nene so they no longer have a low-post scoring threat that any
team out West (or NBA for that matter) has to really worry about. I don’t think they really addressed that in
the draft either but they did get some picks worth mentioning. First rounder really didn’t strike a chord
for me, but Evan Fournier is very athletic guard/forward type player who can
possibly fill it up at times, but he won’t make it in this league if he doesn’t
work on his defending. But in order to
do that he needs to get stronger and bigger.
Now their pick 38 in Quincy Miller is quite possibly the best pick they
have acquired in the draft. His combination of inside outside scoring with
range out to the three-point line. But he needs to get bigger and stronger as
well if he is going to play inside. So
they are in need of low-post presence in order to compete for the long haul.
Boston Celtics: B+ Hey this team seems to have a formula down
as far as to winning, and staying in the mix. When we think they are down and
out they show us they are better off than we think. Well they addressed some things in the
draft. More importantly upfront. With KG getting older but still producing he
and if they keep Brandon Bass the bench big men would need to come in and take
care of business to keep KG fresh and give Bass a break. The Celtics defense of course will top notch
for some time to come. But their
rebounding and scoring could use a boost.
Now in the draft they took Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo at 21 &
22. Now in my opinion Sullinger could’ve
used one year to really hone his game at the college level and really show his
dominance in the post. Nonetheless he is
out and he is a first round talent but will be able to endure the big bodies at
power forward in the NBA we will see.
His back is a question to that will it hold up or get worse. But for
sure he will be around for a long time in the NBA as long as he works hard to
get better. Fab Melo a big body Canter who can really help with the rebounding
(which he needs to work on) in Boston, but one thing is he can bring some
needed frontcourt scoring to the Celtics. At 7-0 ft. 274 he can be a big impact
but will he last.
Atlanta Hawks: B- Let the post Joe Johnson era begins. Which
means the Hawks (unless someone falls into their lap worth mentioning) they are
in the mode of shedding money/cap space. So this could be a rebuilding year for
them. But since Joe Johnson is gone and
now a Net their draft wasn’t to bad.
They took John Jenkins more than likely the best shooter in this draft;
he can score in many ways at the basket and from the three-point line. But he is no Joe Johnson plus he needs to
work on his dribbling and he could be a better passer. Pick #43 Mike Scott will
be a good addition because he has the ability to score with his back to the
basket or face up, he is a good rebounder, and is very competitive. He will be able to back up Smith and log some
good minuets off the bench. The Hawks
are looking to find some new talent and remake their roster so they may be able
to do so in a few years and won’t be rebuilding for long.
Memphis Grizzlies: A+ The Grizzlies are arguably one the teams
really making head way into making a bid for the NBA Finals which may happen
sooner than we think. They have probably
one the top five Front Courts in the league with Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, and Zach
Randolph they can be a bruising frontcourt at times. But they are always solid
together. They just all have to stay healthy.
The frontcourt is what really needed some attention this offseason. Well they got Tony Wroten Jr. with the #25
pick of the first round. He is a combo
guard with great rebounding ability for a guard, he can get to the basket with ease
(with that he needs to work on his free throw ability), and he is a good passer
who can see the floor rather well. So if
the Grizzlies bring back OJ Mayo or not they can build with this kid for the
future, because he will be a good fit with Mike Conley.
Indiana Pacers: D+ The Pacers I guess wanted to add to their frontcourt,
in this case they did. But they possibly
might have also lost a very big frontcourt asset in Hibbert, but they have time
to keep him but it will be pricey. But they need him or they will take a big
step back. Now I am a Blue Devil through and through have been for as long as I
have been watching basketball. I have
seen a lot of players come through Durham, North Carolina that were good, and
some who were not. Now Miles Plumlee to me was one of the players who could
have been a lot better. But at times he just didn’t deliver. He is a great big
body down low, but he sometimes didn’t display it. So to me he was not a first
round talent. There were so many other
better players more talented in the first round that were available. I think in
the future if he can really show his size and dominate the paint he will be all
right, but if not then this grade holds true.
Now what saves the Pacers is the fact that they got a draft trade for a
scorer who has some upside to him in Orlando Johnson. He can score in a variety
of ways, he is a great three-point shooter, he rebounds well, good passer, and
a good overall athlete. There are some
things he needs to work but will be in the NBA for quite some time.
Miami Heat: C- Now of course they won the championship, but
the Heat still had some voids to fill.
The voids in my book are with the frontcourt. Yeah Bosh you have at Power Forward, and you
can shuffle James down there and bump Bosh to the Center, but how much do we
really see that working for years to come.
The Heat need help upfront well did draft Arnett Moultrie from
Mississippi State who could rebound and score if needed really well. But they traded him to the Sixers for a
second round pick in Justin Hamilton and a future first round draft pick.
Hamilton is not a bad pick, but he will take some time to gel with the champs.
But in the long run he just might help their frontcourt with his ability to score
inside or outside, and pass from the high post, as well as rebound.
Oklahoma City Thunder: A The Thunder did what championship
caliber teams do reload and get better.
With the drafting of Perry Jones III they have a Small/Power Forward who
can do so many things. He will be a great asset for years to come for the
Thunder. He will be what they need for the Thunder when the frontcourt
struggles against some other solid frontcourts in the league. Jones is a good defender, can score inside or
outside he will be all right in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls: B+ The Bulls with only one pick chose a good
guard in Marquis Teague. Teague a guard out of Kentucky who will hopefully help
them deal with the injury to Derrick Rose in the playoffs. D-Rose will more than likely be back and
healthy, and Teague will back him up.
But if D-Rose isn’t back in time Teague will be able to help and hold
down the point guard until D-Rose is ready for action. So the Bulls will be
alright.
Utah Jazz: C+ The Utah Jazz have possibly the best situation up
front, with Jefferson, Milsap, Favors, and Kanter vying for position and time
upfront. The problem with the Jazz is
they don’t have a leader at any of the guard positions (preferably the point
guard). So they needed to get a guard
who will be able to help them right away, and find someone in free agency as
well. Now they only had one pick and it
was came in the second round they picked Kevin Murphy with the 47th
pick so lets hope he turns out to be a helpful guard that will take some of the
workload off the Jazz’s big men. He has
some things he can do, lets see if his game translates into the NBA.
New York Knicks: C- The Knicks in most cases did well this
year, considering the up and down season, the lost of their coach, and
injuries. Now they deal with a new coach
no chemistry, and no identity to say the least.
They need a point guard who is capable of distributing the ball in a
variety of ways to everyone. Mike
Woodson has the task of trying to pull this team together and convince them to
move the ball and play together. Defense
will be their strong suit for quite sometime now with Chandler at the helm in
the middle. But the Knicks now have to
worry about not only the Celtics but also now the Nets. So their only pick
which came in the second round at #48 Kostas Papanikolaou, can play the two or
the three, has ok quickness, he will need to work at his defense and get faster
and stronger, if he going to have to guard Shooting Guards as well as Small
Forwards. The Knicks have a long way to go, but has a short time to do so
before they become an after thought in the Atlantic Division.
Los Angeles Clippers: D- The Clippers had an alright year with
acquisition of Chris Paul which catapulted them back in the playoffs. But they are still lacking something. Now
they have Lamar Odom back in LA. They
also drafted Furkan Aldemir at pick 53, he has a lot of work to do on defense
he has to get quick and strong enough to guard most post players. He has an
alright game around the rim on offense. So we will have to wait and see.
Brooklyn Nets: A++ This grade shows what the Nets not only did
in the draft (which wasn’t much) and this offseason. Well they drafted Ilkan Karaman with the 57th
pick of the second round. Karaman is a small forward from Turkey who averaged
10ppg and about 6 rpg, they also acquired pick 41 Tyshawn Taylor from the
Blazers, and pick 54 Tornike Shengelia from 76ers. Taylor a guard who can fill it up, defend,
and do many other things well. Shengelia
a forward with good athletic ability and can play both forward spots, but needs
to work on his defense. But all that
would have been for nothing if didn’t keep D-Will around. The nets have gone from being a bottom
dweller in the Atlantic Division to a contender in the Eastern Conference. With keeping Deron Williams around the Nets
were able to acquire from the Hawks Joe Johnson, which gives them possibly the
best backcourt in the East. Along with
resigning Gerald Wallace the Nets have a trio that can really take them places
as long as they gel together. But the
nets are not done they may just pull of what will really help them out which is
getting Dwight Howard, in my book which will be a bad move, they will have to
clear basically their whole roster to get him, and if they did they will be
left without a bench to say the least.
Brooklyn has something going and needs to work with Williams, Johnson,
and Wallace. As well as resign
Humphries, and Lopez they will a solid frontcourt, but that also gives them a
chance bring in a good bench to support the starters. Only time will tell.
Minnesota Timberwolves: D- This grade comes at a point where we
ask what are the Timberwolves doing with their pick. Robbie Hummel who was plagued with injury
most of his college career. Now there is no doubt that he can play some
basketball question is can he stay healthy.
Now he has a nice shooting ability out to the three, but will he be able
to defend at the NBA level. The Wolves are hoping to get to Rubio back and
ready to make them more efficient on offense and win some games. The Wolves
have some players who are young and promising. Time will tell if they can
contend in the West.
San Antonio Spurs: B- Funny how the Spurs can find good talent
and also develop that talent for the future. It is great really it is. So the pick,
which is a solid pick but it is just a late second round, pick so who knows how
it will turn out. Also the grade reflects the fact that the Spurs could’ve used
a young big man to help out upfront with rebounding and defense on the low
block. But knowing the Spurs they will
take this pick and make it work for them. Plus if they keep Duncan, and with
Parker and Ginobili still under contract Pop and the Spurs will always be in
contention for a title.
Los Angeles Lakers: B+ Funny how the Lakers move along and are
always in contention for a title. The
need upfront for the Lakers is a need not dyer need but a need. They have in two big men possibly (if they
play like they did two years in row for championships) the best frontcourt in
all of the NBA. But since Bynum and
Gasol have not lived up to that mold the Lakers have been looking else where
for big guys to control the frontcourt.
Now the Lakers did get Robert Sacre with the 60th pick, which
is a solid low post scorer who can play with his back to the basket or face up.
He has good defensive ability. Just needs some work with rebounding? They also acquired via draft trade Darius
Johnson-Odom a guard who can defend in a rugged way, can shoot well (lefty)
really fast with or without ball in transition, so he will help in the
backcourt. But the thing that has changed
the Lakers fate and more than likely made them a lock for a top spot in the
race for the West crown, and also a contender for a title. A trade and sign deal with Suns in which the
Lakers get Steve Nash, and the Lakers lose no one in the process. So expect the
big men to stay in the mix unless the Lakers trade Bynum for Howard (but I
would rather keep Bynum as he is the number two Center in this league and has
shown glimpses of dominance in the low-post, and at times shown he is better
than Howard). But either way Howard or Bynum the Lakers with the addition of
Steve Nash has a championship caliber team.
