NBA Draft Day Grades: Sixers, Kings, Pistons, Jazz, Blazers

(Being continued from my grades for CLE, ORL, WAS, CHA, and PHX.)

Every team was aware that Ben McLemore was the most talented player in the draft but somehow, someway, he slid all the way down to number seven.  The players picked six through ten could very easily make a better team than the first five picks when we compare them three years from now.  Not only did the most talented player slip to seven, but the favorite to be picked first for most of the time heading up to the draft went number six.  Goodness gracious.

Philadelphia 76ers:

Pick #6. 6-11 C Nerlens Noel (as well as Hornets 2014 first round pick in exchange for Jrue Holiday)

Ceiling: Dikembe Mutombo

Floor: Stromile Swift

I certainly did not see this coming.  The Sixers decided to wipe the whole slate clean as they gave up all-star point guard Jrue Holiday.  Noel could be the second coming of Andrew Bynum for the Sixers.  That’s the problem with big guys that have a history of a severe injury or more than one.  However, Noel has the potential to be a stand-out center, athletically and defensively.  All we can do now is wait and see how this trade turns out.

Pick #11. 6-5 PG Michael Carter-Williams 

Ceiling: Andre Miller

Floor: Shaun Livingston

Carter-Williams is a rare type of point guard that a lot of teams were actually high on.  His very good court vision as well as size gives him the potential to be a solid starter.  Nowadays, most point guards look to score more often than they used to.  Carter-Williams brings back the concept of the traditional point guard but he’ll eventually need pieces around him in order to succeed.

Pick #54. 6-7 PF Arsalam Kazemi

Grade: A-

Sacramento Kings: 

Courtesy of usatoday.com

Pick #7. 6-5 SG Ben McLemore

Ceiling: Ray Allen

Floor: Doug Christie

McLemore will likely be looked at as a steal in this draft.  Sacramento felt they absolutely had to pull the trigger on him.  The Kings have drafted young, promising players in the last few years in hopes of revitalizing this franchise.  No improvements have been shown since the great squad of Bibby, Stojakavic, and Webber.  For the Kings, McLemore was simply too extraordinary a talent to pass on.

Pick #36. 6-2 PG Ray McCallum

Grade: A

Detroit Pistons: 

Pick #8. 6-5 SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Ceiling: Joe Johnson

Floor: Rashad McCants

Depending on how large of an immediate impact this highly praised scorer can bring to Detroit, I think people will understand why they passed Trey Burke for him.  Although Burke had much more hype coming into the draft, K.C.P didn’t have the spotlight that Burke had in college.  He played for a cruddy Georgia team that relied on him to do everything.  Both are very talented scorers, but Caldwell-Pope fit their need better.

Pick #37. 6-8 PF Tony Mitchell

Mitchell is arguably a first round talent that was completely worth the risk for Detroit.  Although he doesn’t understand the game well enough yet and was somewhat disappointing at North Texas, Mitchell is being put into a good situation.  He just has to bring energy off the bench and provide the team with about 10 quality minutes a game.

Pick #56. 6-1 PG Peyton Siva

Grade: B+

Utah Jazz: 

Pick #9. 6-1 PG Trey Burke (traded for picks 14 and 21 – Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng)

Ceiling: Chris Paul

Floor: Bobby Jackson

In my opinion, the Jazz made a very clever move by sending picks 14 and 21 to Minnesota for pick nine.  With enough talent to build off in the front court, Utah’s mind was set on getting a future point guard.  Burke was a picture perfect choice for them as he will greatly benefit from Utah’s core of young big men.

Pick #27: 7-1 C Rudy Gobert

This dude has a 9-7 standing reach.  That’s all I’m going to say about him for now.

Grade: A-

Portland Trail Blazers: 

Pick #10. 6-3 G C.J. McCollum

Ceiling: Jason Terry

Floor: Janerro Pargo

Some consider McCollum to be the purest shooter in this draft class.  Whether he is or not, it’s a well-known fact that he’s a sharpshooter.  I’m not quite sure if McCollum will start this season.  My guess is that they’ll keep Wes Matthews at the 2-spot and bring McCollum off the bench as a combo guard, similar to how Jason Terry found success.

Pick #31. 6-6 SG Allen Crabbe

This pick has great potential to be one of the biggest steals in the draft.  Portland sure isn’t being shy recruiting talented guards.  It’ll be interesting to see how they can balance out their roster.

Pick #39. 7-0 C Jeff Withey

Another potential steal.  It’s not like the last two prospects were unknown.  In fact, they were actually “safe steals,” meaning that there was no downside to picking them.

Pick #45. 6-11 Marko Todorovic

Grade: A

That’s where I wrap this section up.  Oh, and just in case you haven’t noticed, I never give out an A+.  Here’s why: nothing is for certain in this world except, of course, death and taxes.

Follow me on Twitter @ZJTbasketball11

2013 NBA Draft Preview

This draft may not have one stand-out player to be excited about, but that”s what makes the 2013 draft unique.  It gives us a lot to question and it reflects on the true quality of each franchise’s front office decision-making.  Here, I will discuss some potential lottery pick situations and factor in my take on them (Keep in mind, this preview disregards the possibility of lottery picks being traded, which there is a fair possibility of):

Italicized – My prediction

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: a bundle of options including Ben McLemore, Nerlens Noel, Otto Porter, Alex Len, and Victor Oladipo.

There is thought to be a significant difference between the talent level and potential of this year’s first pick and next year’s first pick (Andrew Wiggins or whoever that may be).  At first sight, it was looking like Nerlens Noel was the guy to grab at the number one slot.  However, injuries and doubts about his ceiling on offense have made him a questionable call.  My opinion: too risky of a pick and the Cavs may be better off going in another direction.  Ben McLemore definitely has superstar potential and talent is what the Cavs need.  Maybe him and Irving become the best backcourt in the NBA in a few years.  Don’t count out Otto Porter.  He may actually be the safest pick because you know what to expect out of him: immediate solid all-around contribution from a lanky small forward (making the playoffs next season is one of the Cavs’ main goals).  Alex Len being the first pick has also been mentioned.  Nobody really knows if that’s a legitimate possibility, though.

2. Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo, Ben McLemore, Nerlens Noel

The Magic are definitely going to end up with one of these three players.  After some excellent moves by Orlando’s front office, we should assume that they remain confident about big decisions they have to make.  According to reliable sources, the Magic claim to “guarantee” they’ll take Nerlens Noel if he’s there.  That may be true but I’m not completely buying it.  Orlando already has pretty solid size and they would greatly benefit from an explosive guard who can score the ball/run a team.

3. Washington Wizards: Nerlens Noel, Otto Porter

These two guys seem to be the most likely possibilities for D.C.  I think the Wiz are more than content with their future backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal.  Plus, it’s not like they’re looking for an upgrade over Beal, who they chose 3rd overall in the 2012 draft.  The Wizards really need some more life at the PF/C position.  Nene Hilario is a very good player but he doesn’t seem to possess the energy and athleticism that he used to; that’s a strong case for Nerlens Noel and I’m sure they would be thrilled if he was on the board.  Otto Porter is probably their selection in an ideal world.  Washington absolutely does not have a starting small forward set-in-stone, and Porter would certainly be that guy.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Otto Porter, Ben McLemore, Victor Oladipo, Alex Len, Anthony Bennett

This pick, obviously, strongly depends on what players are available.  You could make a case for Michael Jordan taking any of these guys.  McLemore would be really hard to pass up here.  However, if that’s the case, they might favor Oladipo over him because of his work ethic and defensive ability.  The Bobcats also desperately need a power forward and center.  But in this scenario, talent (Otto Porter) wins overall.

5. Phoenix Suns: Anthony Bennett, Ben McLemore, Victor Oladipo, Otto Porter

After letting go of Steve Nash, the Suns basically had to start from the beginning.  Phoenix is at the start of a major rebuilding process.  They are craving an intriguing prospect that can take over a game and eventually make them a competitive team.  McLemore and Oladipo would very likely be their top two priorities.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Alex Len, Ben McLemore, Anthony Bennett, Trey Burke

I, personally, don’t think Ben McLemore will slide down this far.  Then again, this draft is a total guessing game for the fans (and the GMs).  Trey Burke seems to be the common projection for the Pelicans and I don’t see why not.  I think he’s the perfect fit for this team.  They could plug him into the starting lineup right away, assuming Eric Gordon gets moved.  Burke and Vasquez could start together considering both are combo guards.

7. Sacramento Kings: Trey Burke, Anthony Bennett, CJ McCollum, Michael Carter-Williams

This is a huge draft for the Kings.  Sacramento continues to land great lottery picks but they haven’t seemed to benefit the team much.  I think they are in desperate need of a smart player who knows how to lead a team.  Trey Burke or CJ McCollum could be that guy.  McCollum played four years of college ball, which is a factor that is definitely underlooked.  Both players have a sweet stroke as well as most of the tools necessary to play point guard in the NBA.

8. Detroit Pistons: CJ McCollum, Trey Burke, Michael Carter-Williams, Shabazz Muhammad, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Again, we have to see what players are going to be left on the board at number 8.  In last year’s draft, the Pistons were extremely fortunate to have a potential franchise-changing player available at number 9.  Who knows, maybe a name that I don’t expect to drop could fall this far.  Let’s just say that the Pistons have narrowed it down to McCollum, Carter-Williams, Caldwell-Pope (assuming Burke is taken).  Any of these players are a strong possibility.  Personally, I like McCollum because of his court awareness and the fact that he can consistently put the ball in the hoop (the Pistons need that).  The Pistons could have a future backcourt of Knight and McCollum, who both have the flexibility to play the 1 and 2.

The Pistons are my hometown team so it’s only right that I stop here before I continue to embarrass myself with these incorrect picks (although I’d be extremely impressed if someone could get all eight correct).

Follow me on Twitter @ZJTbasketball11