The first round of the 2020 NBA Draft has come and gone ... and boy was it a wild night! The draft took place virtually at ESPN’s headquarters, but it was the same leaked pick-fest by Woj and Shams, which kept us on our toes. The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t shock anyone and went with Georgia G Anthony Edwards. The T-Wolves did have a pretty solid night overall. Let’s go over some draft grades for each team after the first round.
Atlanta Hawks
Grade: B-
The Hawks weren’t really too active while other teams took advantage of the slew of trades. That’s fine, Atlanta got a pretty solid center prospect in Onyeka Okongwu. The USC product is a great kid and adds another promising young body to a frontcourt already anchored by studs John Collins and Clint Capela. Okongwu can grow into his role in the NBA and should blossom.
Boston Celtics
Grade: B+
The Celtics went into the draft trying to deal picks left and right to add an established player. Gordon Hayward wasn’t dealt either, and the Celtics kept most of their picks. Boston added shooting at the guard position with Vanderbilt G Aaron Nesmith and Oregon G Payton Pritchard. Both should help out behind Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart in the backcourt.
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Brooklyn Nets
Grade: C
The Nets traded the No. 19 pick in the draft in the three-way trade that netted them G Landry Shamet. It was a fine move to get Shamet, who is an established shooter. Not much to see here yet.
Charlotte Hornets
Grade: A
The Hornets didn’t have the first overall pick but got a first overall talent in LaMelo Ball. I’m not high on Ball, but his talent is clear and the Hornets needed to add somebody with his playmaking ability.
Chicago Bulls
Grade: D
I wanted to give the Bulls an F but that was because I’m just an angry Bulls fan. Chicago reached for Patrick Williams, who isn’t a bad prospect at forward but doesn’t seem like a top 5 pick. At best, I think he ends up being a good defender. At worst, he’s not on the roster in 3-4 seasons.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: B
The Cavaliers have had a lot of lottery picks lately and that’s netted them Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and Kevin Porter Jr. Isaac Okoro gets added to a young core and can develop into a solid two-way wing for Cleveland.
Dallas Mavericks
Grade: B
The Mavs were able to land a couple of strong guards in Josh Green and Tyrell Terry. Dallas also traded for Josh Richardson before the second round. Green and Terry have plenty of upside and the Mavericks needed to add some more young shooters.
Denver Nuggets
Grade: B+
The Nuggets added a couple high-upside plays in RJ Hampton and Zeke Nnaji. Hampton opted to go play professionally instead of in the NCAA. He could have easily been a lottery pick given his pedigree. Nnaji has a ton of size and athleticism at 6’11” and can develop into a good shot blocker and motor guy.
Detroit Pistons
Grade: A+
I thought the Pistons crushed the draft. Killian Hayes at No. 7 was a great pickup because Detroit lacks talented scorers. Hayes could develop into one of the better players in the draft and the Pistons didn’t have to reach. After that, Detroit picked up a solid center prospect in Isaiah Stewart out of Washington and a great two-way wing in Saddiq Bey. Overall, great job by Troy Weaver in his first draft as GM.
Golden State Warriors
Grade: B+
A lot of teams had pretty great drafts. The Dubs decided to keep the No. 2 pick and go with James Wiseman, who has the makings of becoming a franchise center. The Klay Thompson news is unfortunate, but if Wiseman can come right in and make an impact, the Dubs will still be competitive.
Houston Rockets
Grade: D
The Rockets had the No. 16 pick after trading Robert Covington, but dealt that pick to the Pistons. Houston is in trouble if Russell Westbrook and James Harden want out and they can’t get more assets.
Indiana Pacers
Grade: D
Nothing to see here. No picks for Indy until late in the second round.
Los Angeles Clippers
Grade: C
The Clippers briefly had a pick at No. 19 and flipped it for Luke Kennard. It wasn’t a bad move but doesn’t move the needle too much for Kawhi and Co.
Los Angeles Lakers
Grade: C
The Lakers traded the No. 28 pick to get Dennis Schroder, which was a great move. No draft picks, though, so C’s get degreeees!
Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: B
I really liked the Grizzlies move to get into the first round and take TCU G Desmond Bane. Memphis needed to find a young prospect to potentially pair with Ja Morant. Bane has the chance to develop into a strong defender.
Miami Heat
Grade: B-
The Heat had the No. 20 overall pick and got a solid frontcourt prospect in Memphis PF Precious Achiuwa. It would have been nice to see Achiuwa and James Wiseman evolve into a stupid good frontcourt pairing. Achiuwa gives the Heat some depth at a position of need. Jae Crowder will hit free agency and Derrick Jones Jr. may get traded.
Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: C
The Bucks didn’t have any first-round picks after dealing No. 24 to the Pelicans in the Jrue Holiday trade. The Bucks have a second round pick and it was used for Jordan Nwora out of Louisville. The power forward will take up a roster spot, though he could see some playing time depending on if the Bucks make more moves.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade: A
The T-Wolves had a great night. Anthony Edwards at No. 1 was expected and the Georgia SG should — if nothing else — develop into a starting-caliber guard. If it works out, Edwards could be an All-Star. The Wolves made a trade that netted them PG Ricky Rubio. Then selected two forward — Leandro Bolmaro (who could be a stash candidate) and Jaden McDaniels (who has a ton of upside).
New Orleans Pelicans
Grade: C-
The Pels added a couple of guards in Kira Lewis Jr. and Elijah Hughes. New Orleans has a ton of depth in the backcourt, but I thought the Pels needed to maybe add a big. They have Jaxson Hayes and obviously Zion Williamson, but may lose Derrick Favors to free agency. Still, Lewis has a ton of upside to replace Eric Bledsoe down the line.
New York Knicks
Grade: A-
This was a coup for Knicks fans. New York went out and got its guy in Obi Toppin, a pick I love. He could turn into the next Amar’e Stoudemire. Then, the Knicks went out and got a UK guy in Immanuel Quickley via a trade with OKC. Kentucky always produces great NBA players, so Quickley has a shot to become this year’s Tyler Herro.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Grade: B+
The Thunder used the girth of picks they had to move up to No. 17 and take Serbian C Aleksej Pokusevski. The 7-footer will get comparisons to fellow countryman Nikola Jokic, and rightfully so. If that’s the ceiling for Pokusevski, getting him at 17 is a great move for OKC. The Thunder will need a center in a few years once Steven Adams and Al Horford are gone.
Orlando Magic
Grade: C+
The Magic got North Carolina G Cole Anthony with the No. 15 pick. It was a fine somewhat reach that has a chance to pay dividends. I’m just not really blown away by Anthony, although he could turn into a solid starter. The injury history concerns me a bit.
Philadelphia 76ers
Grade: A+
It isn’t really surprising that Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers had a terrific draft in Year 1 together. Tyrese Maxey is the Kentucky player you would want to pick if draft history is going to be a factor. Maxey is exactly the type of shooter/penetrator the Sixers needed in the backcourt. Tyler Bey was a pretty good get in the second round as well.
Phoenix Suns
Grade: D+
The Suns reached big time in taking Jalen Smith at No. 10 overall. The Maryland product could turn into a good rim protector and is a decent 3-point shooter. He also has a high probability to bust at this spot. Not crazy about the risk play despite the positive outlook.
Portland Trail Blazers
Grade: C
The Blazers dealt the No. 16 pick and had a second-rounder they used to get CJ Elleby out of Washington State. He’s another lesser-known guard, which has worked out pretty well for Portland twice already.
Sacramento Kings
Grade: B+
I absolutely love Tyrese Haliburton and the Kings saw him fall right into their lap. Haliburton seems like the type of player who will be motivated by falling outside the top 10. He could develop into the perfect running mate next to De’Aaron Fox. Haliburton is also insurance in case Bogdan Bogdanovic decides to bolt via an offer sheet.
San Antonio Spurs
Grade: B
It’s hard to knock the Spurs in any draft, because their first-round pick could turn into Kawhi Leonard. Devin Vassell likely won’t be the next Kawhi, but he is a strong two-way wing who addresses a position of need for San Antonio, which has plenty of guards.
Toronto Raptors
Grade: B-
The Raptors essentially went with the next Fred VanVleet in Malachi Flynn at the tail-end of the first round. Flynn is undersized but he can shoot the lights out and could turn into a solid perimeter defender despite the lack of size. The kid’s got heart.
Utah Jazz
Grade: D
Udoka Azubuike probably shouldn’t have been a first-round pick and the Jazz reached for him at No. 27. The Kansas center has a ton of size but doesn’t make sense in today’s NBA — that requires centers to be more versatile and able to defend out to the line + shoot the ball well.
Washington Wizards
Grade: B+
There was a point in which people believed Deni Avdija would be a top 5 pick. He fell all the way to No. 9. This could be a Luka Doncic situation developing a bit. Avdija has the upside to be sort of a Doncic-lite, something I’ve written before.