The 2021 NBA Draft is now behind us! Before we start to dig into free agency and next year’s draft, I will be assessing how I thought teams performed on Thursday. Recently, Ben Taylor of Thinking Basketball did a fantastic podcast episode about how silly it is to immediate grade draft picks, and I completely agree. We haven’t seen any of these players compete in an NBA game yet. But to me, that’s the appeal! It’s fun to prognosticate, and it’s fun to look back and learn from what you got right and wrong. With that said, let’s get into it!
Atlanta Hawks:
-Drafted Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper. Signed to Ibi Watson to an Exhibit-10.
Grade: A
Look, I was lower on Jalen Johnson than a lot of people. The same can be said of Sharife Cooper. However, I love Atlanta swinging for the fences here. This is a ridiculously deep team, so why not try and take a gamble on someone like Jalen Johnson, who if he puts it all together, could potentially be a star next to Trae Young? Sharife Cooper and Trae Young are redundant, but if Cooper starts to pop off, the Hawks could easily package him with another one or two of their pieces and get a big return. If these picks don’t pan out, there will be little downside, given how much young talent is already on this Atlanta team. Ibi Watson is a nice Exhibit-10 guy. I didn’t see much of Dayton this year, but his numbers were good, and he has solid positional size for a guard.
Boston Celtics:
-Drafted Juhann Begarin. Signed to Two-Way Contract: Sam Hauser.
Grade: B-
Begarin is a nice second round flier. I would’ve been more interested in them going the Sharife Cooper route, as the Celtics desperate need depth and he could have brought a change-of-pace dynamic off the bench. I love Hauser as a two-way signing. His chance to make it is tied to his ability to click as a shooting specialist, and it’s great to have a guy like that in your program.
Brooklyn Nets:
-Drafted Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, Kessler Edwards, Marcus Zegarowski, and RaiQuan Gray.
Grade: B-
Cam Thomas was definitely a weird selection, as I didn’t see the Nets taking a raw bucket-getter. It’s a great place for him to learn and he’ll get used to operating without the ball, which is good. Sharpe will give them a big man with size, but I would’ve rather found a veteran one on a minimum deal than pay for a 19 year old Sharpe to work through his kinks. Kessler Edwards has a chance to slide in and contribute, as he showed in the Combine scrimmages that he’s okay just playing tough defense and not taking a ton of shots. Zegarowski can certainly shoot and provide steady playmaking, but I wouldn’t have brought in a potential defensive liability given the personnel surrounding him in Brooklyn. Gray is really fun to watch, and if they can get his body right, he could mesh very well as a screener, unselfish short roll passer, and switchable defender.
Charlotte Hornets:
-Drafted James Bouknight, Kai Jones, JT Thor, and Scottie Lewis. Signed DJ Carton to an Exhibit-10.
Grade: A-
Charlotte did a good job of addressing needs without compromising on talent. James Bouknight was getting some buzz as the possible sixth pick, so his slide was fairly surprising. Bouknight gives them a guard who can create for himself and put pressure on the rim. Kai Jones and JT Thor are both wildly enticing upside swings, and it’s easy to get excited thinking about them catching lobs from LaMelo. Scottie Lewis does nothing for me. DJ Carton had a disappointing year for a disappointing Marquette team last year, and I don’t anticipate him to stick.
Chicago Bulls:
-Drafted Ayo Dosunmu. Signed Ethan Thompson to an Exhibit-10.
Grade: B+
Dosunmu was a good value for where he was drafted. His shooting will determine his fate, but his defense, size, and work ethic will give him chances. The Bulls badly need depth, so taking someone with a shot to contribute early makes sense. I ding them for passing on Jared Butler, who would have given them a traditional point guard and was ranked much higher on my big board. Ethan Thompson is similarly a jack-of-all-trades type. I don’t see him making the roster unless free agency goes poorly for the Bulls or he goes on a hot shooting streak.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
-Drafted Evan Mobley. Signed Chandler Vaudrin to an Exhibit-10.
Grade: A+
The Cavaliers made the smart pick by taking Evan Mobley third. There was no one else on the board with his upside at that point, and he’s a player who would be in the number one pick conversation in different draft cycles. Chandler Vaudrin is an intriguing stat sheet stuffer who ran point at Winthrop despite being 6’7”. He’s definitely interesting and the type of guy you should be using the Exhibit-10 to get a peak at and evaluate.
Dallas Mavericks:
-Signed Eugene Omoruyi and EJ Onu to Exhibit-10 contracts.
Grade: C
Both of these guys are Exhibit-10 level players. I dig the Omoruyi gamble a bit more, because he showed promise as a shooter last year, and if that’s real, he might be a player. I actually had Onu ranked higher, but I think it’s a weird use of the Exhibit-10 for a Mavericks team already loaded with super tall guys that struggle to play in playoff games.
Denver Nuggets:
-Drafted Nah’shon “Bones” Hyland.
Grade: A
I loved this pick for the Nuggets. Bones brings them something fresh as a bench guard who can create for himself, particularly from deep range. He could give Jokic and Murray some relief while still bringing volatility to the court, and he’ll have a great set up for developing his off-ball game. Denver has also been a good team schematically on defense, which will be great for him.
Detroit Pistons:
-Drafted Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Livers, Luka Garza, and Balsa Koprivica. Signed Chris Smith to a Two-Way contract. Signed Anthony Tarke to an Exhibit-10.
Grade: A
It’s hard to not get a good grade when you have the number one pick and take the best guy on the board, and that’s what they did when the took Cade Cunningham. I also like that they went for shooters in the second round, taking Livers and Garza. Given how early they are in the rebuild, I’m totally cool with taking a stab at Garza here. I don’t think Balsa is an NBA player now or in the future. Chris Smith is a great value as a two-way guy given that he’s a wing with some skill, and those are at a premium. Tarke was a physical force at Coppin State, and while I’m skeptical about his game translating, his defense at that level was dominant enough that it can’t hurt to look.
Golden State Warriors:
-Drafted Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
Grade: B+
The Kuminga pick made sense in that he was one of the more valuable players on the board, but taking such a limited player when you’re in the middle of trying to assemble a contender is a risky proposition. Things got messy with James Wiseman last season, and I think Kuminga is behind where Wiseman was last year. It may be best that they look to package him at some point. However, there’s also a chance he puts it all together and becomes a star in the future given his physical tools. Even if another team believes that and gives you something for him, that could make it a good pick. I am a huge fan of Moses Moody, and I love the fit here. He’ll be able to grow off ball, he’ll give them another deep threat, and he can learn from great players and coaches. Getting the 5th ranked player on my board 14th is highway robbery.
Houston Rockets:
-Drafted Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Usman Garuba, and Joshua Christopher.
Grade: A-
Jalen Green was second on my board, the Rockets wisely took him second, giving them a focal point for their rebuild. In Sengun and Garuba, Houston grabbed two bigs that are currently really good on one side of the floor, and a bit limited on the other. They could potentially both play together at some point if Garuba continues to hit corner threes, but they are still both short for the center spot. I still love the upside of both of them, and would be shocked if neither panned out as a positive value player on their rookie contract given how far they both fell. The Christopher pick was a whiff for me, as between Green and Kevin Porter Jr., the Rockets already have two similarly sized players that like the ball in their hands. That also doesn’t even get into John Wall, or how Sengun can operate as a playmaker. I thought their were better players on the board, and the fit only makes it worse.
Indiana Pacers:
-Drafted Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson. Signed Duane Washington to a Two-Way contract.
Grade: C-
I like both Duarte and Jackson, I’m just not entirely sure what the Pacers plan is going forward. With regard to Duarte, there’s a chance he could step in and play as a rookie, being that he’s 24 years old. Isaiah Jackson was a puzzling selection to me given how many bigs Indiana already has. Duarte felt like a “we are going to keep treading water and being mediocre” move, and Jackson is a guy with a lot of limitations. It would have been nice to see some ambition with one of those picks. Duane Washington is a scoring guard without a true position at the moment, but he shoots it well enough that he’s earned the right to flesh out his game in the G League.
Los Angeles Clippers:
-Drafted Keon Johnson, Jason Preston, and Brandon Boston Jr.
Grade: A-
I liked what the Clippers did. This is an asset poor team headed into a season where they might not have their best player available to them due to injury. So what did the Clippers do in the draft? They swung on three higher upside prospects that could either work out for their team, or be an inticing part of a trade package to another team in exchange for veteran talent. I am more confident in Keon’s three point shot coming along than others due to his mid-range prowess and improvement as the season went along. Jason Preston has an amazing story, so I’m thrilled to see him get a shot. His abilities to hit really deep threes and find interesting passing angles give him a chance. Brandon Boston needs to regain confidence after a disastrous season at Kentucky that did a number to his stock. I’d let him go wild in the G League and see if he can find what made him such a highly touted prospect in high school again. The Clippers did a wonderful job of re-stocking their asset pantry.
Los Angeles Lakers
-Signed Joel Ayayi and Austin Reaves to Two-Way contracts. Signed Chaundee Brown and Mac McClung to Exhibit-10s.
Grade: A+
The Lakers didn’t have a draft pick, and they still got someone I gave a first round grade to in Joel Ayayi. That’s bananas! I’m lower on Reaves than the consensus, but at Wichita State he showed the ability to shoot of the catch, which would likely be his role here. Ayayi and Reaves give the Lakers two potential (much needed) spacing options on the cheap. Chaundee Brown falls into a similar camp, though I’m more skeptical of him given that his senior season may have been an outlier. Mac McClung does nothing for me as a point guard-sized shooting guard that can’t defend.
Memphis Grizzlies
-Drafted Ziaire Williams and Santi Aldama. Signed Romeo Weems and Keaton Wallace to Exhibit-10s.
Grade: C
Ziaire went 10th, and I had him much lower on my board at 23rd. Still, I get it for a Memphis team that is flush with young depth. Why not take a home run swing on a potential star with interesting tools when you’ve shown the ability to develop talent, and won’t be starving for bodies if he doesn’t work out? The Aldama pick was sort of an eye roll for me, as it felt like a giant reach. He’s had injury issues, and I’m not sure I’d want to spend first round pick contract money on another big guy when I already have several rotation caliber ones on my team. Still, if someone can get the best out of him, it’s Memphis. Romeo Weems is still really raw, but his defense and glimpses of shooting make him worthy of a chance. Keaton Wallace had a productive career at UTSA but hasn’t consistently hit from three or made plays for others.
Miami Heat
-Signed Micah Potter and Marcus Garrett to Exhibit-10s.
Grade: B-
Micah Potter had a nice Big Ten career as a stretch big, but was never someone I envisioned as an NBA player due to his lack of athleticism. Marcus Garrett is a Very Miami Heat Player; pure effort, determination, and nasty defense. He oozes HEAT CULTURE ~! I give the Heat a C+ though, because they’ve loaded up their Summer League roster with AJ Lawson, Javonte Smart, DeJon Jarreau, RJ Nembhard, and Dru Smith. I’m the highest on Lawson out of that group, but great job by the Heat to get so many interesting prospects into their building.
Milwaukee Bucks
-Drafted Sandro Mamukelashvilli and Georgios Kalaitzakis. Signed Mike Smith and Jalen Crutcher to Exhibit-10s.
Grade: C+
Sandro Mamukelashvilli went in the right range, and he goes to a Milwaukee team that is an ideal fit for him. He did his best work with another big on the court; one who could protect the rim. Milwaukee has no shortage of those. Kalaitzakis, Smith, and Crutcher all missed my Top 100, and I don’t think there’s anything there with the rest of them. The Mamukelashvilli selection pulls up the rest of this bunch.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
-Signed McKinley Wright IV to a Two-Way Contract.
Grade: C
McKinley Wright IV is absolutely a player worth trying on with a two-day deal. Cool!
New Orleans Pelicans:
-Drafted Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones. Signed Jose Alvardo to a Two-Way contract.
Grade: A-
I absolutely love the Trey Murphy pick for the Pelicans. Murphy is a low-maintence distance shooter who will be fine hanging out on the perimeter while Zion and Ingram go to work, and he’ll also supply good defense. Herbert Jones could be an excellent role player if the shot comes along, but I didn’t like his selection as much because he’s a negative spacer on a team that needs as much space as possible. There were also a litany of shooters taken in short order after him, making it a tougher pill to swallow. Alvarado is a perfect two-way candidate as an intense defender with some shooting potential.
New York Knicks:
-Drafted Quentin Grimes, Rokas Jokubaitis, Miles McBride, and Jericho Sims. Signed Aamir Sims to a Two-Way contract.
Grade: B
This was sort of a weird night for the Knicks, as they swapped picks a bunch of times, but ended up with a solid haul. Grimes, McBride, and Sims are all consumate Thibs players who compete on defense. Grimes and McBride also add more three point threats to a team that could use them. Rokas can shoot it as well and playmake a little bit. They have depth at the guard spots now, so if he doesn’t hit, it won’t be the end of the world. The Knicks didn’t do much to address their lack of playmaking here, but I believe they think free agency will be their path to do so given how they proceeded here. If they don’t find a lead guard creator in free agency, not giving a look to Sharife Cooper or Jared Butler could look really bad. Aamir Sims is worth a shot as a possible smallball big.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
-Drafted Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Aaron Wiggins.
Grade: B
First off, nearly the most jaw-dropping moment of the night was the Thunder trading one of their first round pick for two more future first round picks. Sam Presti is running some sort of strange draft pick laundering operation that I do not fully understand. I didn’t think Giddey was the reach others did, as I had him, Barnes, and Kuminga in a similar tier. Both he and Tre Mann fall into a great situation, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can lighten the playmaking load for them. I see them both as high ceiling propositions, and they’ll get long leashes on a rebuilding Oklahoma City team. I wasn’t fond of the JRE pick. While I like him, it’s strange for a team that is in their position to take a low floor, medium ceiling guy like Robinson-Earl. Wiggins is a nice wing for that range who could pop if he develops in a big way in any one area.
Orlando Magic:
-Drafted Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.
Grade: A+
The Magic got a gift when Jalen Suggs fell to them at five. I’m not particularly interested in any of their other guards long term, so while there is a logjam at that spot, Suggs finally brings a high ceiling proposition to the mix. Franz fits the Orlando mold of “guy with long arms who likes to defend.” Him and Chuma Okeke could be a savage forward pairing if Franz continues to make strides as a shooter. Orlando didn’t over think it, and if nothing else, they have a solid pile of assets that they could bundle at some point.
Philadelphia 76ers:
-Drafted Jaden Springer, Filip Petrusev, and Charles Bassey. Signed Aaron Henry to a Two-Way contract.
Grade: A
I had Springer 12th on my board, so Philadelphia got ridiculous value for him at 28. I don’t know that he contributes immediately on a bench that already has Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton, but his defense could give him an opportunity. If nothing else, he’s a player that you could package with someone else to acquire veteran talent. Petrusev could be a potential stretch big man for a team that desperately needed one last season. The Bassey selection was uninspiring. They’d be better served to look for veteran minimum bigs, unless he’s able to shoot out of the gate. I thought Henry was a draftable player, so he’s a great bargain on a two-way deal.
Phoenix Suns:
Did not add any players
Grade: INCOMPLETE
Portland Trailblazers:
Drafted Greg Brown. Signed Trendon Watford to a Two-Way contract.
Grade: B-
Greg Brown is a good flier for a team that may be forced into a rebuild at any moment if Damian Lillard requests a trade. Watford isn’t an NBA player at the moment, but he’s got a savvy game, so a two-way is fine for him.
Sacramento Kings:
Drafted Davion Mitchell and Neemias Queta. Signed DJ Steward and Matt Coleman to Exhibit-10s.
Grade: D-
The Sacramento Kings did one of the worst things you can do on draft night; they entered Sacramento Kings Mode. The Davion Mitchell selection was one of the most perplexing of the night, taking a player who plays a similar role as your two best players. Neemias Queta was a great second round pick, and given how bad the Kings defense was last season, he may bring immeidate value. When I saw that they signed DJ Steward and Matt Coleman to Exhibit 10s, I actually laughed out loud. MORE POINT GUARDS! HOW?! WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?! Abolish this organization.
San Antonio Spurs:
Drafted Josh Primo and Joe Wieskamp. Signed Matt Mitchell and Justin Turner to Exhibit-10s.
Grade: D
The Josh Primo selection was stunning, and not in a good way. Primo was one of the youngest players in college basketball, and he went 38% from three. There is absolutely a chance that given his shooting ability and physical tools, he may develop into a really good NBA player. Still, I find it impossible to believe that they needed to draft him 12th. There was no way you could trade down and get another asset too?! Come on! I actually had Wieskamp ahead of Primo on my draft board! Wild. I dig Matt Mitchell as an Exhibit-10 guy because he will be able to handle NBA physicality and has shown he can shoot. Justin Turner put up big counting numbers at Bowling Green but was an inconsistent shooter as a guard; not someone I’m intrigued by at this point.
Toronto Raptors:
Drafted Scottie Barnes, Dalano Banton, and David Johson. Signed Justin Champagnie to a Two-Way contract.
Grade: B
I would be much more down on the idea of taking Scottie Barnes over Jalen Suggs if any other team had done the same thing. The Toronto Raptors have shown a tremendous track record with regard to shooting development, so I’m more permissive in this instance. Dalano Banton was a big “woof” for me, as he is basically, “We have Scottie Barnes at home” at this point. Banton is miles away from being an NBA level player in a half court offense setting with a frail frame. David Johnson has great size and a bit of everything, and Toronto has done a fantastic job with combo guards, so his selection got a big thumbs up from me. Justin Champagnie was a draftable player, and getting to have him on a two-way will be a great way to keep him within reach in case the shooting comes around.
Utah Jazz:
Drafted Jared Butler. Signed MaCio Teague to an Exhibit-10.
Grade: A+
My goodness. The Utah Jazz scored the biggest steal of the draft, getting the number 14 player on my board with the 40th pick. On top of the pick being a fantastic value, Butler also fits a need for them as they could use depth at the point guard spot, and he might be a contributor out of the gate. MaCio Teauge was actually Butler’s teammate at Baylor, and I had him in draftable range, so an Exhibit-10 is low for him, in my eyes. Teague has awesome size for a guard, and could have a shot to make the team given how badly the Jazz needed help with perimeter defense at times. The Jazz cleaned up on draft night.
Washington Wizards:
Drafted Corey Kispert and Isaiah Todd. Signed Jay Huff and Jordan Goodwin to Exhibit-10s.
Grade: B
Corey Kispert went right where I had him slotted on my board at 15. Both Kispert and Todd add shooting, which was clearly a priority heading into the night as the Wizards re-shaped their roster around Bradley Beal. Jay Huff is another Exhibit-10 that I had ranked in draftable range, so great work there. Jordan Goodwin is a really amusing flier, a 6’3” guard who can’t shoot, but rebounds like a big man. I don’t believe him to be an NBA player, but he’s cool and fun, which counts for something.
That does it for draft grades! Please subscribe if you haven’t already. Follow me on twitter at @BaumBoards, and let me know what you would like to see next now that the draft is behind us!