2013 NBA Draft: Grading All 30 Teams Performance
By Matt Shetler
Houston Rockets: No. 34: Isaiah Canaan, PG, Murray State
Nov 18, 2012; Charleston, SC, USA; Murray State Racers guard Isaiah Canaan (3) reacts after the play during the second half of the Charleston Classic Championship game against the Colorado Buffaloes at TD Arena. Buffaloes won 81-74. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Houston got great value with this pick. Despite not having a first round pick, they got one anyway in Canaan. He is a scorer and great athlete who will fit in great in Houston’s up-tempo attack. Grade: B+
Indiana Pacers: No. 23: Solomon Hill, SF/PF, Arizona
For the second consecutive year, the Pacers make a major reach in the first round. Hill likely could have gone undrafted and yet the Pacers reach for him at No. 23. There’s a slim chance he helps Indiana off the bench this season. Larry Bird couldn’t return to the Pacers quick enough. Draft Grade: D
Los Angeles Clippers: No. 25: Reggie Bullock, SF, North Carolina
The Clippers were in search of a wing player who can score and they got their man in Bullock who can shoot the lights out. I love the fit. Draft Grade: B+
Los Angeles Lakers: No. 48: Ryan Kelly, PF, Duke
Kelly was a reach, even in the second round for the Lakers. But put him in Mike D’Antoni’s system and I think he can be a productive player. He runs the floor well and can shoot the rock very well. Draft Grade: C+
Memphis Grizzlies: No. 41: Jamaal Franklin, SG/SF, San Diego State; No. 60: Janis Timma, SF/PF, Latvia
The Grizzlies make out like bandits by getting Franklin in the second round. He’s a guy who can do everything and it was shocking he slipped so far. Franklin will be a great addition to a team that reached the Western Conference Finals. Timma is an athlete who will be stashed in Europe for the time being. Draft Grade: A
Miami Heat: No. 50 James Ennis, SF, Long Beach State
The back-to-back champs end up with one of the drafts sleepers in Ennis. He is a long, athletic wing who has the chance to make the Miami rotation. Draft Grade: B-
Milwaukee Bucks: No. 15: Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Greece; No. 38 (from the Philadelphia 76ers via Washington Wizards): Nate Wolters, PG, South Dakota State
The Bucks end up with a pair of nice pieces. But it will take time to tell how good their draft was. Adetokunbo has the body and skills of a NBA point forward but has to develop his game and show he can play against NBA competition. He likely won’t make an impact for the next couple of seasons.
I love the Wolters pick. I think he is that good, but the same thing applies and he will have to show he can get it done against great competition. Milwaukee’s draft may not be great on paper for the immediate future but it has the chance to look great in the long run. Draft Grade: C
Minnesota Timberwolves: No. 14 (acquired from the Utah Jazz): Shabazz Muhammad, SG/SF, UCLA; No. 21 (acquired from Utah Jazz): Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville; No. 52: Lorenzo Brown, PG, N.C. State; No. 50 Bojan Dubljevic, PF, Yugoslavia
I like the fact that Flip Saunders brought in talent during his first draft, but he brought in four question marks. The ‘Wolves wanted scoring and they got it in Muhammad, but he’s a guy whose reputation is tainted. Sadly though he is the guy we know the most about.
I like Dieng, but he is a question mark. Brown is a nice point guard who can’t shoot and Dubljevic can shoot but isn’t a great athlete. This draft could turn out great or completely average. Draft Grade: C+