New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft report cards for all 30 teams
By Yazen Abed
CENTRAL DIVISION:
Cleveland Cavaliers: N/A
No picks for the reigning Eastern Conference champions, who are more interested in finding pieces to beat the Golden State Warriors in next year’s NBA Finals.
Milwaukee Bucks: C
Additions: No. 17 D.J. Wilson, No. 46 Sterling Brown
The Milwaukee Bucks desperately need help in the backcourt, as Malcolm Brogdon is more suited to be a shooting guard and Matthew Dellavedova is nothing more than a backup. D.J. Wilson at 17 was a reach.
Milwaukee probably could have traded down and accumulated more picks to eventually take a point guard in the late first or early second round—where most of the point guard prospects were taken.
Wilson is a stretch 4 who can be a great defender, which means this move may ultimately pay off. I just think there are too many bigs on that team and not enough guards
Indiana Pacers: B-
Additions: No. 18 TJ Leaf, No. 47 Ike Anigbogu, No. 52 Edmond Sumner
The news that Paul George is looking to leave after next season really made life difficult for the Indiana Pacers, who could have easily sold him for pennies on the dollar, a la the Chicago Bulls.
Instead, they stand pat and select two former UCLA Bruins in T.J. Leaf and Ike Anigbogu. It remains to be seen how good Leaf can be without Lonzo Ball setting him up for success, but he may develop a role in Indiana.
Anigbogu was the draft-day free-fall due to suspect medicals, but he may very well become a defensive juggernaut alongside Myles Turner.
Chicago Bulls: F
Additions: No. 7 Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn
Someone go check up on Michael Wilbon. I’ll be damned if any other draft grade article has the Bulls scoring any more than an F. I’d give lower than an F if possible.
This is not an indictment of the talent they received. Lauri Markkanen is the best shooting big in the draft, Kris Dunn was the top point guard prospect last year, and Zach LaVine is a solid starting shooting guard.
My problem with this is that they didn’t get enough for Butler—a Top 10 player in the league. They weren’t forced to make a deal, as Butler had two years left on his contract and probably would have played well enough to force a deal from another team.
Dunn underwhelmed in his rookie campaign and LaVine is coming off of an ACL tear. There is so much more to be desired from this deal (no future picks?), and Bulls fans will be left scratching their heads for years to come.
Detroit Pistons: A
Additions: No. 12 Luke Kennard
Only one pick for the Detroit Pistons, and they landed exactly what they needed. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope headed for free agency, Luke Kennard may see immediate minutes at the shooting guard position.
The Pistons could have also used some depth behind Andre Drummond, but they got the player they needed without giving anything up.