Cleveland Cavaliers
Nino Brown’s D720 Draft Grades Part Two
Dec 7, 2020 20:42:32 GMT -5
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Post by Nino Brown on Dec 7, 2020 20:42:32 GMT -5
Miami Heat - Miami came into the draft a rebuilding team, and accomplished exactly what they set out to do, first selecting F Isaac Okoro out of Auburn, and then making a trade that also landed them Kira Lewis who evaluators are high on. Miami also landed both Tre Jones, and Nico Mannion who both project as good backup point guards at the minimum. I personally expect Mannion to outperform his projected ceiling, with his elite playmaking so this was a great draft for Miami in my eyes.
Draft Grade: A
Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks used their sole pick to draft what they hope will be the next 7’0 unicorn in Aleksej Pokusevski. He’s definitely risky for a rebuilding team, for a few reasons being such as his rail thin frame, which he will need to add muscle to if he wants to be a successful big in the NBA. He’s definitely a project, but I weirdly like his makeup, and the sky is the limit if he can pull it all together, I’m just not sure if this is where the Bucks should’ve gone with their pick
Drafting Grade: B-
Minnesota Timberwolves - Timberwolves might be the first team in D720 to have a GM get fired in the middle of the draft. I’m not a big fan of Obi Toppin, or players that primarily rely on their athleticism, and I have to wonder if @price would’ve taken him #5 overall. KG also selected R.J. Hampton before he was fired, though Prince was responsible for selecting PG, Grant Riller who I think could be the steal of the draft. He’s dynamic offensively, probably the best scorer in the draft. He is a bit older prospect, but his ceiling to me, is a dynamic 6th man at minimum. Minnesota finished their draft taking CJ Elleby who I have ranked top 30 on my board.
Draft Grade: B
New Orleans Pelicans - The Pels took 5’9 guard Markus Howard, which was an interesting choice considering the names still left on the board. It’s hard enough for undersized players to stamp their place in the NBA, so even though Markus Howard was a dynamic scorer in college, the NBA is a different story, and I don’t think he’s another Isaiah Thomas.
Draft Grade: D
New York Knicks - The Knicks took Patrick Williams #8 overall, who I’m 50/50 on. Williams in my eyes is more of a high end role player, than he is a potential star in this league due to lack of lateral ability, iffy shooting, and subpar on ball defense. I personally ranked him closer to the second round than top 10, but I love Mason Jones for the Knicks, who selected him with their second round pick. Mason does lack athleticism, and he’s a bit heavy footed defensively, but he has a little James Harden in his game with a bevy of moves he uses to get to the rim, and draw contact. He’s an absolute handful to guard, which is obvious judging by his 9.1 free throws a game in his final season at Arkansas. I think this was a crafty pick for Knicks to potentially replace Khris Middelton who they might lose in FA.
Draft Grade: B
Oklahoma City Thunder - NA
Orlando Magic - Orlando will probably be a championship contender next year with the amount of talent on their roster being led by KD, and Jimmy Butler, and they probably got even deeper adding Theo Maledon, who some valuators have as top 10, Nick Richards, and Killian Tille whose one of my personal favorites with his modern stretch 4 game , but has suffered his fair share of injuries.
Draft Grade: B+
Philadelphia 76ers - So the saying goes, “The rich get richer”. The reigning NBA champions recently traded De’Arron Fox away to acquire a first round pick(#1) in the 2020 D720 Draft where they selected Lamelo Ball. I personally thought they opt to take a wing, or a center given they already have a deadly guard duo that’s unlikely to be unseated anytime soon, but you can’t argue with a team that just won a championship. They also selected the Hip Hop Star responsible for ‘Mo Bamba’, Sheck Wes who has NBA aspirations.
Draft Grade: B+
Phoenix Suns - The Suns originally selected Kira Lewis #14 overall, which turned into Aaron Nesmith who should form a formidable shooting backcourt with Jamal Murray. The Suns also selected Robert Woodard ll whom brings a little of everything to the plate as a glue guy.
Draft Grade: B+
Portland TrailBlazers - Portland made three selections in the 2020 D720 Draft, selecting Jalen Smith, Tyler Bey, and Udoka Azubuike. I think is a pretty good haul for Portland, Tyler Bey is able to defend 3-5 fairly well, and is capable of hitting spot up shots. Smith is a modern 5 that gives you spacing, and solid shot blocking, and Azubuike is an extremely athletic big that has shades of Deandre Jordan in his game.
Draft Grade: B+
Sacramento Kings - The Kings took Jordan Nwora with their only pick in the 2020 D720 Draft. Nwora is a good shooter, with a quick release, but did have his fair share of struggles vs strong, and athletic defenders.
Draft Grade: C
San Antonio Spurs - Bam Adebayo is the most common comp you get when you hear Onyeka Okongwu’s name, but I’d say he’s more similar to Clint Capela right now. Bam is his ceiling as he’s shown a good feel to pass with his vision, plus Okongwu has great rim protection, and PnR defense. The Sky is the limit for this kid, and he’s going to compliment Siakam to a tee. The Spurs have Twin Towers again folks!
Draft Grade: A
Toronto Raptors - Toronto destroyed this draft, adding Devin Vassell, Tyrese Haliburton, Precious Achiuwa, and Tyrese Maxey to a roster that already had Brandon Clarke, and SGA. All of these guys are in my top 15 draft rankings, so the fact that they were able to acquire all of them in one draft is absurd. Hats off to Toronto, they have the potential to be scary in a few years.
Draft Grade: A+
Utah Jazz - the Utah Jazz drafted one of my favorite players in the draft in Xavier Tillman. He’s the Draymond Green of this draft in my opinion. Xavier is a great interior defender, a great playmaker, a good rebounder, and capable of switching on the perimeter. His only negative is he doesn’t shoot the 3 that well, but neither does Draymond. The Jazz also added Cassius Stanley, and Jah’mius Ramsey who have a lot of final outcome variance due to different reasons, but if everything breaks right, they’ll be productive NBA players.
Draft Grade: B
Washington Wizards - The Wizards took the opportunity to improve their guard play with Cole Anthony, and Cassius Winston. They also took Trevelin Queen whose a lesser known wing out of New Mexico State, but an improving shooter, and pesky defender with their final selection. Overall a decent haul for a strong team.
Draft Grade: C+
Portland Trail Blazers
Toronto Raptors
Philadelphia 76ers
Miami Heat
Sacramento Kings