Flight2K: 2019 Draft Grades

Atlanta Hawks

• 3rd Overall: SG, R.J. Barrett
• 8th Overall: SF, Sekou Doumbouya
• 12th Overall: C, Bol Bol
• 17th Overall: PF, Brandon Clarke
• 52nd Overall: PG, William McDowell-White
• 58th Overall: SF, Jaylen Hoard

The Hawks have built their complete starting lineup now having 4 first round picks to build around their *rightful* Rookie of the Year, Trae Young. They found a hustle-guard in RJ to pair in the backcourt. They had the first surprise in the draft when choosing International Wing Sekou Doumbouya, who is a very raw prospect but has tremendous upside and they also traded up to 12 in order to draft the lengthy stretch-5 Center in Bol Bol. Brandon Clarke was a steal at Pick 17 and would hopefully fill in the role John Collins had, who was a double-double machine for the 2019 Champion Toronto Raptors. They also added some players that’ll likely spend time in the G-League, but show nice potential to become rotation player. McDowell-White was the only Euroleague player selected, so the Hawks will have to wait a season before using him, but Hoard shows nice defensive upside and could become a nice 3 and D player.

Draft Grade: A+

Brooklyn Nets

• 10th Overall: PF, Jaxson Hayes
• 18th Overall: PF, Rui Hachimura
• 36th Overall: SF, Louis King
• 37th Overall: PG, Corey Davis Jr.

The Nets’ seemed to be very active during Draft Night. A previous trade involving D’Angelo Russell sent them the 10th Overall Pick, which they selected a PF that shows really good potential. They also made a draft trade that got them Pick #18 from Detroit, which they got Rui Hachimura, a projected Lottery Pick for most of the season. The Nets are very strong in the frontcourt now pairing Jaxson Hayes with Jarrett Allen and Rui will likely see minutes at the 3. They drafted potential rotational players in Louis King and Corey Davis Jr, which should help bring some depth before trying to use their money on Free Agents.

Draft Grade: A

Boston Celtics

No Draft Picks from the team that held the best regular season record last season but was a 2nd Round Exit. It seemed as they were trying to gain a pick via trade, but were unable to. They’ll now have to hope Free Agency goes their way.

Draft Grade: C-

Charlotte Hornets

• 57th Overall: PG, Kyle Guy
• 59th Overall: C, Simi Sittu

The Hornets had one of the most disappointing seasons in Flight History this year, and they don’t own their First Round Picks for a while. However, they did use the picks they have to good use, drafting Virginia PG Kyle Guy, who knows tough moments and also picking up a steal in Center Simi Sittu, with Marc Gasol’s Free Agency coming up and Charlotte’s limited cap space, a Center was a must. Charlotte really needed a big boost in young talent however, and sadly it seems they’re stuck.

Draft Grade: C+

Chicago Bulls

• 4th Overall: SG, Jarrett Culver
• 30th Overall: PF, Eric Paschall

The Bulls’ tanking didn’t pay off, as they fell out of the Top-3 and went into the 4. Culver will likely spend some years playing for their G-League Affiliate, Windy City, alongside Lauri Markannen and Wendell Carter Jr. before spending a full NBA Season here, so it’s not the ideal spot for Culver either. However, he can provide a scoring boost for Chicago when they finish rebuiliding, and if the G-League does him right, he could become a superstar in Chicago. Eric Paschall seemed to be a reach at 30, but his potential is why he was chosen in the first round. He could be a nice, rotational stretch-4 or even a starter at his best.

Draft Grade: B

Cleveland Cavaliers

• 21st Overall: C, Goga Bitadze
• 25th Overall: SG, Tyler Herro

The Cavaliers’ found 2 quality players in great positions at the draft. They moved up in the draft, sending former 1st Overall Pick, Markelle Fultz, to Sacramento. Bitadze has the right weapons to become a quality Center, and Herro could be a starter at his peak. These two guys should fit alongside Collin Sexton, and the Cavaliers also patched up some holes that could’ve shown up after Free Agency. Good moves by the Cavs, and they had a pretty nice draft.

Draft Grade: B+

Dallas Mavericks

• 38th Overall: PF, Darius Bazley
• 49th Overall: PF, Isaiah Roby
• 53rd Overall: PG, Jaylen Hands

Mainly a Team Needs Draft for Dallas, the real victory comes after trading for the young star Jayson Tatum to pair up with Luka Doncic. It would’ve been nice to see Dallas try and make another move for another young star to build a Big-3, but they have Money in Free Agency anyway. Bazely, Roby and Hands are good fits for the Mavs and should see some minutes in a couple years.

Draft Grade: B-

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets didn’t make any selections this draft following a First Round Exit in Game 7 to the eventual West Champs. Their young core should continue to develop, so it doesn’t matter much.

Draft Grade: C

Detroit Pistons

• 2nd Overall: PG, Ja Morant
• 26th Overall: C, Daniel Gafford
• 34th Overall: SF, Cameron Johnson
• 40th Overall: SG, Luguentz Dort
• 44th Overall: C, Jontay Porter
• 50th Overall: SG, Caleb Martin
• 54th Overall: SF, Admiral Schofield
• 60th Overall: PG, Tremont Waters

The Pistons finished this draft with a league-high 8 rookies to fill the 13 roster spots that were available entering the Draft. Theres already a lot of speculation as to what Detroit will do after this draft, with the most Cap Space in the League, they make look to make a splash. However, the Pistons seemed to hit on almost every one of these picks, and that’s always a rare sight in the draft. They have a very young team after just blowing up everything last season.

Draft Grade: A+

Golden State Warriors

• 27th Overall: SG, Talen Horton-Tucker
• 56th Overall: C, Elijah Thomas

With hopes of re-signing Kevin Durant, the Warriors draft based off needs. Being just one away from their 5th straight Finals appearance, even after trading away Klay Thompson, the team doesn’t need much change. The Warriors get Talen in hopes of replacing Dwyane Wade when he’s older and Elijah Thomas should help their big man depth incase DeMarcus Cousins jumps ship.

Draft Grade: B

Houston Rockets

The Rockets *once again* fell the hands of Golden State last season, however, they do not make a draft pick this year. Something I feel they’ll regret later.

Draft Grade: F

Indiana Pacers

• 9th Overall: SF, Nassir Little
• 16th Overall: PF, Grant Williams
• 33rd Overall: PG, Justin Robinson
• 39th Overall: C, Dedric Lawson

While Robinson and Lawson fit the idea of Team Needs and Grant Williams will look nice alongside Myles Turner, it’s hard to tell why Indiana chose Little so early when he was projected 9 picks later. He could be a quality player, but picking him at 9 is very questionable, and Indiana might regret choosing him this early.

Draft Grade: C

Los Angeles Clippers

• 32nd Overall: C, Nicolas Claxton

The Clippers’ tanking season got them D’Angelo Russell in a draft trade that involved the 10th Pick. They traded into the 2nd Round and drafted a projected first-round Center, a huge steal for LAC. He could provide good depth for the Clippers’ in future years, and as their only draft pick, could see some valuable minutes as the Clippers continue to look for more young talent.

Draft Grade: B+

Los Angeles Lakers

• 24th Overall: PG, Ty Jerome

Another Needs Pick here by LAL, they get a decent rotational player in Ty Jerome to back up Lonzo Ball and replace and expiring Rajon Rondo. It’s hard to tell if the Lakers needed to make moves or not after barely getting out of the West but losing in 5 in the Finals. Another young talent to help LeBron would’ve been nice, as his best guard, Reggie Jackson, is now expiring.

Draft Grade: C+

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizz did not see a selection nor’ decide to move into the draft. Free Agency seemed to be the biggest question for them, but having atleast some young talent to pair up with Conley, JJJ and JV would’ve helped the Grizzlies get further into the playoffs.

Draft Grade: C-

Miami Heat

• 14th Overall: SG, Romeo Langford
• 15th Overall: SG, Kevin Porter Jr.
• 48th Overall: C, Tacko Fall

It’s hard to tell whether the Heat are going to regret trading down from 12 to 14 before their pick came along and seeing Cameron Reddish was still available, however, the situation isn’t as bad as it seems. They still pick up Romeo Langford, who has one of the cleanest releases of this draft class; Kevin Porter, Jr., who is a relentless scorer, and Tacko Fall, who is very tall. The Heat just barely missed playoffs, and they have Cap Space to sign a couple of role players. This should get them over the hump.

Draft Grade: B+

Milwaukee Bucks

• 51st Overall: Charles Matthews

The Bucks simply went by Best Available at 51, which there wasn’t much best at that point. After being beaten in the first round, it would’ve been nice to see the Bucks try to get some more young talent for Giannis, but now they have to worry about Free Agency.

Draft Grade: D+

Minnesota Timberwolves

• 43rd Overall: PG, Chris Clemons
• 45th Overall: SF, Kris Wilkes

The T-Wolves are now trying out different things, their lineup now has Oladipo, Hayward, Aldridge, Gobert and Drummond. It’s hard to tell what exactly they’re doing, but the picks might just fit in wherever at this point. Chris Clemons should help add depth at the PG while Kris Wilkes might see some minutes.

Draft Grade: D

New Orleans Pelicans

• 5th Overall: PG, Darius Garland
• 13th Overall: SF, Cameron Reddish
• 20th Overall: SG, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
• 35th Overall: C, Cameron Jackson

The Pelicans’ GM is up there in my list of Smartest Flight2K GMs. They have built a great lineup around Anthony Davis, who was recently extended, and still have a slot for a Max Contract. Garland has been on NOLA’s Radar forever, and the Pelicans got him. Cam Reddish and N.A.W. fell right into their hands with a bit of luck, and Cameron Jackson should make a nice rotational / depth player for them. The Pelicans’ draft could not have gone better.

Draft Grade: A+

New York Knicks

• 6th Overall: PG, Coby White
• 22nd Overall: PF, Luka Samanic
• 29th Overall: SF, Dylan Windler
• 55th Overall: SG, Josh Reaves

Not exactly an eye-popping draft by the Knicks, but it’s one that gave the Knicks what they needed to add to their young core. Coby White hopes to be the Point Guard Knicks fans have been waiting forever for. Samanic and Windler will be nice 3-point shooting rotational players while Reaves could provide nice scoring depth. A solid draft for New York.

Draft Grade: B

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder, despite being a 2nd Round Exit, did not move into the draft. It’s rumored they tried moving into the Top-3, but it didn’t work. OKC could really use a boost after a stunning playoff defeat, and this didn’t help. Now, Klay Thompson leaving could spell the end for OKC.

Draft Grade: D-

Orlando Magic

• 23rd Overall: PG, Carsen Edwards

The Magic seemed to go by Best Available at this pick, already with a great and talented young core, the Magic could basically pick any position here. Edwards will provide a nice scoring boost and should be a rotation player in the early years of his career, he’ll likely see minutes at the SG when in Orlando.

Draft Grade: B+

Philadelphia 76ers

• 31st Overall: C, Mfiondu Kabengele
• 46th Overall: SG, Terence Davis
• 47th Overall: PF, Jalen McDaniels

The 76ers fell in Game 7 of the 2nd Round, but they’re young and will continue to get better. These 3 Second Round Picks should help solidify their bench, which many face Free Agency within the next season. Nothing too special, just patching holes.

Draft Grade: B

Phoenix Suns

• 1st Overall: PF, Zion Williamson

The Suns draft once-in-a-generation talent, Zion Williamson, and are hopefully now set to win with the core of Booker-Ayton-Zion. It would’ve been nice for the Suns to add a quality PG or SF to the squad, but they also have Cap Room to do that. The Suns look towards a very bright future with this pick.

Draft Grade: A

Portland Trail Blazers

• 7th Overall: SF, DeAndre Hunter
• 42nd Overall: PG, Shamorie Ponds

DeAndre Hunter is probably the safest pick in this draft, being at the minimum a decent 3 and D player. Ponds adds some nice 3-point shooting off the bench for Portland as well. Overall, not a bad draft for Portland after blowing up the entire team. However, they should look to try and get better young talent next season.

Draft Grade: B

Sacramento Kings

• 19th Overall: PF, P.J. Washington
• 28th Overall: SF, Matisse Thybulle

The New Kings’ GM has been impactful in his first day. Drafting Washington at 19 was a huge pick up for a Kings franchise that seems to have no direction. Trading Pick 21 for former 1st Pick Markelle Fultz could also turn out to be a huge move in the future. Then they pick up defensive-stopper Matisse Thybulle in the last 1st. Good Looks from the Kings GM.

Draft Grade: B+

San Antonio Spurs

• 11th Overall: SG, Keldon Johnson
• 41st Overall: PF, KZ Okpala

We know the Spurs are in love with the Kentucky SG, Keldon Johnson, but from a basketball standpoint, it makes no sense for them to pick Keldon Johnson, especially when they have DeMar DeRozan, over Cameron Reddish. The Spurs let their love for KJ overcome a logical choice. Luckily, KZ Okpala was a steal at 41.

Draft Grade: C-

Toronto Raptors

No Moves needed for the Toronto Raptors, coming fresh off an easy NBA Finals Victory. They’re trying to focus on moving Winslow in order to open a Max Slot, no need to add a Rookie Contract.

Draft Grade: B

Utah Jazz

The Jazz just barely missed playoffs but for some reason decided not to move into the draft. Maybe they can make up for it by signing Free Agents, where they have a Max Slot and more room for 1-2 more role players.

Draft Grade: D-

Washington Wizards

The Wizards exceeded expectations in the playoffs, the backcourt of Kemba Walker and Zach LaVine proved to be a powerful duo. However, it wasn’t enough to atleast win the East, the Wizards should’ve made a move into the draft to boost their young talent and get over the hump.

Draft Grade: C