The 2021 NBA Draft is now over. Each team will be given a grade for their picks in the draft. Here are the 2021 NBA Draft Grades.
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks- A
Draft Picks: F Jalen Johnson, PG Sharife Cooper
Atlanta is rumored to trade some of their young forwards because they won’t be able to afford them, but they got a quality replacement in Johnson. Cooper does a lot of the things Trae Young does well, besides shooting. He has great speed and can pass well.
Boston Celtics- C
Draft Picks: G Juhann Begarin
The Celtics had to wait to make their pick and decided to take Begarin, who still needs time to develop as a good guard.
Brooklyn Nets- A
Draft Picks: G Cameron Thomas, C Day’Ron Sharpe, F Kessler Edwards, PG Marcus Zegarowski, F RaiQuan Gray
Brooklyn needed to find a second-unit scorer who can create shots for themselves and got just that in Thomas, who was a top-20 prospect. They also got a solid big to develop in Sharpe, who is a terrific offensive rebounder. Edwards is a solid scorer. Zegarowki is a good shooting point guard. Gray is a unique player, in that he is a bigger player who can handle the ball well.
Charlotte Hornets- A
Draft Picks: G James Bouknight, C Kai Jones, C JT Thor, G Scottie Lewis
The Hornets have a ton of guards, but Bouknight fell in their lap. He can play off of LaMelo Ball’s passing well, as well as create his own shot. Getting Jones to drop to them was a steal as well. If Jones doesn’t work out at center Thor may be able to capitalize on the opportunity. Lewis didn’t fill up the stat sheet much at Florida, but does have athleticism.
Chicago Bulls- A
Draft Picks: PG Ayo Dosunmu,
Dosunmu does a little bit of everything well and can be a glue guy in the NBA.
Cleveland Cavaliers- A
Draft Picks: F/C Evan Mobley,
Evan Mobley is a versatile big that can pair well with Cleveland’s young backcourt.
Detroit Pistons- A+
Draft Picks: F Cade Cunningham, F Isaiah Livers, C Luka Garza, C Balsa Koprivica
The Pistons needed a star and got him in Cade Cunningham. He can do a little bit of everything for Detroit. In the second round, they got Cunningham a shooter to utilize in Livers. Garza has nice post moves and can shot, but may have defensive and athletic limitations. Koprivica is a young 7-footer who needs time to develop.
Indiana Pacers- B-
Draft Picks: G Chris Duarte, F Isaiah Jackson, F/C Isaiah Todd
The Pacers drafted an older player, as Duarte is already 24. He doesn’t excel at creating his own shot, but could be a “3 and D” player for the Pacers. Jackson will help protect the rim and can rebound well. Todd played well in the G-League and could continue to develop there before joining the Pacers.
Miami Heat- N/A
Milwaukee Bucks- C
Draft Picks: F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili, F Georgios Kalaitzakis
The Bucks won’t get someone to immediately help their title defense, but Mamukelashvili is a skilled big man, even if he does lack some athleticism. Kalaitzakis is a draft and stash candidate.
New York Knicks- B-
Draft Picks: G Quentin Grimes, G Roka Jokubaitis, PG Miles McBride, C Jericho Sims
After trading a couple of times, the Knicks took a good scoring wing in Grimes. Jokubaitis was picked a little ahead of his projected range. McBride can defend and shoot, but also can play some point guard minutes for the Knicks. Sims is a great rebounder, who needs to develop his offensive game.
Orlando Magic- A+
Draft Picks: PG Jalen Suggs, F Franz Wagner,
The Magic probably weren’t expecting to take a point guard with their first pick, but Suggs fell in their lap. He will have to learn how to play with Cole Anthony, but the two could be a solid backcourt of the future. Getting Wagner to be a versatile forward will also help the backcourt.
Philadelphia 76ers- B-
Draft Picks: G Jaden Springer, F/C Filip Petrusev
Failing to trade Ben Simmons before the draft may haunt the 76ers, but they got a good shooter in Springer. Petrusev can be a solid backup big after spending time in college at Gonzaga and professionally overseas.
Toronto Raptors- C
Draft Picks: G/F Scottie Barnes, G Dalano Banton, G David Johnson
The Raptors picked a big point guard in Barnes, but it is unclear how he will fit with the team because of his poor shooting. Banton was not projected to be selected in the draft. They did make up for it a little bit with their next pick, as David Johnson was a solid pick and a player who can run the point in a backup role.
Washington Wizards- A
Draft Picks: F Corey Kispert,
Washington needed to get more shooting on their team and they were able to get the best in the draft in Corey Kispert. The Wizards traded their no. 22 pick to Indiana for Aaron Holiday, which will give them point guard help after trading away Russell Westbrook.
Western Conference
Denver Nuggets- A
Draft Picks: G Bones Hyland
The Nuggets got an instant scorer for their bench in Hyland, who shoots really well.
Golden State Warriors- A-
Draft Picks: F Jonathan Kuminga, G Moses Moody
Kuminga can play on the wing and should be able to provide good defense. The Warriors will need to help him develop his offensive game. With the 14th pick, they got an immediate contributor off the bench in Moody, who can give the second unit a scoring punch.
Houston Rockets- B
Draft Picks: G Jalen Green, C Alperen Sengun, F/C Usman Garuba, G Josh Christopher
Green is one of the more polished scorers in the draft and the Rockets needed someone to build around for the future. They also got a developmental big man in Alperen Sengun, who can pick and roll to the basket well, although they did have to trade up to get him. If Sengun doesn’t work out, Garuba could provide some frontcourt depth in the future. Christopher is a good athlete and slasher.
Los Angeles Clippers- A
Draft Picks: G Keon Johnson, PG Jason Preston, G Brandon Boston
The Clippers traded up to get Johnson, who was a top 10 prospect. He can develop behind the good wing players the Clippers already have. Preston operates the pick and roll better than anyone in this draft. Boston disappointed at Kentucky, but if he can start finishing better, he can be an asset off the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers- A
Draft Picks: N/A
The Lakers have acquired Russell Westbrook for a new Big 3 now.
Memphis Grizzlies- F
Draft Picks: F Ziaire Williams, C Santi Aldama
Memphis traded up into the top 10 and ended up taking Williams. He was selected a little earlier than expected and he doesn’t shoot the ball well to spread the floor for Ja Morant. They then traded up for Santi Aldama, who they likely didn’t need to trade up for in order to get.
Minnesota Timberwolves- N/A
New Orleans Pelicans- B
Draft Picks: F Trey Murphy, G/F Herb Jones,
While it may have been a touch early, the Pelicans got a player who can help space the floor for Zion Williamson in Murphy. Jones is a versatile player who can run the point, but can guard bigger players.
Oklahoma City Thunder- B-
Draft Picks: G Josh Giddey, PG Tre Mann, F Jeremish Robinson-Earl, G Aaron Wiggins
Oklahoma City were disappointed to get such a low first pick at no. 6. Giddey will have to find his fit with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who already runs the offense pretty well. They did get two first round picks for no. 16 from Houston, which might end up being really good picks. Mann may be able to help the Thunder spread the floor. Robinson-Earl plays forward, but can really shoot the ball. Wiggins shot over 36 percent from deep and played good defense at Maryland.
Phoenix Suns- N/A
Portland Trail Blazers- B
Draft Picks: F Greg Brown
Brown was a highly-rated recruit, but things didn’t go smoothly at Texas. In the right situation he can really be a better pro than college player.
Sacramento Kings- B
Draft Picks: G Davion Mitchell, C Neemias Queta
The Kings took a good two-way player in Mitchell, but they may not have much room to play all of their perimeter players now. Queta is a great defensive center prospect who can block shots.
San Antonio Spurs- C
Draft Picks: G Josh Primo, G Joe Wieskamp
Primo was rising up draft boards, but being selected that early is too much. He will also join a backcourt with a few solid young players already there. Wiieskamp is one of the best shooters in the class.
Utah Jazz- A
Draft Picks: PG Jared Butler
The Jazz traded down, but still got a first round value in Butler, who knows how to score the basketball.
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