2013 NBA Draft: Grading All 30 Teams Performance
By Matt Shetler
New Orleans Pelicans: Acquired Jrue Holiday from the Philadelphia 76ers; No. 42: Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor
Dealing Noel- the No. 1 player on the board- could be questioned but they got an All-Star point guard back in Holiday, who if he were in this draft would have gone No. 1 overall. They also got themselves a nice guard in Jackson. Two good pieces to add to already a nice young core. Draft Grade: A
Jun 28, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks first round pick Tim Hardaway Jr (right) and father and former NBA player Tim Hardaway pose for a photo before the start of the game between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks: No. 24: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF, Michigan
A lot of Knicks fans love the pick, but I’m still not crazy about it. There were other needs the Knicks needed to address and while Hardaway ha good size for the position, I don’t know if he has the skill set to be anything more than a rotation player. He will be a good catch and shoot guy, but maybe not much more than that. There were better options on the board. However he helps out immediately, so that was a goal. Draft Grade: B-
Oklahoma City Thunder: No. 12: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh; No. 26 (acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves): Andre Roberson, SF/PF, Colorado; No. 32: Alex Abrines, SG, Spain; No. 40: Grant Jerrett, PF, Arizona
The Thunder addressed every need during the draft. Adams has as much upside as any player in the draft and will be the long-term answer in the middle. His offensive game needs a lot of work but he is a freak athlete who will help out defensively and on the glass.
Roberson is a terrific rebounder and Abrines adds some scoring as he can be a lethal shooter. Then they add Jerrett who could possibly be a solid stretch 4. Overall a great draft for the Thunder’s future. Draft Grade: A
Orlando Magic: No. 2: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana; No. 51: Romero Osby, PF, Oklahoma
The Magic added two nice pieces to their future. They get Oladipo at No. 2 who could turn out to be the best player in the draft and Osby, who is a physical 4 with potential. Draft Grade: A
Philadelphia 76ers: No. 6 (from the New Orleans Pelicans): Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky; No. 11: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse; No. 54: Arsalan Kazemi, PF, Oregon
It may have cost the Sixers their face of the franchise, but they came away with two prizes and possibly the best draft of any team. Noel is their center of the future, who could have gone No. 1 overall, and replacing Holiday with Carter-Williams will be great in the long run. Overall a great night for Sixers fans. Draft Grade: A+
Phoenix Suns: No. 5: Alex Len, C, Maryland; No. 29 (from the Oklahoma City Thunder): Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky; No. 57: Alex Oriakhi, PF/C, Missouri
The Suns haven’t had good drafts in the past but this has the chance to be different. Len has enormous upside and could be a solid NBA center. Goodwin has upside as well and could provide the perimeter scoring Phoenix needs. With Oriakhi it is all about defense. The Suns could get better in the next few years. Draft Grade: B