Many observers felt this draft was devoid of any players. Some even called the class weak.
Obviously, Portland didn't feel that way.
The Blazers continued to rebuild in a large way Wednesday, emerging as the busiest team on a night filled with swaps and acquisitions. Out the door went Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff. In came rookies. Lots of rookies.
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| Chicago trades Rodney Carney's rights to Philadelphia. Advantage, Sixers. (Getty Images) |
Atlanta
The Hawks really wanted Shelden Williams, but he was a reach at No. 5. If they could've traded down and picked up someone else -- the rumor was Luther Head -- this choice would've been easier to stomach. They can't afford this Williams or last year's Williams (Marvin) to be busts, because next year's pick is headed to Phoenix -- unless it's a top three -- as part of the Joe Johnson deal. Second-round pick Solomon Jones will contend with the likes of Esteban Batista for a roster spot. Grade: C
Boston
The Celtics, who weren't sold on any point guard in the lottery, decided Rajon Rondo was the guy they wanted. So acquiring his rights from Phoenix was a victory for Danny Ainge and Co. Rondo, who will provide competition for Delonte West, is a potential defensive stopper who will only improve. He could be special when all is said and done. Leon Powe, acquired in a later deal, adds to their arsenal of promising big men. Grade: B-plus
Charlotte
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| Morrison (AP) |
Chicago
With two picks the Bulls envisioned becoming part of next year's rotation, I believe they could've done a lot better. Trading LaMarcus Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas was the wrong move; Thomas is more raw offensively and needs work the way Tyson Chandler needs work. At least Thomas has more to work with. As for Thabo Sefolosha, trading up for his services seemed excessive, especially since it's hard to imagine him getting into much action next season. I now believe the Bulls have to trade for a superstar (Kevin Garnett?) if they're to get back to an elite level. Grade: D
Cleveland
It's interesting that despite needing another big man and having a glut of guards, the Cavs went after little guys with their two picks. The first, Michigan State's Shannon Brown, has the athleticism to be solid, but he must bust his hump to overcome a lack of size. Second-round pick Daniel Gibson is a potential steal if he ever realizes his potential and finds consistency. Cleveland went for who it felt were the best players available, not need. Grade: C
Dallas
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| Ager (AP) |
Denver
Inactive during the draft -- other than selecting Leon Powe and then trading him -- the Nuggets' top priority is adding perimeter help while looking for a way to deal Kenyon Martin. Grade: NA
Detroit
Will Blalock went as the final pick in the draft. I prefer former teammate Curtis Stinson's abilities. Grade: C-minus
Golden State
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| O'Bryant (AP) |
Houston
The Rockets could've had Rudy Gay and opted for Shane Battier? How interesting. Here's the bottom line: Anyone who doesn't admire Battier's game doesn't know basketball, and he'll be a perfect complement to a hopefully healthy Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. But will Battier ever be great, like Gay might be? Absolutely not. Houston will get rid of Stromile Swift -- clearly not a Jeff Van Gundy guy -- but this move could come back to haunt the Rockets. In the second round, who knew Matt Bullard could come back to life disguised as Steve Novak? Grade: D
Indiana
The Pacers had a great draft, potentially. Shawne Williams has all the tools to be brilliant, but he's still raw and young. Alexander Johnson will be able to play in this league as well, and could be a strong contributor. Indiana gambled on promise, and given its position in the draft, that was the right move. Grade: A-minus
L.A. Clippers
Paul Davis will have a long career in the NBA. He'll probably never be spectacular, but steady works, particularly for a Clippers team that needed to add a piece like this. Guillermo Diaz is a nice addition as well, continuing the Clips' trend of coming up with great bargains as of late. Grade: B
L.A. Lakers
They picked up a superb asset in Jordan Farmar, who will likely need at least two years to really blossom. If the Lakers wait patiently, they have their point guard for the next decade. Then L.A. picked up Maurice Evans for an unheard of second-rounder. Great draft. Grade: A
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Memphis
The Grizzlies badly need a superstar. Pau Gasol is great, but he's not it. He needs a tag-team partner who can take over games. The organization is gambling Rudy Gay will shed his lack of aggressiveness and be that guy. It's a solid gamble. Late first-rounder Kyle Lowry is tough and should be able to challenge for minutes by the time his rookie season ends. Grade: A
Miami
Pat Riley, Randy Pfund and the boys were still puffing on victory cigars on draft night. Grade: NA
Milwaukee
David Noel is a nice athlete who will make practice interesting. He'll likely make the Bucks roster. The team's next decision is whether to move Jamaal Magloire. Grade: C
Minnesota
Awfully bold for the 'Wolves to opt for Randy Foye over Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay. This is a huge risk, even though they need a point guard just as badly as a wing. If this move works out and Foye becomes a star, chalk this up as an amazing draft. Until then, it's dubious. Grade: D
New Jersey
Marcus Williams fell into New Jersey's lap, and Jason Kidd's successor has been found. What great luck. The Nets followed the UConn theme and went with Josh Boone as their second first-rounder. Unless he makes significant progress offensively, he's destined for a career as a backup center. Grade: B-minus
New Orleans
Hilton Armstrong was a stretch in the lottery; he'll be nothing more than a backup center and defensive specilaist unless he becomes a better finisher. The Hornets redeemed themselves with their next two picks: Cedric Simmons, who will no doubt be better than Armstrong, and Marcus Vinicius from Brazil, a physical specimen who wowed them in workouts. Grade: B-minus.
New York
Because you train in South Carolina, you have to take one of their players? Renaldo Balkman is a nice college player, but he does nothing well enough to make you believe he was worth a first-round pick. Mardy Collins slipped to the end of the first round, so New York was fortunate there, but he has to prove he can perform at this level to crack Isiah Thomas' rotation. Grade: D-plus
Orlando
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| Redick (AP) |
Philadelphia
Rodney Carney will be a great asset for the Sixers if his game continues to catch up to his remarkable physical tools. Getting him for a prospect from Switzerland could be a major coup. Bobby Jones worked his way into the draft the old-fashioned way, climbing up boards despite being unheralded. Grade: A
Phoenix
The Suns opted to wait until next year, picking up Boston's first-rounder for the rights to Rajon Rondo. The Shawn Marion rumors aren't dying, though. Grade: N.A.
Portland
The biggest movers and shakers, the Blazers ditched Sebastian Telfair and ended up with superb selections in LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy. They then added another point guard in Sergio Rodriguez, who could wind up being their No. 1 guy -- and better than Telfair -- when all is said and done. Training camp is going to be fun. Exciting, too. Grade: A
Sacramento
The Kings added another shooter in Quincy Douby. Are Francisco Garcia and Kevin Martin not enough? Sacramento could have done much better. Grade: D
San Antonio
Damir Markota will be a valuable contributor to the Spurs within three to five years. How do they manage to always get away with this kind of thing? Grade: A-minus
Seattle
Mouhamed Saer Sene has unbelievable promise, but at one point, the same was said of Johan Petro and Robert Swift. It looks like the Sonics are out to ensure they have one center who makes it, and this guy could be it. His frame is enormous. Second-round picks Denham Brown and Yotam Halperin were nice additions. Both can play in the league. Grade: B-minus
Toronto
Andrea Bargnani was Bryan Colangelo's guy all along, and you have to admire his willingness to put his reputation on the line -- in a new job, no less -- based on his gut. He got Chris Bosh to buy in and is really succeeding at doing things his way. All that's left is for Bargnani to make Colangelo look brilliant, which is entirely possible. Stealing P.J. Tucker in the second round was further proof the Raptors continue steadily on the rise. Grade: A
Utah
The Jazz hit a home run picking up Ronnie Brewer, who will team with Deron Williams in an exciting backcourt for years to come. Brewer will only get better, and he has the potential to reach All-Star status. This is a phenomenal break. Utah also reunited Dee Brown with Williams and grabbed Paul Millsap, the best player to come out of Louisiana Tech since Karl Malone. Grade: A-plus
Washington
Oleksiy Pecherov and Vladimir Veremeenko, huh? Clearly, the Wizards have lost hope that any American post players can help them. Grade: C-minus
