Grading NBA Draft Trades

As is custom with the NBA draft, many teams dealt picks, players, or cash in order to move up, down, or into other years’ selections. Immediate reaction can be very emotional as fans know that one player or draft slot can be franchise-changing in the years to come. Here’s what each one of this year’s trades mean:

Big Moves

Thunder Get

Victor Oladipo

Ersan Ilyasova

Domantas Sabonis (No. 11 pick)

Magic Get

Serge Ibaka

Thunder: A-

Magic: C-

In a move that reminds many of the now-infamous James Harden deal, the Thunder sent their third scoring option out for assets one year before he was presumed to leave in free agency. These similarities may cause angst among Thunder fans, but the circumstances surrounding both deals make them very different. For one, Ibaka is nowhere near the offensive weapon that Harden is, even during the latter's OKC days coming off the bench. In the glorious conflict that was the Western Conference Finals, Ibaka was underutilized, as although he has ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim, modern bigs must now be able to switch onto and stay with perimeter players in the pick-and-roll game. Playing two bigs in Adams and Ibaka can also be problematic in a league where small ball is taking over. Ibaka still has value on the defensive end and as a stretch 4, and his physical style of play should compliment Nikola Vucevic’s finesse style well, as well as open up real estate for shot-challenged point guard Elfrid Payton.

Looking at what the Thunder received, I can't help but feel that the Magic gave up too much, even assuming Ibaka re-signs after his last year under contract.

Victor Oladipo has been quietly improving steadily during his 3 years in the Association, averaging 16 points per game, as well as adding nearly 5 wins. His 3-point shooting has also improved from his rookie campaign, going from 32% on just under 3 attempts a game to 35% on over 4 attempted a game last season. He will be a major offensive upgrade over defensive ace-but-offensively-challenged Andre Roberson, who was largely ignored by opposing defenses on the perimeter. Oladipo’s presence will open up exponentially more space for ISO aficionados Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant to work.

Ilyasova is also playing on an expiring contract, and provides elite perimeter shooting (41% 3-point with the Magic) at the power forward position, although not much else. Domantas Sabonis, selected with the #11 pick is certainly not a glamorous big in the sense that he doesn't shoot well from outside or protect the rim, but what he does bring to the table is low post polish and physicality. The Gonzaga product should be able to learn from veteran and Thunder lifer Nick Collison and soon be ready to fill a contributing role with Oklahoma City. Many may think this move will drive Durant out of Oklahoma, but the Thunder title window has not closed, and may not have even been threatened. Smart move by the Thunder to move Ibaka early so as to let KD come around to the merits of the deal.

Suns get:

#8 pick Marquese Chriss

Kings get;

Bogdan Bogdanovic

#13 pick Georgios Papagiannis

#28 pick Skal Labissiere

Future 2nd round pick

Suns: B-

Kings: B

Most mock drafts had uber-athletic Washington forward Marquese Chriss going in the top 5, due to his seemingly unlimited potential and awe-inspiring measurables. Even though the Suns selected Croatian Dragan Bender with their #4 selection, they saw an opportunity to nab their man by trading up with the Kings. To move from 13 to 8, Phoenix did pay a somewhat steep price, and their decision to select two power forwards may seem curious at first, but both power forwards on last years roster, Jon Leuer and Mirza Teletovic will be free agents this offseason.

In order to jump 5 spots, the Suns had to send over, along with a 2020 second round pick, 2014 late-first-round pick Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has not, and reportedly will not join the NBA until the 2017-2018 season. Consider this a lottery ticket, as not much is known about the Serbian 23 year old. With the #13 pick, the Kings selected Greek center Georgios Papagiannis, who was just beginning to work his way onto first-round draft boards in the days leading up to Thursday (DraftExpress had him at #22). Papagiannis is a throwback, big-bodied center, a curious pick considering the Kings are home to arguably the league's best center in DeMarcus Cousins and 2015 first round pick Willie Cauley-Stein. Compounding this logjam was the King’s #28 pick of Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere. Admittedly, getting the raw center this late in the first round was somewhat of a steal, at least judging by the public consensus. However, there seems like there had to be better options available than creating a roster issue by adding yet another big. Adding to the problem is Cousins’ attitude, as he did not seem to like the move. Both teams get somewhat mediocre grades, the Suns because of the assets they gave up; the Kings because of what they did with said assets.

Buying Picks

Warriors get:

#38 pick Patrick McCaw

Bucks get:

cash

Warriors: B

Bucks: D

With a large core of young players, there isn't much playing time available for 3 draft picks on the Bucks, at least that has to be the rationale, because the $2.4 million the Warriors sent over does not factor into the salary cap. It’s times like this you’re reminded the NBA is a business.

Many Buck fans (author included) wanted McCaw to be selected, solely so he can compete against fellow UNLV shooting guard Rashad Vaughn. In McCaw, the Warriors get a long 2-guard who projects as a 3-and-D talent down the line, provided he puts on the weight.

Thunder get:

#56 pick Daniel Hamilton

Nuggets get:

cash

Thunder: C+
Nuggets: C

The Nuggets, holding 3 first round picks, decided to trade away a pick that in all likelihood will not make the final roster coming out of training camp. Same constituents apply as the Bucks trade, although considering the Thunder traded earlier for 3 new assets, this is a bit of a curious move. Hamilton is a versatile, unique prospect who provides excellent rebounding and size at the shooting guard position,  but struggles to score efficiently.

Cavaliers get:

#54 pick Kay Felder

Hawks get:

Cash

Cavs: B+

Hawks:B-

Here, the newly crowned Cavs get one of the NCAA’s scoring leaders, a point guard who would surely have been a top pick had it not been for his 5’9 stature. Luckily for him, Isaiah Thomas’ success with the Celtics has done much for the public perception of smaller guards, and Felder is seen as a player that could be a dynamic scoring option in the future. With Matthew Dellavedova set to become a free agent, the Cavs do not want to find themselves in a situation having to play backup Mo Williams major minutes should Kyrie Irving become injured again. With more important options to address in free agency, it was likely the Hawks would not be keeping the player they selected with this pick, so they chose to ship it out for cash.

Nets get:

#42 pick Isaiah Whitehead

Jazz get:

#55 pick Marcus Paige

Cash

Nets: B+

Jazz: C

The Nets trade up to select Seton Hall’s Whitehead, a player that they reportedly had been targeting for weeks. With Donald Sloan heading to free agency and 32 year old Jarret Jack under contract for just one more year, Whitehead could be in line to take over the lead guard spot providing he develops. Along with cash considerations, the Jazz get North Carolina point guard Marcus Paige, a bit of a curious selection with point guards Raul Neto, Trey Burke, Dante Exum, and George Hill already on the team.

Blazers get:

#47 pick Jake Layman

Magic get:

Future 2nd round pick

Cash

Blazers: B

Magic: B+

With few starting caliber power forwards on the roster, the Trail Blazers trade up to select Maryland senior Jake Layman, who at 6’9 played small forward in college but will likely have to play at the 4 going forward due to a lack of quickness. Layman is an elite 3-point shooter, hitting almost 40 percent of his treys last season. Along with the recurring theme of cash ($1.2 million), the Magic receive a 2019 second round pick, delaying the addition of another young asset to a roster stocked with them.

2nd Round Moves

Pelicans get:

#33 pick Cheick Diallo

Clippers get:

#39 pick David Michineau

#40 pick Diamond Stone

Pelicans: C+

Clippers: B+

Although a divisive prospect, the general consensus said Diallo was a bona fide first round talent, especially considering his strong showing in 5-on-5’s at the draft combine. After he slipped to the second round, the Pelicans packaged two second round picks to select the bouncy, long, power forward who will compliment Anthony Davis’ ball-dominance and newly acquired floor stretching talents.

With their two consecutive picks, the Clippers went in two different directions. With Demetrious Jackson still on the board, many Clippers fans would surely rather have seen the Notre Dame point guard taken over Michineau, the unknown French point who did not appear in any of the major mock drafts leading up to Thursday night. As backup point guard (and coach’s son) Austin Rivers has declined his player option for next season, playing Michineau may be a more attractive option rather than ponying up the money to resign Rivers, which makes it all the more important that the Clips nail this pick.

In Maryland center Diamond Stone, the Clippers get a former 5-star recruit who had an up-and-down season in college. Stone is very young, and effective in scoring off the low block, but needs to work on rebounding, defensive effort, and IQ. His 6’10 frame is somewhat undersized for a 5, but is well filled out at 255 pounds. He will be a good scoring option off the bench behind offensively challenged but elite rebounding and defensive center Deandre Jordan.

Grizzlies get:

#31 pick Deyonta Davis

#35 pick Rade Zagorac

Celtics get:

Future lottery protected pick (Clippers)

Grizzlies: A

Celtics: B

With 8 picks in this years draft, it was very unlikely that all the picks that Danny Ainge owned would still be with the team when the night was over. Although Boston was unsuccessful in moving their highly coveted #3 pick, they did manage to get out from under #’s 31 and 35, swapping them in classic Ainge style for future assets, a lottery protected Clippers pick that may take a while to materialize. With their two picks, the Grizzlies got what could be the steal of the draft in Michigan State freshman Deyonta Davis, who was widely considered a lottery talent before he slipped to the 2nd round, most likely because of his raw offensive skillset and quiet demeanor. Four picks later, they nabbed Serbian wing Rade Zagorac, who projects as a sweet-shooting, athletic small forward who still needs seasoning on the defensive end. Neither will likely play right away for the Griz, but they should better prepare the franchise for a future not built around Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.