The NBA had its annual draft Thursday night and held much anticipation as to how it will unfold. The first three picks went just about the way everyone predicted and after that it was anyone\’s guess. The draft produced some pleasant surprises as well as some headscratchers. So let\’s recap the winners and losers of the night.
Winner #1 Houston Rockets
The Rockets crushed this draft with their multiple first round picks. They took Jalen Green with the number 2 overall pick who could end up being the best player from this draft. They then traded up to the 16th pick to draft Alperen Sengun. Sengun was the MVP in the Turkish league, arguably the second strongest league in Europe, last season. With the 23rd pick they took Usman Garuba. Garuba at that pick is an absolute steal especially since he was touted as a top 15 prospect. He didn\’t participate in individual workouts due to playing in the Olympics with Spain which might\’ve caused him to fall. Either way the Rockets aren\’t complaining as they get one of the best defensive players in the draft. With their 23rd pick they snagged Josh Christopher a combo guard who also was getting top 15 buzz. Houston completely aced this draft.
Loser #1 Oklahoma City Thunder
It feels weird to have Thunder GM Sam Presti in the losers side of the bracket considering his track record. That being said taking Josh Giddey from Australia was a curious move to say the least. ESPN had his weaknesses as Ball handling, shot creation, shooting, defense and athleticism. Now correct me if I\’m wrong, but that seems like that\’s all the aspects of playing basketball. Now I don\’t believe he\’s unable to play basketball, but OKC could\’ve traded down and gotten him later. They even could\’ve taken players like Kuminga or Bouknight who hold more upside. OKC did end up trading their 16th pick to Houston and getting more future first rounders, but that wasn\’t enough for them to escape the losers side.
Winner #2 Orlando Magic
For many Magic fans this is unfamiliar territory as they came out of this draft as one of the biggest winners. The Raptors taking Scottie Barnes left the door open for Orlando to take Jalen Suggs. The Magic didn\’t hesitate and finally got their hands on a blue chip prospect after so many years of being one pick away from one. Suggs, like Jalen Green, could actually end up being the best player from this draft class and to get him at 5 is a huge win.
With their other pick, the Magic took Franz Wagner who is an NBA ready player that can instantly have an impact. The forward out of Michigan is the younger brother of Mo Wagner who so happens to also play for Orlando. Franz however projects to have a higher ceiling than his brother and most importantly is a shooter which Orlando desperately needs. An excellent day at the office for Orlando.
Loser #2 San Antonio Spurs
We might be experiencing the twilight zone with OKC and San Antonio finding themselves in the losers side of the draft. But the Spurs found themselves in this spot after taking Joshua Primo with the 12th pick overall. Primo could develop into a star especially given the Spurs reputation with player development. The problem here is that taking Primo with the 12th pick was terrible value. He was projected to be a late 1st rounder and maybe even fall into the second round.
Some experts predicted that he would need some seasoning in the D league before he\’s ready for the NBA. That\’s not something you would be hoping to hear about the 12th overall pick. So shocking was the pick that even Primo himself didn\’t believe it when he was told. We\’ll give the Spurs the benefit of the doubt for the long run, but for right now they land with the losers.
Winners #3 Golden State Warriors
It\’s hard not to like the Warriors draft haul from Thursday night. With the 7th pick the Warriors took Kuminga who arguably has the highest ceiling in the draft. He\’s very raw and will need to take a lot of time to develop, but he can turn out to be a real star in this league. The 14th pick was used on Moses Moody who is another player, with time, who can develop into a big name in this league.
The beauty with these two picks is this gives Golden State plenty of options moving forward. They can package these two players plus future picks to go get another established star in a bid to chase another title. If not that they could keep those two and develop them into the new core as the old one fades out. You will always get points from me for giving yourself multiple winning options.
Loser #3 Sacramento Kings
The Kings took Davion Mitchell with the 9th overall pick to the confusion of many. I praised them last year with the selection of Haliburton who turned out to be a steal, but taking another guard is a head scratcher. Perhaps they were planning on taking Mitchell after trading Hield to Lakers which was heavily rumored to happen. Except the Lakers used all those trade pieces to grab Westbrook instead before the draft even began. Surely the Kings should\’ve known about that before it was their turn to pick. Now they just used a top 10 pick on a player who\’s coming into a crowded position. Not to mention that he\’s an undersized guard and might end up just being a defensive specialist. Apparently after spending a year on the winners side, the Kings couldn\’t stop themselves from jumping back to the losers.
Honorable mention: The NBA
The NBA once again showed that they are the best league in terms of taking care of their own. Terrence Clarke from the University of Kentucky declared for the draft, but was tragically killed in a car accident before he had a chance to take the stage. NBA\’s commissioner Adam Silver personally invited Clarke\’s family to the event and announced that the NBA had selected Terrence Clark. Silver invited Clarke\’s family to the stage so that they may enjoy the moment in his stead. It was a touching tribute to player who dreamed of this moment. The NBA always has a philosophy that they are a family and at the draft they acted on it. Gone, but never forgotten. RIP Terrence Clarke.