Live 2018 NBA Draft Grades: Round Two

Written by David Kay – @david_kmiecik

Live 2018 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15

2018 NBA Mock Draft | 2018 NBA Mock Draft – Walt’s

Phoenix Suns: Elie Okobo, PG, France – A- Grade
I was really hoping Jalen Brunson would be the pick here so I could fully pledge my NBA allegiance to the Suns. Okobo has first-round talent and is great in the pick and roll. The Suns sorely need a point guard, so I like this pick.

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Memphis Grizzlies: Jevon Carter, PG, West Virginia – B Grade
There were some solid wings available here, which is a huge hole in Memphis, so I would leaned that way. Carter is a bulldog though, and he is going to defend his tail off. He could be a solid backup behind Mike Conley.

Dallas Mavericks: Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova – A+ Grade
I cannot believe Brunson fell into the second round. He is going to have a long career as a solid backup point guard at worst. The fit may not be ideal in Dallas since they drafted Dennis Smith Jr. last year, but I love Brunson.

Charlotte Hornets: Devonte’ Graham, PG, Kansas – B- Grade
Graham is not the ideal NBA point guard these days due to his lack of size and athleticism. However, he is a poised floor leader who could carve out a role as a backup which is needed in Charlotte behind Kemba Walker.

Orlando Magic: Melvin Frazier, SF, Tulane – A- Grade
Frazier is an intriguing prospect who flew under the radar nationally at Tulane. He has the length to be a solid defensive wing and can also soar at the rim.

New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson, C, United States – A+ Grade
There were questions about his maturity, which is why he fell into the second round. He is well worth a second-round gamble at this point, especially for a Knicks team that lacks depth inside.

Portland Trailblazers: Gary Trent Jr., SG, Duke – A- Grade
Portland needed guard depth behind Dame and C.J. McCollum, and Trent Jr. can stroke it from deep. The rest of his all-around game is lacking thought, but this is still a solid value.

Detroit Pistons: Khyri Thomas, SG, Creighton – A+ Grade
I love Thomas’ potential at the next level due to his defensive versatility. Detroit needs depth at guard, and I think Thomas finds a role in the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers: Isaac Bonga, SF, Germany – A Grade
Bonga is a versatile, combo forward who can handle the ball. He is raw and still developing, but is a nice draft and stash option.

Brooklyn Nets: Rodions Kurucs, F, Latvia – C Grade
Nets go back-to-back foreign guys with their two picks in the draft. He likely stays overseas, so time will tell on this one.

Denver Nuggets: Jarred Vanderbilt, SF, Kentucky – A Grade
A top-20 recruit in the 2017 class, Vanderbilt’s freshman season was curtailed by injury. He is a versatile, athletic forward who will need to time to grow his all-around game, but is worth a second-round pick.

Detroit Pistons: Bruce Brown Jr., SG, Miami – B Grade
The Pistons add more guard depth just a couple picks after acquiring Khyri Thomas. Brown is a versatile guard like Thomas, so this pick seems a bit repetitive.

Orlando Magic: Justin Jackson, SF, Maryand – C+ Grade
Another pick that seems a bit repetitive since Orlando took Melvin Frazier earlier in the second round. Jackson has battled injuries during his college career, but if healthy, he could be a solid player. Orlando just has a log jam on its wing now.

Washington Bullets: Issuf Sanon, PG, Ukraine – C Grade
I hate draft-and-stash second-round picks. It’s boring, so I’m automatically giving all these dudes a “C” for the rest of the draft.

Charlotte Hornets: Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky – C+ Grade
Diallo is crazy athletic but has a lot of developing to do with his all-around game. Charlotte has about six-hundred wings now, so I have no idea how he fits here.

Houston Rockets: De’Anthony Melton, SG, USC – A Grade
This is a really solid value at this point and his versatility at guard should fit in nicely on the Houston bench.

Los Angeles Lakers: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG, Kansas – C+ Grade
NBA teams like shooters. Svi can shoot it. Maybe he sticks on the roster?

Minnesota Timberwolves: Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State – A Grade
I saw mocks that had Bates-Diop going to the T-Wolves at No. 20 (which seemed crazy to me), so for them to get him at this point is a great value. He is a tweener forward but could find his niche in the NBA. By the way, you know that hip hop remix that goes “BASS DROP”… every time I read Bates-Diop I say it like that song, “BATES-DIOP”. It’s getting late. I’m getting loopy.

San Antonio Spurs: Chimezie Metu, PF, USC – B+ Grade
The Spurs need young, athletic options inside, so I’m cool with this pick. Metu could work his way as a rotation, energy guy.

Indiana Pacers: Alize Johnson, PF, Missouri State – C+ Grade
ESPN is doing a red carpet breakdown of guys’ suits. This is definition of filler TV. If I ever wear a shorts suit like Trae Young, punch me in the face. This has nothing to do with Alize Johnson, but I don’t care.

New Orleans Pelicans: Tony Carr, PG, Penn State – A Grade
I like Carr. During the season, I thought he was a late first-round prospect, so this is a nice value.

Houston Rockets: Vincent Edwards, SF, Purdue – C- Grade
I didn’t have Edwards getting drafted. There are a lot of guys on the board who I like better (Milton, Duval, Alkins, Trier, Hall, etc.)

Oklahoma City Thunder: Devon Hall, SG, Virginia – B Grade
There is some Malcolm Brogdon here, so I could see Hall sticking since he can defend and has a solid outside shot.

Philadelphia 76ers: Shake Milton, SG, SMU – A- Grade
Milton is a great value here. Philly has drafted about 18 guards tonight, so I’m not sure how they all fit into the process, but I’m sure their GM has it figured out. (Oh, wait…)

Charlotte Hornets: Arnoldas Kulboka, SF, Lithuania – C Grade
I just realized ZERO current NBA players have been traded tonight. That’s wild. I miss Fran Fraschilla. I could really use a “he’s two years away from being two years away” comment about this dude.

Dallas Mavericks: Ray Spalding, PF, Louisville – D- Grade
I didn’t even consider putting Spalding in my mock draft, which tells you how I feel about him.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Hervey, SF, UT-Arlington – C- Grade
Here’s what Oklahoma City should have done; draft Trevon Duval who is a crazy athlete but terrible shooter. Let him sit and learn from Russell Westbrook who was a similar type of player when he entered the league. I should be an NBA GM.

Denver Nuggets: Thomas Welsh, C, UCLA – D- Grade
The King of the mid-range set shot; Welsh just doesn’t have the athleticism or mobility to stick on the league. This is a waste of a pick.

Phoenix Suns: George King, SF, Colorado – D Grade
King is a sniper from the outside, but there are just higher-ceiling guys to be taken this late.

Philadelphia 76ers: Kostas Antetokounmpo, SF, Dayton – A Grade
If you’re gonna take a flier on the last pick of the draft, why not make it Giannis’ little brother and hope he’s half the talent?

(Note from Walt: My dad is thrilled. When this pick occurred, my dad leapt out of his chair and shouted “YES!” He’s convinced this pick was made so the 76ers could get Giannis Antetokounmpo. After a disappointing first round, my dad is stoked about the upcoming season because of this selection alone.)