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2017 NBA Draft Re-Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15
2018 NBA Mock Draft
Published: July 3, 2018.
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Justin Patton, C, Creighton
The 7-footer has had two foot surgeries since he was drafted and only played four minutes for the Timberwolves as a rookie. His status for the start of the 2018-19 season is up in the air, so this is looking like a bust of a pick. If Patton can get healthy, the potential is there, but his path to development, which was steep as it was, takes an even bigger hit.
Original Grade: B Grade
Re-grade: F Grade
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Milwaukee Bucks: D.J. Wilson, F, Michigan
On draft night, I said WIlson “is still developing and likely needs a year or two before he contributes at the next level.” Spot on so far. Wilson spent his rookie season playing sparingly for the Bucks but getting a lot of shots up in the G-League. I’ll cut him some slack since he is still developing, but as of now, this is looking like a pick that won’t pan out in Milwaukee.
Original Grade: C- Grade
Re-grade: D+ Grade
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Indiana Pacers: T.J. Leaf, F, UCLA
We’re on a run of bad grades. That’s not a great sign for the depth of this draft. I maintain that Indiana would have been better off selecting a wing like O.G. Anunoby, who could have played a bigger role as a rookie and shown more upside. That’s even more evident now especially with the way Domantas Sabonis played in his inaugural year with the Pacers.
Original Grade: C Grade
Re-grade: D+ Grade
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Atlanta Hawks: John Collins, F, Wake Forest
Hey! A good grade…. I mocked Collins as a lottery pick in this draft class, and it certainly looks like he should have been. He was the best player in a weak Atlanta frontcourt and showed more aggressiveness on the glass than he did in college, which is a great sign. He should be a solid piece of the Hawks’ long-term puzzle.
Original Grade: A- Grade
Re-grade: A Grade
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Sacramento Kings: Harry Giles, F, Duke
Since this was the third of Sacramento’s first-round picks, I loved them rolling the dice on a guy who was considered a top prospect before suffering injuries (Hi, Michael Porter Jr.) Giles didn’t see the court in his first year in the league, so the jury is still out on this pick and I need to bump the grade down.
Original Grade: A+ Grade
Re-grade: C Grade
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Terrance Ferguson, G, USA
At the time of this pick, Oklahoma City didn’t have Melo or Paul George, and Andre Roberson was a potential free agent. Ferguson stepped into a larger role once Roberson was sidelined for the season due to injury and didn’t wow anyone. I think that experience serves as a learning lesson and Ferguson still becomes a solid 3-and-D guy in the NBA.
Original Grade: A Grade
Re-grade: B Grade
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Brooklyn Nets: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas
Outside of Kuzma going 27 to the Lakers, this looks like the next best pick of the 20s. Allen worked his way into the starting lineup during the second half of the season. With his combination of size, skill, and length, he should only get better year after year.
Original Grade: A Grade
Re-grade: A Grade
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Toronto Raptors: O.G. Anunoby, F, Indiana
I loved the risk of the Raptors drafting Anunoby coming off a season-ending injury, and the selection appears to paid off for the Raptors. He added some defense and versatility, pretty quickly taking the starting small forward spot from Norman Powell. As he continues to develop his all-around game over time, this pick will look better and better.
Original Grade: A Grade
Re-grade: A Grade
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Denver Nuggets: Tyler Lydon, F, Syracuse
Lydon played in just one game and two minutes in a crowded Denver frontcourt in which he was about the 8th option on their depth chart. A torn meniscus did sideline him for the second half of the season, but regardless, so many picks are about fit and this was a bad fit. Denver would have been better off going in a different direction and Lydon would have been better off on another team.
Original Grade: D+ Grade
Re-grade: F Grade
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Orlando Magic: Andzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia
Time will tell with this selection as Pasecniks was a draft-and-stash opton who played 16.5 minutes per game, averaging 7.3 points and 3.7 boards overseas.
Original Grade: C Grade
Re-grade: C Grade
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Portland Trail Blazers: Caleb Swanigan, F, Purdue
I’m surprised Swanigan couldn’t carve out a reserve role in Portland as a rookie. When he did get his number called, his production was lackluster at best. I can’t imagine anyone is overly optimistic about his future, but he still has the tools to develop into a rebounding/energy guy.
Original Grade: A Grade
Re-grade: D+ Grade
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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma, F, Utah
Like many NBA teams, I totally missed the boat on Kuzma. He was without question the late first-round steal of the draft, outplaying fellow rookie Lonzo Ball. He is the perfect small-ball power forward, which is the new hot trend in the NBA.
Original Grade: D Grade
Re-grade: A+ Grade
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Utah Jazz: Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina
The Jazz knew they were getting a project big man in Bradley, and that’s exactly what came to fruition as he only played in nine games. Bradley might have been the biggest loser here since he should have gone back to college and could have developed into a potential lottery pick.
Original Grade: C+ Grade
Re-grade: C- Grade
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San Antonio Spurs: Derrick White, G, Colorado
This is another pick where the fit wasn’t ideal as White was chosen by a Spurs team deep at guard. He played sparingly during the season, and San Antonio might have been better off drafting a young big to develop.
Original Grade: B- Grade
Re-grade: D+ Grade
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Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Hart, G, Villanova
For being the last pick of the first round, Hart made the most of his opportunity, finding a steady role off the Lakers’ bench. If you re-drafted this class, he likely goes somewhere in the teens.
Original Grade: B Grade
Re-grade: A Grade
Back to 2017 NBA Draft Re-Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15
Go to 2018 NBA Mock Draft
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: [email protected].
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
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