Live 2017 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15 | Grades for Round 2
2017 NBA Mock Draft | 2017 NBA Mock Draft – Walt’s
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Justin Patton, C, Creighton – B Grade
Minnesota struggled defensively last season and Patton is long and athletic and can bring some shot-blocking inside. He is fairly skilled offensively as well, though he is a project big man. I am not sure how different he will be from Gorgui Dieng though. -
Milwaukee Bucks: D.J. Wilson, F, Michigan – C- Grade
Potential, potential, potential. Wilson is a long, versatile forward, and the Bucks love those sort of guys. He came on strong in March for Michigan but is still developing and likely needs a year or two before he contributes at the next level. -
Indiana Pacers: T.J. Leaf, F, UCLA – C Grade
The Pacers have huge holes in the backcourt and are likely losing Paul George as well, so they could use a wing. Instead, they go with an inside/outside threat to add to their frontcourt. The fit doesn’t make a ton of sense but outside of maybe OG Anunoby, any guard or wing would have been a bit of a reach. -
Atlanta Hawks: John Collins, F, Wake Forest – A- Grade
Atlanta is likely losing Paul Millsap in free agency, so it needed options at power forward. Collins is a skilled scorer though doesn’t bring much to the floor defensively. This is a solid value that makes a ton of sense. -
Sacramento Kings: Harry Giles, F, Duke – A+ Grade
I absolutely LOVE what the Kings did with this draft. Getting Giles, who was once considered a top prospect before injury issues played their toll, with their third first-rounder, is well worth the risk. -
Oklahoma City Thunder: Terrance Ferguson, G, USA – A Grade
I really like this pick since Oklahoma City could be losing Andre Roberson as a free agent. Ferguson projects as a three-and-D type player, which fits with what the Thunder need. -
Brooklyn Nets: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas – A Grade
Allen has late lottery potential, and for a Nets team needing an upgrade in talent all over, especially in the frontcourt, getting Allen at No. 22 is a great value. He is a skilled offensive player, and if he can become more aggressive as a defender, should have a nice NBA career. -
Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby, F, Indiana – A Grade
I keep giving good grades because NBA general managers are actually making sense tonight (unlike like last year.) Had Anunoby not gotten hurt, he could have been a lottery pick. There is obviously some risk when draft someone coming off a major injury, but also worth the roll of the dice, and if he gets to 100 percent, he could end up being one of the steals of this draft. -
Denver Nuggets: Tyler Lydon, F, Syracuse – D+ Grade
I have been waiting to give out a bad grade, so here we go. Denver just acquired Trey Lyles in a trade to move down from the 13th pick and then select another power forward? I’m not sure how that meshes with Nikoa Jokic, Mason Plumlee, and Kenneth Faried. -
Orlando Magic: Andzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia – C Grade
The Magic have loaded up on frontcourt talent now. They probably could have used wing depth more so than a big man, but we will have to see how the Latvian can find a role in the league. -
Portland Trail Blazers: Caleb Swanigan, F, Purdue – A Grade
Swanigan is going to be a solid role player in the league for a long time and you can’t ask for much more from a 26th pick. This fits a need for Portland, as they need an upgrade at power forward. The Blazers addressed their frontcourt needs with Swanigan and Zach Collins. -
Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma, F, Utah – D Grade
This pick reminds me of when the Lakers took Larry Nance Jr. late in the first round two years ago. Maybe Kyle Kuzma can develop into a back-up power forward? I think there were higher upside guys worth taking like Ike Anigbogu, Semi Ojeleye, or Ivan Rabb. -
Utah Jazz: Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina – C+ Grade
The Jazz move up two spots and deal No. 42 to the Lakers to snag Bradley. Bradley should have returned to school since he is nowhere near NBA ready. He will need a year or two to develop but could work his way into reserve role behind Rudy Gobert. -
San Antonio Spurs: Derrick White, G, Colorado – B- Grade
The Spurs need depth and youth inside and there were some solid options available at this point. However, they also could lose a couple guards in free agency and Manu Ginobili is likely retiring, so White also makes sense. It’s pretty impressive that White started playing at a Division II school and is now a first-round pick. -
Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Hart, G, Villanova – B Grade
From a skill-and-athleticism standpoint, Hart is a second-round prospect. However, he is a true team player and could be a great glue guy in the NBA. He will bring a winning pedigree to the Lakers and add some needed depth on the wing.
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