FIVE NBA TEAMS THAT WON DRAFT DAY
@TheWillBaldwin
As is customary with all these drafts, it’s time for us to pick winners and losers before any of the picks play a game, what could possibly go wrong?
All hyperlinks lead to players scouting reports done before the draft.
Philadelphia 76ers
If you told me coming out of tonight the only thing the Sixers did was get rid of Al Horford’s contract, I would’ve probably had them on this list. But, just to flex on all his contemporaries more, Daryl Morey decided to acquire Danny Green and Seth Curry who immediately makes them better and, have the best value draft out of anyone. Where the team selected Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed can only be described as incredible value. In the case of Maxey, don’t be surprised if he’s playing crunch time minutes next year like Tyler Herro did last season. There’s no doubt the Sixers improved last night and in the manner they did, they have to be considered threats to win the east the way this is trending for them.
Selections
21. Tyrese Maxey
49. Isaiah Joe
58. Paul Reed
Sacramento Kings
It’s also fun when synonymous organizations like the Kings end up on lists like this. Credit is due though for the night they had. Tyrese Haliburton will be a fascinating fit with the De’Aaaron Fox, making them a must watch league pass team with the unselfish pace they’ll play. I always loved the Robert Woodard and Jahmi’us Ramsey picks. Woodard will have a real chance of getting rotation minutes this season and Ramsey is a freak athlete certainly worth the second round chance on his development. Overall it was a great draft night for Kings fans, not something we’re used to saying.
Selections
40. Robert Woodard
43. Jahmi’us Ramsey
1
Washington Wizards
Coming into the draft, I wanted to see the Wizards address two main holes. Firstly, their wing position was a massive hole and with John Wall and Bradley Beal coming back together, fixing that position was a desperate need for a team with playoff aspirations. In Israeli star Deni Avdija, the Wizards were able to get great value in a guy who will come in and help them compete from day one. Avdija is in perfect spot in Washington as he can early on in his career playoff Wall and Beal and as the team progresses and his development moves along, ideally he can step into a bigger role as they move on. Similarly fitting a need is Cassius Winston. Winston is a Michigan State legend who should fit seamlessly into the back point guard minutes behind Wall that the Wizards needed to solve. After a quietly good draft night, Washington appears poised to have another shot at making the playoffs.
Selections
9. Deni Avdija
53. Cassius Winston
Charlotte Hornets
Any time you come out of the draft with its best player, it’s hard not to consider you the winner. In the 2020 case, I believe LaMelo Ball is the best prospect so therefore, congratulations Hornets fans. Bigger than that though, Charlotte addressed its big man holes with Vernon Carey and Nick Richards, all they need is one of those to hit and they’re rolling. Then, they swung back late in the draft with a steal of Grant Riller who some had as a first round prospect. It was a really good night for the Hornets and hopefully the start of finally something positive there.
Selections
3. LaMelo Ball
32. Vernon Carey
42. Nick Richards
56. Grant Riller
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks took two of my favourite players in the draft and therfore, locked themselves into their spot on my list. I love the Okongwu fit in Atlanta because he has the ideal game to play with Trae Young at both ends. Having Capela on the roster also gives Okongwu a chance to develop in the NBA in a way that Bam Adebayo did in Miami with Hassan Whiteside. Then in the second round, Travis Schlenk selected Skylar Mays who is another brilliant selection to go with Young. Mays is a combo guard who simply knows how to play the game and will be in the perfect situation to succeed next to Young. His shooting, secondary playmaking and overall smarts will go together nicely with the Atlanta star. It wasn’t the most high-profile draft of the night but, don’t be surprised if in five years we’re still talking about it.
Selections
50. Skylar Mays
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