The Howard-Mozgov salary swap
Nets receive:
Hornets receive:
Nets' 2021 2nd round pick
Undisclosed cash considerations
Like many others, my first thought when I saw the news was that Howard is finally a Net after the "Dwightmare" six years ago, but alas, the union won't last long. As Tim Bontemps speculated yesterday, Brooklyn will likely buyout the last year of the enigmatic big man's deal to put the exclamation point on this salary dump. With Mozgov's money off the books, the Nets are now in position to have enough cap room for two max contracts a year from now and still keep the cap holds of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Spencer Dinwiddie. They also still have the 40th pick tonight, lessening the blow of sacrificing the second rounders. Because the difference in salary is more than the amount of cap space they have right now, this deal can't become official until the new league year starts on July 6th. They'll have to renounce the cap holds of some of their free agents, but they can still keep Joe Harris' rights and have around $5.8 million in room left.
This deal means that both big men have been traded in back to back years after signing huge free agent contracts in the hasty summer of 2016, and Mozgov is reunited with the man who gave him that money, new Charlotte GM Mitch Kupchak. This move gets them about $8 million under the luxury tax threshold after they were dangerously close to crossing it for the first time, and they also create a $7.8 million trade exception to be used in the next year. Getting that 2021 pick with this year's pick is a nice addition since they had previously traded their own 2nd rounder that year in the move for Willy Hernangomez. It's not surprising that Howard sent packing since fired head coach Steve Clifford was who vouched for him due to their Orlando history, but I'm not sure this was the move to make. After doing well to get out of Miles Plumlee's salary last year, taking on more money next season won't help their future flexibility with Kemba Walker in the last year of his contract.
Some early 2nd round wheeling and dealing
Lakers receive:
#39 pick
76ers receive:
Bulls' 2019 2nd round pick
Undisclosed cash considerations
It's unusual to see 2nd round picks dealt a day before the draft even begins, but LA must like the crop of talent that's likely to be available between their 1st round pick (25th) and their 2nd (47th). Although this leaves them without a 2nd rounder next year, it could help them fill out their roster as they clear the decks for max free agents. For Philadelphia, this a great move since they already have the 10th, 26th, 38th, 56th, and 60th picks. Because they already received the maximum amount of $5.1 million in trades this season, this is another deal that can't be consummated until the new league year.
Draft results
Phoenix Suns
#1 Deandre Ayton
Traded #16 and Miami's 2021 1st round pick for #10 Mikal Bridges
#31 Elie Okobo
#59 George King
After needlessly taking the full five minutes for their pick, they made the choice everyone knew coming with Ayton, who has arguably the highest upside in the draft and went to Arizona, the alma mater of owner Robert Sarver. Anyone who watched the 2016 Nike Hoop Summit knew he had the potential to be a future #1 pick, and he was a double-double machine in his lone season as a Wildcat. Since everyone loves comparisons, he's like a cross between Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond because he has perimeter skills yet can dominate you with his physical tools, especially on the glass. You'd like to see some more defensive intensity from him since he's over 7' with a 7'5" wingspan, but that could be explained by him often playing out of position as a four next to another big. Although reuniting Luka Doncic with his national team coach Igor Kokoskov also would've been a great choice, Ayton could be a tremendous anchor in the middle behind Devin Booker and Josh Jackson.
The move for Bridges was surprising since he's also a wing like Booker and Jackson, but I've been such a fan of his all around game for a while. Turning 22 this summer, he might not have as much raw upside as other lottery picks, but he can contribute right away as an efficient 3-and-D wing. At 6'7" with a 7'2" wingspan, it's possible that he and Jackson could play together as forwards with their defensive versatility, so although they overpaid with a prime trade asset, Bridges should help turn the defensive culture around immediately. Conversely, Okobo was a great value after a surprising fall to the 2nd, and he could be a nice scoring point guard down the line. He is a little like his new teammate Brandon Knight with his ability to score at multiple levels, but he needs to improve his defensive focus since he has good tools at 6'3", 208 lbs with a 6'8" wingspan. Lastly, King provides more shooting on the wing having made 181 of 451 (40.1%) 3's at Colorado.
Sacramento Kings
#2 Marvin Bagley III
Traded #37 for two 2nd round picks (Miami's 2021 and the better of Timberwolves' or Lakers' in 2019) and $1.5 million
#KANGZ is a hashtag for a reason, and I'm willing to bet that passing on Doncic will be another example why. Sure, Bagley is likely to rack up points and rebounds, but a big man with defensive concerns is worrisome, especially since it's unclear if the offensive value he does bring will include spacing. Although he shot 39.7% from deep, 23 of 58 isn't a huge sample in 33 games, and his 62.7% free throw shooting might be a better indicator of what's to come. If he does become a reliable suitor and improve his defensive positioning, then he'll remind you of Chris Bosh due to his dominant left hand, impressive face up game, and similar frame (6'10.5", 234 lbs, 7'0.5" wingspan). He displays smooth athleticism as he gets to rim in both the halfcourt and transition, so the potential should be there on the other end. Sacramento's recent track record of developing bigs selected in the 1st (Willie Cauley-Stein, Georgios Papagiannis, Skal Labissiere) hasn't been great, but they're apparently excited about the pairing with fellow Blue Devil, Harry Giles, who sat out last year to get healthy. It seemed like they took yet another Duke player in Gary Trent Jr. before the 2nd round trade was announced. They got good value back, but there were still a lot of intriguing players on the board.
Dallas Mavericks
Traded #5 and a top-5 protected 2019 1st round pick for #3 Luka Doncic
#33 Jalen Brunson
Traded #54 for #56 Ray Spalding and #60 Kostas Antetokounmpo
It took some haggling, but they were able to move up at a reasonable price and get their guy, whom I consider the best player in this class. It's unbelievable that essentially three teams passed on Doncic after he's become the most decorated international prospect ever. He was able to attend the draft because he wrapped up the Spanish league championship with Real Madrid on Tuesday, a month after winning the EuroLeague, and after pulling off the upset in EuroBasket with Slovenia last summer. Oh, and having just turned 19 in February, he is the youngest recipient of the ACB MVP, EuroLeague MVP, and EuroLeague Final Four MVP awards.
Doncic is like a cross of Manu Ginobli and Joe Johnson: huge for a guard at 6'8" 228 lbs, can shoot off the catch or dribble, creates for both himself and others, crafty out of the pick and roll, and won't overwhelm with athleticism yet gets where he wants to go. I love the way he competes on both ends and took over as the go-to guy on such an established club with veteran Sergio Llull sidelined most of the year. He can provide a steady hand next to volatile rookie point guard Dennis Smith, and it doesn't hurt that Dirk Nowitzki, the best European NBA player ever, can help guide his transition. In the 2nd, Brunson is also a steady and skilled floor general that can develop into a nice backup point guard, especially thanks to his shooting touch. They got really nice value in trading down just two spots to get two cracks at long, athletic lotto tickets. This draft will of course be defined by Doncic, though, and I think they'll be rewarded for taking a chance that he's a star...despite having the wrong take on his favorite show.
I take it all back. Rachel deserved betterhttps://t.co/SCQhBQVsQ4— David Giovanazzi (@SF_DavidGio) June 21, 2018
Memphis Grizzlies
#32 Jevon Carter
This one is pretty straightforward with Jackson being as clean a prospect as any with his topnotch defense. Not turning 19 until September, there could also still be some untapped upside in his 6'11.25", 236 lb frame that carries a 7'5.25" wingspan. He has a chance to be a better version of Serge Ibaka with his ability to block shots, play either big position, switch onto the perimeter, f and knock down 3's. He can start out playing power forward next to Marc Gasol before eventually replacing the 33 year old center who can opt out next year. Conversely, Carter is one of the oldest prospects in the class at nearly 23, but he also brings hard-nosed defense in the form of a backup guard. It would've been nice to go with more upside so early in the 2nd round, but with his improving jumper and experience, he should be able to contribute right away as a Patrick Beverley type.
Atlanta Hawks
Traded #3 for #5 Trae Young and Dallas' top-5 protected 2019 1st round pick
#19 Kevin Huerter
#30 Omari Spellman
Traded #34 for Hornets' 2019 and 2023 2nd round picks
Travis Schlenk is still making his mark as he starts his second year running the show, but you can see the outline of the plan he's executing. He's been steadfast in acquiring extra picks, and having been the Warriors Assistant GM, he understands the value of shooting. He got both in this haul, and although Young and Huerter may not have the upside of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, they possess similar skill sets. Heck, maybe Spellman could become their Draymond Green with a combination of defense, shooting, and hustle. All three were taken higher than I would've picked them, yet I like the way Schlenk is executing their patient strategy with interesting pieces that fit. The fact that they had suitors interested in trading up for Doncic probably mean that they should've just taken him, but they were reportedly very much in on Young early on before moving up in the lottery. Now they got him and another potential lottery pick, and then with three rookies already incoming, it was a shrewd move swapping their 2nd for two more down the line from a Charlotte team questions. In the end, the only question remaining is what Dennis Schoder's trade value looks like.
Orlando Magic
#6 Mo Bamba
#35 Melvin Frazier
Traded #41 for #43 Justin Jackson and a 2019 2nd round pick from Denver
Speaking of a GM knowing what he wants, John Hammond definitely has a type, and Twitter had a field day with it. All three picks are easy to like for their defensive potential, and they did well to add an extra 2nd just for dropping two spots. It could be argued (not by me) that Bamba has as much upside as Ayton, so getting him at 6 is a coup, no matter the presence of two veteran centers -- Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo -- that aren't in long-term plans. Rudy Gobert is the common comparison due to the record-setting 7'10 wingspan, but his frame (only 228 lbs at nearly 7'1") reminds me more of Hassan Whiteside. A new shooting form that extends his range past the arc is an intriguing part of his overall ceiling, but I'm not completely sold because he's already 20 and didn't bring it every night during his freshman year at Texas.
Frazier is one of my favorite sleepers as a 6'6" wing with a 7'1.75" wingspan who has the potential to be more than just a defensive stopper. Jackson might have been a 1st round pick had he come out last year before the should injury that sidelined him for much of his sophomore year, and he's shown some defensive versatility at 6'7", 229 lbs, with a 7'3" wingspan. Along with last year's additions of Jonathan Isaac, Wesley Iwundu, and Jonathon Simmons, they should thrive in the passing lanes in front of Bamba, especially if they hold onto restricted free agent Aaron Gordon.
Chicago Bulls
#7 Wendell Carter Jr.
#22 Chandler Hutchison
The Carter selection isn't surprising since they've been linked to him for a while, but I thought Michael Porter Jr. might be the choice since there was even talk of them trading up for him. Given questions about Porter's health, though, Carter is a fine choice since he's nearly a year younger and a very solid all around prospect in his own right. Owning a 7'4.5" wingspan at 6'10", 251 lbs, he should be able to control the paint and make for a good fit with the more perimeter oriented Lauri Markkanen. In some ways he reminds me of Marc Gasol because of his stout defense and nice touch inside, which could extend a bit further out based on his shooting at Duke.
Hutchison was also a rumored target of theirs for a while, going even further back to the combine when he apparently received a promise from them and thus shut down his workouts for anyone else to see. He's shown a lot of growth the last two years as an upperclassmen at Boise State and has a nice combination of size and skill to be something of a do-it-all wing. Not being asked to carry a heavy load anymore should help him transition to being more of a complementary starter sliding between Markkanen and, most likely, restricted free agent Zach LaVine.
Cleveland Cavaliers
#8 Collin Sexton
Porter falling past this pick is when I should've realized that the concerns were real over the back injury that limited him to only three college games and 53 total minutes. The Cavs were another team rumored to move up for him but instead took an aggressive lead guard in Sexton. He shot it a bit better than I expected in his lone season at Alabama but only posted 3.61 assists per game to 2.79 turnovers. He's not a natural point guard and will have to function as more of an Eric Bledsoe type of combo guard at 6'1.5", 183 lbs with a 6'7.25" wingspan. Although that could work if LeBron James decides to stay since he's had success with that kind of scoring guard in the past, they were in a tough spot having to make this pick not knowing his plans. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly refusing to work out for them didn't help matters either, so you have to wonder if that influenced this pick.
Sidenote: this is also the point when it was apparent that Woj would be finding loopholes around the Twitter embargo and reveal picks without officially ruining his employer's broadcast of the event. It was glorious.
New York Knicks
#9 Kevin Knox
#36 Mitchell Robinson
As I wrote three years ago after the Kristaps Porzingis pick: STOP BOOING AND LOOKING LIKE IDIOTS, NEW YORK. Perhaps more importantly, ESPN needs to stop showing the crowd to play it up, but whatever. The point is that Knox could end up being a great pick thanks to his size (6'9"/213/6'11.75"), scoring touch, and versatility. He'll likely always be compared to Porter due to their similar positions and draft slots, but he could easily turn out better thanks to his health, being over a year younger, and having a better situation than in college. There were times he looked like his last name was Durant, but Kentucky had virtually no spacing on a consistent basis and an unsteady offense in general. The Draft Express folks compared him Jayson Tatum based on similar dimensions, and like him, we should remember how good Knox was considered coming into the year. The fit with Porzingis should be fun since they can play on and off the ball while pairing as forwards together or as the big men duo in smaller lineups if the rookie can improve on his rebounding.
Robinson could eventually factor into that front court rotation as a high-upside center. Standing 7'1", 233 lbs with a 7'4" wingspan and bouncy athleticism, I thought that he would be a lottery pick before the season. However, he decided to withdraw from Western Kentucky to only focus on draft prep and then reportedly handled the process poorly these last few weeks. He's also old for his grade having already turned 20 two months ago, so there are a lot of question marks. If he can put everything together, though, he could potentially do it all like a young Jermaine O'Neal with his shot blocking, ball handling, shooting touch, and finishing inside. He's a project but could end up being even better than Knox.
Philadelphia 76ers
Traded #10 for #16 Zhaire Smith and the Heat's 2021 1st round pick
#26 Landry Shamet
Traded #38 for Pistons' 2021 and 2023 2nd round picks
Traded #56 and #60 for #54 Shake Milton
Insert the obligatory Porter mention here given their history of redshirting player and rumors of interest, but they instead took Mikal Bridges to nail everyone's mock draft...for about 45 minutes. Aside from the parts about him being a great fit complementing Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, his local proximity as a Villanova player, and the storyline about his mom working HR for the team, the trade down was actually a great proposition for them. Smith is the higher upside prospect thanks to his youth and athleticism, they saved around $1 million in cap space for this summer, and that Miami pick could have a ton of value as a trade chip or eventual prospect since that might be the year that the one-and-done rule is abolished. It was initially expected that Smith would be more of a prospect for next year, but he came on strong down the stretch as a freshman. The hope is that he can become Victor Oladipo as an athletic wing with shooting potential, and he can compete on defense. A near 6'10" winspan can make up for the fact that he's only 6'4" in shoes, but undersized guards can especially work with point forwards like Simmons.
I've been a fan of Shamet's well-rounded game, so seeing him land in the 1st round was a pleasant surprise. 6'5" guards that can shoot the lights out (43.7% on 364 career 3's) and run the point if needed (2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio last year) can have a spot on my team any day. He needs to get stronger so that he can be a consistent defender at this level, but as a two year starter after redshirting due to injury, there could be a role for him right away. The way they swapped out 2nd rounders made sense given their multitude of them, and I like Milton for a lot of the same reasons as Shamet. He might not be as good of a playmaker but has even more length with a near 7'1" wingspan, and I'm shocked he lasted to 54th.
Los Angeles Clippers
Traded #12 and two future 2nd round picks (Cavaliers' 2020 and their own in 2021) for #11 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
#13 Jerome Robinson.
Not to belabor the point, but once Porter started falling, I was sure that the Clippers would be the team to pounce on him since they could afford to take a risk with one of their back to back picks. I did like their aggressiveness in securing the last of the top point guards since Charlotte was a threat to take Gilgeous-Alexander as a Kemba Walker replacement. As a wiry 6'6", 175 lb point guard with a 6'10.5" wingspan, the easy comparison is Shaun Livingston, and those tools play up as a defensive pest. He can get where he wants and creates good passing angles at his height, so if he can continue to extend the range on his jumper, there's a ton of two-way potential.
Even with Robinson's meteoric rise during the pre-draft process, I did not expect him to be a lottery pick, especially with the talent on the board and after they just took another guard. Jamal Crawford did have a lot of success in LA, though, and ideally that's the type of player Robinson could become with his similar size (6'5"/188/6'7.25") and skill set. I'm dubious of the talk that he could play either guard spot since his main strength is getting buckets, but fortunately that shouldn't be asked of him given the players around him. Like Crawford, he's prone to lapses on defense, as well, so I'm still a bit surprised they didn't go with a center like Robert Williams since DeAndre Jordan is most likely on his way out.
Traded #11 for #12 Miles Bridges and two 2nd round picks (Cavaliers' 2020 and Clippers' 2021)
Traded their 2019 and 2023 2nd round picks for #34 Devonte' Graham
Traded #45 for unknown compensation (likely cash due to being unofficial until July)
#55 Arnoldas Kulboka
Had the trade not happened, Gilgeous-Alexander would've been a nice pick since he could play alongside Walker and Malik Monk now before taking over for the former, but they ended up with just as good of a prospect in Bridges. I'm not quite as high on him as a lot of the draft community due to his lack of length (under 6'7" and just a 6'.9.5" wingspan), but he was considered a possible top-10 pick if he had declared after his freshman season. If you don't hold him to the expectations, which is unfair to him, then he's a solid prospect as a versatile small-ball four that can moonlight as a small forward. He's a bit like Thaddeus Young with a little Paul Millsap in a best case scenario as a tough defender who can slash and make shots inside as well as outside. And you can't argue against picking up two extra picks to move down just one spot, especially since they didn't have a 2nd rounder in 2020 before this.
They're now lacking 2nds in 2019 and 2023, though, as they seemed to have panicked during the point guard run with the first three picks of the round. Graham could become a solid backup sooner rather than later thanks to extensive experience at Kansas, but I'm not sure a prospect lacking upside like him is worth the price they paid. I'll reserve judgement on the last trade since we don't currently have the full details, but if it's merely cash considerations as I suspect, that's always disappointing from a roster building perspective. Lastly, Kulboka is likely to be stashed but could eventually be a decent stretch four if he improves his rebounding.
Denver Nuggets
#14 Michael Porter Jr.
Traded #43 and a 2019 2nd round pick for #41 Jarred Vanderbilt
#58 Thomas Welsh
Finally, Porter was taken and will be a steal if his health prevails. He might've been the #1 pick last year if he were allowed to come straight out of high school, and while that kind of upside is probably overly optimistic, he does possess a ton of skill. That's more than worth the risk given the expected production from the #14 pick, even if Denver needs wings more than fours, which Porter probably projects best as a mismatch weapon. He measured even longer than expected at 6'10.75" in shoes with a 7'0.25" wingspan, so once he regains some strength as he gets healthy, he should be a better defender better inside than against quicker perimeter players. He kind of reminds me of former Nugget Danilo Gallinari as a combo forward who shoots well, gets to the free throw line, and can be a fine defender in the right matchups.
Giving up a future pick just to move up two spots for a project like Vanderbilt feels unnecessary, but like his new teammate, he did have a stronger pedigree before an injury plagued freshman year. Nate Duncan from the Dunc'On podcast compared him to Jeremi Grant, and an athletic forward with defensive versatility would be really useful for this team since Porter will contribute more to an already strong offense. Welsh definitely falls into the offense category, as well, as he's known for his sweet shooting as a center. He can compete inside defensively, but his NBA role will definitely be to try to space the floor.
Washington Wizards
#15 Troy Brown Jr.
#44 Issuf Sanon
I am a huge fan of Brown's game since he can do a little bit of everything as a wing who is nearly 6'7" with a wingspan that's over 6'10". When you have an inconsistent jumper but can defend and help facilitate like he does, Andre Iguodala is the common comparison, but Brown's stroke looks like it has more potential. If he continues to get stronger, I think his ceiling is Jimmy Butler-esque, and the Draft Express database spit out Khris Middleton from a physical perspective. One of the younger prospects in the class, he might take a while to develop like those two late bloomers, but he fits the profile of the type of in demand wing everyone wants in the modern NBA. With Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre ahead of him on the depth chart, they can be patient with him and even put out versatile lineups next to both of them when he's ready. As for Sanon, he's another young, upside perimeter player that will probably need some more seasoning overseas. There is some potential as a sixth man scoring type, though.
Milwaukee Bucks
#17 Donte DiVincenzo
This felt like a bit of a reach to me, even though I like DiVincenzo's potential as a role player and possible starter. There is even talk that Milwaukee was trying to trade down before this pick, so maybe they feel the same way. That being said, DiVincenzo is a pretty fun player with his tough defense, pick and roll feel, and shooting flair. He certainly makes Matthew Dellavedova expendable (if he wasn't already), and the Draft Express comparison to Gary Harris feels like a best case scenario that makes a lot of sense. If he were a little bit bigger than 6'4.5" in shoes with a 6'6" wingspan, he might've been a lottery pick as a more defensively versatile wing.
San Antonio Spurs
#18 Lonnie Walker IV
#49 Chimezie Metu
It might feel cliche to call any player that falls to the Spurs a steal every year, but it really does feel like they got great value again. Walker has a ton of upside as a two-way guard and has even been called this year's potential Donovan Mitchell. Although not as strong yet, he fits the profile at 6'4.5", 196 lbs, with a long 6'10.25" wingspan and impressive athleticism. He flashed shooting and playmaking potential in a somewhat limited role as a freshman at Miami, so maybe the culture San Antonio has built will bring that out that potential. Meanwhile, Metu could become a nice pick and roll finisher with some defensive value after putting together strong production over three years at USC. Again there are some tools to work with if he gets coached up to be more consistent.
Minnesota Timberwolves
#20 Josh Okogie
#48 Keita Bates-Diop
They needed more wing depth behind Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins, especially with Jamal Crawford opting out, and they got exactly that here. Rumor has it that they were hoping for DiVincenzo, so with him surprisingly gone, they might've reached a little with Okogie. There are questions about his shooting form holding up against NBA defenses, but that's not to say that he doesn't have upside as a 3 and D player who has an outrageous 7'0" wingspan at 6'4.5", 211 lbs. He expanded his role as Georgia Tech's go-to guy after getting valuable experience on the USA U-19 team last summer, and despite being a sophomore, he's still younger than some of the freshman drafted.
I'm stunned that Bates-Diop went as late as he did because I expected him to be taken in the 20's, perhaps even ahead of Okogie. He was probably hurt by a lack of a high ceiling, but he should be able to contribute right away as a 22 year old two-way combo forward. He has great length at 6'8.5", 224 lbs with a 7'3.25" wingspan, uses it well to defend and rebound, and is an improved shooter who can score in a variety of ways inside. He may not become a star like he was at Ohio State, but he doesn't have to be as the type of role player coaches always hope Jeff Green will be when they acquire him.
Utah Jazz
#21 Grayson Allen
Traded #52 for $1.5 million
Donovan moment
Like Minnesota, Utah missed out on a player they were linked to, this case Huerter, and took Allen a bit higher than expected. Allen could be a nice scorer off the bench with impressive shotmaking and leaping ability, and he can fill in at point guard in a pinch with decent ball handling and passing. He doesn't have great size (6'4.5"/198/6'7.25"), though, and a lack of lateral quickness hampers him defensively. They could've gone for more upside but should end up with a decent contributor, and as a side note, this led to that awesome moment with star rookie Donovan Mitchell embracing his former ACC rival to celebrate.
Indiana Pacers
#23 Aaron Holiday
#50 Alize Johnson
This feels like the right spot for Holiday as the next best point guard after the big three who can contribute early on but still has some upside at a position of need. He finally got to run the show at UCLA with Lonzo Ball and Bryce Alford gone and acquitted himself well as a scorer and distributor. At the very least he'll be a 3 and D point guard at just under 6'1" with a long 6'7.5" wingspan, but there's potential for a lot more with his shooting out of the pick and roll. It's pretty great that all three Holiday brothers have now made it to the NBA, and it's randomly funny that each one is about three inches shorter than the last (although Justin came into the league after middle brother Jrue). And assuming Darren Collison's partially guaranteed deal is kept, he might have a sense of deja vu after spending his final year as a Bruin playing with and mentoring the best Holiday brother.
Johnson is an intriguing pickup in the 2nd because he showed a versatile skill set the last two years at Missouri State. His rebounding, in particular, could get him playing time, but if he can put together his shooting as a junior with his passing as a senior, they may have something here.
Portland Trail Blazers
#24 Anfernee Simons
Traded two future 2nd round picks and $1.5 million for #37 Gary Trent Jr.
I like them swinging for the fences since Simons, a 19 year old coming out of prep school, has more upside than you'd typically find with the 24th pick, but the fit is curious. He's a bit like their two star guards as a dynamic scorer who isn't likely to contribute much on defense due to a lack of size at just over 6'3" in shoes and 183 lbs, although he does have an impressive 6'9.25" wingspan. However, the main issue is that he's not going to be ready to contribute to a playoff team for a while, and Portland is one of the last franchises without a G League affiliate. Their two-way player C.J. Wilcox played for the Santa Cruz Warriors last year, but I'm sure they'll want to have a more hands-on role in the development of such a young 1st round pick. I thought they overpaid for Trent, but it's at least understandable since the picks they sent to Sacramento were extras they had from other teams. As ESPN's Kevin Pelton noted, he could fill the Allen Crabbe role as a shooter off the bench with decent size (6'5.75"/204/6'9") but unreliable defense on the wing.
Los Angeles Lakers
#25 Moritz Wagner
#39 Isaac Bonga
#47 Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
You have to hand it to Chauncey Billups for not only consistently comparing white players to other white players on the broadcast but even going international with the Mehmet Okur comp for Wagner, who's originally from Germany and idolizes Nowitzki. It's not completely off base since Wagner's main calling card is likely to be his ability to provide spacing on offense, but it's still not the best look. He can mix it up a bit inside with some scoring and has improved as a defensive rebounder, but he doesn't offer much as a shot blocker or defender on switches. I'm surprised that they didn't go for someone that could eventually be a strong starter like Robert Williams or even Mitchell Robinson, but they have had recent success picking experienced role players like Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart in this late 1st/early 2nd area.
As a follow up to their pre-draft trade that landed the #39 pick, I wonder if they already had an arrangement with Bonga as an upside draft-and-stash. Also hailing from Germany, he doesn't turn 19 until November, has nice length at 6'9" with a 7'0" wingpan, and has some potential as a point forward whenever he comes over after gaining more experience. Mykhailiuk continued the international flavor since he's from the Ukraine, and although he never quite lived up to the hype around him at Kansas, I like him as a skilled shooter on the wing. Since he's one of the few prospects with a negative wingspan (6'5" despite standing 6'7.75" in shoes), he's a bit limited defensively, but he can fill a role off the bench.
Boston Celtics
#27 Robert Williams III
Another player who was projected as a lottery pick had he come out last year, Williams is an absolute steal after shockingly falling for alleged character concerns. As Mike Schmitz pointed out, he ends up being taken in same slot as another steal, Clint Capela, whom he compares favorably too. Miscast as a power forward next the massive Tyler Davis for most of the time, Williams projects best as a shot blocking lob threat, and that's exactly what Boston needs. A young big man to develop is the one shortcoming among their terrific young core, so if he can realize his potential, he could add another dimension next to (or in place of) Al Horford.
Golden State Warriors
#28 Jacob Evans
I thought that they might pounce on Bates-Diop as an experienced two-way forward, but I also liked Evans' fit for them as a 3 and D wing that can step in right away. Standing 6'5.5", 200 lbs, with a 6'9.25" wingspan, he's probably at his best defending guards, but he has shown the ability to switch seamlessly and is a generally heady player. In some ways, he's like a less lanky Pat McCaw, the restricted free agent he might be replacing, with those traits and his underrated playmaking. That quality, along with strong steal and block rates led to him being Pelton's 9th best prospect in the stats only ranking, so there's certainly some potential for the 21 year old to be more than "just" a 3 and D player. It's also amusing that no team would sell them a 2nd rounder after their success with buying the #38 pick in back to back years (McCaw and Jordan Bell), but it is interesting to think about what big they might've been targeting.
Brooklyn Nets
#29 Dzanan Musa
#40 Rodions Kurucs
Didn't think he'd last this long. Not stashing Pinson two-way. according to David Pick
Chalk up another win for Sean Marks as I didn't think Musa would last nearly this late, and apparently the reason is that teams liked him more as a draft-and-stash, which the Nets won't do. The Draft Express comparison to Rodney Hood feels about right given his measurements (6'8.5"/195/6'9") and reputation as something of a gunner. That can be a valuable player in the right situation like in Brooklyn, where they have nice young pieces but not a ton of scoring. It sounds like Kurucs is also coming over now on a shrewd four year deal, and while he's more of a forward than a wing, there's some upside there, as well. Besides improving as a rebounder, he just needs to get more consistent after being in a tough situation for minutes as a 20 year old at Barcelona.
Detroit Pistons
Traded their 2021 and 2023 2nd round picks for #38 Khyri Thomas
#42 Bruce Brown
I'm not in love with the trade, but Thomas has some nice potential to replace Avery Bradley as a similar type of guard at nearly 6'4" with a 6'10.5" wingspan and quick hands on defense. He's also increased his 3 point rate each year and finished as a 40.6% shooter, so there are certainly some impressive tools to work with. Brown was a good value that late as he had first round potential before an injury-ruined sophomore season. Nearly 22 already, he's old for his year but has solid size on the perimeter (6'5"/195/6'9") and has flashed some shooting and passing skills.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Traded unknown compensation (likely cash due to being unofficial until July) for #45 Hamidou Diallo
#53 Devon Hall
#57 Kevin Hervey
For not having much coming into the draft, this is quite the haul for a team that needs cheap, young contributors. Depending on when you see him, Diallo can look like a potential All-Star at 6'6", 197 lbs with a 6'11.5" wingspan, explosive athleticism, and a streaky shooting stroke. He's a little similar to Jeremy Lamb with all that potential, but like the former OKC player, it's unclear whether he can put it all together. Conversely, Hall is a grinder who has developed into a decent 3 and D prospect as a 23 year old at 6'6", 206 lbs with a 6'9" wingspan and a 38.9% career mark from deep. Lastly, Hervey was one of the most intriguing sleepers this year as a highly productive combo forward with great size (6'7.5"/212/7'3.5") but questions around the level of competition and previously torn ACLs in both knees.
Houston Rockets
#46 De'Anthony Melton
Traded $1.5 million for #52 Vincent Edwards
Leave it to Houston to make a savvy pickup in the middle of the 2nd with Melton, who could fill a Terry Rozier-type role as a 3-and-D guard with some playmaking ability. There might be some versatility with a 6'8.5" wingspan on his 6'3.25", 183 lbs frame, so the key with him will be the development of his jumper since it looks good but lacks steady production so far. I also like Edwards as an veteran contributor that shoots it well on the wing.
New Orleans Pelicans
#51 Tony Carr
Carr might not wow you, but he was productive in his two years at Penn State with strong shooting and passing numbers. They seem to love three guard lineups, and depending on his development, Carr could fill E'Twaun Moore's role once the latter hits free agency in 2020.
Clippers and Wizards swap expiring contracts
Clippers receive:
Wizards receive:
I'm adding this update here since the trade happened so early before free agency begins with the new league year. It's pretty straightforward as LA is trading one of their glut of guards for a veteran starting center knowing that Jordan isn't return, and Washington clears out someone who was no longer a fit in the locker room for a young sixth man. This is as clear a sign as any that Doc Rivers is no longer running things, but it still must be tough trading your son away, even if it's a good deal based on their roster. For the 'Zards, it's a solid bet on the market being full of serviceable big men to replace a 34 year old veteran while also saving them a little money against the luxury tax. Rivers can serve as a backup point guard in a pinch if Scott Brooks doesn't trust Tomas Satoransky and be Bradley Beal's top deputy, allowing Brown and Oubre to play forward exclusively. Makes sense all around.
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