2024 NBA Draft grades, team-by-team: Bulls, Wolves, Lakers winners

Atlanta Hawks: B-

Picks: Zaccharie Risacher (No. 1), Nikola Djurisic (No. 43)

There is an added amount of pressure when you have the No. 1 pick in the Draft, especially when there isn’t an out-and-out favorite to go in the top spot. No. 2 Alex Sarr sounded like he wanted nothing to do with the Hawks so, I guess they made the right pick, but time will tell if Risacher is just a three-and-D guy or something else. The Serbian Djurisic is interesting, and has played professionally for the last few years. The Hawks will get better, but how much better remains to be seen.

Boston Celtics: B

Picks: Baylor Scheierman (No. 30), Anton Watson (No. 56)

This is like that question: what do you get for the person who has everything? The Celtics have the best, and deepest squad in the league. Shooters are always welcome in Joe Mazzulla’s system so Scheierman makes sense. Watson fits the mold of where the NBA is trending. Long and lengthy athletes that can defend are a premium, but there may not be much room on the roster for Watson.

Brooklyn Nets: Not available

Brooklyn hosted the Draft, but they didn’t make a single pick.

Charlotte Hornets: C+

Picks: Tijdane Salaun (No. 6), KJ Simpson (No. 42)

The Hornets needed to take someone who was going to make them better now, and I’m not sure they got that done with their two picks. They went with a young Frenchman who is maybe the least ready to make an immediate impact of the four who went in the first round. KJ Simpson is a great late pick because he’s going to bring a bit of an edge and fighting spirit to a team that has been lacking in that department.

Chicago Bulls: A

Picks: Matas Buzelis (No. 11)

With their one and only pick the Bulls went local, taking Buzelis and you could see how much it means to him and his family. He and his brother were in tears knowing that a life long dream had been fulfilled and on a team from their hometown. This kid is going to be a good scorer and give his all for the city of Chicago.

Cleveland Cavaliers: B+

Picks: Jaylon Tyson (No. 20)

Just one pick for the Cavaliers, and they got a versatile player that can fill gaps from the 1-4 spot. Tyson is an interesting prospect that proved he can score the ball and rebound, averaging a double double in conference play. With big, young guys down low, he can help Evan Mobley and Jarett Allen down low and provide some depth for Garland and Mitchell.

Dallas Mavericks: C

Picks: Melvin Ajinca (No. 51)

The Mavs one and only pick of the draft came in the 51st spot, so it’s hard to expect a whole lot from their selection. Melvin Ajinca may not have a place on the NBA Finals runners up right now, but if he can polish off his jumper and continue to work on his defending he can be a valuable partner to Kyrie and Luka on the wing.

Denver Nuggets: A-

Picks: DaRon Holmes II (No. 22)

Selecting a back up for Nikola Jokic is always a good idea. The Nuggets suffer when their three time MVP is on the bench, and if DaRon Holmes II can fill those minutes that is going to be a big plus. The top big men were off the board by the time the Nuggets had their first pick, but Holmes was someone they were keeping an eye on for quite some time.

Detroit Pistons: C

Picks: Ron Holland (No. 5), Bobi Klintman (No. 37)

Holland was not considered a top five prospect coming into the first day of the draft, so their selection at No. 5 was rather eye opening. This is a team with a lot of young talent, so maybe they were looking for someone who can come in and do the dirty work. While known for his defense, he showed he can score the basketball. Klintman is more of a future pick which is ok for Detroit considering they aren’t expecting to be very good any time soon.

Golden State Warriors: C

Picks: Quinten Post (No. 52)

The Warriors one and only pick came in the last few minutes of the second round and considering their needs, it’s not a terrible. This is an aging squad, and one of the positions that needs some refreshing is center. The only problem is Post is more of a conventional big man, and I’m not sure how he meshes with Steve Kerr’s style of play.

Houston Rockets: A-

Picks: Reed Sheppard (No. 3)

The Rockets are another one of those teams that have a load of young talent waiting to develop. Reed Sheppard fills a niche that they previously didn’t have. His ability to stroke the three ball and defend on the other end reminds you of a Grayson Allen type player. That will be welcomed in Houston who are developing a deeper team year by year.

Indiana Pacers: C-

Picks: Johnny Furphy (No. 35), Tristen Newton (No. 49), Enrique Freeman (No. 50)

Not sure I get the Pacers picks at 49 and 50. They are in the midst of some serious negotiations with current players and that might have distracted them during the draft. Shooters always come in handy and Furphy fills that void, but may not do the trick on defense. I feel like they could have got a guy who provides what all three of these guys provide separately with one pick. It’s a team that was one or two pieces away from the NBA Finals, but these guys don’t fill those needs.

Los Angeles Clippers: D

Picks: Cam Christie (No. 46)

The Clips are in win now mode with their new arena opening and the new logo for the franchise and three aging stars. I’m not sure how much Cam Christie is going to help out in the short term.

Los Angeles Lakers: A+

Picks: Dalton Knecht (No. 17), Bronny James (No. 55)

They were the headliners before the draft and they made headlines after the draft. It’s not just the Bronny James selection. Obviously that keeps LeBron happy in LA for the remainder of his career and that was priority #1 but getting Dalton Knecht is going to add another element of excitement in LA.

Memphis Grizzlies: B+

Picks: Zach Edey (No. 9), Jaylen Wells (No. 39), Cam Spencer (No. 53)

I’m really excited to see Zach Edey and how his game translates at the next level. They needed someone to replace Stephen Adams and I think the two time National POY fills that hole. Wells can shoot the rock maybe better than anyone in the class and Spencer will bring that UCONN swag that only two time champs can bring.

Miami Heat: A-

Picks: Kel’el Ware (No. 15), Pelle Larsson (No. 44)

The Heat always show up on Draft Day. They bring in a long, lengthy but explosive big man in Ware. He’s going to be great on defense and on the offensive end throwing down alley oops and opening up space for Bam Adebayo. Miami lost a three and D guy in Max Struss and that came back to bite them late in the season. Larsson should be able to bring a little relief on the perimeter.

Milwaukee Bucks: D-

Picks: AJ Johnson (No. 23), Tyler Smith (No. 33)

I really thought he Bucks were going to go after Ryan Filipowski who reminds me of a young Brook Lopez. He may not have the size, but he’s a similar type player. Instead of thinking defense, which is what they need immediately they went for a couple of scorers who will need some time to develop.

Minnesota Timberwolves: A

Picks: Rob Dillingham (No. 8), Terrence Shannon Jr. (No. 27)

Everyone seems to being going wild at the proposition of Dillingham joining Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, so I’m on board too. Late in the playoffs the T’Wolves struggled when the ball was out of Anthony Edwards’ hands. Dillingham will lighten that burden. He’s a great scorer that can create his own shots and set up the perimeter players that hang in the corners. Shannon is another swaggy scorer that should fit in with the way Chris Finch and the Wolves do things.

New Orleans Pelicans: B-

Picks: Yves Missi (No. 21), Antonio Reeves (No. 47)

New Orleans taking a big man in the first round might have just shown Jonas Valanciunas the door in the Big Easy. Missi might have a little more responsibility than he might have expected which means he is going to have to learn on the fly. For a big man whose feel for the game is still coming together that could be a tough task. He’s raw and packed full of potential which makes this team even bigger and even more explosive. Reeves was a great picks because on a team that likes to run and gun, shooters are always welcome.

New York Knicks: B

Picks: Pacome Dadiet (No. 25), Tyler Kolek (No. 34), Kevin McCullar (No. 56)

With an already stacked squad, Dadiet is going to have a chance to come in and learn from Tom Thibadeaux. He won’t be thrown into the fire before he is ready and for a 6′8″ teenager that is going to be extremely valuable. He’s got star potential while the other two experience playmakers will most likely battle for a back up spot.

Oklahoma City Thunder: B

Picks: Nikola Topic (No. 12), Dillon Jones (No. 26), Ajay Mitchell (No. 38)

With a roster that is essentially complete, and full of young talent they Thunder made a great move taking Nikola Topic. The Serb is currently recovering from a knee injury that may keep him out the entire season, but that’s ok. No need to rush for Topic, and Jones is a playmaker that can make things happen with or without the ball in his hand.

Orlando Magic: A

Picks: Tristan da Silva (No. 18)

If the Magic needed one thing in this draft it was a three point shooter. That got that and more with Tristen Da Silva. He shot almost 40% last year, and at 6′9 has a lot of potential to become more than a three point shooter. He can defend, and should fit in perfectly on a team that already has a couple of Germans who are leading men down in Florida.

Philadelphia 76ers: B+

Picks: Jared McCain (No. 16), Adem Bona (No. 41)

McCain is a guy you want in your locker room. He’s a great teammate, a tenacious defender, and a coach on the floor. On top of that he can shoot from long range and defend a variety of positions. Bona can come in and learn from one of the best big men in the game while adding some much needed depth in the paint.

Phoenix Suns: B-

Picks: Ryan Dunn (No. 28), Oso Ighodaro (No. 40)

When you have three top offensive players featured on your team, defense is always going to be a priority in the draft. Dunn is the best lockdown defender in the draft and should get immediate minutes. Ighodaro is an stretchy energy man that has some handles and bring a little surprise on the offensive end. I’m not sure these two are going to come in and make big changes but they can play a role in helping this team get better.

Portland Trail Blazers: C

Picks: Donovan Clingan (No. 7)

This team already had a couple of above average big men. DeAndre Ayton and Robert Williams give this team a load of depth, and Clingan only adds to that, but are they a little to top heavy in the front court?

Sacramento Kings: B+

Picks: Devin Carter (No. 13)

The Kings aren’t far away from being actual competitors in the Western Conference. Carter is going to come in and provide immediate depth at the guard position. He was a fantastic playmaker in college and with weapons all around him in Sacramento, he is going to have a chance to thrive.

San Antonio Spurs: A

Picks: Stephon Castle (No. 4), Juan Nunez (No. 36), Harrison Ingram (No. 48)

I’m excited to watch Castle and Wemby on the same team. Castle is a dynamic playmaker that can bring a winning attitude and a maturity at the point guar position that is desperately needed in San Antonio. Nunez seems to be a project for the future, but Ingram is another one of those guys who is no stranger to winning. Great draft for San Antonio who is looking more and more of a complete team as the days go on.

Toronto Raptors: C

Picks: Ja’Kobe Walter (No. 19), Jonathan Mogbo (No. 31), Jamal Shead (No. 45), Ulrich Chomche (No. 57)

They were the busiest team on draft day. I don’t know if that makes them the winners of the draft. Are Toronto in a rebuild now process or are they in a let’s take our time mindset? None of their four picks really give you an indication of what they want.

Utah Jazz: A

Picks: Cody Williams (No. 10), Isaiah Collier (No. 29), Kyle Filipowski (No. 31)

Really stong draft for the Jazz who made big moves with their three picks. Williams is the best scorer in the draft for my money and Collier is going to add an element of lightning on the break. Filipowski can stretch a defense out and defend the paint. I see all three of these guys playing a role on the team next season.

Washington Wizards: B+

Picks: Alexandre Sarr (No. 2), Carlton Carrington (No. 14), Kyshawn George (No. 24)

Three picks in the first round, and sometimes that’s not a good thing, but the Wizards seemed to make the right picks with each and everyone of their selections. Sarr is going to bring a lot of excitement to a city that hasn’t had much to celebrate. Carringto and George might not have the short term impact Sarr has but for a team that has been terrible for a long time, they will get their opportunities to impress.