Who Made the Best and Worst Moves on Draft Day?
Cleveland CavaliersNotable Moves: Drafted; J.J. Hickson, N.C. State (19th pick)
Thoughts:
Draft Day Grade: C-
Denver Nuggets
Notable Moves: Traded their 20th overall pick to the Bobcats for a future protected first round pick, traded a 2009 second round pick for Sonny Weems, Arkansas (39th pick)
Thoughts: The Nuggets are terrible for no apparent reason. What is apparent is that the Nuggets will not contend in 2008-2009. The Western Conference is just too competitive for the Nuggets who have lost the will to play basketball. Weems may be able to contribute, but is likely to need a year or two to develop his skills at the next level. The Nuggets really needed to make a move to wake up the team and show the fans in Denver that they are committed to winning.
Draft Day Grade: D
Memphis Grizzlies
Notable Moves: Acquired O.J. Mayo (USC) from the Minnesota Timberwolves in an eight player trade. The Grizzlies gave up #5. pick Kevin Love (UCLA), Mike Miller, and more in the trade.
Thoughts: It's a guard party in Memphis. The Grizzlies continue to disassemble as they have lost Mike Miller and Pau Gasol in less than a year. Mayo is a great talent but cannot play forward no matter how hard he tries. Hopefully Memphis has plans to acquire some pieces to the puzzle so they can win over 10 games in 2008-2009.
Draft Day Grade: D
Detroit Pistons
Notable Moves: Traded the rights of D.J. White, Indiana (30th pick), to Seattle for two second round picks. Drafted; Walter Sharpe, and Trent Plaisted a center from BYU.
Thoughts: Detroit's action on draft day was nothing short of 'mind bottling'. Joe Dumars must be the smartest man in America because he has fooled the country. Detroit desperately needed a center so they picked up two more forwards and Rasheed Wallace is still on the roster. Don't expect either draft pick to contribute in the next two years, they are both long-term projects.
Draft Day Grade: D-
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Emmett McFly
07/30/2008
I agree with the poor grade you gave Charlotte. Why they didn't take Brook Lopez, I'll never understand. They already had a legitimate PG in Raymond Felton and a gaping hole at center, but they went with Augustin instead. Also, from his 29 ppg in summer league, a lot of teams (i.e. New York) may have made a huge mistake by passing on Jerryd Bayless.
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