NBA Draft Analysis: Chronicle Edition

The 2018 NBA Draft concluded late last night and there a few surprises. Michael Porter, Jr. fell from being a guaranteed top ten pick to number 14 overall due to medical concerns. The Knicks fans in attendance welcomed their lottery pick, Kevin Knox, with a shower of boos (not to be confused with booze, Knox is only 18). Donovan Mitchell was in attendance and welcomed his newest teammate, Grayson Allen, with a bro hug even after Mitchell gave Allen a slap to the grill in their last collegiate matchup. The “draft grade” is almost as routine in the NBA blog/beat writer world as the mock draft. I’m not going to grade every team’s draft. No one wants to read that much anyway. But here are my thoughts on which teams improved their franchises the most after last night’s draft. The Atlanta Hawks ranked 16th in three point percentage this past season. Expect that ranking to improve and expect the Hawks to jack up a ton more shots from long distance. Atlanta seems to be looking at the successes of Golden State and Houston. The Hawks went with sharp shooter Trae Young in a draft day agreement with the Mavs who were promised draft rights to Luka Doncic. The Hawks finished out the first round by drafting Kevin Huerter, who impressed scouts during the pre draft process with his catch and shoot, quick trigger ability. At pick 30, Atlanta drafted Omari Spellman from national champion Villanova. Spellman is a stretch-4 and shot 43% last season from three point land. The Dallas Mavericks had four picks last night. The Mavs snagged the most pro ready player in the draft in Luka Doncic, the 6’8” Slovenian playmaker. The Mavs also did a great job with their three second round selections. Jalen Brunson adds a court savviness and depth to a backcourt that includes last year’s lottery pick, Dennis Smith, Jr. Dallas also picked lengthy forward Ray Spalding from Louisville and the younger brother of the Greek Freak. The Phoenix Suns not only got the number one overall pick in Deandre Ayton, they also added a key player and depth at point guard. Mikal Bridges was dealt to Phoenix after being picked tenth by Philly. The 3-and-D forward will be a very important part of the Suns future. French point guard Elie Okobo will add depth to the position that includes Tyler Ulis, a swinging door of G League dudes and Brandon Knight coming off a very significant injury. There were obvious upgrades for other teams. The Kings got a franchise player in Bagley. The Knicks scored an elite scoring wing in Kentucky’s Kevin Knox as well as lengthy seven footer Mitchell Robinson. And I thought Denver could have had a franchise altering draft night depending on the medical statuses of Michael Porter, Jr. and Jarred Vanderbilt of Kentucky. The Celtics were lucky enough to have Robert Williams from TAMU fall to them late in the first, a rim protector and rim destroyer. And I love the potential of Mo Bamba who went to Orlando.