This past Thursday's draft was one of the deepest in recent years with good players being passed on, and falling lower than expected, big trades galore, and drama. It also saw many difference making moves, and next years NBA season will be better for it. When I look at this draft, I am only going to look at it from a 1st Round perspective, and general moves, and utilization of their draft opportunities.
The top 3 picks went as many expected with Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, and O.J. Mayo going in order, and then there were surprises to follow. This draft was filled with more trades than you would usually see, and especially involving the first round players. I am excited as the highly competitive Western Conference got stronger, and the Eastern Conference added some potential stars.
The following is a list of the players selected or obtained by each team:
- Atlanta Hawks: None
- Boston Celtics: J.R. Giddens, Bill Walker (via Washington), Semih Erden
- Charlotte Bobcats: D.J. Augustin, Alexis Ajinça, Kyle Weaver
- Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, Ömer Aşık (via Portland)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: J.J. Hickson, Darnell Jackson (via Miami), Sasha Kaun (via Seattle)
- Dallas Mavericks: Shan Foster
- Denver Nuggets: Sonny Weems (via Chicago)
- Detroit Pistons: Walter Sharpe (via Seattle), Trent Plaisted (via Seattle), Deron Washington
- Golden State Warriors: Anthony Randolph, Richard Hendrix
- Houston Rockets: Donte Greene (via Memphis), Joey Dorsey (via Portland), Maarty Leunen
- Indiana Pacers: Brandon Rush (via Portland), Roy Hibbert (via Toronto)
- Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, Mike Taylor (via Portland)
- Los Angeles Lakers: Joe Crawford
- Memphis Grizzlies: O.J. Mayo (via Minnesota), Darrell Arthur (via New Orleans, Portland, and Houston)
- Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers (via Minnesota)
- Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love (via Memphis), Nikola Peković
- New Jersey Nets: Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Chris Douglas-Roberts
- New Orleans Hornets: None
- New York Knicks: Danilo Gallinari
- Orlando Magic: Courtney Lee
- Philadelphia 76ers: Marreese Speights
- Phoenix Suns: Robin Lopez, Goran Dragić (via San Antonio)
- Portland Trail Blazers: Jerryd Bayless (via Indiana), Nicolas Batum (via Houston)
- Sacramento Kings: Jason Thompson, Sean Singletary, Patrick Ewing Jr.
- San Antonio Spurs: George Hill, Malik Hairston (via Phoenix), James Gist
- Seattle SuperSonics: Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, D. J. White (via Detroit), DeVon Hardin
- Toronto Raptors: Nathan Jawai (via Indiana)
- Utah Jazz: Kosta Koufos, Ante Tomic, Tadija Dragicević
- Washington Wizards: JaVale McGee
The biggest winner on draft day was the New Jersey Nets, as they began by trading Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks for Yi Jianlian, and Bobby Simmons. It was not because Jefferson was not a good player, they are just opening up the way for the rebuilding project they have going. In the draft later that night they picked up Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, and Chris Douglas-Roberts all steals at the point where they were drafted. In Lopez and Anderson they obtained big men who could score the ball, and CDR can just put the basketball in the hoop, and play defense.
The Houston Rockets also got what they needed badly, and that is athletic post players that dunk the ball instead of laying it up softly. They got a 6'9" scorer in Donte Green via trade with Memphis, and a rebounding beast in Joey Dorsey, and shooter, Maarty Leunen. Hopefully these moves will allow them to part ways with pedestrians Chuck Hayes, Loren Woods, and steady veteran Dikembe Mutombo may retire although he is still a capable shot blocker.
The Memphis Grizzlies also worked their draft day jelly as they made a major trade that brought a potential future superstar to their organization. Initially the Grizzlies drafted power forward Kevin Love with the 5th pick, but later a major trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves sent veteran Mike Miller, and Kevin Love to Minneapolis in exchange for combo guard O.J. Mayo. Even though Mike Miller is coming of his best individual season, it is hard to pass up someone who could lead your team for years to come. Mayo's competitive nature will without a doubt permeate the locker room.
The Miami Heat also benefited greatly from the acquisitions of phenom power forward Michael Beasley, and solid point guard Mario Chalmers. These were both spots that needed upgrading for the Heat. At PF, the Heat have Udonis Haslem, who was a solid role-player when Shaquille O'Neal was on the team. But now that the team has dramatically changed, they needed an upgrade. At point guard the had Chris Quinn who is a good NBA back-up, but not an 82 game starter. Mario Chalmers will provide an athletic upgrade, and is a point guard who does not mind stepping up and taking big shots, as he did in this years NCAA Final Four. The Heat should also have Dwayne Wade, and Shawn Marion as well.
The Indiana pacers are trying to return to the days of Market Square Arena, Reggie Miller, and shed the reputation of recent arrests and Detroit Brawl. They stated by obtaining point guard TJ Ford from the Toronto Raptors, and the deal will be finalized on July 9th, 2008. This puts injury riddled, and arrest prone Jamal Tinsley on the trading block. After initially drafting Jerryd Bayless, the Pacer executed a trade with the Portland Trailblazers to obtain swingman Brandon Rush. He is a versatile scorer who can rebound and play defense., his only drawback is his complacent nature. They also acquired 7'2" center Roy Hibbert with the pick they obtained in the Toronto trade. Both of these player fit the mold of solid citizens, then good basketball players that Larry Bird and the Pacers are looking for.
The Milwaukee Bucks obtained Richard Jefferson to team with Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, and Charlie Villanueva. They also picked up athletic forward Joe Alexander, and forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. They have added pieces that will allow them to win next year because they are definitely not suffering from a lack of talent. They will might be able to make it into the playoffs in the weak Eastern Conference. At a minimum they should improve their win total of 28, and 26 games they have had the last 2 years. The only spot that I thought that they could have upgraded was at point guard, as I feel they do not have a play maker at that spot. But, a team can only get so much in the draft, maybe something will open up for them in free agency.
Another big winner was the Minnesota Timberwolves, as they obtained Kevin Love via a trade as they sent O.J. Mayo to Memphis, and an international player. When they made the initialpick of Mayo I was stunned as they have a logjam at the guard spot. This move showed they havea focus and a goal to the talent that they are obtaining. The Timberwolves continue to add talent to their roster as the rebuilding continues. They had begun assembling their assets in the forms of draft picks, and cap space well before they traded away Kevin Garnett last summer. They may see a difference in their 22-win effort from last season, but the ultimate rewards may notbe seen until a few years down the line.
The last two teams that were big winners in the 2008 NBA Draft are the Chicago Bulls, and the Portland Trailblazers. Both teams did a good job in making a splash by only getting one key player each. The Blazers also added Nicolas Batum,but for my money, international players have to earn their salt over here first. The Blazers traded Brandon Rush to get Jerryd Bayless from the Indiana Pacers. By getting Bayless, 3rd year combo guard Brandon Roy will be able to play off of the ball more often and be able to score the ball more. And the last year's #1 pick Greg Oden will be returning from microfracture surgery, and this is a big splash, like almost having 2 stars added to your team as Oden never played a regular season game.
The Bulls drafted the hometown kid Derrick Rose from the University of Memphis with the #1 pick. Rose is a capable scorer in traffic, on the move, and can absorb body contact and still finish at the rim. He also has good court vision, and can be a high assist man, or a prolific scorer. By obtaining Rose the Bulls almost certainly put the future of Ben Gordon, or Kirk Hinrich as related to their remaining time with the team. The Bulls will definitely be a tougher team, and I believe this pick goes a long way in establishing the identity for a team that has lacked one since Michael Jordan retired.
Next Blog will be on the winners of the draft, those that made a decent splash, but did not pull blockbusters.
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