This year’s draft was one of the most stacked for years, with a number of potential superstars, so it is hardly surprising that many teams are very happy with the young talent they picked up, on draft night. However, it wasn't just the franchises with lottery picks that walked away with players that can make a real impact in the NBA. Having dealt with the losers in the first part of this draft breakdown, on with the winners.
As with the 2014 NBA finals, the San Antonio Spurs were winners on draft night. The long term and almost constant success at that franchise is no mistake, the front office of the Spurs is one of the best in all of professional sports. So they proved again by selecting Kyle Anderson, small forward UCLA, with the last selection of the first round. This was one of the steals of the whole draft, he was probably the best player left on the board and his style of play fits perfectly into the Spurs system. He can make an immediate impact and would ideally replace Boris Diaw, if he leaves in free agency.
As with the 2014 NBA finals, the San Antonio Spurs were winners on draft night. The long term and almost constant success at that franchise is no mistake, the front office of the Spurs is one of the best in all of professional sports. So they proved again by selecting Kyle Anderson, small forward UCLA, with the last selection of the first round. This was one of the steals of the whole draft, he was probably the best player left on the board and his style of play fits perfectly into the Spurs system. He can make an immediate impact and would ideally replace Boris Diaw, if he leaves in free agency.
For all the pre-draft speculation about trading for Kevin Love, the Boston Celtics did the sensible and prudent thing by taking two talented guards, Marcus Smart at 6 and James Young at 17. All the headline puns about the Celtics going for 'smart, young players', got old pretty quickly, but they were always to be expected, I suppose. Neither of these players are going to turn this franchise around overnight, but this draft puts them in a good place going forward. Having drafted a pair of guards, what does this mean for the future of Rajon Rondo? Well, as always with GM Danny Ainge, it is impossible to tell.
Any team entering the draft with the number 1 overall pick should be bound to draft well, but after choosing Anthony Bennett (so far a total flop) in that slot last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers are capable of seemingly anything. The Cavs’ front office, however, redeemed themselves this year by taking Andrew Wiggins 1st overall, a superb talent with superstar potential. Also after selecting first for 2 straight years, and for 3 out of the last 4 drafts, they may now be on the road to finally getting out of the draft lottery for the first time since 'The decision' (although Lebron may be about to take his talents back to Ohio). Their selection of both Wiggins and Joe Harris, Virginia SG taken 33rd overall, added to the young talented guys on that roster, puts them in a great position to begin to challenge for the playoffs (especially in the Eastern Conference).
Wiggins, being taken by the Cavaliers at number 1 is a major sign of why it was also a very good night for international basketball. There were 10 foreign-born guys selected in each round, which accounts for 1/3 of all those drafted. Yet, these weren't all late round picks of lower significance or 'projects' to be worked on in the D-League or in Europe, these were some of the elite players of this year’s class (8 of the first 20 drafted). Three of the top five picks were international players, although both Wiggins and Embiid still came through the American collegiate system. Australian Dante Exum, taken 5th by the Utah Jazz, is probably the best point guard in this year’s draft and is set to overtake Patty Mills as the best Aussie PG in the league.
Most successful nation however, was Canada, which for the first time had two players taken in the top 10, Wiggins at 1 and Stauskas at 8. Three of the four Canadians taken, were in the first round and their success has not gone unnoticed north of the 49th parallel. It made very big news in Canada and can hopefully lead to the growth of the game there. I can't see a second franchise north of the border just yet, especially because surely Seattle is at the front of that queue, but having high profile Canadian players in the NBA can only help basketball gain a foothold in the land of hockey.
Honorable mentions must go to the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets for having relatively good evenings. All of these ball clubs made useful, although not particularly inspiring, additions to their rosters. These teams may get useful contributions from their draft selections this year or in future seasons. The Detroit Pistons did quite well in taking combo guard Spencer Dinwiddie with the 38th pick, he was once thought to be a first rounder but injuries led to him dropping down the board. If they can keep this guy healthy then he may just end up being one of the steals of this year’s draft.
Any team entering the draft with the number 1 overall pick should be bound to draft well, but after choosing Anthony Bennett (so far a total flop) in that slot last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers are capable of seemingly anything. The Cavs’ front office, however, redeemed themselves this year by taking Andrew Wiggins 1st overall, a superb talent with superstar potential. Also after selecting first for 2 straight years, and for 3 out of the last 4 drafts, they may now be on the road to finally getting out of the draft lottery for the first time since 'The decision' (although Lebron may be about to take his talents back to Ohio). Their selection of both Wiggins and Joe Harris, Virginia SG taken 33rd overall, added to the young talented guys on that roster, puts them in a great position to begin to challenge for the playoffs (especially in the Eastern Conference).
Wiggins, being taken by the Cavaliers at number 1 is a major sign of why it was also a very good night for international basketball. There were 10 foreign-born guys selected in each round, which accounts for 1/3 of all those drafted. Yet, these weren't all late round picks of lower significance or 'projects' to be worked on in the D-League or in Europe, these were some of the elite players of this year’s class (8 of the first 20 drafted). Three of the top five picks were international players, although both Wiggins and Embiid still came through the American collegiate system. Australian Dante Exum, taken 5th by the Utah Jazz, is probably the best point guard in this year’s draft and is set to overtake Patty Mills as the best Aussie PG in the league.
Most successful nation however, was Canada, which for the first time had two players taken in the top 10, Wiggins at 1 and Stauskas at 8. Three of the four Canadians taken, were in the first round and their success has not gone unnoticed north of the 49th parallel. It made very big news in Canada and can hopefully lead to the growth of the game there. I can't see a second franchise north of the border just yet, especially because surely Seattle is at the front of that queue, but having high profile Canadian players in the NBA can only help basketball gain a foothold in the land of hockey.
Honorable mentions must go to the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets for having relatively good evenings. All of these ball clubs made useful, although not particularly inspiring, additions to their rosters. These teams may get useful contributions from their draft selections this year or in future seasons. The Detroit Pistons did quite well in taking combo guard Spencer Dinwiddie with the 38th pick, he was once thought to be a first rounder but injuries led to him dropping down the board. If they can keep this guy healthy then he may just end up being one of the steals of this year’s draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers had an excellent night, although their problems are much more significant than could be sorted out through one draft night. Kobe Bryant's new team mate/enemy is Julius Randle, selected 7th, a very talented PF from Kentucky. They also picked up PG Jordan Clarkson, at number 46, who could make a useful contribution in a relatively thin backcourt. Free agency will be the big opportunity for the Lakers to improve on last year’s dismal performance, but they got good young talent, none the less. They will be better next season than they were in the season just gone.
A final word must go to the Philadelphia 76ers, there draft will not pay off next season, but they could have a fantastic team in years to come. Joel Embiid's reaction to being selected by Philly at number 3 suggested he has not entirely happy to be going there, but he may yet revel in an amazing frontcourt in the future. Both Embiid and Dario Saric (Croatian PF taken at 12) will make no impact next season as Embiid's foot injury will likely keep him out all term and Saric will continue to play in Turkey. They also took some decent guys further down the board (4 picks in the second round), who could be ready to make the roster but that team will still suck next season. Yet, when Embiid gets healthy and Saric comes to the NBA, we could look back on this draft as the night that built the core of a great team.
As with any draft, it will only be in a few years that we can truly assess who really won and lost. It is not as simple as taking talent and letting them play, coaching and proper player management are key to allowing younger players to shine. Ultimately, whichever players sink or swim in the NBA, it is going to be awesome to watch.
Now on to a fascinating summer of free agency madness!
A final word must go to the Philadelphia 76ers, there draft will not pay off next season, but they could have a fantastic team in years to come. Joel Embiid's reaction to being selected by Philly at number 3 suggested he has not entirely happy to be going there, but he may yet revel in an amazing frontcourt in the future. Both Embiid and Dario Saric (Croatian PF taken at 12) will make no impact next season as Embiid's foot injury will likely keep him out all term and Saric will continue to play in Turkey. They also took some decent guys further down the board (4 picks in the second round), who could be ready to make the roster but that team will still suck next season. Yet, when Embiid gets healthy and Saric comes to the NBA, we could look back on this draft as the night that built the core of a great team.
As with any draft, it will only be in a few years that we can truly assess who really won and lost. It is not as simple as taking talent and letting them play, coaching and proper player management are key to allowing younger players to shine. Ultimately, whichever players sink or swim in the NBA, it is going to be awesome to watch.
Now on to a fascinating summer of free agency madness!