Teams Outsmarting Themselves
It’s amazing how a team like Brooklyn entered a draft with five first-round picks, used all of their selections, and somehow walked away without adding any major pieces. They aggressively reached on Demin before drafting Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf. Although he was the fifth guy taken, Wolf might be the most appealing player within that grouping. Traore has a lot of tools and appealing qualities, but there’s no clear avenue to touches for him. Powell is a solid 3-and-D piece with the ability to defend and hit shots. Saraf is probably their most inexcusable pick due to the fact that he doesn’t fit a need nor was he the most talented player available.
Arguably the turning point of the first round was the Portland Trailblazers drafting Yang Hansen when they already had DeAndre Ayton, Robert Williams, and Donovan Clingan on the roster. Sure, the film has some real flashes of intrigue, but putting his name in the same breath with Jokic is begging for disaster. Even if Hansen does pan out to become a notable NBA piece, Portland still should’ve made a deal to avoid having four centers on the roster (not including Duop Reath). Then again, the Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons (and two second-round picks) trade also made virtually no sense from their standpoint…so who knows? Most of the league is playing chess while the Trailblazers stare blankly at the ceiling.
Intriguing Other Picks
There was little excitement in the second half of the first round, but guys like Walter Clayton, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Jase Richardson were among the biggest names to get selected. Clayton goes to a completely full backcourt in Utah, where he’ll have to carve out a role alongside Collin Sexton, Keyonte George, Jordan Clarkson, and Isaiah Collier. Not ideal. However, Clayton is the best shot-maker of the group and could easily mesh with their collective of guards. Jakucionis is a very Heat-like pick in the same way that Nikola Jovic has found success in a Miami jersey. His size and dynamic creation ability should allow him to contribute very quickly. Richardson went to a great situation as a malleable piece who can come in and provide meaningful minutes off the bench. He should be a great piece alongside their core grouping. Additionally, guys like Will Riley, Liam McNeeley, and Asa Newell have the chance to outperform their draft position as well.