Atlantic Division 2008 NBA Draft Grades
Atlanta Hawks- incomplete. They traded both of their picks.
Boston Celtics- B-, they made a great deal to get Bill Walker. J.R. Giddens is a question mark.
New Jersey Nets- B, They got two big men who can shoot in Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson. Interesting strategy.
New York Knicks- B, Danilo Gallinari was booed but he could be a very good player in a year or two.
Philadelphia 76ers- D, Marreese Speights has too many conditioning issues. Kousta Koufos or J.J. Hickson would have been better here.
Central Division 2008 NBA Draft Grades
Chicago Bulls- A, Derrick Rose was a tremendous pick even though the Bulls already have Kirk Hinrich. He is the biggest game-changer in the draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers- B, J.J. Hickson did well as a freshman and still has some growing to do.
Detroit Pistons- C, Walter Sharpe and Trent Plaisted are not well-known but at least the Pistons don't have to give them guaranteed deals like they would have with their 29th pick.
Indiana Pacers- C-, Trading Jerryd Bayless was a mistake. Brandon Rush is a very good player but the Pacers need star-caliber guys with higher upside right now.
Milwaukee Bucks- C, Joe Alexander is good but the Bucks had bigger needs after acquiring Richard Jefferson.
Southeast Division 2008 NBA Draft Grades
Charlotte Bobcats- C-, D.J. Augustin is talented but they already have Raymond Felton and Augustin is undersized. Alexis Ajinca is a decent risk.
Miami Heat- B, Michael Beasley is a good fit and a great talent. Mario Chalmers was a good pick-up via trade.
Orlando Magic- B-, Courtney Lee isn't spectacular but at least the Magic can move on from the J.J. Redick experiment.
Toronto Raptors-inc., traded pick in Jermaine O'Neal deal.
Washington Wizards- C, JaVale McGee won't help for a while at center.
Southwest Division 2008 NBA Draft Grades
Dallas Mavericks- C+, Shan Foster can shoot if nothing else.
Houston Rockets- C+. Nicolas Batum is a good developmental prospect.
Memphis Grizzlies-B+, O.J. Mayo was a great pick-up in the Kevin Love trade.
Portland Trail Blazers- A, Jerryd Bayless will team perfectly with Brandon Roy and Joey Dorsey is a great role player who will add toughness to this squad.
Seattle Supersonics- A-, The Sonics got help now and in the future with D.J. White, Russell Westbrook, and other guys who could bloom down the road.
Utah Jazz- C+, Kosta Koufos is a good player but not what Utah needs right now.
Pacific Division 2008 NBA Draft Grades
Golden State Warriors- B+, Anthony Randolph is a future starter and Richard Hendrix is a good bench power forward.
L.A. Clippers- B, Eric Gordon adds shooting and DeAndre Jordan is a good projection pick.
L.A. Lakers- B, Joe Crawford was a good late pick.
Phoenix Suns- B-, Robin Lopez adds hustle and defense.
Sacramento Kings- C, Jason Thompson is solid but the Kings need more to compete in the Western Conference.
