Winners and Losers of the NBA Draft

on 06 30, 2010

Thursday’s NBA Draft was just the beginning of this important offseason.  Lottery pick teams hoping for a big name free agent to fall in their lap had several decisions to make.  Below, I’ve got my winners and losers of the draft.

Winners:

Washington Wizards

The Wizards absolutely came away with a great situation after draft night.  John Wall will be able to come in and make an immediate impact.  He’ll start game one and be better than current select NBA starting point guards.  It’s difficult to blow that first pick, but Washington definitely did not.  Wall is a sure-thing NBA player.

The only issue really with Wall is how Washington uses him.  Obviously, he’s going to come in and start for them.  But, the glaring objection on that team is Gilbert Arenas.  Will they just move him to two?  Or will they try to move him out of Washington?  A trade will be tough, especially with that huge contract for an injury-prone player. Washington made a great first step towards the season, we’ll see how the continue that momentum.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors got a steal pick at number thirteen in Ed Davis.  Davis is a player who gives Toronto a lot of wiggle-room in terms of what happens with Chris Bosh, who’s likely out the door.

Say Toronto can work a sign-and-trade with Bosh.  With the drafting of Davis, Toronto has unlimited options of what kind of a player they can get in return.  If they can get a quality guard or forward for Bosh, it would still work out since they drafted a power forward to take Bosh’s place.  If they can only get a forward or a center, it still works out—Davis is young and inexperience and probably won’t start (or if he does, contribute) right away.  It was a smart pick and lucky for them to have him fall in their lap at thirteen.

Sacramento Kings

Sacramento took a gamble on Kentucky’s DeMarcus Cousins, but at number five, a gamble that needed to be taken.  Cousins’ glaring hole is his maturity and coachability—but what people don’t really realize is that he’s only nineteen.  He’ll grow up.  Cousins might be a head case in the locker room, but I guarantee that Philadelphia and New Jersey are going to regret passing on him when he’s a 20-10 guy by year two.

Losers:

Philadelphia 76er’s

I don’t think Philly blew the number two pick in Evan Turner, but I just don’t think this is the right fit for them.  I thought for sure the 6er’s were going to take Favors after they traded away Dalembert, and I still think they should have.  The have an overstock in point guards, shooting guards and small forwards and it looks like Elton Brand is going to start PF for them.  Yikes.

Minnesota Timberwolves


David Kahn continues his reign as the worst drafter in the NBA.  After taking four point guards last year, Kahn takes three small forwards.  One, Wesley Johnson, is already 22 (will be 23 by game one) and averaged just sixteen points per game in college.  He’s virtually already peaked and will be a role player for his career.  A role player at number four?!?! C’mon.  They could’ve had DeMarcus Cousins, who will probably be an All-Star if he shuts his mouth a little.  Not good, Kahn.  Not good.

There you have it—my winners and losers.  We’ll see how this offseason plays out.  I’m guessing the NBA is going to look vastly different come training camp.

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