A Rookie Writer's Analysis of the 1st Round of Reload
May 23, 2018 12:53:05 GMT 2
Portland TrailBlazers, Miami Heat, and 9 more like this
Post by Philadelphia 76ers on May 23, 2018 12:53:05 GMT 2
1-Paul George (Chicago Bulls) Finished 18th 2017-18 A
With the first pick, Chicago added a superstar on a cheap contract to his young core. PG13 is 28 years old, in his prime and with an expiring deal Chicago will have the bird rights to resign him as his franchise player. His value may go up with a probable signing at this summer. Furthermore, Chicago also filled the void at the SF position.
2-Kristaps Porzingis (Los Angeles Lakers) Finished 19th 2017-18
B-
Lakers added The Unicorn with his second pick. The rumors are swirling that Porzingis’ could miss the entire 2018-19 season. And the injury perhaps was the only reason Knicks went undrafted in our league because there are many hidden Porzingod fanatics among the league members. He is a franchise player no doubt, with his healthy return he is a rising NBA star and a future bright spot, but his impending restricted free agency next summer losing his rookie contract and the injury prevented a higher grade.
3-Kemba Walker (New Orleans Pelicans) Finished 28th 2017-18
A
Pelicans completed his ‘Big Three’ with Kemba Walker addition. He brings huge value compared to his contract. And he is already a franchise player compared to the First pick Paul George. This year Pelicans will be a matchup nightmare for many teams with this signing but we are looking forward to see the team strategy when next offseason Kemba is an UFA.
4-Dennis Smith Jr. (Atlanta Hawks) Finished 230th 2017-18
A+
With his rookie contract on the books, a Dallas team with all the keys given to DSJ, it is a no brainer choice for an Atlanta team which has Prince and Collins. 9cat fit to these players is somewhat blurry, but this is negligible compared to his star potential and it is up to Atlanta manager to handle that. With his unquestionable athleticism and fearless character, DSJ may turn into something special.
5-Andre Drummond (San Antonio Spurs) Finished 21th 2017-18
B+
Drummond is a very good pick when you draft a team from scratch. He has a contract which he deserves for what he brings to the table. He had a career year, improved his stats greatly, and regarding he is still 24, he can be the best center in the league. Only downside is if you drafted Spurs, he may be a questionable fit with Kawhi and Lma.
6-Nikola Vucevic (Indiana Pacers) Finished 29th 2017-18
A+
Being one of the most underrated players, Vucevic was outstanding before he broke his hand this season. He extended his range, again brought a near double-double average but he couldn’t stay on the court. With his nice contract, he deserves the place where he is picked. Also a very good fit with the Indiana core of Myles and Oladipo.
7- Kelly Oubre (GSW) Finished 138th 2017-18
B-
It is very hard to evaluate that pick now, it may turn out to be a value pick but seems a reach from pick number 7.
8- Aaron Gordon (Portland Trail Blazers) Finished 63th 2017-18
B-
He has an unclear future now, and it can be hard for a team rather than Orlando to tolerate his development phase (every year he is projected to break out). He is still very young but being an RFA seriously makes this pick a reach from the eighth spot.
9- Jonathan Isaac (Denver Nuggets) Finished 172th 2017-18
A+
One of the top picks last year, lots of potential and a probable departure of Aaron Gordon. With all these in the bag, this pick of Isaac may turn out to be steal of the draft. The real question is can he stay on the court?
10-Dillon Brooks (Utah Jazz) Finished 228th 2017-18
A-
Brooks and Gasol played all year together with good chemistry, and he has shown flashes in various moments of the year. With Conley and a 4th pick joining the cause, Dillon will probably an integral part of the Grizzlies. Contract? Awesome. What he brings can be questionable because of his finish last year.
11- Malik Monk (Houston Rockets) Finished 391th 2017-18
A-
Although he started the season with high expectations, he couldn’t find enough minutes until Charlotte was out of contention. After that Monk has shown some flashes and will undoubtedly play a key role for Charlotte. Unless Batum departs or injures again, Houston may not have enough contributions from him.
12- Enes Kanter (Chicago Bulls) Finished 49th 2017-18
A-
Without Porzingis in the mix, it will be an interesting opportunity for Kanter to carry himself to an upper level. Regarding his defensive inability, Knicks may make moves for its frontcourt as well. 18M expiring is a normal pay for a top 50 player and a solid choice for this pick.
13- John Wall (Minnesota Timberwolves) Finished 43th 2017-18
A+
Our league was somewhat refraining from picking top players with bad contracts. Wall’s contract structure makes it impossible for a team to not to amnest Wall in the offseason, but it seems Minnesota plans to do so. 19 M for what he brings? Just a bargain. We hope his knees let him to stay on court. Not a good fit with his Butler-KAT nucleus but picking Wall from 13 is what Wolves wanted I guess.
14- Russell Westbrook (Philadelphia 76ers) Finished 26th 2017-18
B
Huh? 35 M? A dubious choice for the Sixers who had already Embiid with a big contract, but apparently he thought a PG13 departure, and a potential bloody competition in UFA could make it hard to get Westbrook again. At least a fit with the core of Embiid and Simmons .
15- Markief Morris (Brooklyn Nets) Finished 120th 2017-18
B+
Our experience showed that top 150 players with mediocre contracts are the key to success in such leagues. With the guaranteed place in the Wizards starting five, Markief( Maybe Marcus who knows ?) is a solid pick from 15. He also has some difficulties to stay on court consistently.
16- LeBron James (Milwaukee Bucks) Finished 5th 2017-18
A
The King? From 16? Insulting even despite his 35M. Milwaukee became a real gamer after he drafted the king. What will be his new team? Will he stay with Cavs? Lots of questions but the King is the King. Solid pick regarding Milwaukee wants to title.
17-Reggie Jackson (Phoenix Suns) Finished 192th 2017-18
C-
Interesting pick from 17. If it was the RJax we know from old times, maybe it won’t hit the eye. But with 17M on the books and an inability stay on court, it is the most speculative add off the first round for sure.
18-Bradley Beal (Sacramento Kings) Finished 38th 2017-18
A+
Solid pick from our beloved friend, still young, carried the team when Wall was down. Only downside is his huge contract and he will show us whether he deserve it or not in the season. We can’t say he fits or not because Sacramento didn’t make any big moves yet.
19- Larry Nance Jr. (GSW) Finished 101th 2017-18
A
Nobody knows what will his future be. With 21Min/G he has contributed a lot. He is a Top 40 player with his per 36 stats. But can he find minutes? Let GSW pray for it.
20- Luke Kennard (Boston Celtics) Finished 256th 2017-18
A
Solid pick, huge potential in the new Detroit rotation. All he needs is some physicality. With his good percentages and increasing assists rate, he provided us with some clues that he will be a key part of the Boston franchise.
With the first pick, Chicago added a superstar on a cheap contract to his young core. PG13 is 28 years old, in his prime and with an expiring deal Chicago will have the bird rights to resign him as his franchise player. His value may go up with a probable signing at this summer. Furthermore, Chicago also filled the void at the SF position.
2-Kristaps Porzingis (Los Angeles Lakers) Finished 19th 2017-18
B-
Lakers added The Unicorn with his second pick. The rumors are swirling that Porzingis’ could miss the entire 2018-19 season. And the injury perhaps was the only reason Knicks went undrafted in our league because there are many hidden Porzingod fanatics among the league members. He is a franchise player no doubt, with his healthy return he is a rising NBA star and a future bright spot, but his impending restricted free agency next summer losing his rookie contract and the injury prevented a higher grade.
3-Kemba Walker (New Orleans Pelicans) Finished 28th 2017-18
A
Pelicans completed his ‘Big Three’ with Kemba Walker addition. He brings huge value compared to his contract. And he is already a franchise player compared to the First pick Paul George. This year Pelicans will be a matchup nightmare for many teams with this signing but we are looking forward to see the team strategy when next offseason Kemba is an UFA.
4-Dennis Smith Jr. (Atlanta Hawks) Finished 230th 2017-18
A+
With his rookie contract on the books, a Dallas team with all the keys given to DSJ, it is a no brainer choice for an Atlanta team which has Prince and Collins. 9cat fit to these players is somewhat blurry, but this is negligible compared to his star potential and it is up to Atlanta manager to handle that. With his unquestionable athleticism and fearless character, DSJ may turn into something special.
5-Andre Drummond (San Antonio Spurs) Finished 21th 2017-18
B+
Drummond is a very good pick when you draft a team from scratch. He has a contract which he deserves for what he brings to the table. He had a career year, improved his stats greatly, and regarding he is still 24, he can be the best center in the league. Only downside is if you drafted Spurs, he may be a questionable fit with Kawhi and Lma.
6-Nikola Vucevic (Indiana Pacers) Finished 29th 2017-18
A+
Being one of the most underrated players, Vucevic was outstanding before he broke his hand this season. He extended his range, again brought a near double-double average but he couldn’t stay on the court. With his nice contract, he deserves the place where he is picked. Also a very good fit with the Indiana core of Myles and Oladipo.
7- Kelly Oubre (GSW) Finished 138th 2017-18
B-
It is very hard to evaluate that pick now, it may turn out to be a value pick but seems a reach from pick number 7.
8- Aaron Gordon (Portland Trail Blazers) Finished 63th 2017-18
B-
He has an unclear future now, and it can be hard for a team rather than Orlando to tolerate his development phase (every year he is projected to break out). He is still very young but being an RFA seriously makes this pick a reach from the eighth spot.
9- Jonathan Isaac (Denver Nuggets) Finished 172th 2017-18
A+
One of the top picks last year, lots of potential and a probable departure of Aaron Gordon. With all these in the bag, this pick of Isaac may turn out to be steal of the draft. The real question is can he stay on the court?
10-Dillon Brooks (Utah Jazz) Finished 228th 2017-18
A-
Brooks and Gasol played all year together with good chemistry, and he has shown flashes in various moments of the year. With Conley and a 4th pick joining the cause, Dillon will probably an integral part of the Grizzlies. Contract? Awesome. What he brings can be questionable because of his finish last year.
11- Malik Monk (Houston Rockets) Finished 391th 2017-18
A-
Although he started the season with high expectations, he couldn’t find enough minutes until Charlotte was out of contention. After that Monk has shown some flashes and will undoubtedly play a key role for Charlotte. Unless Batum departs or injures again, Houston may not have enough contributions from him.
12- Enes Kanter (Chicago Bulls) Finished 49th 2017-18
A-
Without Porzingis in the mix, it will be an interesting opportunity for Kanter to carry himself to an upper level. Regarding his defensive inability, Knicks may make moves for its frontcourt as well. 18M expiring is a normal pay for a top 50 player and a solid choice for this pick.
13- John Wall (Minnesota Timberwolves) Finished 43th 2017-18
A+
Our league was somewhat refraining from picking top players with bad contracts. Wall’s contract structure makes it impossible for a team to not to amnest Wall in the offseason, but it seems Minnesota plans to do so. 19 M for what he brings? Just a bargain. We hope his knees let him to stay on court. Not a good fit with his Butler-KAT nucleus but picking Wall from 13 is what Wolves wanted I guess.
14- Russell Westbrook (Philadelphia 76ers) Finished 26th 2017-18
B
Huh? 35 M? A dubious choice for the Sixers who had already Embiid with a big contract, but apparently he thought a PG13 departure, and a potential bloody competition in UFA could make it hard to get Westbrook again. At least a fit with the core of Embiid and Simmons .
15- Markief Morris (Brooklyn Nets) Finished 120th 2017-18
B+
Our experience showed that top 150 players with mediocre contracts are the key to success in such leagues. With the guaranteed place in the Wizards starting five, Markief( Maybe Marcus who knows ?) is a solid pick from 15. He also has some difficulties to stay on court consistently.
16- LeBron James (Milwaukee Bucks) Finished 5th 2017-18
A
The King? From 16? Insulting even despite his 35M. Milwaukee became a real gamer after he drafted the king. What will be his new team? Will he stay with Cavs? Lots of questions but the King is the King. Solid pick regarding Milwaukee wants to title.
17-Reggie Jackson (Phoenix Suns) Finished 192th 2017-18
C-
Interesting pick from 17. If it was the RJax we know from old times, maybe it won’t hit the eye. But with 17M on the books and an inability stay on court, it is the most speculative add off the first round for sure.
18-Bradley Beal (Sacramento Kings) Finished 38th 2017-18
A+
Solid pick from our beloved friend, still young, carried the team when Wall was down. Only downside is his huge contract and he will show us whether he deserve it or not in the season. We can’t say he fits or not because Sacramento didn’t make any big moves yet.
19- Larry Nance Jr. (GSW) Finished 101th 2017-18
A
Nobody knows what will his future be. With 21Min/G he has contributed a lot. He is a Top 40 player with his per 36 stats. But can he find minutes? Let GSW pray for it.
20- Luke Kennard (Boston Celtics) Finished 256th 2017-18
A
Solid pick, huge potential in the new Detroit rotation. All he needs is some physicality. With his good percentages and increasing assists rate, he provided us with some clues that he will be a key part of the Boston franchise.
