NBA: Winners & Losers of the Draft

Phoenix Suns - Winners: The Phoenix Suns had the first pick in the draft so it was obviously important for them to get the guy they wanted, and while I don't think DeAndre Ayton is the best player in the draft, he's certainly right up there. And more importantly, he fits their rebuild to perfection. The Suns needed a big man to slide in and start taking minutes away from aging Tyson Chandler, while (hopefully) Chandler can help mentor him. Ayton can score from all three levels and will improve his defense. The Suns also added Mikal Bridges as they traded for him, dealing the No. 16 pick (Zhaire Smith). I think that was an incredible move. Bridges is one of the top 10 players in this class and he'll help a lot. Phoenix also added Elie Okobo and George King.

Memphis Grizzlies - Losers: The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jevon Carter, and while they may turn out to be good players, the reason they're losers is because I felt like they reached for both guys. A lot of people are high on Jackson (I'm not), but the fact that he refused to workout for Memphis and didn't share his medical records until late in the process should really say something. It doesn't seem like he wants to be there so why take him with the No. 4 pick? I would have rather had Mo Bamba, but that's just me. I also think they reached for their Second Round selection. Carter had an impressive four-year run at West Virginia, but he's undersized and most had him slotted in the 40-45 range. Memphis grabbed him at No. 32.

Atlanta Hawks - Winners: The Atlanta Hawks impressed me a ton, maybe more than anybody else. They are a capable organization who has been a playoff regular for pretty much the entire decade besides last year. Atlanta decided to blow up their Paul Millsap-Al Horford-Jeff Teague-Kyle Korver core in favor of a younger squad and I think that's off to a great start. Taurean Prince will be headed into his third year and is forming into a starting forward. John Collins had a solid rookie campaign. And now they add a trio of outside shooters, and possibly the two best pure shooters in the entire draft: Trae Young and Kevin Huerter. Young led the NCAA in points and assists per game, and Huerter was deadly at Maryland. They also drafted Villanova's Omari Spellman.

Washington Wizards - Losers: Someone please tell me what the Washington Wizards were thinking with their two draft picks! I'm not going to sit here and say that Tony Brown Jr. won't be a good player, but why take him? He's a two or three. You already have Bradley Beal (an All-Star) and Otto Porter Jr. (someone who's locked in on a multi-year contract). It doesn't make sense. Now maybe the front office was looking for depth instead of a starter, but still, the selection doesn't make sense. Are you going to tell me that Brown is better than Zhaire Smith, Donte DiVincenzo, Lonnie Walker IV, Kevin Huerter, and Grayson Allen? I hope Brown turns out to be a steal, but I don't get it right now. Then they took Isssuf Sanon in Round 2. Another guard. Why?

Dallas Mavericks - Winners: The Dallas Mavericks absolutely have to be winners in my book if they walked away with the best player in my opinion. Oh, and then they also added the NCAA Player of the Year with Jalen Brunson early in the Second Round. That's a good class. Luka Doncic has the ability to quickly become one of the best young stars in our league and I think he'll reach his full potential in the next five years. He's going to be a star in the NBA. I feel confident in that. Jalen Brunson was added with the 33rd pick, even though most saw him going in the latter half of Round 1. Brunson will be a quality back up that doesn't turn the ball over and gets quality shots. Dallas might be on the come up. Dennis Smith Jr., Doncic, and Harrison Barnes is a solid start.

Portland Trail Blazers - Losers: Okay, now I really don't get this one. The Wizards' picks already confused me because they already have a good backcourt and decided to draft guards, but then the Portland Trail Blazers took it to another level. Portland has one of the top backcourts in the league: Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, and they got get an unknown point guard and a shooting guard. Why? You were 49-33 last year and were the third seed so why go after depth. That wasn't the issue! Portland's problem was that they relied too much on their guards. Why not go select a small forward or stretch four who can score from all over the place? Maybe Moritz Wagner or Omari Spellman. I don't get taking Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr.

Photo Credit: Sporting News.