One free agent that each team must re-sign this offseason

Atlanta Hawks – Dewayne Dedmon – Center

Dedmon has never been much of an offensive threat, but his sudden success as a 3-point shooter has made him more valuable heading into free agency. Dedmon was already a valuable defender and he has made an impact in that area for the Hawks over the past couple of seasons. The Hawks certainly would like to re-sign Dedmon at a reasonable price, but Dedmon is a player that could be overpaid this offseason and that’s why he’ll likely be departing.

Boston Celtics – Kyrie Irving – Point Guard

The Celtics have plenty of depth at the guard position already, so Irving’s departure might not hurt too much. That being said, it is nearly impossible to completely replace a player of Irving’s caliber. The Celtics would certainly like to retain Irving, but the problem is that Irving doesn’t seem very willing to re-sign. Irving will generate plenty of interest elsewhere this offseason and the Nets, Lakers, and Knicks appear to be the frontrunners to land him in free agency. Boston could look to make a big addition in free agency this offseason, but losing Irving would hurt a lot.

Brooklyn Nets – D’Angelo Russell – Point Guard

D’Angelo Russell turned into an all-star caliber player this past season and it was in perfect time for him to become a free agent this offseason. Russell could very well return to Brooklyn if he is offered a max deal or even a deal that comes close to that. However, if the Nets go after a free agent like Kyrie Irving then they might just let Russell sign elsewhere. Russell is a key player for the Nets and the team should definitely be interested in re-signing him, but he could be expendable depending on if the Nets can sign a bigger name free agent.

Charlotte Hornets – Kemba Walker – Point Guard

Kemba Walker’s tenure in Charlotte hasn’t been smooth to say the least as the team hasn’t exactly been a playoff contending team during his time there. Walker could make it a priority to join another star player on a contending team, but he can also make more money by re-signing with Charlotte since they can offer him a supermax contract this offseason. Kemba Walker has publicly indicated that he wants to stay in Charlotte and he likely will, but he must be concerned that the Hornets might not be able to provide a good supporting cast around him.

Chicago Bulls – Robin Lopez – Center

The Bulls aren’t contenders at the moment and they don’t figure to be contenders next season. However, re-signing Robin Lopez should be a priority this offseason because of the veteran leadership that he provides. Lopez is a really good defensive player and he is certainly a good rotational player overall. Lopez can make the Bulls a more respectable team and he is really the only free agent that the Bulls should bring back.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Marquesse Chriss – Power Forward

Marquesse Chriss came into the NBA a few years ago with high expectations, but he’s failed to live up those expectations as the Cavaliers are already his 3rd team. However, it makes tons of sense for the Cavaliers to re-sign Chriss this offseason. The first reason that they should re-sign him is because it won’t cost much at all and there probably won’t be a lot of teams interested in him. Also, Chriss will only be 22 years old by the start of next season and there is still some hope that he can develop into a solid starter. The Cavaliers are clearly in rebuild mode right now and they have the ability to offer him more playing time than any other team. Chriss is still considered a bust at this point in his career, but it makes sense for the Cavaliers to see if they can help him become a good NBA player.

Dallas Mavericks – Trey Burke – Point Guard

Trey Burke has been in the league for several years now, but he is still a player that is surrounded by uncertainty. He has shown flashes of his potential as a terrific NBA starter, but he also has many games where he is completely unreliable. Either way, the Mavericks should at least look to keep him as a rotational player coming off the bench. Burke still has high upside and he shouldn’t cost too much to re-sign, so it makes sense for Dallas to bring him back this offseason.

Denver Nuggets – Paul Millsap – Power Forward

The Denver Nuggets are clearly a young team that is on the rise with star players like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. However, many people forget that they still have all-star caliber forward Paul Millsap on the roster. Millsap didn’t have an ideal 2018-2019 season as he spent much of the year injured, but he still proved that he is a very good player when he’s healthy. Millsap will likely re-sign with the Nuggets this offseason and it is important that he is brought back mostly because he provides terrific veteran leadership for a very young Nuggets team.

Detroit Pistons – Wayne Ellington – Shooting Guard

Detroit doesn’t have any high priority free agents to re-sign this offseason, but it might be worth it to re-sign Wayne Ellington to a short-term deal. Ellington was forced to play many minutes as a starter for the Pistons last season and he didn’t fare too well in that role. However, the problem is that Detroit has limited financial flexibility this offseason and they might not be able to afford a big upgrade at the guard position. Ellington should be at least kept as a rotational player at a rather cheap price, but he might be forced to be a starter again next season if the Pistons can’t find an upgrade.

Golden State Warriors – Klay Thompson – Shooting Guard

Kevin Durant is probably the best player that the Warriors have that could depart this offseason. However, Durant’s achilles injury changes things as he’ll miss most of next season and it was expected that he would probably leave in free agency anyways. That being said, it is much more important that the Warriors do all they can to re-sign star shooting guard Klay Thompson this offseason. Thompson has been a key part of the Warriors dynasty since it began several years ago and he has teamed up with Stephen Curry to form arguably the best backcourt duo in NBA history. If Thompson leaves in free agency then it is very possible that the Warriors dynasty could be coming to an end.

Houston Rockets – Austin Rivers – Point Guard

There is some major uncertainty heading into the offseason about starting point guard Chris Paul’s future with the Rockets. However, the problem is that backup point guard Austin Rivers is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. Rivers is a very reliable backup point guard and he would provide really good depth at the position if Paul ends up being traded. However, Rivers would be a good Plan B option for the Rockets as a starting point guard if Paul isn’t on the team next season. Rivers might get offers for more money from teams in need of point guard help, but the Rockets need to keep him as a reliable option at the position.

Indiana Pacers – Bojan Bogdanovic – Shooting Guard

Bojan Bogdanovic might not be the most well-known name in this year’s free agent class, but he is a player with terrific offensive skills and he will surely generate plenty of interest. Bogdanovic is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and he is also one of the best shooters across the league and he is especially an elite 3-point shooter. Bogdanovic is what everybody looks for in a shooting guard and that is what could drive up his value in free agency. The Pacers will likely attempt to re-sign him this offseason, but if his price goes too high then they might just settle for another shooting guard. Either way, Bogdanovic brings some much needed offense to the Pacers and it would hurt the team if they aren’t able to bring him back.

Los Angeles Clippers – Patrick Beverley – Point Guard

Patrick Beverley will never be much of a scorer and that’s just something that teams need to accept, although he is a good 3-point shooter. However, Beverley does several things well and he is particularly valuable for his defensive skills. He rebounds the ball well and he is able to be pass the ball effectively as well. Beverley is just a good overall point guard and the Clippers should be able to retain him at a reasonable price.

Los Angeles Lakers – Rajon Rondo – Point Guard

Rajon Rondo has never been an elite scoring point guard, although he can provide some really good offensive performances sometimes. However, Rajon Rondo does basically everything else exceptionally well. Rondo is arguably the best passing point guard in the NBA and he rebounds especially well for someone at his position. Rondo can’t be relied upon for much offense consistently, but he is still a very good starting point guard because he is above average in just about every other area. Rondo fits perfectly to help out LeBron James and whatever star player that they might add in free agency. Rondo might get better offers from other teams, but the Lakers need his presence to lead the team and help make the other players more successful.

Memphis Grizzlies – Jonas Valanciunas – Center

Jonas Valanciunas was acquired by the Grizzlies in the Marc Gasol trade at the deadline this past season, so clearly the Grizzlies want to keep Valanciunas long-term. Valanciunas already declined his player option and he’ll surely generate interest from other teams in free agency. However, the Grizzlies will work extremely hard to reach a long-term deal with him especially since he is still in the prime of his career. Valanciunas is a good starting center and if the Grizzlies can re-sign him then they could have a few really good young core players to build around.

Miami Heat – Goran Dragic – Point Guard

Goran Dragic might not be the all-star caliber point guard that he once was, but he is still a very good starting point guard. Dragic can score well and he is a good distributor for the rest of the Heat players as well. The entire offense basically revolves around Dragic and losing him would be difficult to replace for Miami. Dragic would have to opt-out of his contract prior to free agency, but it appears that he’ll opt-in and remain with the Heat for at least one more season. However, if Dragic opts out then Miami will need to reach a new deal to make sure that he stays with them for at least another season.

Milwaukee Bucks – Khris Middleton – Small Forward

Giannis Antetokounmpo gets most of the recognition for the success that Milwaukee had this past season, but we shouldn’t forget the terrific supporting cast that the Bucks had around him. Unfortunately, several key players for the Bucks are scheduled to be free agents this offseason. However, no player is more important to re-sign than star small forward Khris Middleton. There will certainly be numerous teams interested in Middleton in free agency and there are reports that some teams would even give Middleton a max contract offer. We’ll see if the Bucks would be willing to give Middleton a max offer, but if the team wants to dominate in the east over the next few seasons then they need to bring Middleton back.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Rose – Shooting Guard

Derrick Rose might not be the MVP caliber player he once was, but he showed last season that he can still make a big impact. Rose is still a terrific scorer and the Timberwolves offense wouldn’t be nearly the same without him. Some teams might be interested in him because of his terrific scoring ability, but it would be smart for Minnesota to re-sign him since he is still a really good starting shooting guard and he would be difficult to replace.

New Orleans Pelicans – Julius Randle – Power Forward

Julius Randle enjoyed the best season of his career in 2018-2019 as the Pelicans gave an opportunity to play consistently. However, Randle has a player option for next season and it seems that he’ll probably decline the player option and become a free agent next season. New Orleans would probably like to have Randle back, but he could generate a lot of interest in free agency and he seems intent on signing elsewhere. In fact, Phoenix has been rumored as a place of interest for Randle in free agency. The Pelicans should at least try to bring back Randle since he had a big impact last season, but his departure might not hurt too much considering they’ll likely draft Zion Williamson 1st overall this offseason.

New York Knicks – Mario Hezonja – Small Forward

This is a big offseason for the Knicks and it would be kind of surprising if they don’t land at least one star player in free agency. However, they shouldn’t forget about the key role players that they have including Mario Hezonja. He could be considered a bust by now since he was a top 5 pick several years ago and he has yet to do anything notable in his career. Hezonja shouldn’t be a starter like he was for a lot of games last season, but he is worth re-signing for some depth and it shouldn’t cost much to keep him.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Nerlens Noel – Power Forward

Nerlens Noel came to the Thunder last season as a low-cost signing and things worked out well as he became a key part of the Thunder rotation off the bench. Noel provided a good post player for Oklahoma City and he provided some really good defensive play as well. Noel likely boosted his free agent value and because of the Thunder’s limited financial flexibility then it means they’ll likely have to find a lower cost option in free agency. Noel made an impact off the bench and the spark that he provided defensively will be missed if he doesn’t return for next season.

Orlando Magic – Nikola Vucevic – Center

The Orlando Magic had a successful 2018-2019 season as they made the playoffs for the first time in awhile. Center Nikola Vucevic played a huge part in their success as he had the best season of his career. The Magic have an interesting decision to make about whether they’ll offer a max contract to Vucevic this offseason. It is very likely that Vucevic returns to Orlando, but he could explore his options with other teams and there are some teams like Dallas that might be willing to offer him a max contract. Either way, Vucevic makes the Magic a respectable team and it would be a major loss if he leaves in free agency.

Philadelphia 76ers – Tobias Harris – Power Forward

The 76ers have several tough decisions to make this offseason, but they’ll likely have to decide to either keep Tobias Harris or Jimmy Butler this offseason. Harris and Butler will almost certainly both get max contracts wherever they sign, but the problem is that the 76ers likely don’t have the financial flexibility to give them both max contracts. However, Tobias Harris is probably the most important player to keep because he is a few years younger than Butler. The 76ers already have Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but if they can retain Harris then they could have a terrific trio of star players. Several teams could be interested in Harris and Brooklyn has been rumored as a possible landing spot. There is still a possibility that Harris returns to Philadelphia, but it’s unlikely unless the team offers him a max contract.

Phoenix Suns – Jamal Crawford – Shooting Guard

Jamal Crawford is 39 years old, so it is very possible that he could retire this offseason despite public comments that he’ll likely return next season. However, if he doesn’t retire then it would be a tremendous fit for him to return to Phoenix. Crawford isn’t the player that he once was, although his 51 points in the final game of this past season seems to indicate that he is still a tremendous scorer. Crawford is a key role player for the Suns, but most of all he is a terrific veteran leader for a Suns roster that is very young. Crawford could sign elsewhere, but he is valuable for the Suns on a short-term deal.

Portland Trail Blazers – Enes Kanter – Center

The Trail Blazers found a good value by acquiring Enes Kanter in February. Kanter played an important role for the Trail Blazers especially after Jusuf Nurkic went down late in the season with a nasty looking leg injury. Nurkic will likely need awhile to recover from the injury, so signing Kanter to at least a short-term deal becomes much more important. Kanter did increase his free agent value by having a successful end to the season with Portland and some teams could be willing to pay more for him. Kanter seems very willing to stay with the Trail Blazers, but the cost of re-signing him could be too much for the team.

Sacramento Kings – Harrison Barnes – Small Forward

Harrison Barnes was a key addition for Sacramento as the team nearly made the playoffs this past season. Barnes has a $25 million player option and he could very well decide to opt in for next season. However, if he does opt out then the Kings will have a very tough decision about whether they’ll sign him to a long-term deal. Barnes is a decent offensive player that is often inconsistent in that aspect. However, he’s a good 3-point shooter and he plays really good defense as well. Barnes fits in well with the young core that Sacramento has and it will be tough to replace him if he leaves in free agency.

San Antonio Spurs – Rudy Gay – Small Forward

Rudy Gay might not be the all-star caliber player that he once was as he turns 33 years old prior to the start of the season. However, he’s still an above average starter in the NBA and he is a key component of the Spurs ability to still be a playoff contender. Gay might not generate much interest in free agency, so his best option is likely to remain with San Antonio and help them remain competitive in the tough western conference.

Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard – Small Forward

It was easy to see the immediate impact that Kawhi Leonard had after leading the Raptors to the NBA title this past season. Leonard has a terrific supporting cast in Toronto and the Raptors are probably a playoff team without him. However, if Leonard leaves then the Raptors won’t be a championship contender next season. It has long been speculated that Leonard will surely leave Toronto in free agency and sign with a team like the Clippers. However, Leonard can still sign a max contract with Toronto and he has the players around him to compete for another championship in the short-term. If Leonard re-signs this offseason then the Raptors could be a championship contender for years to come, but it remains to be seen if another team can entice him to sign elsewhere.

Utah Jazz – Ricky Rubio – Point Guard

Ricky Rubio will never be much of a scorer, but he is a really key player for Utah because of his ability to make the other players around him better. Rubio is a terrific passer and he has a unique skillset that really can’t be matched by many players in the NBA. Rubio could generate interest from several teams in free agency, but it seems increasingly unlikely that he’ll return to the Jazz. The Jazz might be able to fill Rubio’s void at point guard if he leaves this offseason, but it’ll be difficult to replace the unique skillset that he has.

Washington Wizards – Trevor Ariza – Small Forward

The Wizards are in a place where they are trying to be playoff contenders and losing Trevor Ariza would negatively impact that goal. Ariza is about to be 34 years old, but he is still a reliable starter because he does many things well. Ariza is well-known across the NBA as a very good defender and he rebounds the ball effectively as well. Ariza is a consistent scorer and he can be a decent 3-point shooter as well. Ariza is a key player for Washington, but he’ll be a coveted free agent this offseason and the Wizards might not be able to afford to bring him back.

Grading the Boston Celtics offseason moves

Key additions:

Robert Williams – Power Forward – From: Texas A&M – Drafted 27th overall in the 1st round by the Celtics

Key subtractions:

None

 

Analysis:

It has been an extremely quiet offseason for the Boston Celtics as they have only made two moves all offseason. The biggest move that they made was drafting Texas A&M power forward Robert Williams in the 1st round of the NBA draft. Williams will give the Celtics some more depth at power forward coming off the bench. He is best known for his shot-blocking skills and he is a good rebounder as well. However, Williams is a very poor shooter and he also has some character concerns too. Williams can help Boston out right away and there is a chance that he could become a starter at power forward for the Celtics one day. Meanwhile, the other move that the Celtics made was re-signing center Aron Baynes. He was the starter at center for most of the 2017 season with the Celtics and he figures to return to that role next season. Overall, the Celtics didn’t really get much better this offseason, although they didn’t really have to since their team is already really good.

Grade: B-

Eastern Conference 1st round Playoff Predictions

1 Seed: Toronto Raptors(59-23) vs. 8 Seed: Washington Wizards(43-39)

The Toronto Raptors were clearly the better team this season and they were one of the best teams in the NBA throughout. However, the Wizards aren’t a typical 8 seed because they are a very dangerous team mostly because of their backcourt. The only reason that the Wizards fell so far in the standings was because all-star point guard John Wall was injured for awhile. However, Washington now has Wall back to go along with all-star shooting guard Bradley Beal. If Beal and Wall play like they are capable of then they could make this a very interesting series. The issue for the Wizards is that they will have to stop the even more dynamic backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Washington will not make it easy on the Raptors, but Toronto appears to be a deeper team which will make it tough for the Wizards to match.

Prediction: Raptors win in 6 games

2 Seed: Boston Celtics(55-27) vs. 7 Seed: Milwaukee Bucks(44-38)

Boston had a very good year, but it is difficult to see them making a deep playoff run since their star player Kyrie Irving is out for the season. Boston still has plenty of depth with quality players like Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. If those players play well then Boston certainly has a chance to win this series even without Irving. However, it will be difficult to stop the core of players that Milwaukee has as they have 3 terrific players with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Eric Bledsoe. The Bucks need those players to play well because the team doesn’t have much depth behind them. Boston clearly has a deeper team, but Milwaukee has the star players that should carry the team. This series could go either way, although Irving’s injury will just be too difficult for the Celtics to overcome.

Prediction: Bucks win in 7 games

3 Seed: Philadelphia 76ers(52-30) vs. 6 Seed: Miami Heat(44-38)

The 76ers head into the playoffs as the hottest team in the NBA as they have won 16 games in a row. Philadelphia has plenty of really good players as they are led by Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and JJ Redick right now. However, if Joel Embiid can return from his injury during this series then there is virtually no chance for Miami to advance. The Heat have plenty of good players as they had 9 players that averaged double digits in scoring per game. However, they will need star players Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, and Dwayne Wade to step up if the team even has a chance in this series. Miami had a good year, but the 76ers are just a much better team right now.

Prediction: 76ers win in 5 games

4 Seed: Indiana Pacers(48-34) vs. 5 Seed: Cleveland Cavaliers(50-32)

It was a year of turmoil for Cleveland as LeBron James had to basically carry the team on his own shoulders for the entire season. He will be expected to do the same in the playoffs as his supporting cast just hasn’t helped him out much. The Cavs really need Kevin Love to step up and play to his capability if the Cavaliers want to reach their full potential. Meanwhile, Indiana has been a very surprising team this year as they are led by star shooting guard Victor Oladipo. However, he has received some quality help from other players on the roster like Myles Turner, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Darren Collison. Indiana has some depth to cause Cleveland some trouble, but it will be difficult for them to stop LeBron James and Kevin Love which is why the Cavaliers will ultimately win this series.

Prediction: Cavaliers in 6 games

Projected Landing Spots for Players likely to be traded

1. Tyreke Evans – Current Team: Memphis Grizzlies – Projected Landing Spot: Philadelphia 76ers

Markelle Fultz hasn’t been healthy basically the entire season, so the 76ers have been seriously lacking depth at both guard positions. The 76ers need some more production at both guard positions and they especially need more production off of the bench. That is why Evans is the ideal fit for the 76ers. Evans is a terrific scorer and he would be a terrific rental to make sure that Philadelphia makes the playoffs this season. The 76ers would likely have to give up a 1st round pick in order to acquire Evans, but they would only likely give up their own non-lottery selection for Evans which would be worth it if the team makes the playoffs.

2. DeAndre Jordan – Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers – Projected Landing Spot: Cleveland Cavaliers

There are a few teams that could trade for DeAndre Jordan at the trade deadline, but the team that seems most likely to make a deal is Cleveland. The Cavaliers don’t have much at the center position right now as Tristan Thompson hasn’t been very productive this season. However, Jordan would provide the Cavs with an elite interior presence as he is terrific on the glass as well as being an elite defender. Cleveland probably won’t give up the 1st round pick from Brooklyn. However, the Cavaliers could give up their own 1st round pick as well as Thompson and Iman Shumpert. Maybe that would be enough to persuade the Clippers to move on from Jordan and his big contract.

 

3. Lou Williams – Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers – Projected Landing Spot: Boston Celtics

The Celtics one area of weakness is at the shooting guard position where Marcus Smart hasn’t been very effective this season. However, if the Celtics really want to win the East this year then they need to make a big splash via trade especially to find a new shooting guard. Lou Williams would be an ideal fit as he is a terrific scorer and he would provide an upgrade to a Boston lineup that is already filled with talent. Williams is a free agent after this season so he would likely just be a rental for the remainder of this season. However, if Boston sends Marcus Smart and another player or draft pick in a deal for Williams then the Clippers might be willing to trade him away.

 

4. Kemba Walker – Current Team: Charlotte Hornets – Projected Landing Spot: Indiana Pacers

Charlotte has been struggling even with Kemba Walker as their franchise cornerstone, but now rumors have it that they might be willing to move on from him. Walker is not just a rental player as he is under contract at a really modest price through the 2018-2019 season. It would certainly take a lot for the Hornets to trade away Walker, but if there is team that has the ability to acquire him then it would be the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers could include young players like T.J. Leaf and Myles Turner in a deal for Walker. However, they would likely have to include at least one 1st round pick and a young prospect along with veteran players like Darren Collison and Al Jefferson. Indiana has plenty of players that could entice the Hornets to trade away Walker, but it would take a huge package of players and picks in order to do so. Acquiring Walker would give the Pacers a dynamic duo in the backcourt for many years to come as the team already has proven shooting guard Victor Oladipo.  This would be a risky trade to make for Indiana as they would likely have to give up some promising young players, but it would probably make the team better even long-term.

 

5. Rodney Hood – Current Team: Utah Jazz – Projected Landing Spot: Detroit Pistons

Rodney Hood is having the best season of his young career as he is averaging a career-high 16.4 points per game for the Jazz. However, the Jazz have a somewhat crowded backcourt which means there isn’t too much of a role for Hood. One team that could really use Hood is the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons have a major need at shooting guard after trading away Avery Bradley in the Blake Griffin deal. Hood would provide a significant upgrade at shooting guard for Detroit and he is under contract through the 2018 season so he wouldn’t just be a rental player for the team. The one player that Detroit could trade to Utah in this deal is young small forward Stanley Johnson who is only 21 years old. Johnson has tons of upside, but he has yet to make a real impact as an NBA player. Utah has a need at small forward and maybe they could develop Johnson into the player that many people thought he would be. Either way, Hood would be a great addition for Detroit as they try to make a playoff run in the eastern conference. However, we’ll see if the Jazz would be willing just to accept Johnson in a deal for Hood or if they would want something else from the Pistons in return.

2017 NBA Draft 1st round grades

1. Philadelphia 76ers – Markelle Fultz – Point Guard – Washington

I really like this selection for the 76ers. Sure, they gave up a lot to move up 2 spots in the draft in order to get Fultz. However, Fultz gives the 76ers a tremendous scorer that they haven’t had in awhile and now they have a really good trio of young players with Fultz, Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons. The future is bright in Philadelphia and don’t be surprised if they sneak into the playoffs next season if their 3 top players can all stay healthy.

Grade: A

2. Los Angeles Lakers – Lonzo Ball – Point Guard – UCLA

Lonzo Ball is perhaps the most well-rounded player available in the NBA draft. He isn’t a great shooter, but he has good offensive ability. Also, he rebounds and passes the ball very well for a point guard. If Ball can become a better shooter then he will be a star in the NBA, but he is a very good all-around player with tremendous potential to be even better. The Lakers suddenly have three really good young players to build around with Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle.

Grade: A

3. Boston Celtics – Jayson Tatum – Small Forward – Duke

This guy is an impact player that already is a very talented offensive player and a solid rebounder as well. Also, he has the length and athleticism that gives him the potential to be a good defender for the Celtics. Tatum is an impact player that should be an upgrade over Jae Crowder at the small forward position. However, this pick likely also means that the Celtics won’t pursue star Utah small forward Gordon Hayward in free agency.

Grade: A

4. Phoenix Suns – Josh Jackson – Small Forward – Kansas

Josh Jackson certainly is a dynamic player that has a chance to be a star player at the NBA level. He is already a tremendous athlete and he is a really good scorer as well. However, he needs to develop a jumpshot in order to be truly successful for the Suns. Jackson is a good defender and he is one of the most well-rounded players in this draft overall. Phoenix could be getting a great player and the only thing that he’s missing from becoming great is his lack of a consistent jumpshot.

Grade: A-

5. Sacramento Kings – De’Aaron Fox – Point Guard – Kentucky

De’Aaron Fox is my favorite player in this draft and he can really score points in bunches at times. Also, he is a good defender and he can pass and rebound somewhat well. Fox isn’t a great shooter, but if he can develop that area of his game then he would definitely be a great NBA player. Sacramento is also a good situation for him since he can possibly learn from a veteran point guard like Darren Collison and then Fox could at least be a solid starting point guard in a few years.

Grade: A

6. Orlando Magic – Jonathan Isaac – Small Forward – Florida State

Jonathan Isaac is a very athletic player with tremendous potential to be a very good NBA small forward. Isaac is a defensive specialist that has the ability to defend quick players out on the perimeter very well. He has very average offensive ability and it will be great for Orlando if he is able to score 15 points per game at some point. This is a great pick for the Magic especially since he is able to do many things very effectively.

Grade: A-

7. Chicago Bulls(From Minnesota) – Lauri Markkanen – Power Forward – Arizona

The Bulls are clearly in a rebuild mode after trading star player Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves on draft night. However, Markkanen is a great selection to start the rebuilding process as he has the potential to be a very good offensive player for many years. Markkanen is 7 feet, but he moves well for his size and he is a terrific shooter as he shot 42.3% from 3 last season at Arizona. Markkanen isn’t the type of player that spends much time around the basket, yet he is an average defender and he will have no problems scoring at the NBA level. He reminds me a lot of Dirk Nowitzki and Frank Kaminsky as players that shoot 3-pointers very well for guys their size. This is a very good pick for Chicago as this will provide a player that can score effectively from the power forward position.

Grade: A

8. New York Knicks – Frank Ntilikina – Point Guard – France

I’m not quite sure how this pick will turn out for the Knicks and it is really unknown what type of player that Ntilikina will become at the NBA level. He is a really good defender and he has good ball-handling skills as well. However, it is a mystery as to how he will perform on the offensive side of the ball. I compare him to Ricky Rubio of Minnesota since they both pass the ball effectively, but neither are very good offensive players. There is no doubt that Ntilikina has high potential, but this is a risky pick since he might not adjust to the NBA level very well.

Grade: C+

9. Dallas Mavericks – Dennis Smith Jr. – Point Guard – North Carolina State

This guy has as high of potential as any other player in this draft and he is a proven scorer as he averaged 18.1 points per game last season at North Carolina State. However, Smith is a very risky pick at this spot since his effort isn’t always there and his consistency is a concern as well. This guy has a chance to be a star player in the NBA if his effort level is consistent and if he commits himself to becoming a better defender. Either way, he should be a good starting point guard for Dallas and he will be a much needed scorer for them.

Grade: B

10. Portland Trail Blazers(From Sacramento) – Zach Collins – Power Forward – Gonzaga

The Trail Blazers badly need help at the power forward position and Zach Collins has probably the biggest potential of any power forward in this draft. Collins never got the opportunity to be a starter during college at Gonzaga because of how talented their frontcourt was. However, Collins is an athletic big man that has good offensive ability and he should develop his offensive game even further if he can develop a more consistent jumpshot. Collins probably won’t make an immediate impact right away, but he has the potential to be a very good power forward within a few years.

Grade: B+

11. Charlotte Hornets – Malik Monk – Point Guard – Kentucky

The Hornets needed another scorer to go along with Kemba Walker and they certainly found probably the best scorer in this draft by selecting Malik Monk out of Kentucky. Monk will make an impact right away most likely as a role player, but he reminds me a lot of Jamaal Crawford as both players can light it up offensively. However, Monk is similar to Crawford because neither player commits to playing defense. If Monk can get a lot of playing time then he will have the ability to score a lot of points. We’ll see if his defensive ability gets a little bit better, but he has the potential to be a star player for the Hornets.

Grade: A

12. Detroit Pistons – Luke Kennard – Shooting Guard – Duke

Luke Kennard is a really smart player that is a tremendous shooter especially from 3-point range. However, Kennard is probably as good of a player as he’ll ever be and he doesn’t have very high upside. Also, he doesn’t have the explosiveness or athleticism to be a very good defender at the NBA level. Kennard probably won’t ever be an all-star player, but he could be a solid starter and he will certainly be a very good role player for the Pistons at least.

Grade: B

13. Utah Jazz(From Denver) – Donovan Mitchell – Shooting Guard – Louisville

Mitchell is a very good defender that has a decent ability to score as well. He isn’t a great shooter, but if he can improve that part of his game then he could be an all-star caliber player. He will mostly be used as a defensive specialist for Utah, but he does everything somewhat well and he is one of the most athletic players in the draft.

Grade: A-

14. Miami Heat – Bam Adebayo – Center – Kentucky

Bam Adebayo is a mystery pick because I really didn’t see him going this high in the draft mostly because his offensive capabilities are very limited. However, Adebayo is one of the best defensive players in the draft and he will be a force around the basket. Miami isn’t a great fit for Adebayo either since they already have Hassan Whiteside who is basically the same type of player and Whiteside is already the unquestioned starter at center. Adebayo could be a good role player early on for Miami, but they have much bigger needs than at center right now and Adebayo probably won’t have a chance to be a starter as long as Whiteside is with the Heat. Overall, this pick is a reach for the Heat and they could have found a better fit because they didn’t need another shot-blocking center on their roster.

Grade: C-

15. Sacramento Kings(From Portland) – Justin Jackson – Small Forward – North Carolina

This is a solid pick for the Kings in this spot because they are getting a player that will be able to start immediately. Jackson has low upside as an NBA player so don’t be expecting him to turn into a superstar at any point. However, Jackson could be a good starting small forward in the NBA for awhile and at least he will be a very good role player. Jackson is just an average shooter for a small forward and that could limit his offense in the NBA as he’ll have to be more creative in finding ways to score points. Jackson is ready to play right away and he will give some more stability at small forward for the Kings since Rudy Gay is expected to leave the team in free agency.

Grade: B+

16. Minnesota Timberwolves(From Chicago) – Justin Patton – Center – Creighton

Justin Patton is a high energy player that will fit in well on a very young and talented Timberwolves roster. Patton could be a good role player for Minnesota for many years to come and if he continues to develop then he certainly has the potential to possibly be a decent NBA starting center. Patton is an extremely athletic player for his size and he has figured out ways to be a good scorer around the basket. However, Patton really needs to become a better rebounder and he needs to become a more physical player near the rim. Patton still has a long ways to go before he is a solid NBA player, but he has the talent to be a decent role player coming off the bench for Minnesota.

Grade: B

17. Milwaukee Bucks – D.J. Wilson – Power Forward – Michigan

D.J. Wilson wasn’t even a starter for most of his college career at Michigan and he didn’t really start playing well until late last season and that was when his draft stock majorly improved. Wilson isn’t an above average offensive player, but he did show some potential as a shooter last season at Michigan. Wilson is just a well-rounded player that doesn’t really specialize in one area of his game. He doesn’t project well as a starting power forward in the NBA, but he could be a good role player for many years.

Grade: B-

18. Indiana Pacers – TJ Leaf – Power Forward – UCLA

TJ Leaf didn’t get as much recognition as he probably deserved last season at UCLA because he was overshadowed by star point guard prospect Lonzo Ball. However, Leaf was just as productive of a player as Lonzo Ball was last season at UCLA. Leaf is a good shooter for someone of his size and he has the ability to score inside the paint and he is a really good mid-range shooter as well. Leaf will probably need to bulk up in order to be a starting power forward in the NBA and his lack of strength will hurt him as a defender in the NBA. However, Leaf has solid offensive ability and athleticism for his size and he is an intriguing player with tons of potential to be a good starting forward if he can improve his defense.

Grade: B+

19. Atlanta Hawks – John Collins – Power Forward – Wake Forest

The Atlanta Hawks appear to be heading towards a somewhat lengthy rebuild especially if star power forward Paul Millsap leaves in free agency which he probably will. However, they might have found a player in the 1st round that has the potential to eventually be a good replacement for Millsap. John Collins proved to be one of the best offensive players in the nation last season as he averaged 19.2 points per game in probably the best conference in all of college basketball. Collins already has a very good scoring ability around the rim and he started to get a better mid-range shot as well. If he can develop a more reliable jumpshot then Collins has the potential to be a terrific offensive player in the NBA. Collins also is a very good rebounder already and he figures to hold his own in that area at the NBA level. The main concern for Collins is his defensive ability and that is something that he will need to improve upon to become a reliable NBA power forward. Collins might not be a starter right away, but this is a great pick for Atlanta as he has the potential to be a very good starting power forward within a few years.

Grade: A

20. Sacramento Kings(From Portland) – Harry Giles – Power Forward – Duke

Harry Giles was a highly recruited player coming out of high school a couple of years ago and it seemed that he would be the number 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. However, he slipped down the draft boards because he has torn the ACL in his both of his knees in just a few years. Giles had terrible production during his time at Duke as he averaged just 3.9 points per game in limited playing time last year at Duke. Giles might be the most talented player in this entire draft, but there is a legitimate question about if he will be able to stay healthy in the NBA or if he will ever be close to the same player that he was in high school. If he can return even close to the type of player that he was before college then this might be the best pick in the entire draft. However, there is also a risk for the Kings that he might not even be a productive role player for them. I think this is a really good pick for the Kings to make at this point in the draft, but there obviously is a major risk associated with this pick which is why I’m not giving it an A grade.

Grade: B+

21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Terrance Ferguson – Shooting Guard – Australia

Terrance Ferguson is probably one of the most raw players available in this draft and he wasn’t very productive as he averaged 4.6 points per game during his one season in pro basketball in Australia. However, Ferguson also has the potential to be a very good starting shooting guard in the NBA. He already is known for having a very good jumpshot and he has shown flashes of his tremendous athleticism as well. Ferguson is an inconsistent defensive player at this point, but he has the potential to become a good defender. Ferguson isn’t a very good all-around prospect, but as long as he continues to develop his scoring abilities then he has a chance to at least be a good role player. Ferguson probably won’t make much of an immediate impact at the NBA level and he probably needs to start his career in the NBA G-League in order to develop. There is no doubting Ferguson’s potential, but it is unknown if he’ll ever become a solid NBA role player at least.

Grade: C+

22. Brooklyn Nets – Jarrett Allen – Center – Texas

The main thing that Jarrett Allen has is outstanding physical tools that project really well to the NBA level. He has the length and athleticism to be a very good shot-blocker and he should also be a good interior defender. However, the main issue for Allen is that he doesn’t have the size necessary to try and stop big NBA centers near the basket. Also, he relies too much on scoring near the basket and if he doesn’t add more size then he won’t contribute much offensively since he can’t rely on his athleticism alone to be able to score. This guy has a long way to go on both sides of the ball before he is ready to be a starting center in the NBA. However, if he can just add some more strength and maybe get a decent mid-range jumpshot then he could be the eventual solution at center for Brooklyn.

Grade: B

23. Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby – Small Forward – Indiana

This guy could have probably been a lottery pick in the draft if a knee injury hadn’t prematurely ended his last season at Indiana. Anunoby might be the best defensive player in this draft as he has the athleticism to go up against any small forward in the NBA. If he can recover from his knee injury effectively then this could be a great pick for the Raptors. However, there are some major concerns about his offensive ability and if he can ever be an above average offensive player. Anunoby doesn’t have a good jumpshot at all and he was an awful free-throw shooter last season at Indiana. Anunoby should definitely be a good role player based solely on his elite defensive ability. However, he will need to develop his offensive ability if he is ever going to be a good starting small forward. Either way, Anunoby is a great pick at this point and this point in the draft and he could push for a starting spot within a couple of years.

Grade: A

24. Denver Nuggets(From Utah) – Tyler Lydon – Small Forward – Syracuse

It appears that Danilo Gallinari might be leaving the Nuggets in free agency and now drafted a small forward in the 1st round of the draft that has a very similar playing style to Gallinari. Tyler Lydon is an excellent 3-point shooter for someone of his size and he has also showed an ability to block shots during his time at Syracuse. Lydon needs to strengthen up if he wants to compete at the NBA level, but he is a good shooter that provides some potential in other areas as well. I’m not sure if he’ll ever be an effective starter in the NBA, but he is a good depth player at small forward for the Nuggets.

Grade: B-

25. Philadelphia 76ers(From Orlando) – Anzejs Pasecniks – Center – Latvia

I really don’t like this pick much for the 76ers as Pasecniks has a lot of upside, but he might not even make it to the NBA anytime soon. Pasecniks is a good scorer and he has remarkable athleticism for someone his size which is probably why NBA scouts thought he was a 1st round pick. However, he is a major work in progress as he doesn’t have the size or physicality to be able to compete defensively at the NBA level especially around the basket. Pasecniks also is an awful rebounder and he doesn’t figure to make much of an impact in that area. This pick mostly makes no sense for Philadelphia because the team is stacked with young talent in the frontcourt and Pasecniks would most likely just be a benchwarmer for awhile. Also, I’m really wondering why the 76ers would even trade for the rights to this guy since he might not even play in the NBA for awhile and they gave up a 1st round pick in 2020 just to acquire him. Pasecniks will probably continue to play in Europe for a few years at least and he might never decide to play in the NBA especially for a 76ers team that doesn’t have a role for him. This could end up being just a wasted pick and a terrible trade for the 76ers.

Grade: F

26. Portland Trail Blazers – Caleb Swanigan – Power Forward – Purdue

Swanigan was arguably the best player in the Big Ten conference last season and that is a conference that is one of the top conferences in all of college basketball. Swanigan is a physical player that makes his living almost entirely right around the basket. That is why his offensive abilities might be limited at the NBA level. However, he is definitely the best rebounder in this entire draft and if nothing else he could provide that as a decent role player at the NBA level. He might have trouble finding playing time with Portland since the Trail Blazers drafted Zach Collins 10th overall in this year’s draft. However, Portland knows what they are getting with Swanigan and he should be a decent role player very soon.

Grade: C

27. Los Angeles Lakers(From Brooklyn) – Kyle Kuzma – Power Forward – Utah

Kyle Kuzma wasn’t considered to be even close to a 1st round prospect not too long ago, but an impressive showing at the NBA combine really improved his draft stock. Kuzma is a very athletic power forward that is an effective scorer despite not having a consistent jumpshot. Kuzma has proven that he has the potential to be a good defensive player, but he was often an inconsistent defensive player during college. The Lakers already have plenty of young depth at the power forward position, so I’m not quite sure what role that Kuzma will have for the next few years. Los Angeles will probably just send him to the NBA G-League so that he can continue to develop a more consistent jumpshot. If he can develop his offense further then the Lakers might be getting a good role player. Kuzma wasn’t very productive in college overall which is why I’m shocked that he went this high in the draft. However, Kuzma does have the athleticism necessary to maybe provide some depth to the Lakers.

Grade: C

28. Utah Jazz(From Los Angeles Lakers) – Tony Bradley – Center – North Carolina

The Utah Jazz had a big need for depth at the center position behind star player Rudy Gobert and they might have just found a decent backup in the 1st round of the draft by selecting Tony Bradley out of North Carolina. Bradley didn’t play a ton of minutes while in college, but he was very effective when he did receive playing time. He is known to be a terrific interior defender and a terrific rebounder as well. Bradley won’t provide much offensively at all, although he does have the size and physicality to get some easy baskets inside the paint. Don’t expect Bradley to ever be a starting center in the NBA especially since he isn’t a player that has the conditioning to be able to play a lot of minutes every game. However, Bradley should provide the Jazz with a high energy player that will make a big impact defensively when he is in the game.

Grade: B

29. San Antonio Spurs – Derrick White – Point Guard – Colorado

Derrick White was one of the most underrated players in all of college basketball last season as he was quietly one of the best players in the Pac-12 as he averaged 18.3 points per game for Colorado. White played his first 3 seasons at division 2 school University of Colorado-Colorado Springs before transferring to Colorado. White is a terrific shooter and he is also a good passer which is obviously important for a point guard. This is a great pick for the Spurs since they are desperate for point guard depth right now. Starting point guard Tony Parker is likely to be out until January and backup point guard Patty Mills might be leaving in free agency. White might have to play a lot early on for San Antonio and he might just be the point guard of the future that the Spurs need. Either way, this is a great pick for the Spurs late in the 1st round of the draft and he has the potential to be the Spurs new starting point guard within the next few years.

Grade: A

30. Los Angeles Lakers(From Utah) – Josh Hart – Shooting Guard – Villanova

The Lakers needed more depth at the shooting guard position after they traded away D’Angelo Russell prior to the draft. They found some quality depth late in the 1st round though as they drafted Josh Hart out of Villanova. Hart played 4 years at Villanova and he ended up winning a national championship there during his junior year. Hart is an outstanding shooter and a very good defender as well. However, his lack of athleticism is the main reason that he wasn’t drafted until the last pick of the 1st round. Hart will be a good role player at worst for the Lakers and he should provide an immediate impact to a team in need of a shooting guard.

Grade: A

 

 

Free Agent that Every team must re-sign this offseason

Atlanta Hawks – Paul Millsap – Power Forward – 2016 Stats: 18.1 PPG and 7.7 RPG

Paul Millsap is one of the best free agents available this offseason and he is by far the best player that the Hawks have. Atlanta isn’t a very good team with Millsap, but without him the Hawks likely aren’t even a playoff contender. If Atlanta doesn’t re-sign Millsap then it could be the beginning of a very lengthy rebuild for the Hawks.

Boston Celtics – Kelly Olynyk – Center – 2016 Stats: 9 PPG and 4.8 RPG

Kelly Olynyk isn’t a starter for the Celtics, but he is perhaps the most important role player that the team has on their roster. Olynyk is still only 26 years old and even though he won’t make a huge impact when he’s on the floor he still is a player that they must retain for depth purposes. Olynyk is a restricted free agent this offseason so I’d be shocked if the Celtics let him go especially if he doesn’t cost much money.

Brooklyn Nets – Randy Foye – Shooting Guard – 2016 Stats: 5.2 PPG and 2.2 RPG

Randy Foye is the only pending free agent for the Nets this offseason so I obviously had to pick him as the player that the team must re-sign. Foye won’t provide much besides a good 3-point shooter for the team off the bench. Foye is worth keeping around for the Nets since he’ll be a valuable veteran presence for a very young Nets team that is in a very lengthy rebuild right now.

Charlotte Hornets – Christian Wood – Power Forward – 2016 Stats: 2.7 PPG and 2.2 RPG

It won’t hurt the Hornets if they don’t re-sign Wood since he is basically a benchwarmer for the team. However, Wood is only 21 years old and he was projected to be a 1st round pick in the 2015 NBA draft before he ultimately went undrafted. Wood just needs an opportunity to show his talent and he would be really cheap for the Hornets to re-sign this offseason. We’ll see if Charlotte chooses to keep him around, but he is worth keeping since he is a young player with some potential to be a decent role player for the team.

Chicago Bulls – Nikola Mirotic – Power Forward – 2016 Stats: 10.6 PPG and 5.5 RPG

Nikola Mirotic isn’t a starter for the Bulls, but he has been the most productive role player that the team has. Mirotic is a consistent player as he has averaged double digits in scoring during his first 3 seasons in the NBA. Also, he is still only 26 years old which means he could be a productive player for the Bulls for many years to come. The good news is that Mirotic is only a restricted free agent which means Chicago has a very good chance of bringing him back since they have his exclusive negotiating rights.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Deron Williams – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 11 PPG and 5.6 APG

Deron Williams came to the Cavaliers from the Mavericks during the 2016 season and he was still a productive point guard despite seeing his role reduced from being a starter to a role player with the Cavaliers. Williams could probably be a decent starting point guard for a non-contending team, but if he wants to win then the Cavaliers definitely give him the best chance of doing so. However, he will have to embrace his role as a backup point guard since Kyrie Irving is clearly the point guard of the present and future for Cleveland. It might not be easy for Cleveland to re-sign Williams given their current cap situation and he might have better offers from other teams. However, Williams is a productive role player that Cleveland can’t afford to lose.

Dallas Mavericks – Nerlens Noel – Center – 2016 Stats: 8.7 PPG and 5.8 RPG

Nerlens Noel hasn’t been the dominant center that many people thought that he would be when he entered the NBA. However, the good news is that Noel is only 23 years old and he is still a really talented player that could develop into a great player for the Mavericks. Dallas gave up a lot in order to acquire Noel and I’m sure they’ll do anything to make sure that he is the franchise centerpiece for many years to come.

Denver Nuggets – Danilo Gallinari – Small Forward – 2016 Stats: 18.2 PPG and 5.1 RPG

The Denver Nuggets have plenty of young talent on their roster, but perhaps no player is more important to them than Danilo Gallinari. He isn’t a flashy player, but he does many things well including scoring points and he is still only 28 years old. Gallinari will be one of the top 2nd-tier free agents available in this free agent class which means he’ll likely receive a big contract. The good news is that the Nuggets have as much financial flexibility as any other team, but the question is how much they will bid in order to retain him. Gallinari has been a very good starter for the Nuggets for many years and it would be a big loss if he were to leave in free agency.

Detroit Pistons – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Shooting Guard – 2016 Stats: 13.8 PPG and 3.3 RPG

Detroit has a really young and talented backcourt with point guard Reggie Jackson and shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope is only 24 years old and he is only getting better. Caldwell-Pope isn’t a great starter, but he knows how to score effectively despite being just an average to below average shooter. The Pistons could find a better shooting guard than him, but without him the Pistons would be lost since they don’t have much depth at the position behind him.

Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 25.3 PPG and 6.6 APG

When Golden State drafted Stephen Curry with the 7th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft the team wasn’t even close to the playoffs. However, Curry has turned around the franchise from a non-playoff team into a championship contender every season. Curry is one of the best shooters in the history of the NBA and he is also one of the best players overall in the NBA today as evidenced by winning the NBA MVP in 2015 and 2016. Golden State would probably still be a playoff team without him, but Curry is the player that the franchise revolves around and they would be a much worse team without him. There will probably be many teams that would try to sign Curry, although the Warriors will likely do anything it takes to re-sign him this offseason.

Houston Rockets – Nene Hilario – Center – 2016 Stats: 9.1 PPG and 4.2 RPG

Nene isn’t a quality starting center like he used to be, but he is still a very productive role player for the Houston Rockets. He isn’t a good shooter, although he is a player that dominates the paint and has a high field goal percentage because he almost always takes high percentage shots in the paint area. The only concern for him is that he is 34 years old, so his time in the NBA seems to be winding down. However, the Rockets could re-sign him at a cheap price and that would be important to do so since he is a very key player off the bench.

Indiana Pacers – Jeff Teague – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 15.3 PPG and 7.8 APG

Jeff Teague continues to be one of the most productive players in the NBA currently and Indiana is a team that doesn’t have many quality players other than Teague and Paul George. The Pacers will likely lose George soon which means that it is even more important that the Pacers do everything they can in order to re-sign Teague. Teague is a really good scorer and he also does a good job of controlling Indiana’s offense. He will almost certainly receive quality offers from other teams, but Indiana absolutely must retain him this offseason.

Los Angeles Clippers – J.J. Redick – Shooting Guard – 2016 Stats: 15 PPG and 2.2 RPG

When people think of the Los Angeles Clippers they usually think of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan. However, there is one player that might be just as valuable as those guys and that is J.J. Redick. Redick is a tremendous 3-point shooter and he is a really good scorer overall, but his consistent play has often been overshadowed by the other 3 players listed above. Redick will likely want a major pay raise this offseason which will make it very difficult for the Clippers to bring him back. Redick is one of the best shooters in the NBA and the Clippers just wouldn’t be nearly the same team without him.

Los Angeles Lakers – Nick Young – Shooting Guard – 2016 Stats: 13.2 PPG and 2.3 RPG

Nick Young has seemed to be more of a problem than a solution for the Lakers in recent years, but he is still a good shooter and that will be difficult for the Lakers to replace if he leaves. The Lakers recently traded away young shooting guard D’Angelo Russell which makes it more important for the Lakers to re-sign Young. They have basically no depth at shooting guard behind Young and even if Young isn’t a starter moving forward they still should at least re-sign him as a key role player.

Memphis Grizzlies – Zach Randolph – Power Forward – 2016 Stats: 14.1 PPG and 8.2 RPG

Zach Randolph is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and he might even be the most important player that the Grizzlies have. Randolph is one of the most physical players in the NBA and that is the identity that the Grizzlies want. Randolph isn’t the same dominant force that he once was, but he is still a really good power forward in the NBA. He is 35 years old, so the Grizzlies will have to find him a replacement sometime soon, but they need to make sure that he finishes his career in Memphis.

Miami Heat – Dion Waiters – Shooting Guard – 2016 Stats: 15.8 PPG and 4.3 APG

Dion Waiters hasn’t been an elite player like some expected when he was drafted a few years ago, but he proved last year for Miami that he can be a good starting shooting guard in the NBA. Waiters had big shoes to fill after the departure of Dwayne Wade and Waiters certainly didn’t do a bad job as Wade’s replacement. Waiters is also only 25 years old, so he could be a key piece to Miami’s future. The Heat have many needs left on their roster and they can’t afford to let Waiters depart in free agency.

Milwaukee Bucks – Michael Beasley – Small Forward – 2016 Stats: 9.4 PPG and 3.5 RPG

Michael Beasley hasn’t been a star player like many people had hoped after he was selected 2nd overall in the 2008 NBA draft. However, he has become a very reliable role player especially with the Milwaukee Bucks in limited playing time last season. Beasley is a very good scorer and he was a key player in their playoff run last season. Beasley could be a starter for Milwaukee and he certainly deserves more playing time. However, the Bucks would be silly to let a productive player like Beasley go in free agency.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Shabazz Muhammad – Small Forward – 2016 Stats: 9.9 PPG and 2.8 RPG

Shabazz Muhammad is a tremendously talented player that has yet to receive extended playing time because of the amount of talent on the Timberwolves roster. Muhammad has proven that he can be an effective role player as he had 9.9 PPG in just under 20 minutes per game. Muhammad is a restricted free agent, so the Timberwolves should definitely be able to bring him back and that would be wise since he is their best role player.

New Orleans Pelicans – Jrue Holiday – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 15.4 PPG and 7.3 APG

It is difficult to find starting point guards in the NBA that can score as effectively as Holiday can. However, Holiday is also an effective passer as well which makes him a very well-rounded player. Holiday will surely have many offers from other teams in free agency because there aren’t many free agent point guards as talented as Holiday is. The Pelicans need to do anything necessary in order to re-sign Holiday because they likely won’t be able to acquire a point guard better than him.

New York Knicks – Derrick Rose – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 18 PPG and 4.4 APG

The New York Knicks had a disappointing season in 2016, but the performance from Derrick Rose overall was a bright spot for the team. Rose is more of a shooting guard because he isn’t a great passer, but he certainly has the ability to score points in bunches. Rose was an NBA MVP not too long ago with Chicago, but he hasn’t been the same player ever since his devastating knee injury years ago. Rose will generate tons of interest in free agency from other teams and it might be difficult for the Knicks to keep him. However, if New York loses Rose in free agency then it would be a big setback for the Knicks.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Taj Gibson – Power Forward – 2016 Stats: 10.8 PPG and 6.3 RPG

Taj Gibson came to Oklahoma City this past season from Chicago via a trade and he went on to start 16 games for the Thunder while averaging 9 points per game. Gibson was a big upgrade over what Oklahoma City had at the power forward position and if the Thunder lose him in free agency then it would be a big loss for the team. Gibson isn’t a flashy player, yet he is very reliable and consistent and that is exactly why the Thunder need to re-sign him at least as a role player.

Orlando Magic – Jeff Green – Small Forward – 2016 Stats: 9.2 PPG and 3.1 RPG

Jeff Green isn’t a quality starting small forward like he once was when he was with the Celtics. However, Green provides veteran leadership on a young Orlando team and he is also a consistent role player off the bench. Green provides much needed depth at small forward/power forward for the Magic and without him they will lack a key versatile player at both of those positions.

Philadelphia 76ers – Sergio Rodriguez – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 7.8 PPG and 5.1 APG

Sergio Rodriguez made his debut in the NBA in 2006 with Portland and his first NBA stint lasted through the 2009 season without much success. However, he attempted an NBA comeback last season with the 76ers and he had a career year in both points per game and assists per game. Rodriguez isn’t a great scorer, but he proved that he can be a very good passer which is what makes him a decent backup point guard for Philadelphia. He is worth keeping around because of his valuable experience and passing skills. Also, he shouldn’t cost much at all which should make it very easy for the 76ers to retain him.

Phoenix Suns – Alex Len – Center – 2016 Stats: 8 PPG and 6.6 RPG

Alex Len is a big center that at 24 years old has yet to really reach his full potential as a starting center in the NBA. Len is a solid rebounder and he isn’t a great shooter, so he is at his best when he takes shots from inside the paint. He will never be a great offensive player, but he has been a quality role player for the Suns ever since being drafted in 2013. Len is a restricted free agent, so the Suns will be able to re-sign him if they want and they hope that he can become the full-time starting center very soon.

Portland Trail Blazers(They have no free agents)

Sacramento Kings – Rudy Gay – Small Forward – 2016 Stats: 18.7 PPG and 6.3 RPG

Rudy Gay has been one of the most underrated players in the NBA for many years and he does many things really well including scoring points and grabbing rebounds. The Kings really need to re-sign Gay since they have no other proven scorers on the roster at the moment. He will likely receive a lot of offers maybe even from contending teams, so it will probably be tough for the Kings to re-sign him this offseason. However, Sacramento really needs him back because they would basically have nothing without him.

San Antonio Spurs – Pau Gasol – Power Forward – 2016 Stats: 12.4 PPG and 7.8 RPG

The Spurs had a really good frontcourt last season with LaMarcus Aldridge at power forward and Pau Gasol at center. However, Gasol might be going elsewhere this offseason as he will surely have plenty of offers from contending teams despite being 36 years old. San Antonio will try to bring Gasol back at least as a role player at this point in his career, although the Spurs might not have the cap space necessary to be able to re-sign him.

Toronto Raptors – Kyle Lowry – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 22.4 PPG and 7 APG

Kyle Lowry is going to get a big contract this offseason wherever he goes after he had a career high in points for the Raptors last season with 22.4 points per game. Lowry is a terrific shooter and he also rebounds and passes the ball very well. He is one of the top point guards in the NBA today and the Raptors might not even be a playoff team without him. Toronto needs to do whatever it takes in order to re-sign Lowry, although it is certainly a possibility that he signs elsewhere.

Utah Jazz – George Hill – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 16.9 PPG and 4.1 APG

George Hill has been in the NBA for awhile as he is now 31 years old, but he certainly majorly improved his free agent stock during his one season in Utah as he averaged 16.9 points per game in 2016. He has never been much of a passer, but he is a point guard that really scores points effectively and he plays solid defense as well. Hill will have plenty of teams that want to sign him this offseason and we’ll see how much the Jazz are willing to bid in order to keep him.

Washington Wizards – Brandon Jennings – Point Guard – 2016 Stats: 7.1 PPG and 4.9 APG

Brandon Jennings used to be a very good starting point guard with Milwaukee and Detroit several years ago. However, the last couple of years he has been with 4 different teams and he has been limited to being a role player. Jennings is still a good passer, but for some reason his shooting has regressed over the past few seasons. Still, Jennings is a very good role player option for Washington and he should come at a cheap price so the team should definitely re-sign him.

 

 

76ers acquire number 1 overall pick from Boston

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired the number 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft from the Boston Celtics in exchange for the number 3 overall pick in the 2017 draft and a future 1st round pick(in 2018 or 2019).

76ers Grade:

This trade was clearly made in order to draft star point guard prospect Markelle Fultz out of Washington. Fultz is a tremendous scorer as he proved with his 23.2 points per game during his 1 season at Washington. However, I question whether he is ready to lead a 76ers team that is still really young and in the middle of a rebuild. Fultz almost certainly wasn’t going to be available at the number 3 overall pick, so the 76ers are giving up a lot just to move up 2 spots and get him. That means Philadelphia must be certain that he is the real deal since this is the type of trade that could set the team back even further if it doesn’t work out. The 76ers already have a good young core with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons if those players can just stay healthy. However, the 76ers have lacked production at both point guard and shooting guard for awhile now. Fultz is the well-rounded point guard that the 76ers have been lacking and he is a major upgrade over what they had last year. We’ll see if Fultz is the missing piece for the 76ers to finally be a playoff team, but I’m just not quite sure at this point if this trade will be worth it for Philadelphia considering that they are giving up a valuable 1st round pick in order to just move up 2 places.

76ers Grade: C+

 

Celtics Grade:

This is a great trade for the Boston Celtics because they are already one of the best teams in the league and it isn’t like they desperately needed the number 1 overall pick anyway. It doesn’t hurt them in any way to move down to the 3rd overall pick and in fact this trade just makes the team much better. They’ll now have an extra 1st round pick in either 2018 or 2019 that they can use to add to their roster. They could also use the extra draft pick to try and trade for a star player like Jimmy Butler that could make them arguably the best team in the Eastern conference. Either way, Boston will still likely get an impact player with the 3rd overall pick and getting another draft pick to use as trade leverage or they could use it to get another impact player. Boston obviously wasn’t sold on Fultz or Lonzo Ball being a good fit for their team so it made sense that they would move back just two spaces.

Grade: A+