Grading Every First-Round Pick
Getty Images*Team name equals final destination for the player.
It was Karl-Anthony Towns and then everyone else — just like so many people expected. Now that the first 30 players have been taken off the board in the 2015 NBA Draft, let’s do some grading.
*Team name equals final destination for the player.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky
Getty Images
Minnesota not only got the best player in the draft, but it also got a future NBA All-Star — it’s in the bag. Andrew Wiggins and Towns are going to be doing some serious damage in this league in no time.
Towns is a man of no weaknesses, and fans will find that out soon enough.
Grade: A
Minnesota not only got the best player in the draft, but it also got a future NBA All-Star — it’s in the bag. Andrew Wiggins and Towns are going to be doing some serious damage in this league in no time.
Towns is a man of no weaknesses, and fans will find that out soon enough.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State
Getty ImagesHow many people expected Jahlil Okafor to go at No. 2? Well, D'Angelo Russell is the best player in the draft according to him, and I am not going to argue with that. The point guard did so much for the Buckeyes this past season. One of those things was scoring at will.
Grade: A
How many people expected Jahlil Okafor to go at No. 2? Well, D'Angelo Russell is the best player in the draft according to him, and I am not going to argue with that. The point guard did so much for the Buckeyes this past season. One of those things was scoring at will.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Getty ImagesOkafor may have done some sliding, but he didn't have to wait too long. Okafor went to the 76ers, a team that already has a good amount of big men. A bit of a surprise, but passing him up would have been a huge mistake.
Grade: A
Okafor may have done some sliding, but he didn't have to wait too long. Okafor went to the 76ers, a team that already has a good amount of big men. A bit of a surprise, but passing him up would have been a huge mistake.
4. New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Getty ImagesOkay, okay. Before everyone gets too excited by the B grade, let's just remember one thing: Porzingis has a ton of upside, but he will have quite the transition. But hey, if he meets expectations, he is going to be a star.
Grade: B
Okay, okay. Before everyone gets too excited by the B grade, let's just remember one thing: Porzingis has a ton of upside, but he will have quite the transition. But hey, if he meets expectations, he is going to be a star.
5. Orlando Magic: Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
Getty ImagesThe international prospects are going fast in the 2015 NBA Draft.
If fans love players who have the ability to put the ball in the hoop at a high rate, they are going to love Mario Hezonja.
Grade: B
The international prospects are going fast in the 2015 NBA Draft.
If fans love players who have the ability to put the ball in the hoop at a high rate, they are going to love Mario Hezonja.
6. Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Getty ImagesWho knows what will happen with DeMarcus Cousins. Assuming he is still on the team by the time the season starts back up, him and Willie Cauley-Stein are going to cause nightmares.
Grade: B
Who knows what will happen with DeMarcus Cousins. Assuming he is still on the team by the time the season starts back up, him and Willie Cauley-Stein are going to cause nightmares.
7. Denver Nuggets: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Getty ImagesThis one has steal of the draft written all over it (in red). You know, since Emmanuel Mudiay could be the most talented player in this draft class.
Grade: A
This one has steal of the draft written all over it (in red). You know, since Emmanuel Mudiay could be the most talented player in this draft class.
8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsThe biggest reason why Stanley Johnson has been getting so much hype: He is a top two-way player in this draft.
Grade: A
The biggest reason why Stanley Johnson has been getting so much hype: He is a top two-way player in this draft.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
Getty ImagesThe Hornets just landed the best player in college hoops — possibly the best dancer as well. Frank Kaminsky is going to be scoring from all over the court at the next level ... and he stands at 7-foot-1.
Grade: A
The Hornets just landed the best player in college hoops — possibly the best dancer as well. Frank Kaminsky is going to be scoring from all over the court at the next level ... and he stands at 7-foot-1.
10. Miami Heat: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsJust like Stanley J., Justise Winslow brings some serious game on both sides of the ball. What's not to love about that?
Grade: A
Just like Stanley J., Justise Winslow brings some serious game on both sides of the ball. What's not to love about that?
11. Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner, C, Texas
Getty ImagesThe NBA is evolving: Big men who can stretch the floor are very hot commodities. Myles Turner also brings defense to the table.
Grade: B
The NBA is evolving: Big men who can stretch the floor are very hot commodities. Myles Turner also brings defense to the table.
12. Utah Jazz: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
Getty ImagesYet another Kentucky man. Trey Lyles may have been an X-factor for the Wildcats, but he has the talent to be much more than that in the pros. It is only a matter of time before he is showing off his entire game.
Grade: B
Yet another Kentucky man. Trey Lyles may have been an X-factor for the Wildcats, but he has the talent to be much more than that in the pros. It is only a matter of time before he is showing off his entire game.
13. Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Getty ImagesKentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky — this draft is all about the Wildcats. Devin Booker was a great shooter in college, and he is going to be an elite shooter in the NBA.
Grade: A
Kentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky — this draft is all about the Wildcats. Devin Booker was a great shooter in college, and he is going to be an elite shooter in the NBA.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Jim Brown-USA TODAY SportsCameron Payne at pick No. 14 — the whispers turned out to be true. Here's why Payne went so high: He averaged 20.2 PPG and 6.0 APG in his sophomore season.
Grade: B
Cameron Payne at pick No. 14 — the whispers turned out to be true. Here's why Payne went so high: He averaged 20.2 PPG and 6.0 APG in his sophomore season.
15. Washington Wizards: Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas
Getty ImagesOne word to describe Kelly Oubre Jr.: Potential. If, if, if Oubre Jr. meets expectations, he is going to be a star in this league. That said, he needs some time to develop.
Grade: B
One word to describe Kelly Oubre Jr.: Potential. If, if, if Oubre Jr. meets expectations, he is going to be a star in this league. That said, he needs some time to develop.
16. Boston Celtics: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
Getty ImagesTerry Rozier is a solid player (hence him being a first-round selection), but No. 16 is just a little too high. After all, he could have been had later in the first or early in the second — well, that was at least the buzz entering draft night.
Grade: C
Terry Rozier is a solid player (hence him being a first-round selection), but No. 16 is just a little too high. After all, he could have been had later in the first or early in the second — well, that was at least the buzz entering draft night.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV
Ron Chenoy-USA Today SportsYet another guard who could have gone a little later in the draft. Rashad Vaughn is also coming off an injury.
Grade: C
Yet another guard who could have gone a little later in the draft. Rashad Vaughn is also coming off an injury.
18. Houston Rockets: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Getty ImagesSam Dekker exploded in the 2015 NCAA tournament. As a result, his stock skyROCKETed and everyone got to see his impressive abilities on the offensive side of the ball.
Grade: A
Sam Dekker exploded in the 2015 NCAA tournament. As a result, his stock skyROCKETed and everyone got to see his impressive abilities on the offensive side of the ball.
19. New York Knicks: Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
Getty ImagesJerian Grant returned for his senior year — and that was a very, very smart decision. Grant became one of the best players in the ACC (and college hoops). He is now ready to compete at the next level tomorrow, whether that is off the bench or in the starting lineup.
Grade: A
Jerian Grant returned for his senior year — and that was a very, very smart decision. Grant became one of the best players in the ACC (and college hoops). He is now ready to compete at the next level tomorrow, whether that is off the bench or in the starting lineup.
20. Toronto Raptors: Delon Wright, PG, Utah
Getty ImagesDelon Wright is a big point guard (6-foot-5) who has plenty of college experience. Meaning: Wright is ready to make a difference right away.
Grade: A
Delon Wright is a big point guard (6-foot-5) who has plenty of college experience. Meaning: Wright is ready to make a difference right away.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
Getty ImagesIf the Dallas Mavericks wanted a solid defender who can drain buckets from deep, they got just that in Justin Anderson.
Grade: B
If the Dallas Mavericks wanted a solid defender who can drain buckets from deep, they got just that in Justin Anderson.
22. Chicago Bulls: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Getty ImagesThe SEC is home to the mighty Kentucky Wildcats, who were stacked, as usual, in 2014-15. Even with the Wildcats holding the most talent in the SEC (and country), Bobby Portis was still crowned the SEC Player of the Year.
Grade: A
The SEC is home to the mighty Kentucky Wildcats, who were stacked, as usual, in 2014-15. Even with the Wildcats holding the most talent in the SEC (and country), Bobby Portis was still crowned the SEC Player of the Year.
23. Brooklyn Nets: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Getty ImagesIf Brooklyn was looking for a shooter, it certainly didn't get it. The Nets did, however, land a player who could be a serious force on the defensive side of the ball.
Grade: C
If Brooklyn was looking for a shooter, it certainly didn't get it. The Nets did, however, land a player who could be a serious force on the defensive side of the ball.
24. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Getty ImagesWhy Tyus Jones' new team should love him: He was the MOP of a very stacked Final Four.
Grade: A
Why Tyus Jones' new team should love him: He was the MOP of a very stacked Final Four.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
Getty ImagesMad props to a man who attempts a between-the-legs dunk during a game ... and actually pulls it off.
Grade: A
Mad props to a man who attempts a between-the-legs dunk during a game ... and actually pulls it off.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Milutinov, C, Serbia
Getty ImagesAnother international player for the Spurs — what a surprise. We probably won't see Nikola Milutinov for a couple of years, unfortunately.
Grade: C
Another international player for the Spurs — what a surprise. We probably won't see Nikola Milutinov for a couple of years, unfortunately.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Larry Nance Jr., PF, Wyoming
Getty ImagesThe Lakers may already have their power forward of the future, but Larry Nance Jr. has plenty of dimensions to his game — which is never a bad thing.
Grade: C
The Lakers may already have their power forward of the future, but Larry Nance Jr. has plenty of dimensions to his game — which is never a bad thing.
28. Boston Celtics: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Getty ImagesThe March Madness legend could have went much earlier than this. That aside, he is going to be draining bombs left and right from behind the arc.
Grade: A
The March Madness legend could have went much earlier than this. That aside, he is going to be draining bombs left and right from behind the arc.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY SportsThis late in the draft, it is all about the best player available, and that is exactly what the Nets went for — well, for the most part.
Grade: B
This late in the draft, it is all about the best player available, and that is exactly what the Nets went for — well, for the most part.
30. Golden State Warriors: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Getty ImagesThe Golden State Warriors for the steal! Kevon Looney has a ton of talent, but he needs some time to develop. Luckily for him, he fell to the best team in the NBA.
Grade: A
The Golden State Warriors for the steal! Kevon Looney has a ton of talent, but he needs some time to develop. Luckily for him, he fell to the best team in the NBA.
