Here are the grades for the Pacific Division. The order is based on the standings from last season.
Golden State Warriors: A+
It seems like whatever the Warriors do, they have a golden moment. The Warriors traded for the Chicago Bulls second round pick by giving them $3.5 million. They received Jordan Bell, who experts were saying could be the best defender in the draft. In a league where that kind of money doesn't mean a lot, it's confusing how the Warriors convinced the Bulls to give them this draft pick for basically nothing.
Los Angeles Clippers: B+
The Clippers received the No. 39 overall pick via trade which was used on Juwan Evans, and Sindarius Thornwell via trade at the No. 48 pick. Thornwell could be the steal of the draft. Thornwell was the hero of the Cinderella South Carolina team that made the final four this past March. He could drive to the rim, and his play hard mentality made others around him play harder. Evans is another player that was a scoring threat back in college. For a couple of proven college players taken in the second round, the Clippers can tip their cap to this draft.
Sacramento Kings: A
The Kings drafted De'Aaron Fox at No. 5, Justin Jackson at No. 15 via trade, Harry Giles at No. 20 via trade, and Frank Mason at No.
34. For most readers, this might be hard to believe, but the Kings actually had a great draft. De'Aaron Fox is a quick, versatile guard that some see as a mainstay in the league. Jackson is a proven winner at North Carolina and could be a top reserve. Giles is a boom or bust guy that has a very high upside. Finally, Mason was the National College Player of the Year.
What a haul, right?
Los Angeles Lakers: A-
The Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball at No. 2, Kyle Kuzma at No. 27 via trade, Josh Hart at No. 30 via trade, and Thomas Bryant at No. 42 via trade. The pick of Ball was a long time coming, and a perfect fit for the Lakers. The trade that sent former No. 2 pick and point guard, D'Angelo Russell to the Nets opened up the reigns of the team for Ball.
Hart was a top player at Villanova and could develop into a reliable rebounder. Bryant is another that fits that mold too. The Lakers are still a year away from competing in the West, but this draft set them up for long-term success.
Phoenix Suns: B+
The Suns drafted Josh Jackson at No. 4, Davon Reed at No. 32, and Alec Peters at No. 54. The fact that the Suns were able to take Jackson alone gives them a high grade. Jackson could be the next prolific scorer. Jackson will be paired with a 21-year old future franchise player in Devin Booker, an established point guard in Eric Bledsoe, and a reliable center in Alex Len if they resign him. The Suns have a nice young core. Now, they need to sign someone.
