The NBA draft was concluded with the following teams striking gold and others missing out. The following NBA teams are in order based on their standings in the division last season. Here are the draft grades for the Central Division.
Cleveland Cavaliers: No grade
The Cavaliers did not have a pick in this year's draft. The Cavaliers will be judged more hastily with what they in free agency.
Milwaukee Bucks: B
The Bucks provided a potential great shooting power forward in D.J. Wilson out of Michigan with the No. 17 overall pick. Wilson blossomed in March by leading Michigan to the Sweet Sixteen, and a Big Ten Conference Tournament championship.
WiIlson averaged 17.4 points per game and 5.9 rebounds. He shot 37% from three point range as a stretch four and plays great defense. The Bucks already had a decent nucleus of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, and Thon Maker. Wilson adds another youthful player that can shoot.
Indiana Pacers: D
The Pacers might have overdrafted for T.J. Leaf at No. 18. Then, they selected UCLA teammate Ike Anigbogo in the second round. These two were role players at UCLA. It was more Lonzo Ball and Bryce Alford orientated, but Leaf could become a nice role player in the league. The Pacers held onto Paul George Thursday night even though he has told the team he will leave after this season.
The Pacers didn't land a player that will impact their team and didn't make a trade that will impact their future.
Chicago Bulls: B
Some may not love the Jimmy Butler trade, but Bulls fans should. The Bulls traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the No. 7 overall pick in the draft, Laurie Markkanen out of Arizona.
Markkanen might have been the best seven-foot shooter the NCAA has seen. Some are comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki. The Bulls finally went with a direction of rebuilding and landed an 18 point per game scorer in LaVine, a former top five pick in Dunn who could be the point guard of the future, and a seven-foot shooter. It was the best decision the Bulls have made at a draft in the last five years.
Detroit Pistons: D
Since 2014, coach and president, Stan VanGundy, has made not draft selection that has really helped the Pistons. Doe the names Stanley Johnson, and Henry Ellenson lead out at you as franchise players. What makes you think Luke Kennard out of Duke will be any better? The Pistons needed a shooter, and they got one, but does Kennard get Detroit out of the last place in the central. We'll see.
