Vertical analysis: NBA draft first-round grades
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons | SF/PF | LSU
Freshman | 19 | 6-10, 239
The lowdown: Explosive, athletic, left-handed forward with tremendous versatility and instincts. Outstanding in the open floor and around the rim. Absolutely stuffed the stat sheet a year ago with his ability to rebound and create for others. Didn't always play with a sense of urgency as his team struggled, particularly on the defensive end. Questions remain about his ability to score in the half court with his limitations as a jump shooter, but is a highly unique talent with his ability to handle and pass the ball.
Y Sports grade: B+
2. L.A. Lakers
Brandon Ingram | SF | Duke
Freshman | 18 | 6-9, 196
The lowdown: Rangy small forward with impressive fluidity and guard skills. Excellent spot-up shooter who also flashed the ability to create one-on-one effectively and move the ball unselfishly on the perimeter. Competed defensively, but lacked a degree of consistency. Needs to get stronger. Could bring terrific versatility on both ends of the floor as his frame improves. One of the youngest players in the draft.
Y Sports grade: A-
3. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn)
Jaylen Brown | SF | California
Freshman | 19 | 6-7, 222
The lowdown: Athletic, physical specimen. A lefty wing who had an up-and-down freshman season. Showed flashes of potential as a slasher and defender, using his quickness and explosiveness. Struggles from the perimeter limited his impact all season. Feel for the game isn't great. Consistency just wasn't there, but upside remains very intriguing.
Y Sports grade: C+
4. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender | PF | Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israeli League
18 | 7-1 | 225
The lowdown: Croatian forward considered one of the most promising young talents in Europe. Possesses outstanding size for a four, with a frame that has developed consistently over the past few years. Has intriguing versatility. Improved shooter who can put the ball on the floor and make plays for others. Not a finished product as a scorer or interior defender. Played a small role against terrific competition this season, but likely needs time to define his role in the NBA. Youngest player in the draft.
Y Sports grade: C+
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kris Dunn | PG | Providence
Junior | 22 | 6-4, 205
The lowdown: Terrific physical specimen at point guard with prototypical size, length, quickness and leaping ability. Could have been a lottery pick last season before returning to school. Took over a number of games this season with his creativity as a playmaker off the dribble. Good command in the pick-and-roll, vision in transition and shiftiness attacking one-on-one. Capable of playing terrific defense. Still not overly polished offensively at age 22, particularly as a jump shooter and decision maker.
Y Sports grade: A
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Buddy Hield | SG | Oklahoma
Senior | 22 | 6-4, 214
The lowdown: Hield’s stock exploded as he emerged as an elite shot-maker while guiding Oklahoma to the Final Four. College Player of Year is a high-character prospect with a strong work ethic. Shot lights-out off the catch and off the dribble from beyond the arc on a huge volume of attempts as a senior. Opportunistic getting to the rim. Solid defender, but lacks great versatility. Good but not great athlete. Looks primarily for his own offense. May not have an easy time creating off the dribble at the NBA level.
Y Sports grade: B-
7. Denver Nuggets (from New York)
Jamal Murray | PG/SG | Kentucky
Freshman | 19 | 6-5, 201
The lowdown: Canadian shot-maker played a key role in Kentucky's improved performance down the stretch. Instinctive scorer with a sweet stroke. Very good set shooter who is exceptional at shooting off screens. Scoring touch makes him a threat from every spot on the floor. Not particularly explosive off the bounce. Limited defensively. Has some potential as a combo guard, but needs to improve his decision-making. Upside may be limited by his average athleticism.
Y Sports grade: B+
8. Phoenix Suns (from Sacramento)
Marquese Chriss | PF | Washington
Freshman | 18 | 6-10, 225
The lowdown: Explosive forward with promising tools and big upside. Wasn't considered a top-50 prospect coming out of high school. Has a budding offensive skill set that is well tailored to the power forward position in today's NBA. Can make 3-pointers, attack from the perimeter off the bounce, score with finesse from the post and finish above the rim. Struggled at times defensively, notably on the glass. Incredibly foul-prone. Freak athlete, but still very early in his development.
Y Sports grade: A
9. Toronto Raptors (from Denver)
Jakob Poeltl | C | Utah
Sophomore | 20 | 7-1, 242
The lowdown: True center with an old-school game who made good on his decision to return to school with a very productive year. Quite mobile for a post player. Scored efficiently as the roll man in the pick-and-roll and from the post with a reliable hook shot. Hasn't shown much offensive ability away from the rim. Very sound defender and diligent rebounder. Lack of length, strength and toughness hurt him at times last season.
Y Sports grade: C+
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Thon Maker | PF | Athlete Institute, Canada
19 | 7-1, 216
The lowdown: A rare preps-to-pros prospect in the one-and-done era. Well-traveled prospect with great size. An inconsistent jump shooter who can put the ball on the floor. Feel for the game and polish leave something to be desired. Does his best work competing on both ends because his motor helps him earn opportunities inside and make an impact defensively. Lack of experience and poor frame are major concerns. Hard worker with good character.
Y Sports grade: D
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Orlando)
Domantas Sabonis | PF/C | Gonzaga
Sophomore | 20 | 6-10, 231
The lowdown: Son of European legend and former Portland Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis. Ferocious competitor who uses his strength and mobility to compete for rebounds. Has the fundamentals and aggressiveness to score in the post and around the rim. Lack of size, length and athleticism raise concerns about his defensive potential. Needs to add more variety to his offensive game to make up for the touches he won't get in the post.
Y Sports grade: B
12. Atlanta Hawks (from Utah)
Taurean Prince | SF | Baylor
Senior | 21 | 6-7, 215
The lowdown: Tough combo guard with a versatile offensive game and a reputation as a defender. Chiseled frame and long arms. Gets out in transition and makes shots with range. Can do some damage as a slasher, but isn't very creative off the bounce. Capable passer but decision-making isn't always ideal. Very good shooting mechanics. Can really defend. Nice role-player potential as a three-and-D guy.
Y Sports grade: C
13. Sacramento Kings (from Phoenix)
Georgios Papagiannis | C | Panathinaikos, Greek League
18 | 7-2, 240
The lowdown: Massive center who played a small role against terrific competition for one of Europe's most storied clubs. Improved his conditioning significantly this season. Moves well for his size, but isn't overly explosive. Fairly coordinated and skilled on the block. Has some potential as a midrange shooter. Not much of a rim protector, but can be a presence in the paint on both ends. Motor comes and goes. Lacks a degree of toughness. Really struggles to step out on the perimeter defensively.
Y Sports grade: C-
14. Chicago Bulls
Denzel Valentine | SG | Michigan State
Senior | 22 | 6-6, 223
The lowdown: Talented senior with good size for a shooting guard who had a sensational senior season even with his team's early NCAA tournament exit. Stuffed the stat sheet while flashing an improved jump shot and sliding over to point guard for long stretches. Body has improved considerably in recent years. Not a great athlete, but simply knows how to play. May face an uphill battle creating off the bounce and defending at the next level, especially if his knee injuries persist. But he will certainly compete and make an impact with his versatility. A proven commodity.
Y Sports grade: B
15. Denver Nuggets (from Houston)
Juan Hernangomez | SF/PF | Estudiantes, ACB
20 | 6-9, 220
The lowdown: Brother of 2015 draft pick Willy Hernangomez. Combo forward who emerged as one of the most improved players in Europe. Good athlete who plays with great energy. Really gets after it on the glass. Does a lot of the little things. Hard worker. Showed some signs as a jump shooter, but has room to improve. Has terrific potential as a role player, particularly if he can help spread the floor consistently.
Y Sports grade: C+
16. Boston Celtics (from Dallas)
Guerschon Yabusele | PF| Rouen, French League
6-8, 270 | 20
The lowdown: Wide-bodied French forward who had a productive season in his first year getting minutes in the Pro A league. Has long arms and a chiseled frame. Versatile offensive player with excellent instincts. Can finish inside and make jump shots with range. Can put the ball on the floor. Quick, nimble and powerful. Lack of size and poor play on the defensive end are issues. Doesn’t always use his body the way you might hope.
Y Sports grade: D+
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Wade Baldwin | PG | Vanderbilt
Sophomore | 20 | 6-3, 195
The lowdown: Big point guard with terrific length and nice athleticism. Streaky but capable shooter who does a solid job setting the table for others. Not overly shifty with the ball in his hands. Needs to learn to play at different speeds more effectively. Forces shots around the rim. Potential is there for him to be a very reliable defender. Has some talent and tools, but wasn't very consistent last season.
Y Sports grade: B-
18. Detroit Pistons
Henry Ellenson | PF/C | Marquette
Freshman | 19 | 6-11, 231
The lowdown: Skilled big man with terrific size, rebounding ability, instincts and potential as a shooter. Had a very productive season on an average team. Has an ideal skill set for a modern NBA power forward, especially if his consistency from the perimeter improves. Good rebounder and passer. Lack of lateral quickness and vertical explosiveness limits his ability to create offense and impact the game defensively.
Y Sports grade: B+
19. Denver Nuggets (from Portland)
Malik Beasley | SG | Florida State
Freshman | 19 | 6-4, 185
The lowdown: Intelligent, skilled young shooting guard who can fill a role once he matures. Defends well, plays his role effectively and has excellent potential as an outside shooter. Does a little bit of everything, showing improvement as a rebounder and passer. Not a very dynamic ball handler. Lacks strength and experience. Average physical tools limit his long-term upside.
Grade: A-
20. Brooklyn Nets (from Indiana)
Caris LeVert | PG/SG | Michigan
Senior | 21 | 6-7, 191
The lowdown: Has great physical tools. Potential to play anywhere from point guard to small forward. A jack of all trades. Has a fluid stroke that should translate to NBA range. Flashes potential off the dribble, but has a very slight frame. Height and wingspan could allow him to defend bigger guards, but his thin frame can get overpowered on drives or inside the paint.
Y Sports grade: C
21. Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre Bembry | SG |St. Joseph's
Junior | 21 | 6-6, 210
The lowdown: Versatile wing with athleticism and basketball instincts. Good in the open floor. Polished feel for the game. Made an impact on the glass, as a passer and on the defensive end in college. Capable scorer, but shot very few threes. His ability to keep the defense honest is a point of interest moving forward.
Y Sports grade: C+
22. Sacramento Kings (from Charlotte)
Malachi Richardson | SG | Syracuse
Freshman | 20 | 6-6, 200
The lowdown: Inefficient scorer who had some huge NCAA tournament games and showed signs of promise amid some erratic performances during the season. Possesses prototypical size and length for a wing, but has average athleticism. Capable set shooter who has tremendous mechanics and instincts from the perimeter. Struggled to score inside the arc. Decision-making is far from ideal. Has some tools defensively. Lack of lengthy shooting wings in the draft has elevated his stock.
Y Sports grade: B-
23. Boston Celtics
Ante Zizic | C | Cibona Zagreb, Adriatic League
19 | 6-11, 240
The lowdown: Productive Croatian center with good size, length, reach and a terrific motor. Makes an impact in scoring and rebounding with his effort and toughness. Not particularly polished offensively. Feel for the game isn't outstanding. Provides some rim protection, but not a great shot-blocker. Ceiling isn't overly high, but youth, toughness and role-player potential are clear.
Y Sports grade: C+
24. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami)
Timothe Luwawu | SG/SF | Mega Leks, Adriatic League
21 | 6-7, 205
The lowdown: Long and athletic French wing who played in Serbia and showed improvement offensively. Made shots and showed far more creativity off the dribble than he did just a year ago. Remains streaky as a shooter and has a lot of things to clean up as a decision-maker and slasher. Has excellent potential defensively, but lacks polish.
Y Sports grade: B
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Brice Johnson | PF | North Carolina
Senior | 21 | 6-11, 209
The lowdown: Bouncy power forward who had a terrific senior season. Lacks great length and strength, but plays way above the rim. Instinctive scorer inside with nice touch from midrange. Active rebounder. Athleticism didn't always translate defensively. Not very versatile. Frame and feel for the game leave something to be desired.
Y Sports grade: B+
26. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City)
Furkan Korkmaz | SG | Anadolu Efes, Turkish League
18 | 6-7, 185
The lowdown: Skinny shooting guard with nice size and a sweet stroke. Has experience as a role player at the highest levels of European basketball despite his relative youth. Terrific spot-up threat who can run very hot from the perimeter. Very intelligent player who knows how to fill a role. Not a fast-twitch athlete, which limits him as a shot creator and defender. Needs to get stronger.
Y Sports grade: C+
27. Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam | PF | New Mexico State
Sophomore | 6-10, 227
The lowdown: Has an imposing 7-foot-3 wingspan. Has a motor that rarely stops along with great speed and agility. He does have a thin frame. Not a highly skilled offensive player. Relies mainly on his length, athleticism and motor to get easy points around the rim. A competent defensive rebounder.
Y Sports grade: D+
28. Sacramento Kings (from Phoenix)
Skal Labissiere | PF/C | Kentucky
Freshman | 20 | 7-0, 216
The lowdown: Skinny big man with tremendous upside who played well down the stretch, but never seemed to get comfortable in the college game. Tremendous size and athleticism, but lacks strength. Flashed the ability to score with finesse in the post and from midrange and can protect the rim, but offered little consistency. Struggled with the basics defensively. Toughness has been a concern, but upside is there.
Y Sports grade: B
29. San Antonio Spurs
DeJounte Murray | PG | Washington
Freshman | 19 | 6-5, 170
The lowdown: Wiry combo guard with interesting long-term potential. Didn't have an overly efficient season, but flashed the ability to get to the rim with his creative ball-handling, instincts as a scorer and impressive vision as a passer. Loves to freelance off the dribble. Consistency as a shooter and decision-making leave a lot to be desired at this stage. Far from a finished product, but has some very interesting potential on both ends.
Y Sports grade: B+
30. Golden State
Damian Jones | C | Vanderbilt
Junior | 20 | 6-11, 248
The lowdown: Physical specimen with a strong frame and great length. Extremely athletic for his size. Outstanding finisher. Has some positive moments using his size defensively. Somewhat of a project. Lacks consistency in his approach and doesn't always impact the game on either end. Fundamentals on defense, polish offensively and assertiveness aren't ideal.
Y Sports grade: C+
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons | SF/PF | LSU
Freshman | 19 | 6-10, 239
The lowdown: Explosive, athletic, left-handed forward with tremendous versatility and instincts. Outstanding in the open floor and around the rim. Absolutely stuffed the stat sheet a year ago with his ability to rebound and create for others. Didn't always play with a sense of urgency as his team struggled, particularly on the defensive end. Questions remain about his ability to score in the half court with his limitations as a jump shooter, but is a highly unique talent with his ability to handle and pass the ball.
Michael Lee grade: B+
2. L.A. Lakers
Brandon Ingram | SF | Duke
Freshman | 18 | 6-9, 196
The lowdown: Rangy small forward with impressive fluidity and guard skills. Excellent spot-up shooter who also flashed the ability to create one-on-one effectively and move the ball unselfishly on the perimeter. Competed defensively, but lacked a degree of consistency. Needs to get stronger. Could bring terrific versatility on both ends of the floor as his frame improves. One of the youngest players in the draft.
Michael Lee grade: A-
3. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn)
Jaylen Brown | SF | California
Freshman | 19 | 6-7, 222
The lowdown: Athletic, physical specimen. A lefty wing who had an up-and-down freshman season. Showed flashes of potential as a slasher and defender, using his quickness and explosiveness. Struggles from the perimeter limited his impact all season. Feel for the game isn't great. Consistency just wasn't there, but upside remains very intriguing.
Michael Lee grade: C+
4. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender | PF | Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israeli League
18 | 7-1 | 225
The lowdown: Croatian forward considered one of the most promising young talents in Europe. Possesses outstanding size for a four, with a frame that has developed consistently over the past few years. Has intriguing versatility. Improved shooter who can put the ball on the floor and make plays for others. Not a finished product as a scorer or interior defender. Played a small role against terrific competition this season, but likely needs time to define his role in the NBA. Youngest player in the draft.
Michael Lee grade: C+
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kris Dunn | PG | Providence
Junior | 22 | 6-4, 205
The lowdown: Terrific physical specimen at point guard with prototypical size, length, quickness and leaping ability. Could have been a lottery pick last season before returning to school. Took over a number of games this season with his creativity as a playmaker off the dribble. Good command in the pick-and-roll, vision in transition and shiftiness attacking one-on-one. Capable of playing terrific defense. Still not overly polished offensively at age 22, particularly as a jump shooter and decision maker.
Michael Lee grade: A
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Buddy Hield | SG | Oklahoma
Senior | 22 | 6-4, 214
The lowdown: Hield’s stock exploded as he emerged as an elite shot-maker while guiding Oklahoma to the Final Four. College Player of Year is a high-character prospect with a strong work ethic. Shot lights-out off the catch and off the dribble from beyond the arc on a huge volume of attempts as a senior. Opportunistic getting to the rim. Solid defender, but lacks great versatility. Good but not great athlete. Looks primarily for his own offense. May not have an easy time creating off the dribble at the NBA level.
Michael Lee grade: B-
7. Denver Nuggets (from New York)
Jamal Murray | PG/SG | Kentucky
Freshman | 19 | 6-5, 201
The lowdown: Canadian shot-maker played a key role in Kentucky's improved performance down the stretch. Instinctive scorer with a sweet stroke. Very good set shooter who is exceptional at shooting off screens. Scoring touch makes him a threat from every spot on the floor. Not particularly explosive off the bounce. Limited defensively. Has some potential as a combo guard, but needs to improve his decision-making. Upside may be limited by his average athleticism.
Michael Lee grade: B+
8. Phoenix Suns (from Sacramento)
Marquese Chriss | PF | Washington
Freshman | 18 | 6-10, 225
The lowdown: Explosive forward with promising tools and big upside. Wasn't considered a top-50 prospect coming out of high school. Has a budding offensive skill set that is well tailored to the power forward position in today's NBA. Can make 3-pointers, attack from the perimeter off the bounce, score with finesse from the post and finish above the rim. Struggled at times defensively, notably on the glass. Incredibly foul-prone. Freak athlete, but still very early in his development.
Michael Lee grade: A
9. Toronto Raptors (from Denver)
Jakob Poeltl | C | Utah
Sophomore | 20 | 7-1, 242
The lowdown: True center with an old-school game who made good on his decision to return to school with a very productive year. Quite mobile for a post player. Scored efficiently as the roll man in the pick-and-roll and from the post with a reliable hook shot. Hasn't shown much offensive ability away from the rim. Very sound defender and diligent rebounder. Lack of length, strength and toughness hurt him at times last season.
Michael Lee grade: C+
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Thon Maker | PF | Athlete Institute, Canada
19 | 7-1, 216
The lowdown: A rare preps-to-pros prospect in the one-and-done era. Well-traveled prospect with great size. An inconsistent jump shooter who can put the ball on the floor. Feel for the game and polish leave something to be desired. Does his best work competing on both ends because his motor helps him earn opportunities inside and make an impact defensively. Lack of experience and poor frame are major concerns. Hard worker with good character.
Michael Lee grade: D
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Orlando)
Domantas Sabonis | PF/C | Gonzaga
Sophomore | 20 | 6-10, 231
The lowdown: Son of European legend and former Portland Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis. Ferocious competitor who uses his strength and mobility to compete for rebounds. Has the fundamentals and aggressiveness to score in the post and around the rim. Lack of size, length and athleticism raise concerns about his defensive potential. Needs to add more variety to his offensive game to make up for the touches he won't get in the post.
Michael Lee grade: B
12. Atlanta Hawks (from Utah)
Taurean Prince | SF | Baylor
Senior | 21 | 6-7, 215
The lowdown: Tough combo guard with a versatile offensive game and a reputation as a defender. Chiseled frame and long arms. Gets out in transition and makes shots with range. Can do some damage as a slasher, but isn't very creative off the bounce. Capable passer but decision-making isn't always ideal. Very good shooting mechanics. Can really defend. Nice role-player potential as a three-and-D guy.
Michael Lee grade: C
13. Sacramento Kings (from Phoenix)
Georgios Papagiannis | C | Panathinaikos, Greek League
18 | 7-2, 240
The lowdown: Massive center who played a small role against terrific competition for one of Europe's most storied clubs. Improved his conditioning significantly this season. Moves well for his size, but isn't overly explosive. Fairly coordinated and skilled on the block. Has some potential as a midrange shooter. Not much of a rim protector, but can be a presence in the paint on both ends. Motor comes and goes. Lacks a degree of toughness. Really struggles to step out on the perimeter defensively.
Michael Lee grade: C-
14. Chicago Bulls
Denzel Valentine | SG | Michigan State
Senior | 22 | 6-6, 223
The lowdown: Talented senior with good size for a shooting guard who had a sensational senior season even with his team's early NCAA tournament exit. Stuffed the stat sheet while flashing an improved jump shot and sliding over to point guard for long stretches. Body has improved considerably in recent years. Not a great athlete, but simply knows how to play. May face an uphill battle creating off the bounce and defending at the next level, especially if his knee injuries persist. But he will certainly compete and make an impact with his versatility. A proven commodity.
Michael Lee grade: B
15. Denver Nuggets (from Houston)
Juan Hernangomez | SF/PF | Estudiantes, ACB
20 | 6-9, 220
The lowdown: Brother of 2015 draft pick Willy Hernangomez. Combo forward who emerged as one of the most improved players in Europe. Good athlete who plays with great energy. Really gets after it on the glass. Does a lot of the little things. Hard worker. Showed some signs as a jump shooter, but has room to improve. Has terrific potential as a role player, particularly if he can help spread the floor consistently.
Michael Lee grade: C+
16. Boston Celtics (from Dallas)
Guerschon Yabusele | PF| Rouen, French League
6-8, 270 | 20
The lowdown: Wide-bodied French forward who had a productive season in his first year getting minutes in the Pro A league. Has long arms and a chiseled frame. Versatile offensive player with excellent instincts. Can finish inside and make jump shots with range. Can put the ball on the floor. Quick, nimble and powerful. Lack of size and poor play on the defensive end are issues. Doesn’t always use his body the way you might hope.
Michael Lee grade: D+
17. Memphis Grizzlies
Wade Baldwin | PG | Vanderbilt
Sophomore | 20 | 6-3, 195
The lowdown: Big point guard with terrific length and nice athleticism. Streaky but capable shooter who does a solid job setting the table for others. Not overly shifty with the ball in his hands. Needs to learn to play at different speeds more effectively. Forces shots around the rim. Potential is there for him to be a very reliable defender. Has some talent and tools, but wasn't very consistent last season.
Michael Lee grade: B-
18. Detroit Pistons
Henry Ellenson | PF/C | Marquette
Freshman | 19 | 6-11, 231
The lowdown: Skilled big man with terrific size, rebounding ability, instincts and potential as a shooter. Had a very productive season on an average team. Has an ideal skill set for a modern NBA power forward, especially if his consistency from the perimeter improves. Good rebounder and passer. Lack of lateral quickness and vertical explosiveness limits his ability to create offense and impact the game defensively.
Michael Lee grade: B+
19. Denver Nuggets (from Portland)
Malik Beasley | SG | Florida State
Freshman | 19 | 6-4, 185
The lowdown: Intelligent, skilled young shooting guard who can fill a role once he matures. Defends well, plays his role effectively and has excellent potential as an outside shooter. Does a little bit of everything, showing improvement as a rebounder and passer. Not a very dynamic ball handler. Lacks strength and experience. Average physical tools limit his long-term upside.
Grade: A-
20. Brooklyn Nets (from Indiana)
Caris LeVert | PG/SG | Michigan
Senior | 21 | 6-7, 191
The lowdown: Has great physical tools. Potential to play anywhere from point guard to small forward. A jack of all trades. Has a fluid stroke that should translate to NBA range. Flashes potential off the dribble, but has a very slight frame. Height and wingspan could allow him to defend bigger guards, but his thin frame can get overpowered on drives or inside the paint.
Michael Lee grade: C
21. Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre Bembry | SG |St. Joseph's
Junior | 21 | 6-6, 210
The lowdown: Versatile wing with athleticism and basketball instincts. Good in the open floor. Polished feel for the game. Made an impact on the glass, as a passer and on the defensive end in college. Capable scorer, but shot very few threes. His ability to keep the defense honest is a point of interest moving forward.
Michael Lee grade: C+
22. Sacramento Kings (from Charlotte)
Malachi Richardson | SG | Syracuse
Freshman | 20 | 6-6, 200
The lowdown: Inefficient scorer who had some huge NCAA tournament games and showed signs of promise amid some erratic performances during the season. Possesses prototypical size and length for a wing, but has average athleticism. Capable set shooter who has tremendous mechanics and instincts from the perimeter. Struggled to score inside the arc. Decision-making is far from ideal. Has some tools defensively. Lack of lengthy shooting wings in the draft has elevated his stock.
Michael Lee grade: B-
23. Boston Celtics
Ante Zizic | C | Cibona Zagreb, Adriatic League
19 | 6-11, 240
The lowdown: Productive Croatian center with good size, length, reach and a terrific motor. Makes an impact in scoring and rebounding with his effort and toughness. Not particularly polished offensively. Feel for the game isn't outstanding. Provides some rim protection, but not a great shot-blocker. Ceiling isn't overly high, but youth, toughness and role-player potential are clear.
Michael Lee grade: C+
24. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami)
Timothe Luwawu | SG/SF | Mega Leks, Adriatic League
21 | 6-7, 205
The lowdown: Long and athletic French wing who played in Serbia and showed improvement offensively. Made shots and showed far more creativity off the dribble than he did just a year ago. Remains streaky as a shooter and has a lot of things to clean up as a decision-maker and slasher. Has excellent potential defensively, but lacks polish.
Michael Lee grade: B
25. Los Angeles Clippers
Brice Johnson | PF | North Carolina
Senior | 21 | 6-11, 209
The lowdown: Bouncy power forward who had a terrific senior season. Lacks great length and strength, but plays way above the rim. Instinctive scorer inside with nice touch from midrange. Active rebounder. Athleticism didn't always translate defensively. Not very versatile. Frame and feel for the game leave something to be desired.
Michael Lee grade: B+
26. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City)
Furkan Korkmaz | SG | Anadolu Efes, Turkish League
18 | 6-7, 185
The lowdown: Skinny shooting guard with nice size and a sweet stroke. Has experience as a role player at the highest levels of European basketball despite his relative youth. Terrific spot-up threat who can run very hot from the perimeter. Very intelligent player who knows how to fill a role. Not a fast-twitch athlete, which limits him as a shot creator and defender. Needs to get stronger.
Michael Lee grade: C+
27. Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam | PF | New Mexico State
Sophomore | 6-10, 227
The lowdown: Has an imposing 7-foot-3 wingspan. Has a motor that rarely stops along with great speed and agility. He does have a thin frame. Not a highly skilled offensive player. Relies mainly on his length, athleticism and motor to get easy points around the rim. A competent defensive rebounder.
Michael Lee grade: D+
28. Sacramento Kings (from Phoenix)
Skal Labissiere | PF/C | Kentucky
Freshman | 20 | 7-0, 216
The lowdown: Skinny big man with tremendous upside who played well down the stretch, but never seemed to get comfortable in the college game. Tremendous size and athleticism, but lacks strength. Flashed the ability to score with finesse in the post and from midrange and can protect the rim, but offered little consistency. Struggled with the basics defensively. Toughness has been a concern, but upside is there.
Michael Lee grade: B
29. San Antonio Spurs
DeJounte Murray | PG | Washington
Freshman | 19 | 6-5, 170
The lowdown: Wiry combo guard with interesting long-term potential. Didn't have an overly efficient season, but flashed the ability to get to the rim with his creative ball-handling, instincts as a scorer and impressive vision as a passer. Loves to freelance off the dribble. Consistency as a shooter and decision-making leave a lot to be desired at this stage. Far from a finished product, but has some very interesting potential on both ends.
Michael Lee grade: B+
30. Golden State
Damian Jones | C | Vanderbilt
Junior | 20 | 6-11, 248
The lowdown: Physical specimen with a strong frame and great length. Extremely athletic for his size. Outstanding finisher. Has some positive moments using his size defensively. Somewhat of a project. Lacks consistency in his approach and doesn't always impact the game on either end. Fundamentals on defense, polish offensively and assertiveness aren't ideal.
Michael Lee grade: C+
