A couple of teams picked up guys that I really liked that also look like great fits, first and foremost is Dallas with Josh Green, a wing defender who's a great fit out on the break with a wizard Luka, Tyrell Terry in the second (teams must've really been scared off by his frame) as a reasonable approximation of Seth Curry, who they flipped for what should be a very useful two-way wing in Richardson, and Tyler Bey as a two-way contract guy who can defend and run if he pans out. They got better now with J-Rich and have a couple of pretty high upside guys if Green shoots and Terry gets strong enough. I'd be psyched if I was a Mavs fan.
Pelicans getting the lightning quick Kira Lewis to run a backcourt with Lonzo, and with guys like Zion, Bledsoe, Ingram and Jaxson Hayes is just a potentially insanely fun, fast and athletic team. Sam Merrill might not have the athleticism to play in the NBA, but he was one of the best shooters and scorers in the draft, and taking a shot at a guy like that with the last pick of the draft makes a ton of sense.
Sadly, I really like what Morey did for the Sixers. It wasn't too painful to get off of Horford, and losing Richardson's defense hurts a team that struggles to defend quicker guards, but they helped their spacing in a big way. Maxey's a better shooter than his college numbers indicate- he shot much better from 3 in AAU and in other environments, his FT% is encouraging, and he shot a ton of late-clock heaves at Kentucky- play he can get to the rim and he's a tough, if undersized defender. Great culture guy too. Joe slipped due to his frame, but he's a promising spot-up guy too- a skinny man's Nesmith. And Paul Reed is an athletic freak of a big man who severely needs some discipline, but does have upside as a defender and rim-runner.
I'm just glad I can root for Memphis again, as they got two of my favorite guys in the draft in Bane and Tillman. Both are lowish ceiling, but they both project as really solid role players. It stung to have the Celtics trade the pick that was used to take Bane, and I thought Tillman was the one guy who really could've come in right away and helped the Celtics on short notice this year.
Precious Achiuwa is a ways away, but the Heat are probably the best team to develop him, and him and Bam could be a serious problem together. Not thrilled about that pick from a conference rival.
Kings getting Haliburton to pair with Fox is gonna make for a really fun backcourt. Rumors that Hali wanted to go there and play with Fox to the extent that he shied away from other teams and took the corresponding salary hit are pretty strange, but if true it just shows the super mature and hoops-focused guy who doesn't care if he's playing in Ames of Sactown, as long as he's balling out. I put some money on him
at 14-1 for RoY already and I'm thinking about laying down some more. I have no idea why Woodard slipped to 40 when it's so clear that wings his size who can defend and shoot are the most valuable pieces in the NBA. I'd much rather take a shot at a guy like that than a big who won't be able to play in the playoffs like Vernon Carey. Add in another potential two-way wing (although a 2/3 rather than a 3/4 like Woodard) in Jahmi'us Ramsey.
Other than Haliburton at +1400, I like Toppin +600, Hayes +700 and throwing some darts at Cole Anthony (Magic), Malachi Flynn (Raptors) and Maxey, all at +6000.
Pritchard at +8000 as four year college guy coming on to a team that likely will have a hole in backup PG with a starter who has an injury concern and will likely be given ample maintenance days isn’t crazy either.