Northwest 2011 Team Draft Grades

Farieds skills as a rebounder will
 have an instant impact in the NBA

Denver Nuggets

Selections:

#22: Kenneth Faried PF, Morehead State

#26:  Jordan Hamilton SF, Texas (via trade with Dallas)

#56: Chukwudiebere Maduabum PF, Nigeria

Draft Grade: B-
The Nuggets did well in the draft getting Kenneth Faried at 22. Faried was the best rebounder in the NCAA last year and was that way for his entire career at Morehead State. Jordan Hamilton is a scorer with range and he will give the Nuggets more punch off the bench. The problem I have with this draft is the Raymond Felton trade. They swapped Felton for Andre Miller, and it seemed like better offers were out there. Miller will bring more passing, but he will take away playing time from Ty Lawson, which will hurt the team more down the road. Draft wise the Nuggets did well, but they could have done much better on the trade market.

Utah Jazz

Canter missed a year because of the NCAA
but he still was the No.3 pick

Selections:

#3: Enes Kanter C, Kentucky

#12: Alec Burks SG, Colorado

Draft Grade: A
The Jazz hit a gold mine with their two picks even if it could set them up in a difficult situation. Enes Kanter missed his freshman year with Kentucky because of issues with the NCAA. He is a gifted player offensively and has the length to be a good starting Center in the NBA, but he really needs to work on his defense and endurance. At 12 the Jazz picked up Alec Burks a talented shooter out of Colorado, who did not get many looks earlier in the year because he played at a smaller school. Burks still needs work on his jump shot and staying consistent but everything else is there to be an All Star. A very explosive class for the Jazz, and one that will set them up beautifully for the future.

Smith was a reach at 21, but his defense
will be some nice help for Portland

Portland Trail Blazers

Selections:

#21: Nolan Smith PG, Duke

#51: Jon Diebler SF, Ohio State

Draft Grade: C+
The Trail Blazers did well in addressing their need for a PG by trading for Raymond Felton and drafting Nolan Smith at 21. The problem, Smith was a reach for the Blazers, and could have been had later in the draft. Smith will give the team a quick ball handler who can get to the hole, and is also an excellent defender. He still really needs to work on his jump shot and getting bigger if he wants to have a bigger role in his career. Jon Diebler is a spot up shooter who can help the Trail Blazers as a 10th or 9th man. A nice draft for the Trail Blazers but it won't help them advance further in the playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Jackson will give the Thunder another
terrific young PG

Selections:

#24: Reggie Jackson PG, Boston College

Draft Grade: B
The Thunder took a big risk here, and one that also leaves a question mark. They have Russell Westbrook at PG and he is one of the key pieces in their nucleus, Reggie Jackson held out from drills so he could go to the Heat, but the Thunder didn't let that happen. Jackson is very talented and will surpass Eric Maynor on the depth chart. he gives the Thunder another great young player for the future. The Thunder only had one selection so there were no other opportunities to address their need for another big man, but there were some available at 24 that could have been selected

Minnesota Timberwolves
Selections:

Williams should have no problems
scoring as a rookie

#2: Derrick Williams PF, Arizona
#31: Malcolm Lee PG, UCLA
#57: Targuy Ngombo SF, Congo


Draft Grade: B+
The Timberwolves took Derrick Williams at 2, despite the fact they already have Michael Beasley. Williams is a scorer, he can score from anywhere at any time and that will translate to the NBA instantly. He still needs to improve his defense and rebounding, especially if he plays the PF position. At 31 David Kahn took another PG in Malcolm Lee. He will back up Rubio and could see playing time if Rubio struggles to translate his game to the NBA. A solid draft for the Timberwolves and could be great if Williams improves on the glass, and becomes a better defender.