Class In Session: NBA Grades. How Did Your Team Do in the 2010 Draft?

"These lights will inspire you, now you're in New York"- Alicia Keys off of Jay-Z's song Empire State of Mind.

While the lights may have not inspired the draftees of the NBA 2010 Draft, those bright lights in the city that never sleeps allowed them to realize they've made it this far.

But what comes next?

Welcome to the league rookie. Whether you waited five minutes to hear your named called like John Wall or over four hours to hear your name like Dwayne Collins (final pick of the draft made by Phoenix Suns), you were drafted. Now you may know most of the lottery players, what about the rest?

Find out the grade of your team's draft based on groups just like in school: A, B, C, D, F. Also included will be the teams acquisitions and losses.

Warning: Very long article, I will try to make it as short as possible.

Grade A: Bulls, Heat, Wizards, Thunder and Clippers.

Bulls - Drafted: Kevin Seraphin (traded him and G Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards to free cap space)

Acquired: Soon to be determined.

Lost: Plenty of bench players to free agency and Kirk Hinrich

Heat - Drafted: Dexter Pittman(C Texas), Jarvis Varnado (PF Miss St.) and Da'Sean Butler (SF WVU).

All 3 of these players may have impacts on a team who lacked size, athleticism and wing players.

Traded: Daequan Cook and No. 18 overall to Oklahoma City to clear $3 Million in Cap.

Wizards - Drafted: John Wall (PG UK), Kevin Seraphin (PF France) from Chicago, Trevor Booker (PF Clemson) and Hamady N'diaye (C Rutgers)

Acquired: Kirk Hinrich

Lost: Soon to be free agent Mike Miller.

When you get the No. 1 overall player, you win. point blank. Gilbert who?

Thunder - Drafted: Cole Aldrich (C Kansas) from New Orleans, Tibor Pleiss (C Germany) from New Jersey, Latavious Williams (SF NBDL) from New Jersey, and Ryan Reid (C FSU) from Minnesota.

While the Thunder are only likely to have Aldrich on their opening roster from this list they addressed a big need at center as Aldrich who could start right away.

They also acquired Mo Peterson from New Orleans and Daequan Cook from Miami

Clippers - Drafted: Al Farouq-Aminu (SF Wake Forest), Eric Bledsoe (PG UK) from Oklahoma City, and Willie Warren (SG OK).

Al Farouq is a starter right away filling in a huge gap at the three spot. Eric Bledsoe is a steal and will likely replace Baron Davis when he is no longer with the Clips. Willie Warren provides bench depth on a team that needs it. No Trades or Losses.

Grade B: Bucks, Kings, Celtics, 76ers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Nets and T-Wolves.

Bucks - Larry Sanders (PF VACU), Darington Hobson (SF UNM), Keith "Tiny" Gallon (PF OK) and Jerome Jordan (traded to Knicks for cash).

Sanders and Gallon will provide four spot depth and bring size and athleticism to pair with Andrew Bogut.

Acquired: Corey Magette and Chris Douglas-Roberts.

Lost: Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric.

Seems as if Executive of the year John Hammond is making more and more deals. While John Salmons may opt out Hammond has found his replacements

Kings - DeMarcus Cousins (C UK) and Hassan Whiteside (C Marshall).

"Boogie" Cousins could be the best player in this draft. Only time will tell. While Whiteside is a nice pick they will now have a stack of big men, with not all getting playing time.

Acquired: Samuel Dalembert.

Lost: Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni.

Celtics - Avery Bradley (G Texas) and Luke Harangody (PF ND).

Avery Bradley's defense capability will be useful when Rondo needs a break. Bradley is a good scorer from mid-range. Harangody was a stud at Notre Dame and will replace Brian Scalabrine. Don't laugh. Scal made his money in Boston. So will Harangody if given the chance.

No acquisitions or losses for now.

76ers - Evan Turner (G OSU).

The kid out of Chicago, out of Ohio St., that most say is the most NBA Ready player in this draft will be a steal for Philly because he could have went No. 1. While I think Philly should have taken Favors since they traded Dalembert, they took the best available player. They already have this guy in Igoudala so it'll be interesting.

Traded: Samuel Dalembert.

Acquired: Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni.

Pacers - Paul George (SF Fresno St), Lance Stephenson (PG Cincinnati) and Magnum Rolle (C Louisiana Tech) from Oklahoma City.

George can play the three or the four and is a potential all-time steal in this draft. He filled it in while at Fresno. The Pacers addressed the PG spot with Stephenson who is a NYC kid and knows what it takes to get there. Magnum Rolle may not make the team but could provide big man depth.

No trades or losses.

Grizzlies - Xavier Henry (SG/SF Kansas) and Greivis Vasquez (PG Maryland).

Memphis may have found its backup or replacement to Rudy Gay in Henry who played one year at Kansas and can fill the bucket. They also may have found a PG who can start if Conley starts to wash up. Replacement picks here, I like it.

No trades or losses.

Nets- Left them out at first (sorry Nets fans wasn't on purpose). Drafted: Derrick Favors (PF Georgia Tech) With the Nets involved in trade rumors all day, the one they made to acquire Damion James could prove to be the most valuable one. Derrick Favors is dominant this we know, while some say he is still raw the Nets have found themselves their version of the twin towers in Favors and Lopez. The SF spot had been a question mark all of last season (along with many other positions) and Damion James could be a very powerful name on a team that needs all the help they can get. Whether or not Jay-Z can help sway LeBron to New Jersey remains to be known but the Nets do have money to spend, and new owner Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov is making the Nets his new toy, watch out for the Nets in the upcoming years.

Acquired:Damion James (SF Texas) from Atlanta 

T-Wolves - Wesley Johnson (SF Syracuse), Lazar Hayward (PF Marquette) from Washington, Nemanja Bjelica (SF Spain) and Paulo Prestes.

Minnesota addressed their SF positi on and Wesley Johnson could be an immediate impact. Young team looking up.

Traded Greg Babbit and Ryan Gomes.

Acquired: Martell Webster.

Grade C (plenty here): Hawks, Mavericks, Pistons, Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, Magic, Spurs and Jazz.

Hawks - Jordan Crawford (SG Xavier) and Pape Sy (international).

"Kid who dunked on LeBron" also lit up Kansas St. in an epic NCAA tourney game this past year. If Joe Johnson leaves ATL, Crawford is a dark horse for Rookie of the Year. Sy will probably stay over seas for a few more years.

No trades, acquisitions or losses.

Mavericks -Dominique Jones (SG USF).

One thing can be said about Mr. Jones—scorer. With Jason Kidd soon to retire, JJ Barea in as his replacement and young guard Rodrigue Beaubois also in line for the job, Dominique will see very limited minutes but will produce when given chance.

No trades, acquisitions, or losses.

Pistons - Greg Monroe (PF Georgetown) and Terrico White (SG Mississippi).

Monroe is a steal at the power forward position and will be a great pro. Terrico White is also a steal with a lot of great young potential in a city that needs it. I thought they would take Aldrich but Monroe will fit in just fine for a team that needs all the help they can get.

No trades, acquisitions or losses.

Rockets - Patrick Patterson (PF UK).

He could start if he impresses enough, although Luis Scola is there and Yao Ming is set to return this year. Regardless, Patrick Patterson is a solid big man and could provide much needed height depth for Houston. 

No acquisitions, trades or losses.

Lakers - Devin Ebanks (SF WVU) and Derrick Caracter (PF UTEP).

Ahh the Champs. Although they could have taken a PG for the future (Warren or Sherron Collins), their picks should have been first rounders. They fell and the champs only got stronger.

No acquisitions, trades or losses.

Hornets - Quincy Pondexter (SF WASH) and Craig Brackins (PF Iowa St.).

Both of these players could also been considered "steals" after having great college careers. Most notably Pondexter who led Washington to the Sweet 16 with his stellar play. Watch out for Brackins who I thought could go in lottery.

Magic - Daniel Orton (C UK) and Stanley Robinson (PF UConn).

Could have given them a D with their picks but these two players are no slouches. Although Orton will be a long term project, the Magic are set at big man. I feel they should have addressed the SG/SF spot here.

No acquisitions, trades, or losses.

Spurs - James Anderson (SG OKST) and Ryan Richards (PF England).

Once again another foreign player who may not come over in Richards, but Anderson might be a big noise maker in San Antonio. With George Hill on the rise, and Ginobli and Parker getting older, the duo of Hill and Anderson could make for a scary back court match up for any team.

No acquisitions, trades, losses. 

Jazz - Gordon Hayward (Butler) and Jeremy Evans (Western Kentucky).

The Utah Jazz did nothing to hurt or help themselves with the draft selections. Evans probably wont find himself anywhere but the Developmental League (D-League). Hayward is a possible replacement for Kyle Korver and should fit nicely in the Jazz system. 

No acquisitions, trades, losses.

Grade D: Suns, Blazers, Nuggets, Bobcats, Warriors, Raptors.

Suns - Gani Lawl (PF Wake Forest) and Dwayne Collins (PF Miami).

Both players drafted just in case Amar'e does leave and it appears he will. Neither are great offensive players but will provide depth and defensive edge to a team that will need help if they lose their star power forward. 

No acquisitions, trades, losses. 

Blazers - Elliot Williams (PG Memphis) and Armon Johnson (PG Nevada).

Also gained Luke Babbit (SF Nevada) and Ryan Gomes in a trade with Minnesota (they sent Martell Webster). the Blazers addressed two needs going into the draft at SF and PG. They fired Kevin Pritchard their GM, which makes no sense. That is the reason for this low grade. 

Nuggets - Although they did not have a pick because of last year's trade with Minnesota, which was used on Ty Lawson, the Nuggets did not deserve a high grade since they did not pick. However, Lawson is a valuable piece to their team in place of their picks.  

No acquisitions, trades, losses. 

Bobcats - Another team with no picks, although Kansas PG Sherron Collins has signed on to play summer ball with them as well as UGA center Albert Jackson. Should be interesting to see if these two young cats can make their team. I'm pulling for them both. 

No acquisitions,trades, losses. 

Warriors - Ekpe Udoh (Baylor PF).

Anice player going into the draft but does not fit the Don Nelson 'Run N Gun' system. Udoh is a defensive player and the Warriors already have their guys. Udoh will be a good shot blocker but he was Golden State's only pick, that is the reason for their low grade. 

No acquisitions, trades, losses. 

Raptors - Ed Davis (PF UNC) and Solomon Alabi (C FSU)

Coming off an injury plagued season at North Carolina. No matter who the Raptors would have drafted, nobody can replace the talent that Chris Bosh has. He is more than likely to leave. Alabi could be a great pick here, he is a terrific shot blocker and I don't see why he fell. I had him in the late first but could produce a defensive threat for the Raptors. 

No acquisitions,trades, losses.

Grade F: The Charles Barkley "Turrbl" Grade

Cavaliers - So the whole draft your team is rumored to lose the best player in franchise history (LeBron James if you were wondering). You also have no draft picks and don't even have a head coach? Goodbye LeBron, Hello Chicago. Poor use of draft night.  

No acquisitions,trades, losses. 

Knicks - Andy Rautins (PG Syracuse) and Landry Fields (SF Stanford).

Sorry New Yorkers. At least I started this with Jay-Z, huh?! Well the Knicks selected hometown boy Rautins who will be nothing more than a JJ Redick, if he ever makes the Knicks. Landry Fields may prove to be the biggest stretch of them all. Didn't hear his name much going into the draft. 

No acquisitions,trades, losses. 

So, Donnie Walsh, what are you doing?

There's always next year, right?

I host a sports talk show twice a week Tuesday and Thursday 8-10 PM (central time) on http://www.ericpedigo.com Come check it out sometime hope you enjoyed my grades.