NBA Draft 2012: Grading Every GM's Performance
The biggest day of the NBA offseason is in the books, with the 2012 NBA draft providing more than enough drama and surprises for any fan.
While not every NBA team had a first-round pic, every team made at least one selection in the draft. Every NBA general manager—with the exception of the GM-less Clippers—put in plenty of work on Thursday evening.
Let's take a look at the grades for every NBA GM on 2012 draft night.
Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry
1 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 23: SG John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 43: PF Mike Scott, Virginia
Trades: None
Grade: C+
John Jenkins was a lights-out scorer at Vanderbilt, and Atlanta needed another wing who could space the floor and make the long ball. Time will tell if he can become more than a long-range specialist.
Mike Scott is a talented all-around big man who loves to pound the ball inside but leaves a bit to be desired on the defensive end.
Boston Celtics: Danny Ainge
2 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 21: PF Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
- 1st Round, Pick No. 22: C Fab Melo, Syracuse
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 51: SF Kris Joseph, Syracuse
Trades: None
Grade: A
Jared Sullinger would have been a lottery selection if not for concerns about his back. He may not have the potential of many of this class's big men, but he's very NBA-ready. At worst, he'll be Boston's new Glen Davis.
With their second first-rounder, the Celtics snagged Syracuse big man Fab Melo, a raw but athletic big man who will certainly help Boston in the paint.
Boston fixed their biggest weakness by adding significant size with two slightly risky, high-reward players.
Snagging Joseph in the second round pairs up two Syracuse teammates. Joseph is a very solid defender who needs to improve his jump shot and learn better shot selection.
Brooklyn Nets: Billy King
3 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 41: PG Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 57: PF Ilkan Karaman, Turkey
Trades:
Grade: B
The Nets snagged the electrifying and frightening Taylor for cash, which could pan out to be a great steal if he works on his handles. He'll at least provide a solid spark off the bench for the Nets.
Charlotte Bobcats: Rod Higgins
4 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 2: SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 31: SF Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt
Trades: None
Grade: A
The Bobcats may not have been able to add their big-time scorer, but they get two fantastic, well-rounded players who excel on defense.
Kidd-Gilchrist is the second-best prospect in this draft, and his offensive potential is vastly underrated. Charlotte really need his leadership and dedication to the game, and he'll prove in years to come that he was the right pick here.
Jeff Taylor should have been a mid-20s first-rounder. He's an exceptionally talented defender and a very solid shooter.
Chicago Bulls: John Paxson
5 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 29: PG Marquis Teague, Kentucky
Trades: None
Grade: B+
The Bulls get an excellent young PG who can play in Derrick Rose's place while he recovers from his ACL injury. Teague will provide above-average bench depth when Rose returns, and if he improves his jump shot, he has the potential to be a big steal at this point.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Chris Grant
6 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 4: SG Dion Waiters, Syracuse
- 1st Round, Pick No. 17: C Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Trades:
Grade: D
Dave Chudowsky, a sports anchor out of Cleveland, tweeted that he spoke with Dion Waiters during the draft, and Waiters told him he'd never spoken with the Cavaliers. That highlighted what was a completely head-scratching move for the Cavaliers.
Waiters played off the bench at Syracuse, and while he is a talented player, he wasn't a top-five talent. If Cleveland wanted a scoring punch, they'd have been much better off snagging Harrison Barnes. But after seeing Bradley Beal go to Washington at No. 3, it seems the Cavaliers were determined to add a shooting guard, even if it was one they hadn't even spoken to.
The Cavaliers then traded up for Tyler Zeller, the solid-if-unflashy center from North Carolina. If Cleveland trades Anderson Varejao, he'd be a good replacement in the starting lineup, but it was surprising that Cleveland did not try and fix their weakness at the small forward position.
Dallas Mavericks: Donnie Nelson
7 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 24: SG Jared Cunningham, Oregon State
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 33: PF Bernard James, Florida State
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 34: SG Jae Crowder, Marquette
Trades:
Grade: B
While Cunningham gives the Mavericks a solid scorer, you have to wonder if the Mavericks wouldn't have been better off taking a chance on Perry Jones' potential. They traded the No. 17 pick for the No. 24 pick and two second-rounders, which would have been a genius move if they'd snagged Perry Jones rather than Cunningham, who could have been a second-rounder.
That said, the Mavericks got two tough players in the second round. Bernard James served three terms in the U.S. military and has solid all-around skills, while Jae Crowder was the heart and soul of the Marquette program and was a killer defensive player.
Denver Nuggets: Masai Ujiri
8 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 20: SG Evan Fournier, France
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 38: SF Quincy Miller, Baylor
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 50: PF Izzet Turkyilmaz, Turkey
Trades: None
Grade: B+
The Nuggets are chock-full of talent and didn't need anyone who could contribute immediately. Evan Fournier was the only first-round-worthy foreign talent in the draft, and whenever he comes over he'll be a good addition to the deep Nuggets squad.
Quincy Miller could have been a lottery talent if he'd stayed at Baylor another year, but you have to worry about his superficially repaired ACL.
Detroit Pistons: Joe Dumars
9 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 9: C Andre Drummond, UConn
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 39: Khris Middleton, Texas A&M
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 44: Kim English, Missouri
Trades: None
Grade: B
Consider me a Drummond doubter. His work ethic and intensity are in serious question, as are his offensive skills. He's a good defensive player and has great potential with his physical gifts, but he needs to prove he is willing to work hard every moment he is on the court.
That said, at No. 9, he is a risk worth taking.
Middleton was a well-rounded small forward at Texas A&M with a silky mid-range game, while Kim English provides a great long-ball shooter who needs to improve in every other aspect.
Golden State Warriors: Bob Myers
10 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 7: SF Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
- 1st Round, Pick No. 30: C Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 35: SF Draymond Green, Michigan State
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 52: C Ognjen Kuzmic, Bosnia
Trades: None
Grade: A-
The Warriors snagged Barnes, who was expected to be a top-five selection in most mocks. He's a bit of a one-dimensional player at this point, but that one demension (shooting) is way off the charts. If he can become a consistent defender and rebounder, he has the ability to be a game-changer in Golden State.
With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes, the Warriors have perhaps the scariest 1-2-3 shooting corps in the NBA.
Festus Ezeli is a very solid backup big man with above-average athleticism, and he provides the Warriors with a much-needed backup center.
Draymond Green was my vote for the most underappreciated player in the draft. With his versatility and work ethic, he was a steal at 35.
Houston Rockets: Daryl Morey
11 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 12: SG Jeremy Lamb, UConn
- 1st Round, Pick No. 16: PF Royce White, Iowa State
- 1st Round, Pick No. 18: PF Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Trades:
- Houston traded G-F Chase Budinger and the rights to F Lior Eliyahu to Minnesota for the 2012 18th overall draft pick.
- Houston traded C Samuel Dalembert, the 2012 14th overall draft pick, a future second-round draft pick and cash considerations to Milwaukee for F Jon Brockman, F Jon Leuer, G Shaun Livingston and the 2012 12th overall pick.
Grade: B
Who knows if the Rockets ever intended to use these three picks (plenty of rumors about trades circled the Rockets on draft day), but they got three very serviceable players out of them.
Jeremy Lamb could be a top scoring threat if he works on his handles and his work ethic, while Royce White is one of the most well-rounded big men in the draft with his passing and scoring skills. Terrence Jones is a very versatile selection, able to play either forward spot and defend multiple positions.
At least if Houston had been planning on trading the picks, they didn't fall flat on their faces when they couldn't pull a deal off.
Indiana Pacers: Donnie Walsh
12 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 26: C Miles Plumlee, Duke
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 36: SG Orlando Johnson, UC Santa Barbara
Trades:
Grade: C-
Plumlee was a solid player in four years at Duke, but he never averaged double-figure scoring and played off the bench for Duke. To his credit, he is a great rebounder and has above-average athleticism, but leaving Perry Jones and Draymond Green on the board was a mistake for Indiana.
Perhaps after just getting the job two days ago, Donnie Walsh didn't have enough time to study the prospects?
Orlando Johnson was a nice pick by Indiana, who acquired the pick from Sacramento. Johnson is a well-rounded second-rounder with very solid scoring talents.
Los Angeles Clippers: None
13 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 53: PF Furkan Aldemir, Turkey
Trades: None
Grade: C
A tough rebounder who can't do much else, Aldemir is the Turkish version of Reggie Evans.
Wait, don't the Clippers already have Reggie Evans?
Los Angeles Lakers: Mitch Kupchak
14 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 55: SG Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 60: C Robert Sacre, Gonzaga
Trades:
Grade: B
Darius Johnson-Odom is a long, athletic shooting guard with solid range and a rugged determination to his game. He was an excellent late pickup by the Lakers.
Robert Sacre was not. Sacre is a mediocre big man who will be lucky to make it out of training camp. He's a solid defender, but he's not an NBA big.
Memphis Grizzlies: Chris Wallace
15 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 25: PG Tony Wroten, Washington
Trades: None
Grade: C-
Any time you have a chance to take a point guard with a broken shot, handle issues and a mediocre work ethic, you have to take him, right?
Wroten went in the first round with the thought that he could be the next Rajon Rondo, but not all point guards with a bad jump shot reach Rondo's level.
The Grizzlies would have been better set with the less headache-inducing Marquis Teague, who won a championship with Kentucky. Wroten's Washington team didn't even make the NCAA tournament last year.
Miami Heat: Pat Riley
16 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 45: C Justin Hamilton
Trades:
- Miami trades the No. 27th selection (Arnett Moultrie) to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a future first-round selection and the 45th overall selection
Grade: D
The Heat had a chance to add either Perry Jones or Arnett Moultrie and have a inexpensive high-potential youngster, but they opted for a future pick instead.
With the second-rounder from the 76ers, the Heat selected big man Justin Hamilton, who at best provides another mediocre big man off their bench.
Milwaukee Bucks: John Hammond
17 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 14: PF John Henson, North Carolina
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 42: SG Doron Lamb, Kentucky
Trades:
Grade: B+
While Henson wasn't a big need for the Bucks (they already have a bouncy defensive PF in Ekpe Udoh), he is great shot-blocker and a very solid rebounder. If he adds size and continues to improve his offense, he and Udoh could combine to make one very difficult defensive combo.
Lamb will provide the Bucks with a sharp-shooting threat who proved his toughness with Kentucky when they won the NCAA championship.
Minnesota Timberwolves: David Kahn
18 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 58: PF Robbie Hummel, Purdue
Trades:
Grade: B
Chase Budinger was a solid pickup and probably better than most of the wings/small forwards the Timberwolves could have gotten at pick number 18.
As for Hummel, imagine a very poor man's version of Kevin Love. He won't provide much, but he'll give them energy and heart off the bench.
New Orleans Hornets: Dell Demps
19 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 1: PF Anthony Davis, Kentucky
- 1st Round, Pick No. 10: PG Austin Rivers, Duke
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 46: SF Darius Miller, Kentucky
Trades: None
Grade: A
There was no surprise that Anthony Davis was the top pick. Congrats to the New Orleans fans on getting their new superstar.
The question is Austin Rivers at No. 10. Can Rivers transition into a pure PG, as he'll need to be next to Eric Gordon? He was a scoring guard in college and often played with a selfish streak. He had more turnovers than assists last year at Duke.
Second-rounder Darius Miller will pair back up with Davis. Miller was the Wildcats' super sixth man who isn't great at anything, but he isn't bad at anything either.
New York Knicks: Glen Grunwald
20 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 48: SF Kostas Papanikolaou, Greece
Trades: None
Grade: B
Knicks fans don't like it, but they get a solid small forward prospect with a solid jump shot, great basketball I.Q. and a tough determination streak. It's just a shame he'll be staying overseas.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Sam Presti
21 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 28: SF Perry Jones III, Baylor
Trades: None
Grade: A
With a combination of motor concerns and a medical report about his knee, Jones fell from a projected lottery pick all the way to No. 28.
Jones wasn't a big need for the Thunder, but his potential is sky high if he puts in the effort. Oklahoma City was right on the money in taking the risk.
Orlando Magic: Rob Hennigan
22 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 19: PF Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 49: PF Kevin O'Quinn, Norfolk State
Trades: None
Grade: B
The Magic added two big men who played at less-than-elite schools, but both possess well-rounded skill sets. Nicholson was one of the NCAA's best players down the stretch last season, while Kevin O'Quinn will provide some strength and rebounding off the Magic bench.
Philadelphia 76ers: Rod Thorn
23 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 15: SF Moe Harkless, St. John's
- 1st Round, Pick No. 27: PF Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
Trades:
Grade: B+
The 76ers got a high-potential small forward in Harkless, who is already a good defender but needs to improve as a shooter. He was considered a late first-rounder for months but apparently impressed enough in workouts to warrant a high selection.
Moultrie was considered a fringe lottery pick for months and provides them a young, athletic alternative for when Elton Brand departs. While their traded pick will probably end up higher than No. 27 in the future, this was a solid trade.
Phoenix Suns: Lon Babby
24 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 13: PG Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Trades: None
Grade: B
The Suns prepared for Steve Nash's departure by taking the best college passer in years. Marshall isn't a great scorer or athlete, but he's a game-changing passer and has a sky-high basketball I.Q.
Portland Trail Blazers: Neil Olshey
25 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 6: PG Damian Lillard, Weber State
- 1st Round, Pick No. 11: C Meyers Leonard, Illinois
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 40: SG Will Barton, Memphis
Trades:
Grade: A-
Lillard was the correct pick for the Trail Blazers to make. He gives the Blazers a top-notch scoring talent, something their current roster lacks. He's one of the draft's hardest workers, and as long as he continues to improve his passing and floor general skills, nothing stands between him and becoming a top-10 NBA point guard.
Meyers Leonard is a strong defender and rebounder who will fit well next to LaMarcus Aldridge. Will Barton should have been a late first-rounder, and as long as he adds a ton of muscle mass and weight (at 6'6", he's just 180 lbs), his scoring skills will make him a solid bench player.
Sacramento Kings: Geoff Petrie
26 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 5: PF Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Grade: A
Sacramento gets a fantastic fit in Thomas Robinson, who, paired with DeMarcus Cousins, makes an incredible big man combo. His athleticism and diehard attitude will do wonders in Sacramento.
The Kings faltered a bit trading the No. 36 pick for cash in the deepest second-rounder in recent history, but that isn't enough to detract from the great Robinson selection.
San Antonio Spurs: R.C. Buford
27 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 59: SG Marcus Denmon, Missouri
Trades: None
Grade: B
Denmon was the star of Missouri's incredibly efficient offense last season, and it's easy to guess that that's why San Antonio picked him. He's a bit small for a 2-guard, but he's a solid long-range shooter and a tough defender.
Toronto Raptors: Bryan Colangelo
28 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 8: SG Terrence Ross, Washington
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 37: PF Quincy Acy, Baylor
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 56: SF Tomislav Zubcic, Croatia
Trades: None
Grade: C+
Toronto made a somewhat surprising selection of Terrence Ross, but Ross is a good fit. He provides them a shooting touch they really missed, and while Ross was considered a early-teens pick, he's got the athleticism and defensive intensity to be an excellent pro.
Quincy Acy was a great role player in his four years in Baylor and will provide a tough defense off the bench. He shouldn't have gone over his teammate Quincy Miller, though.
Utah Jazz: Kevin O'Connor
29 of 30Picks:
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 47: SF Kevin Murphy, Tennessee Tech
Trades: None
Grade: C+
The Jazz used their only pick on Murphy, a very versatile shooter who has Trevor Ariza-like potential.
Washington Wizards: Ernie Grunfeld
30 of 30Picks:
- 1st Round, Pick No. 3: G Bardley Beal, Florida
- 2nd Round, Pick No. 32: PG Tomas Satoransky, Czech Republic
Trades: None
Grade: B+
Beal was the correct pick, giving the Wizards a fantastic guard combo with John Wall's slashing skills and Beal's shooting abilities. The two of them will create one of the more entertaining duos in the league in a few years.
Satoransky will provide the Wizards with a very skilled guard to line up behind Wall, whenever he comes into the league.
