NBA Draft Grades: Which GMs Look the Smartest Heading into Free Agency?

The 2012 NBA draft is often viewed as the time in which the players of tomorrow are brought in to save the basement teams of today. What we often overlook, however, is the power that each rookie possesses in effecting a team as soon soon as they arrive.

A team's ability to draw interest from a free agent is often reliant upon what they are already able to offer. From promising a title contender today to guaranteeing a bright future, players want to know that things will be on the upswing as soon as they arrive.

As a result of the drafting skills of a select few general managers, that may result in a solid free agency period for the teams whose drafts made headlines.

On the other hand, there is the outcome in which a player fills a void in more ways than you would have expected your draft choice to manage. Free agency then becomes a period in time in which a general manager's search is cut down to a select few positions, rather than the broad spectrum of prospects.

The question is, which general managers did the best for their teams as they entered free agency? The following slides will tell you just that.

7. Lance Blanks, Phoenix Suns

As long as Steve Nash remains a member of the Phoenix Suns, the franchise can never move forward. Fortunately, Lance Blanks is well of that fact and took the first step towards building a championship contender as he selected point guard Kendall Marshall with the 13th pick in the 2012 NBA draft.

Marshall, much like Nash, is an elite facilitator. This opens the door for the Suns to build around their point guard of the future as they enter a rebuilding process.

While Phoenix may become one the NBA's basement teams in 2013, they have finally escaped the never-ending cycle of near-playoff misses and late lottery draft picks. This opens the door for the Suns to land a star in the draft, and more importantly, open up cap space in free agency.

The potential additions made by Lance Blanks in 2012 could set the stage for a major turnaround as soon as next season. A marvelous job of managing a franchise.

Grade: B

6. Danny Ferry, Atlanta Hawks

While Danny Ferry's history as a general manager is shaky at best, he hit the jackpot at the NBA draft.

With Joe Johnson's $123.7 million as a serious liability as the Hawks look to build a legitimate contender, Ferry took the first step towards replacement as he drafted John Jenkins out of Vanderbilt. Jenkins is an elite jump shooter who is much better fit for a sharpshooting role, but mere presence will aid the Hawks as they add youth to the oldest core in the NBA.

It also makes Joe Johnson expendable.

Such has been confirmed as the Hawks aim to move Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets. Should the Hawks pull this deal off, a roster with depth may actually arrive in Atlanta. A farfetched dream for an organization like the Hawks, but one that's been built towards adequately.

Grade: B

5. Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics

First Round, Pick 21: Jared Sullinger, Power Forward

First Round, Pick 22: Fab Melo, Center

Second Round, Pick 51: Kris Joseph, Small Forward

The Boston Celtics entered the draft with four great needs: a dominant interior defender, an elite interior scorer and an infusion of athletic youth. The Celtics received just that, as they acquired two phenomenal athletes, one of the draft's best shot blockers and the draft's best interior scorer.

The first two draft picks would have sufficed. The third player, Kris Joseph, was just icing on the cake.

As the Celtics face free agency, their approach can now be adjusted. The best player available is now the most likely target, as the Celtics' greatest individual needs have been met. While Danny Ainge has offered fans the best of both worlds, his drafting can only be evaluated as great as the times move forward.

Grade: B+

4. Donnie Nelson, Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks turned a mediocre first round draft choice into three valuable assets. While center Tyler Zeller is likely to have a lengthy career, he is an average player at every facet of the game whose contributions would be more well-rounded than designed for glory.

In acquiring Bernard James, the Mavericks land the shot blocking specialist that they have long need. They also acquire a potential star in Jared Cunningham and one of the most well-rounded players in the nation in Jae Crowder.

As Donnie Nelson and the Mavericks enter free agency, the future has suddenly become bright. They have filled needs and added youth and athleticism to an aging lineup, all the while setting out distinctive targets to sign.

While Dallas may have gone a bit under the radar with their drafting, they have set themselves up for free agency and the future in a very positive manner.

Grade: A-

3. Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have once again walked away from an NBA draft with a potential superstar. This time around, it was Perry Jones III out of Baylor who fell to Sam Presti and the Thunder by virtue of a passive nature and concerning knee injury.

As a result, Oklahoma City has addressed their most pressing need: that of a low-post scorer.

With this addition, the Thunder not only prepare for the 2012 class of free agency, where their needs are now limited, but the 2013 class as well. Rather than wait for Serge Ibaka to potentially leave in free agency, the Thunder have found a potential replacement or complement.

For that reason alone, Sam Presti has mastered the NBA draft one again.

Grade: A-

2. Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons

In drafting Andre Drummond, the Detroit Pistons officially created their own personal Big Three. With Brandon Knight at the point, Greg Monroe at the 4 and Andre Drummond playing in the paint, the Pistons have established themselves as a powerhouse of the future.

Throw in the aging but crafty Tayshaun Prince, as well as the scoring machine Rodney Stuckey, and you've got yourself a promising young lineup.

In turn, the Pistons have set themselves up as a potential landing spot for veterans who believe in their future. The quality of the team already improved with Corey Maggette, but the free agents they will now be able to lure in with promises of the future could exceed the value of any vet they currently possess on their roster.

Joe Dumars landed his dream selection and put the Pistons in place for a bright future.

Grade: A

1. Neil Olshey, Portland Trail Blazers

Neil Olshey had the best night of any general manager at the 2012 NBA draft, not only drafting well but also providing free agents with an incentive to join his franchise. Filling each one of your needs with three quality players will do just that.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected a potential franchise point guard in Damian Lillard, an athletic center in Meyers Leonard and a shooting guard with true star potential in Will Barton. These three rookies will cause the world to take notice of the Portland Trail Blazers. Their current core will entice free agents to take part in the movement.

The Blazers already have a budding superstar in LaMarcus Aldridge. They also have an elite three-point shooter in Wesley Matthews, who ranked fifth in the NBA with 129 three-point field goals on 38.3 percent shooting from distance.

The Blazers' future is bright and the tools needed to lure in top-tier talent during free agency are present.

Grade: A+