NBA Draft 2012 Grades: How Did Lakers and League's Elite Teams Fare?

It isn't easy for the league's very best teams to improve through the draft.

By virtue of actually being good teams, their records send them to the back of the line–waiting impatiently to see what scraps the rabid lottery teams left behind. And, on account of their win-now mandates, some of the best teams find themselves conspicuously short a pick or two.

The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs both traded their 2012 first-round picks in mid-season deals designed to facilitate a postseason push.

With guys like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan approaching the ends of their respective runs, a proven veteran seemed to make more sense that adding another prospect to the fold come summer time.

Between those kind of moves and late-round selections, the NBA's elite don't have it easy. Here's how they ultimately faired on draft night. 

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat lost out on a chance to integrate intriguing big-man prospect Arnett Moultrie, but also avoided having to guarantee a first-round contract in the process.

Miami traded Moultrie—the 27th pick—to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the 45th pick in the draft and a future first-rounder.

That 45th pick became Justin Hamilton, a mobile big man who can score, pass and play some defense. It's entirely unclear whether he'll manage to catch on with the Heat, but the team is just trying to control its costs at this point.

From that standpoint, the Heat made a wise, if unexciting move.

Grade: C+ 

Oklahoma City Thunder

On the one hand, Perry Jones III had a pretty awful draft night. 

Apparent issues with Jones' knee scared teams off from a guy who seemed like a good bet to land in the lottery or shortly thereafter. As a result, Jones slipped all the way to the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 28th pick of the draft.

The Thunder may be assuming some risk with Jones, but no more than they'd be taking on with anyone else this late in the first round.

The difference is that Jones has incredible upside. He's an excellent athlete at 6'11" who can score in a variety of ways. If his skills catch up to his physical tools, OKC may have the steal of the draft.

Grade: A

San Antonio Spurs

With the next-to-last pick in the entire draft, the San Antonio Spurs took home their one and only prize, Missouri's Marcus Denmon.

After trading their first-round pick to the Golden State Warriors for Stephen Jackson, San Antonio's actual draft options were limited.

Ultimately, this draft was a success for general manager R.C. Buford simply because Jackson is probably more valuable to the team at this point than a late first-round pick. Additionally, the team really doesn't have the roster space to take on more players, given the organization's waiting list of international players taken in past drafts.

As for Denmon, the guy can definitely shoot. He's undersized for a scoring guard, but he could see some time with the Spurs down the road.

Grade: B-

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics wisely put an end to Jared Sullinger's slide and put their money on the chances that his back won't be as problematic as feared.

With the 21st pick in the draft, Boston could afford to gamble a bit. Sullinger has the kind of post skills that would pair well along with the versatile Kevin Garnett, and he could have a solid future in the NBA.

The Celtics took a slightly bigger risk with their very next pick, taking Syracuse's Fab Melo.

Melo is the opposite of Sullinger in almost every way. He has excellent size and physical tools, but there's no telling if he'll really learn how to play the game. At the very least, he should provide Boston a very good interior defender, and there's something to be said for that. 

This club has been missing a legitimate center all year.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Lakers

As much as Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers need some young talent to fill out the roster, the draft isn't especially kind to the clubs that already have everything they need—even when they need a little something more.

In March, Los Angeles traded its first pick in a deal that landed them starting point guard Ramon Sessions, now a free agent. Los Angeles general manager Mitch Kupchak had little choice but to address the team's backcourt needs.

Unfortunately, something had to give.

There's a good chance the Lakers will eventually work out a deal with Sessions, so that first-round pick may not be a lost cause just yet.

Meanwhile, the club also added Gonzaga center Robert Sacre with the 60th pick in the draft (the last overall).

The big man isn't an especially good rebounder, but he's intelligent, plays good defense and can score around the basket. He may not make an immediate impact on this roster, but he could become a valuable part of the rotation after a little time in the D-League.

If you consider Sessions part of the draft haul, it's not looking so bad.

Grade: B-

Chicago Bulls

Like many elite teams, the Chicago Bulls didn't have an especially prime drafting position.

But, they certainly made the most of what they had.

Adding Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague to the mix is a good move in the short term and long term alike.

He'll add a useful body to the backcourt while Derrick Rose recovers from knee surgery, and he should have plenty of time to learn on the job. Over the long haul, he could become a speedy and effective sixth man, or perhaps a valuable trade chip the Bulls could use when making roster improvements.

Grade: B+