2013 NBA Draft Grades: Highlighting Worst Picks of the Night
The first round of the 2013 NBA draft came and went on Thursday and, once again, the Charlotte Bobcats got the short end of the stick.
But the Bobcats weren't the only team that flubbed on draft day in Brooklyn. Some other teams either made bone-headed decisions or made bone-headed trades.
Here's a look at the worst picks on Thursday.
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4. Charlotte Bobcats: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana
This was a stretch. Cody Zeller may have a nice range of offensive skills, but—with Kentucky's Nerlens Noel still on the board—I was surprised the Bobcats went with the Indiana big man.
Zeller is skilled around the basket and he can run the floor, but there are legitimate concerns surrounding his toughness and strength at the next level. I could have seen him being a lottery pick, but No. 4 overall is way too high.
I hate to say it, but I think Michael Jordan and Co. made another bad decision here.
Grade: D+
7. Sacramento Kings: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
Ben McLemore certainly has the potential to be a high scorer in the NBA, but his inconsistency and tendency to disappear in games at Kansas gives me pause that he will ever live up to his potential.
On top of that, the Kings have a wealth of shoot-first guards. They desperately needed a pure point guard and they failed to draft one, despite Trey Burke and Michael Carter-Williams still being on the board.
Grade: C-
13. Boston Celtics (via Mavericks): Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
Not only did the Celtics agree on a trade on Thursday that would send Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry out of Boston, according to ESPN, they picked the wrong man to eventually supplant Garnett.
Kelly Olynyk has a nice inside-outside game with range, but he's lacking in terms of rebounding and defense. Those skills are rather important for a big man in the NBA. The Celtics gave up No. 16 overall pick and two future second-rounders, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston, to move up three spots and grab Olynyk.
You wonder if defensive-minded Doc Rivers would have allowed this trade if he was still coach of the Celtics.
Grade: D+
