A Trip Back In Time: A Comprehensive Breakdown The 2006 NBA Draft

With the 2009 NBA draft rapidly approaching, I figured it might be a good time to look to the past and study how the 2006 NBA draft impacted teams in the league today.

Most analysts agree that a draft can only be accurately judged three years down the road. That gives enough time for the players to develop their game and adjust to the league, while giving managers, coaches, and fans the chance to see what a player can do, what he can’t do, and what role he can serve on his team.

With that as an introduction, I present my analysis of the 2006 NBA Draft. Overall, the 2006 draft class is an underwhelming one due to the number of major busts at the top of the draft.

Andrea Bargnani hasn’t shown the dominance expected of number-one picks, while Sheldon Williams, Adam Morrison, Patrick O’ Bryant, and Mouhamed Sene log major minutes on the inactive list.

As always, there were a number of picks traded on draft day, before draft day, and in the case of the 22nd pick of the first round, six years prior to the selections being made. Trades involving draft picks occurring a year before the draft will be counted as part of the draft because under many circumstances actual players are more important than picks.

To give context of how each player turned out in relation to what number he was drafted, I’ve created a list of the top 5 players at each position, and the top 10 players overall, based on talent, impact on their team to date, and player potential.

Top Five Centers

1) Andrea Bargnani
2) Josh Boone
3) Hilton Armstrong
4) Ryan Hollins
5) Paul Davis

Top Five Power Forwards

1) LaMarcus Aldridge
2) Paul Millsap
3) Tyrus Thomas
4) Leon Powe
5) Craig Smith

Top Five Small Forwards

1) Rudy Gay
2) Rodney Carney
3) Renaldo Balkman
4) Adam Morrison
5) Shawne Williams

Top Five Shooting Guards

1) Brandon Roy
2) Ronnie Brewer
3) Thabo Sefolosha
4) Randy Foye
5) J.J. Redick

Top Five Point Guards

1) Rajon Rondo
2) Daniel Gibson
3) Jordan Farmar
4) Kyle Lowry
5) Sergio Rodriguez

Top Ten Overall Players

1) Brandon Roy
2) LaMarcus Aldridge
3) Rajon Rondo
4) Rudy Gay
5) Paul Millsap
6) Ronnie Brewer
7) Tyrus Thomas
8) Leon Powe
9) Andrea Bargnani
10) Daniel Gibson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_nba_draft

* Order of team grades will be determined by which teams had the earliest remaining pick. Grades will take into account players drafted and picks traded. A number in parenthesis indicates the number of pick. A player in parenthesis indicates what player a traded pick turned into.*

Toronto Raptors

Picks involved in: (1) Drafted Andrea Bargnani. (20) Traded Jalen Rose and the pick (Renaldo Balkman) for Antonio Davis. (35) Drafted P.J. Tucker.

Players Received: Andrea Bargnani, Antonio Davis, P.J. Tucker
Players Lost: Jalen Rose, Renaldo Balkman

Review: The Raptors not only failed to select the best player in the draft, Brandon Roy, but they also missed out on LaMarcus Aldridge, the best big man in the draft. Bargnani’s been a slow-to-develop creampuff who is too slow for a perimeter player and too soft for an interior player. Plus, his defense is among the worst in the league. And why would the Raptors invest in a finesse-oriented big man when they already had Chris Bosh?

Trading Jalen Rose for Antonio Davis and Renaldo Balkman netted the Raptors financial flexibility which helped in their making the playoffs the next two seasons. While Balkman is a long-armed defender, Toronto was well-equipped with solid defensive wings in Morris Peterson and Anthony Parker.

P.J. Tucker was a miss that should’ve been Paul Millsap, Leon Powe, or Craig Smith considering the dearth of muscle power that has plagued Toronto in the Bosh era. Too many misses means a failure as a grade.

Grade: F

Chicago Bulls

(2) Traded Eddy Curry, Antonio Davis, and the No. 23 pick (Wilson Chandler) to New York for the pick, Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney, Jermaine Jackson, the No. 9 pick in 2007 (Joakim Noah), the No. 38 pick in 2007 (Kyrylo Fesenko), and a second-round 2009 pick. Chicago then drafted LaMarcus Aldridge and traded him and the No. 53 pick in 2007 (Demetrius Nichols) for the rights to the No. 4 pick Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa. (13) Philadelphia drafted Thabo Sefolosha, then traded him to Chicago for the rights to the No. 16 pick Rodney Carney, and the No. 38 pick in 2007 (Kyrylo Fesenko).

Players Received: Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney, Jermaine Jackson, Joakim Noah, 2009 second-round pick, Tyrus Thomas, Viktor Khryapa, Thabo Sefolosha
Players Lost: Eddy Curry, Antonio Davis, Wilson Chandler, Demetrius Nichols, Rodney Carney

Review: Chicago essentially traded Eddy Curry and Wilson Chandler to the Knicks for Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah. Surprisingly, Wilson Chandler may actually be the best player in the deal.

Worse, they drafted LeMarcus Aldridge and shipped him to Portland for Thomas. Thomas is athletic and improving, but Aldridge is the superior defender and post player, and doesn’t make nearly the mistakes Thomas does. Considering how similar Thomas and Joakim Noah are, the Bulls are kicking themselves for not having Aldridge. Their lack of a post presence has been their biggest drawback the last three seasons.

Thabo Seflosha has more talent than Rodney Carney, he just hasn’t been able to reach his potential. Overall, an awful draft with awful personnel decisions and ramifications.

Grade: D-

Charlotte Bobcats

(3) Drafted Adam Morrison. (50) in 2005, traded Jason Hart to Sacramento for the rights to the pick. Drafted Ryan Hollins

Players Received: Adam Morrison, Ryan Hollins
Players Lost: Jason Hart

Review: Despite Adam Morrison being a talented college scorer, Charlotte’s scouting department failed to account for Morrison’s complete inability to play defense, handle contact, or play with confidence against superior athletes. He’s another example that non-athletes don’t make good lottery picks.

Ryan Hollins has survived in the league as an energetic backup big man. Still, Charlotte should have had Brandon Roy.

Grade: F

Portland Trail Blazers

(2) Chicago drafted LaMarcus Aldridge then traded him and the No. 53 pick in 2007 (Demetrius Nichols) for the rights to the No. 4 pick Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa. (6) Boston drafted the No. 7 pick Randy Foye and traded him Dan Dickau, and Raef LaFrentz to Portland for Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, and the No. 46 pick in 2007 (Trent Plaisted). Portland then traded Randy Foye to Minnesota to the rights for No. 6 pick Brandon Roy.

(30) In 2005, Portland traded the No. 3 pick in 2005 (Deron Williams) to Utah for the pick (Joel Freeland), the No. 6 pick in 2005 (Martell Webster), and No. 27 pick in 2005 (Linas Kleiza). Drafted Joel Freeland. (31) Drafted James White then traded him to Indiana for the rights to No. 45 Alexander Johnson, the No. 42 pick in 2007 (Derrick Byars), and the No.55 pick in 2008 (Mike Taylor). Then traded Alexander Johnson to Memphis for the No. 33 pick in 2008 (Joey Dorsey).

Players Acquired: LaMarcus Aldridge, Demetrius Nichols, Dan Dickau, Raef LaFrentz, Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, Linas Kleiza, Joel Freeland, Derrick Byars, Mike Taylor, Joey Dorsey
Players Lost: Tyrus Thomas, Viktor Khryapa, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, Trent Plaisted, Deron Williams, James White

Review: Portland had an action-packed draft and overhauled their team for the better. All the excitement over Portland’s potential championship future has come as a result of the 2006 draft.

Not only did they get the best player in the draft, but they got the two best players in the entire draft, a stunning success. Brandon Roy has the talent and the craftiness to someday be an MVP. LaMarcus Aldridge is a finesse oriented big man, but he’s the only player in the entire draft who can both post for points and swat shots.

The only mistake they made came the season before when they essentially traded Deron Williams to Utah for Martell Webster, and Joel Freeland. Williams has become an elite point guard, while Webster is strictly a backup and Freeland hasn’t played a minute in the NBA, the only first round pick not to do so. Still, acquiring the two best players in the draft more than makes up for it.

Grade: A+

Atlanta Hawks

(5) Drafted Sheldon Williams. (21) Traded Boris Diaw, the pick (Rajon Rondo) and the No. 15 pick in 2008 (Robin Lopez) to Phoenix for Joe Johnson. (33) Drafted Solomon Jones.

Players Received: Sheldon Williams, Joe Johnson, Solomon Jones
Players Lost: Boris Diaw, Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez

Review: Shelden Williams has been a nobody in the league and a waste of a lottery pick. Solomon Jones is a respectable shot-blocking big. Acquiring Joe Johnson was a good move, even if they had to get rid of the human Swiss-army knife Boris Diaw, and a future superstar point guard Rajon Rondo, to do so.

Johnson gives the Hawks a big time scorer and playmaker, something they needed more than the distributing skills of Rondo and Diaw.

Grade: B-

Minnesota Timberwolves

(6) Drafted Brandon Roy then traded him to Portland for the rights to No. 7 pick Randy Foye. (36) Boston traded Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Justin Reed, the pick and the No. 31 pick in 2008 (Nikola Pekovic) to Minnesota for Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones, and a future first round pick.

Then drafted Craig Smith. (37) Drafted Bobby Jones, then traded him to Philadelphia for the No. 41 pick in 2007 (Chris Richard). (57) Traded Nikoloz Tskitishvilli to Phoenix for the pick. Then drafted Loukas Mavrokefaladis.

Players Received: Randy Foye, Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Justin Reed, Nikola Pekovic, Craig Smith, Chris Richard, Loukas Mavrokefaladis

Players Lost: Brandon Roy, Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones, Bobby Jones, Nikoloz Tskitishvilli

Review: Trading Brandon Roy for Randy Foye is an all-time blunder. There are reasons why Portland is a blossoming contender and Minnesota is a doormat, and most of them stem from that decision.

None of the players acquired in the Wally Szczerbiak deal had the talent to overrule their poor team-basketball skills, though it did absolve Minnesota of their awful decision to pay Szczerbiak a $63 million dollar contract a few seasons prior.

Craig Smith is a hard worker and Chris Richard is a run-of-the-mill banger, but unless they were Gilbert Arenas and Carlos Boozer, they wouldn’t make up for the mistake of giving away Brandon Roy.

Grade: F

Boston Celtics

(7) Drafted Randy Foye, then traded him, Dan Dickau, and Raef LaFrentz to Portland for Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, and the No. 46 pick in 2008 (Trent Plaisted). (21) Phoenix drafted Rajon Rondo then traded him and Brian Grant for the No. 27 pick in 2007 (Rudy Fernandez). (36) Traded the pick (Craig Smith), the No. 31 pick in 2008 (Nikola Pekovic), Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Marcus Banks, and Justin Reed to Minnesota for Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones, and a future pick.

(49) Traded the No. 49 pick in 2007 (pick wound up in Chicago as Aaron Gray) to Denver for the rights to No. 49 pick Leon Powe. (56) Acquired the pick, the No. 31 pick in 2008 (Nikola Pekovic), Qyntel Woods, and Albert Mirales from Miami for Antoine Walker. Boston also received Curtis Borchardt from Utah. Boston traded the No. 56 pick to New Orleans for Dan Dickau. The pick wound up in Toronto where the Raptors selected Edin Bavcic.

Players Received: Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, Trent Plaisted, Rajon Rondo, Brian Grant, Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones, Leon Powe, Qyntel Woods, Albert Mirales, Curtis Borchardt

Players Lost: Randy Foye, Raef LaFrentz, Rudy Fernandez, Craig Smith, Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Marcus Banks, Justin Reed, Aaron Gray, Antoine Walker

Review: They solved their point guard situation by trading for Rajon Rondo, who is already an elite point guard after three seasons. They also dumped a load of poor character guys onto Minnesota for a trade chip in Wally Szczerbiak, disposed themselves of Antoine Walker’s underwhelming game, and stole Leon Powe from the Nuggets.

A very productive draft in terms of acquiring pieces that made their 2007-2008 title run possible.

Grade: A

Houston Rockets

(8) Drafted Rudy Gay then traded him and Stromile Swift to Memphis for Shane Battier. (32) Drafted Steve Novak. (44) Orlando drafted Lior Eliyahu then sold him to Houston.

Players Received: Shane Battier, Steve Novak, Lior Eliyahu
Players Lost: Rudy Gay

Review: In acquiring Battier, the Rockets picked up the premier wing defender in the NBA, a clutch shooter, and one of the smartest basketball IQ’s in the entire league. Without Battier, the Rockets wouldn’t have had the defense to survive 13 games with the rugged Jazz, and wouldn’t have had a prayer of accounting for Kobe Bryant in Houston’s second-round series last season.

While Rudy Gay struggles to understand any semblance of team basketball with the moribund Grizzlies, Battier’s helped round the Rockets into contenders and is the perfect example of why pure, raw, talent isn’t the only factor in creating a basketball team.

Steve Novak is a floor-stretching power forward, though Paul Millsap or Leon Power would have been better targets.

Grade: A

Golden State Warriors

(9) Drafted Patrick O’ Bryant (38) Drafted Kosta Perovic.

Review: The Warriors have needed size, but they swung and missed with the lanky, unproductive O’ Bryant, who is now on his third team in three years. As mediocre as Hilton Armstrong has been, he would’ve been the better pick.  Kosta Perovic only lasted seven games for Golden State before they waived him.

An irrelevant draft which has helped berth a now-irrelevant team.

Grade: F

Seattle Supersonics

(10) Drafted Mouhamed Sene. (40) Drafted Denham Brown.

Review: Mouhamed Sene was the third straight project center the Sonics selected in the first round, following Robert Swift and Johan Petro. Considering the Sonics had Swift and Petro on board, why exactly did they select Sene? It wasn’t just a bad pick in hindsight, but a terrible selection at the time. Brown is one of the few Americans in the draft who never played a single game in the NBA.

Even though the Sonics only had two swings, they struck out in the 2006 draft.

Grade: F

Orlando Magic

(11) Drafted J.J. Redick. (41) Drafted James Augustine. (44) Drafted Lior Eliyahu then sold him to Houston..

Players Received: J. J. Redick, James Augustine
Players Lost: Lior Eliyahu

Review: The thought was that J.J. Redick was supposed to provide spacing to stretch the floor opposite Dwight Howard, but Redick’s been a disappointing shooter. James Augustine isn’t strong enough to be a valuable player in the NBA. Paul Millsap and Leon Powe were still available.

Grade: D

New Orleans Hornets

(12) Drafted Hilton Armstrong. (15) Traded Jamal Magloire to Milwaukee for Desmond Mason and the #15 pick. Then drafted Cedric Simmons. (43) Drafted Marcus Vinicius. (56) Boston traded the pick (Edin Bavcic) to New Orleans for Dan Dickau. New Orleans then traded the #56 pick (Edin Bavcic) and a 2009 second-round pick to Toronto for Aaron Williams.

Players Received: Hilton Armstrong, Desmond Mason, Cedric Simmons, Marcus Vinicius, Aaron Williams

Players Lost: Jamal Magloire, Dan Dickau

Review: In a terrible draft for centers, Hilton Armstrong was the best selection at the 12 spot. If nothing else, he’s proven to be a center who’ll block a shot or two, grab a few rebounds, and won’t embarrass himself.

He also allowed the Hornets to trade away Jamaal Magloire for the slashing, posting Desmond Mason. Neither Edin Bavcic, Dan Dickau, nor Aaron Williams would have made a significant impact on the Hornets.

Grade: C+

Philadelphia 76ers

(13) Drafted Thabo Sefolosha then traded him to Chicago for the rights to No. 16 pick Rodney Carney and the 38 pick in 2007 (Kyrylo Fesenko). (37) Traded the No. 41 pick in 2007 (Chris Richard) to Minnesota for the rights to #37 pick Bobby Jones. (42) Traded the pick and Lee Nailon to Cleveland for an unexercised second round pick. Cleveland then drafted Daniel Gibson. (56) Toronto drafted Edin Bavcic and sold him to Philadelphia.

Players Received: Rodney Carney, Kyrylo Fesenko, Bobby Jones, Edin Bavcic

Players Lost: Thabo Sefolosha, Chris Richard, Lee Nailon, Daniel Gibson

Review: Neither Thabo Seflosha nor Carney has developed into above-average NBA players. Ditto for Bobby Jones, Kyrylo Fesenko, Edin Bavcic, and Chris Richard. However, the Sixers did trade Lee Nailon and the draft pick that eventually turned into Daniel Gibson for a conditional pick that went unexercised. Considering how Gibson has carved a niche for himself as a decent defender and shooter, the fact that the Sixers got nothing for him is disappointing.

Grade: D+

Utah Jazz

(14) Drafted Ronnie Brewer. (30) In 2005, traded the pick, the No. 6 pick in 2005 (Martell Webster), and the No. 27 pick in 2005 (Wound up in Denver as Linas Kleiza), and the #30  to Portland for the No. 3 pick in 2005 (Deron Williams). Portland drafted Joel Freeland. (46) Drafted Dee Brown. (47) Drafted Paul Millsap.

Players Received: Ronnie Brewer, Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Paul Millsap

Players Lost: Martell Webster, Linas Kleiza, Joel Freeland

Review: Deron Williams counts in this draft because the Jazz gave up a 2006 first round pick in 2005 to get him. Williams has become one of the top-two point guards in the game, while Joel Freeland has never set foot in the NBA.

Of the actual picks the Jazz used in 2006, Ronnie Brewer has turned into a defensive standout and a hyper-athletic finisher whether on the break or snaking along the baseline. If he ever develops a jump shot, he can become an exceptional player. And to top it off, Paul Millsap was easily the steal of the second round. Even without Williams, the draft would have earned the Jazz an “A.” Taking into account their total draft picture, they managed to do even better.

Grade: A+

Indiana Pacers

(17) Drafted Shawne Williams. (31) Traded the rights to No. 45 pick Alexander Johnson, the No. 42 pick in 2007 (Derrick Byars), and the No. 55 pick in 2008 (Mike Taylor) to Portland for the rights to No. 31 pick James White.

Players Received: Shawne Williams, James White

Players Lost: Derrick Byars, Mike Taylor, Alexander Johnson

Review: Shawne Williams has never developed, but Indiana can’t be killed for the pick because there are no clear cut wings they should’ve taken. Still, considering how unsettled their point guard situation has been since they finally opened their eyes to Jamaal Tinsely’s personal flaws, Rajon Rondo could’ve been taken. None of the second round picks have amounted to anything of substance.

Grade: D+
Washington Wizards

(18) Drafted Oleksiy Pecherov. (48) Drafted Vladimir Veremeenko

Review: Oleksiy Pecherov’s best attribute is his three-point range as a seven-footer. While he hasn’t developed yet, the Wizards could’ve afforded to draft a project in 2006 considering how their roster was set with Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, and Brendan Haywood. It’s doubtful whether Vladimir Veremeenko will every play in the NBA.

Grade: C

Sacramento Kings

(19) Drafted Quincy Douby. (50) In 2005, traded the pick to Charlotte for Jason Hart. Charlotte then drafted Ryan Hollins.

Players Received: Quincy Douby, Jason Hart

Players Lost: Ryan Hollins

Review: Quincy Douby is a poor-shooting slasher that hasn’t been much more than roster filler in his young career. Jason Hart is the quintessential NBA journeyman while Ryan Hollins has become an adequate energy big off the bench. Sacramento needed athleticism from the draft and failed to acquire it.

Grade: D

New York Knicks

(20) Traded Antonio Davis to Toronto for Jalen Rose, and the pick. Then drafted Renaldo Balkman. (29) Drafted Mardy Collins.

Players Received: Jalen Rose, Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins

Players Lost: Antonio Davis

Review: By trading away Antonio Davis’ expiring contract, the Knicks got stuck with Jalen Rose’s enormous salary on the books for a year. Despite being booed on draft night, Renaldo Balkman gave the Knicks a talented defender—a rare commodity during Isaiah Thomas’ tenure as Head Coach and General Manager.

Mardy Collins lacks the talent to be a serviceable player, but there weren’t too many options out there besides Daniel Gibson.

Grade: D+

Phoenix Suns

(21) Atlanta traded the pick, the No. 15 pick in 2008 (Robin Lopez), and Boris Diaw to Phoenix for Joe Johnson. Phoenix then drafted Rajon Rondo and traded him, and Brian Grant to Boston for the No. 24 pick in 2007 (Rudy Fernandez). (27) Drafted Sergio Rodriguez, then sold him to Portland. (57) Traded the pick to Minnesota for Nikoloz Tskitishvilli. Minnesota then drafted Loukas Mavrokefalidis.

Players Received: Boris Diaw, Robin Lopez, Nikoloz Tskitishvilli, Rudy Fernandez

Players Lost: Joe Johnson, Brian Grant, Sergio Rodriguez, Loukas Mavrokefalidis

Review: Though Phoenix did acquire the draft pick that eventually became Rudy Fernandez in the Joe Johnson deal, he doesn’t really count as part of the trade since he was traded on draft day 2007. So in trading Johnson, all the Hawks received were Boris Diaw and Robin Lopez.

Diaw thrived for Phoenix in 2005-2006, filling in for an injured Amare Stoudemire with his unselfishness and passing ability opening up the Suns' full-throttle offense. However, Diaw alone doesn’t make up for Johnson’s talents, and Robin Lopez looks like a total bust.

Phoenix could have had their backup point guard in Sergio Rodriguez, and their backup wing in Rudy Fernandez but didn’t hold on to either. Rajon Rondo’s inability to shoot wouldn’t fly in Phoenix, but the Suns didn’t get anyone of note by trading him.

Instead of filling their team needs, the Suns played cheapskate and got rid of a star in Johnson and a host of young talent to save their bottom line. No wonder, with the Suns more concerned with saving money than winning, they suffered disappointing ends of seasons the past three years.

Grade: F

New Jersey Nets

(22) Drafted Marcus Williams, (23) Drafted Josh Boone, (54) Drafted Hassan Adams.

Review: Team after team passed on Williams during the draft, leading the Nets to believe they stole the pick. Three years later, we now know what made teams so hesitant to select Williams. He simply doesn’t have the court IQ to run a professional team, to say nothing of his lack of talent and aversion to playing defense.

Josh Boone has mastered the art of being a garbage man, and his rebounding, defense, and screen-setting are professional grade. Too bad he can’t make a free throw, let alone have any semblance of an offensive repertoire. Hassan Adams never amounted to anything, but as a late second round pick, it’s hard to fault the Nets.

Grade: C

Memphis Grizzlies

(8) Traded Shane Battier to Houston for the rights to the No. 8 pick Rudy Gay. (24) Drafted Kyle Lowry. (45) Traded the #33 pick in 2008 (Joey Dorsey) to Portland for the rights to the No. 45 pick Alexander Johnson. (53) In 2005, traded the pick and the No. 31 pick in 2007 (Carl Landry) to Seattle for the rights to Lawrence Roberts. Seattle drafted Yotam Halperin.

Players Received: Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry, Alexander Johnson, Lawrence Roberts

Players Lost: Shane Battier, Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey, Yotam Halperin

Review: Consider Memphis’ draft as the minor league of the Houston Rockets.

With the Grizzlies in full salary-shedding mode, they were forced to trade the veteran Shane Battier and look to the future with Rudy Gay. While Gay is little more than an inefficient open-court scorer, he certainly has the talent to be a fixture in Memphis, and he’s the clear second best wing in the draft.

Kyle Lowry is a tough point guard who’s found his niche since leaving Memphis for Houston. Carl Landry is the third player involved in the Grillzlies draft that found his way in Houston, and he has turned out far better than Lawrence Roberts.

Even a 2008 draft pick shipped out by Memphis turned into Joey Dorsey, where he found his way onto Houston’s roster. Though neither he nor Alexander Johnson has NBA staying power, Dorsey is younger.

Give the Grizzlies high marks for picking up Gay and Lowry, and penalize them for missing a chance to grab Landry.

Grade: B-

Cleveland Cavaliers

(25) Drafted Shannon Brown. (42) Traded an unexercised draft pick to Philadelphia for Lee Nailon and the pick. Then drafted Daniel Gibson. (55) Drafted Ejike Ugboaja.

Review: It took three years and three extra teams to realize it, but Shannon Brown is a useful NBA player, while Daniel Gibson’s shooting and defense were important attributes in Cleveland’s 2007 Eastern Conference Championship.

Grade: A

Los Angeles Lakers

(26) Drafted Jordan Farmar. (51) Drafted Cheikh Samb, then traded him to Detroit for Mo Evans. (58) Traded the No. 50 pick in 2007 (Renaldas Seibutis) to Dallas for J.R. Pinnock.

Players Received: Jordan Farmar, Mo Evans, J.R. Pinnock

Players Lost: Cheikh Samb, Renaldas Seibutis

Review: The pick that became Jordan Farmar actually came over from Miami as the final chapter of the Shaquille O’ Neal trade. Farmar is a talented backup point guard in a position in the draft where talent is scarce. Mo Evans never fit in with the Lakers, while Samb, Pinnock, and Seibutis won’t have impact careers for an NBA team.

Grade: A-

Dallas Mavericks

(28) Drafted Mo Ager. (58) Drafted J.R. Pinnock, then traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers for the #50 pick in 2007 (Renaldas Seibutis).

Players Received: Mo Ager, Renaldas Seibutis

Players Lost: J. R. Pinnock

Review: Mo Ager has been a bench warmer for the Mavs and Nets, and doesn’t appear to be anything more than an end of the bench player. Seibutis and Pinnock aren’t NBA players so that deal washes out.

Grade: D+

Los Angeles Clippers

(34) Drafted Paul Davis. (52) Drafted Guillermo Diaz.

Review: The Clippers actually lost their first round pick in 2000 when trey traded it to Orlando for Corey Maggette and Keyon Dooling. The pick eventually became Marcus Williams. Paul Davis was a mediocre center who flashed fleeting glimpses of NBA talent before tearing his ACL in 2008. Guillermo Diaz hasn’t turned into a productive player, but few late second round picks do.

Grade: C

Milwaukee Bucks

(15) Traded the pick and Desmond Mason to New Orleans for Jamaal Magloire. New Orleans then drafted Cedric Simmons. (39) Drafted David Noel. (59) Traded the #33 pick in 2007 (Marcus Williams) to San Antonio to the rights to #59 pick Damir Markota.

Players Received: Jamaal Magloire, David Noel, Damir Markota

Players Lost: Desmond Mason, Cedric Simmons, Marcus Williams

Review: Jamaal Magloire came over for the 2005-2006 season and helped Milwaukee earn a postseason berth, teaming with Andrew Bogut to provide a respectable frontcourt tandem. Desmond Mason was replaced by Bobby Simmons, who turned in one successful and one unsuccessful year in Milwaukee. None of the picks either taken or given up by Milwaukee have amounted to anything of note.

Grade: B-

Denver Nuggets

(49) Drafted Leon Powe. Then traded him to Boston for the #49 pick in 2007 (Wound up in Chicago as Aaron Gray).

Players Received: None

Players Lost: Leon Powe

Review: The Nuggets lost their first round pick in 2004 when they acquired Kenyon Martin from New Jersey. They drafted Leon Powe, but in a cost-cutting move, traded him for a future draft pick they didn’t even hold onto. Powe is a tireless defender and rebounder who also has an accomplished post up game, something the Nuggets frontcourt stable the past three years—Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin, Nene, Chris Anderson—has lacked.

Grade: F

San Antonio Spurs

(59) Drafted Damir Markota, then traded him to Milwaukee for the #33 pick in 2007 (Marcus Williams).

Players Received: Marcus Williams

Players Lost: Damir Markota

Review: The Spurs gave up their first round pick when they gave up Malik Rose and his enormous contract to the Knicks. They didn’t need a draft pick in 2006-2007 as they won the title that year. And while neither Damir Markota nor Marcus Williams have done anything as pros, Williams has been a D-League standout and has offered glimpses that he can actually play. Not a bad play considering how they had the second to last pick of the draft.

Grade: A-

Detroit Pistons

(51) Traded Mo Evans to the Los Angeles Lakers for the rights to #51 pick Cheikh Samb. (60) Drafted Will Blalock.

Players Received: Cheikh Samb, Will Blalock

Players Lost: Mo Evans

Review: Evans has been a late bloomer in the NBA, where his tough defense and powerful driving ability have given him a career. However, because of attitude problems and a lack of focus, he’s often worn out his welcome and has bounced around the league as a result.

Because Detroit’s needed more bench production from their wing positions, they needed him more than the project big Cheikh Samb. Will Blalock actually had a cup of coffee in the NBA, a rarity for last picks of the draft.

Grade: D+

Miami Heat

(56) Traded the pick, the No. 38 pick in 2008 (Nikola Pekovic), Qyntel Woods and Albert Mirales to Boston, Eddie Jones to Memphis, and Rasual Butler to New Orleans. Received Antoine Walker from Boston, James Posey, Andre Emmett, and Jason Williams from Memphis, and Robert Duenas from New Orleans. The pick wound up in Toronto as Edin Bavcic.

Players Received: Antoine Walker, James Posey, Andre Emmett, Jason Williams, Robert Duenas.

Players Lost: Edin Bavcic, Qyntel Woods, Albert Mirales, Eddie Jones, Rasual Butler

Review: You can’t fault the Heat for trading away two second round picks, Eddie Jones, and Rasual Butler considering how Antoine Walker, James Posey, and Jason Williams helped the Heat win the championship in 2006. While it did leave the cupboard bare, winning a title supersedes everything.

Grade: A+