It’s time to do first round grades. Joining me this time is my friend Cody Martin, he’s going to be writing for us this upcoming draft cycle so you will hear more from him in the future.
The Assisted Development NBA Draft Newsletter. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
1- Atlanta Hawks - Zaccharie Risacher
19: 6’8 210 Forward JL Bourg.
Jordan: 5th on the Big Board
B-
Risacher to me is not as safe of a pick as others have said. I am worried that his floor is lower than the consensus is and his ceiling is just not all that high. However with Sarr refusing to work out for Atlanta their hands were tied, I would have still risked it but they chose not to.
Cody: Big Board 4th.
Grade B
Fits team need by adding a three-and-D wing, but his ceiling is capped unless he can learn to improve handles and shot creation.
2- Washington Wizards- Alexander Sarr
19: 7’ 225 Big Perth Wildcats (France).
Jordan: 1st on the Big Board
A+
Washington takes the best player on the board. With their team hitting hard reset this last year there’s not fit worries, they are building around Sarr.
Cody: Big Board 1st.
Grade A
Wizards got the best guy below the first pick and can truly start their rebuild in earnest with a potential franchise player.
3- Houston Rockets- Reed Sheppard
19: 6’3 180 Guard Kentucky.
Jordan: 3rd on the Big Board
A
Houston gets both the best fit and almost hits best player available here. They continue their tradition of drafting my favorites and forcing me to root against them. The rockets are the worst.
Cody: Big Board 3rd.
Grade B+
Solid pick with his three point shooting and athleticism, but everything depends on whether he can meet/exceed expectations on his point guard skills.
4- San Antonio Spurs- Stephon Castle
19: 6’7 210 Guard UCONN.
Jordan: 8th on the Big Board.
B
I don’t hate this from the Spurs but I also don’t love it. Castle didn’t take the point guard duties in college so we will see if he’s right about being one now.
Cody: Big Board 2nd.
Grade A
They have their point guard of the future to pair with Wenbanyama. He just needs to work on extending the range of his shot.
5- Detroit Pistons- Ron Holland
19: 6’8 200 Forward Ignite.
Jordan: 11th on the Big Board.
C-
Honestly, what on earth are the pistons doing? Do they hate Cade this much? There’s not even a tiny amount of spacing on this team. How on earth are you supposed to play Asuar and Holland together? This is the worst possible position for Ron, I hate it for him.
Cody: Big Board 17th.
Grade D
Pistons biggest need was outside shooting and once again their front office disappoints with a pick that can’t shoot and will take time to develop. If this keeps up, Cade Cunningham will want out of Detroit.
6- Charlotte Hornets- Tidjane Salaun
19: 6’8 212 Forward Cholet (France.)
Jordan: 29th on the Big Board.
F-
Honestly, there should be a grade lower than an F-. The Hornets can’t develop talent, they took one of the worst prospects in the first round at 6, and one who needs structure to survive. I was already worried about Salaun finding a spot in the league, now it just feels impossible.
Cody: Big Board 6th.
Grade C-
Speaking of front office disappointments, Charlotte elected to draft a project instead of finding someone that can help Lamelo Ball make the playoffs. On another team I could see Salaun thriving, but Charlotte has repeatedly shown an inability to develop talent, making this another bad pick for the franchise.
7- Portland Trailblazers- Donavan Clingan
20: 7’3 280 Pivot UCONN.
Jordan: 4th on the Big Board.
A+
This is an excellent pick, that along with the Deni trade makes it clear that they are looking for a defensive identity with the offensive backcourt. Portland had a very good night tonight.
Cody: Big Board 10th.
Grade B-
Solid player in a weird situation as he goes to a team that already traded for Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams last year. Their plan may have been to draft best player available, but they’re gonna have a rough time finding minutes for Clingan in Portland.
8- Minnesota Timberwolves- Robert Dillingham
19: 6’2 165 Guard Kentucky.
Jordan: 7th on the Big Board.
A+
While I had both Matas and Topic still higher on my board there is just frankly not another team fit better than this in the entire draft. Rob is excellent at what they need on offense and his defensive limitations can be covered up by the rest of the roster. This is a hand in glove fit. Basically the perfect draft pick.
Cody: Big Board 5th.
Grade A+
Timberwolves make a stunning trade for the 8th pick in this draft and get a guard that is in a perfect situation, providing shooting that they need on a team that can hide his defensive limitations. As Mike Conley starts to age out of the league, Dillingham can work his way into a starting role overtime.
9- Memphis Grizzlies- Zach Edey
22: 7’5 300 Pivot Purdue (Canada).
Jordan: 14th on the Big Board.
B
I didn’t love this pick, the fit is excellent but I do feel the asset management is a bit poor. Memphis could have probably moved back in the draft and still got Edey.
Cody: Big Board 9th.
Grade A-
Most have Edey ranked lower, but I believe he can really make a huge impact in the league with his size and shot making around the basket. He ends up in an amazing situation in Memphis and could get a lot of minutes early on.
10- Utah Jazz- Cody Williams
19: 6’8 180 Forward Colorado.
Jordan: 15th on the Big Board.
B+
I am lower on Williams. I would have taken Collier here. This grade would be lower if Collier didn’t miraculously drop to Utah later on.
Cody: Big Board 7th.
Grade A-
Great potential and is in a good situation in Utah where they will always compete to win while having plenty of opportunities for him to play.
11- Chicago Bulls- Matas Buzelis
19: 6’10 200 Point Forward Ignite (Lithuania).
Jordan: 3rd on the Big Board.
A+
A rare Chicago roster W. Matas is first of an amazing fit in Chicago as they try to build around Ayo, Giddey, White and Williams; he was clearly the best player available; AND he’s from Chicago. You couldn’t write a better story in a book.
Cody: Big Board 16th.
Grade B+
Good situation in Chicago as Buzelis returns to his home town on a rebuilding team that still tries to remain competitive. If his shot can start to fall from the outside, he could be a steal.
12- OKC Thunder- Nikola Topic
19: 6’7 210 Point Forward Red Star (Serbia).
Jordan: 6th on the Big Board
A+
Yes, OKC basically traded this exact player away a week ago, yes Topic is a non shooter who is horrible at defense, no this was not at all a suspect pick. Topic was clearly the best player available and OKC is in the best possible position to just let him rehab his ACL tear this year and work on his shot.
Cody: Big Board 8th.
Grade A-
The Thunder now have their Giddey replacement and on a stacked team he can take the time he needs to come back healthy from his injury and develop appropriately.
13- Sacramento Kings- Devin Carter
21: 6’3 190 Guard Providence.
Jordan: 12th on the Big Board.
A-
This grade would be higher if I knew for a fact he would have a rotation spot. Fitting next to the Kings stars will be easy for Carter but they have so many short wings right now that I am wondering if a trade opens things up for him though.
Cody: Big Board 15th.
Grade B
Kings drafted a solid backup for De’Aaron Fox, as well as insurance in case he decides to leave.
14- Washington Wizards- Carlton Carrington
19: 6’5 200 Wing Pitt.
Jordan: 17th on the Big Board.
B-
This pick seems to, from just the early reactions, be getting more hate than I thought it would. I would have gone in a different direction (Collier again) but it is a perfectly reasonable decision to go with Bub.
Cody: Big Board 18th.
Grade B-
Wizards traded Deni Avdija to get this pick. Carrington could be a good guard to develop for their future, but I’m not sure he was worth what Avdija could have developed into.
15- Miami Heat- Kel’El Ware
20: 7’1 230 Pivot Indiana.
Jordan: 13th on the Big Board.
B+
This is a perfectly defensible pick. I just thought Collier’s fit in Miami was impeccable. Ware will be a great addition to Miami though and the future is still bright for them.
Cody: Big Board 28th.
Grade B-
Great situation for Ware as the backup to Bam Adebayo and if anyone can help with his motor issues, it’d be Butler and the Heat culture, but drafting for a backup center is a bit lackluster for a team needing to build a winner now.
16- Philadelphia 76ers- Jared McCain
19: 6’3 200 Point Duke.
Jordan: 19th on the Big Board.
B
I’m gonna be honest I don’t have any idea how to grade this pick. I want to say incomplete. This could be great, the offensive fit with Maxey and Joel is there for sure. The questions with how a Maxey-McCain backcourt will hold up defensively are also really there. We will find out more in the coming weeks as Philly, I don’t know, signs actual players.
Cody: Big Board 11th.
Grade B
McCain is a great value this far in the draft, but with Tyrese Maxey already on the team, McCain’s ceiling may be capped as just a good backup.
17- Los Angeles Lakers- Dalton Knecht
23: 6’6 210 Wing Tennessee.
Jordan: 9th on the Big Board.
A+
This is a great fit with both stars and most likely coach. Dalton fell probably too much because of his age.
Cody: Big Board 14th.
Grade A
Lakers addressed their biggest need by finding a veteran college player with a knack for outside shooting and shot creation. He should be able to make an impact from day one.
18- Orlando Magic- Tristan De Silva
22: 6’10 220 Forward Colorado (Germany).
Jordan: 27th on the Big Board.
B+
Yeah I had De Silva lower but the fit here is good. He helps the Magic tremendously in my opinion, while he’s not a lock down defender himself I don’t think he’s going to give everything away on that end like Joe Ingles did this year.
Cody: Big Board 24th.
Grade B
The Magic were able to find depth at the forward position while also getting a guy that can be a good three-and-D player. Hopefully they can address their need for quality guards in free agency.
19- Toronto Raptors- Ja’Kobe Walter
19: 6’6 200 Guard Baylor.
Jordan: 16th on the Big Board.
A
The Raptors make a decent pick here. Walter fits the mold of who they tend to want in Toronto.
Cody: Big Board 12th.
Grade A-
Raptors stopped a sliding Walter from going further and got a good three-and-D player to add to their depth.
20- Cleveland Cavaliers- Jaylon Tyson
21: 6’7 220 Wing California
Jordan: 28th on the Big Board.
B+
This is a case of someone I would have had higher in the rankings if I had known where he was going to land. I love this fit.
Cody: Big Board 20th.
Grade A
Tyson meets a need for the Cavs and should be able to contribute early and give quality minutes to a contending team.
21- New Orleans Pelicans- Yves Missi
19: 6’11 230 Big Baylor (Belgium).
Jordan: 26th on the Big Board
B+
I like this pick up. It seems the pelicans are not going to push hard to bring Jonas back, Missi helps them try a different kind of big next to Zion Williamson.
Cody: Big Board 26th.
Grade C+
Missi technically meets their need for a rim protecting big, but will need plenty of time to develop while the Pelicans need to start winning now. Hopefully Missi can speed up on his development.
22- Denver Nuggets- DaRon Holmes II
21: 6’10 240 Big Dayton.
Jordan: 23rd on the Big Board.
A-
Good fit here for Denver. Idk that they had to trade up to get Holmes but it’s a great fit and they aren’t having to overpay much.
Cody: Big Board 31st.
Grade A
One of the worst kept secrets was the Nuggets potentially promising to pick Holmes in the draft. They now have their Jokic backup in a guy that can play great defense and stretch the floor.
23- Milwaukee Bucks- AJ Johnson
19: 6’5 160 Guard Illawarra Hawks.
Jordan: 43rd on the Big Board.
C+
I really should hate this pick more than I do, but I can’t. The bucks love taking big swings, this is a big swing. I’m not going to fault them too much for having more moxie than I do.
Cody: Big Board 53.
Grade C-
The first BIG reach in the draft, hopefully the Bucks did their homework and found the guy they need. I remain skeptical with his inefficient shooting and lack of defensive ability.
24- Washington Wizards- Kyshawn George
20: 6’8 210 Forward Miami.
Jordan: 18th on the Big Board.
B+
I am a little worried about trying to play 3 of Bub, Poole, Kispert and George together on defense but Bilal and Sarr should help in that regard.
Cody: Big Board 13th.
Grade A,
George is an excellent get this late in the draft and the Wizards continue to find talent in a weaker draft for a rebuilding team to get excited about. George has plenty to work on, but his ceiling is high if he can work to get there.
25- New York Knicks- Pacome Dadiet
18: 6’7 190 Forward Ratiopharm Ulm (France).
Jordan: 47th on the Big Board.
D-
Honestly I hate this. The only positive for this is the Knicks trading off their other picks to get assets back.
Cody: Big Board 30th.
Grade A
Dadiet has one of the highest ceilings in the draft and can develop overseas, saving the Knicks money after they brought in Mikal Bridges and paid OG Anunoby this summer.
26- OKC Thunder- Dillon Jones
23: 6’6 235 Wing Weber St.
Jordan: 54th on the Big Board.
C-
Look, the fit is pretty awesome here but 26th for Dillon Jones seems a bit rich for my blood. If anyone but OKC made this pick it would have been an F.
Cody: Big Board 52nd.
Grade C-,
OKC traded for this pick to grab a guy most had going in the second round. He is an odd player type, and I’m not sure how he fits on the team, but if the Thunder traded to get him, there must be some thought process on how to develop him.
27- Minnesota Timberwolves- Terrence Shannon Jr
22: 6’7 220 Wing Illinois.
Jordan: 22nd on the Big Board.
A-
What a draft for Minnesota! Shannon would have gone higher if he didn’t spend half the season proving in court that he didn’t sexually assault a woman he hadn’t met. After that case was so quickly decided in his favor I am much more comfortable saying he’s got a bright future as a 3 and D guy in this league.
Cody: Big Board 19th.
Grade B
Solid veteran college player that improved on the offensive end and was great on defensive. Should add valuable depth for the Timberwolves.
28- Phoenix Suns- Ryan Dunn
21: 6’7 215 Forward Virginia.
Jordan: 41st on the Big Board.
B+
This is almost the reverse of the Dillingham situation, Dunn is a Defensive savant who is one of the worst offensive guards in NCAA history. He’s going to have to be schemed around hard but the Josh Okogie role seems ideal for him.
Cody: Big Board 27th.
Grade B+
The Suns get possibly the best defender in the draft at a pick lower than their original, saving valuable money on an expensive roster. The Suns need player providing quality minutes on cheap contracts and Dunn fills that need.
29- Utah Jazz- Isaiah Collier
19: 6’4 205 Point USC.
Jordan: 10th on the Big Board.
A+
This was a major steal for Utah. It completely makes up for passing on him earlier. Collier and Keyonte makes for an exciting young backcourt in Salt Lake City.
Cody: Big Board 27th.
Grade B+
Collier fell far from where he showed in most mocks, but after an unimpressive combine and workouts it is not surprising. Still, at this low in the draft Utah gets great value with a player that can have a high ceiling.
30- Boston Celtics- Baylor Scheierman
23: 6’7 200 Wing Creighton.
Jordan: 30th on the big board.
A+
Of course Boston got an amazing shooter and offensive weapon who will absolutely thrive in 5 out spacing.
Cody: Big Board 29th.
Grade B+,
Celtics get a valuable contributor on their bench as they look to repeat as champions.
