First-Round Draft Grades For Every NBA Team
Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard/forward James Young (1) shoots against Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Niels Giffey (5) in the second half during the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
16. Denver Nuggets (Chicago): Jusuf Nurkic, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Grade: C-
Nurkic is a big player, a large individual. he will bang in the lost post, set good screens and devour rebounds. His best comparison in the NBA may be the Timberwolves’ Nikola Pekovic. Nurkic was projected to go anywhere from the Lottery to the second round depending on how teams see his upside. He goes to the Bulls as part of the McDermott deal, and he’ll probably play overseas next season.
17. Boston Celtics: James Young, SG, Kentucky
Grade: B
Young took a lot of stand-still shots in his only college season. Young was compared to Morris Peterson, but the Kentucky freshman is probably better at taking opponents off the dribble.
18. Phoenix Suns: Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse
Grade: B+
Bill Simmons thought he could be a rich-man version of D.J. Augustine, while Jalen Rose compared him to Howard Eisley.
19. Chicago Bulls (Denver): Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Grade: B
He’s got a game similar to Bradley Beal. At 6-2, Harris is small, but he can score and play defense. The No. 19pick is part of the proposed trade for Doug McDermott, so Harris will be a Nugget. Once thought to go around the No. 11 spot, Harris is a nice addition for Denver.
20. Toronto Raptors: Bruno Caboclo, SF/PF, Pinheiros
Grade: Incomplete.
A Brazilian Kevin Durant. That’s what some have said about Caboclo. He’s a freak athlete, but he’s so raw. Toronto was one of the few teams to see him in person and the franchise is gambling a lot on a player who probably would’ve slipped into the second round. We’re probably two years away from every hearing his name again, so stay tuned.