The craze of the 2007 NBA Draft is passed and though the NBA ploughs into the summer free agent frenzy with urgency, it's important to reflect upon the Draft's highlights (and low-lights) in order to understand what maneuvers teams might look to make to fill out their rosters over the next few months.
Dallas Mavericks: C+
Picks: F. Nick Fazekas (34); G. Renaldas Seibutis (50); F. Milovan Rakovic (60) Traded to the Orlando Magic
The Mavericks keep two solid picks in the second round. Fazekas was an excellent college player, but slipped in the draft because of his limited athleticism. Still, he could be a nice fit in Dallas because of his scoring ability and high basketball IQ.
Denver Nuggets: Incomplete
Picks: None
Having lost its first round pick in the Allen Iverson trade, the Nuggets were quiet on draft day.
Golden State Warriors: C+ (Could be raised if it means they land a veteran player they need)
Picks: G. Marco Belinelli (19); F. Jermareo Davidson (36) Traded to Charlotte Bobcats along with FG Jason Richardson for F. Brandan Wright (8)
The Warriors select another guard in Belinelli. He's a combo guard who may be the best pure shooter in the draft. Also, in trading Jason Richardson to the Bobcats, the Warriors clear a lot of cap space to go after a big name player and Brandan Wright provides them with a prospect at the power forward position who has a high ceiling.
Houston Rockets: D+
Picks: PG. Aaron Brooks (26)
Brooks has great potential, but this pick doesn't make sense. The Rockets have Rafer Alston, a shoot-first point guard, they just traded for Mike James, another shoot-first point guard, and they draft Aaron Brooks, another shoot-first point guard. This isn't the best of fits and doesn't solve an immediate need.
LA Clippers: B
Picks: F. Al Thornton (14); PG. Jared Jordan (45)
The Clippers badly need a point guard with Sam Cassell getting older and Shaun Livington out for a year. Yet, it was too tough to pass on a talent like Thornton at pick 14. Drafting Jordan might prove useful, but most likely he won't do too much. Still, selecting Thornton was the right move.
LA Lakers: B+
Picks: PG. Javaris Crittenton (19); G. Sun Yue (40); C. Marc Gasol (48)
The Lakers came away with three bright, young prospects. Crittenton may be one of the most athletic guards in the draft and at 6-5 has great size for point guard. Yue is an intriguing talent who can play guard at 6-9. Marc Gasol is slow, but very strong on the block and has experience playing at high levels.
Memphis Grizzlies: B
Picks: PG. Mike Conley (4)
The Grizzlies fill a need and grab a guy who has amazing potential. For some teams, picking Conley so high would be a reach, but Memphis is the perfect place for Conley. They badly need a point guard and it appears they're looking to rebuild and develop the young prospects they have. Conley will need some time and patience, but should be a formiddable point guard in no time.
Minnesota Timberwolves: A-
Picks: FG. Corey Brewer (7); F. Chris Richard (41)
This was a great draft for the Timberwolves. Brewer probably slipped farther than he should have and will help the Wolves right away and Chris Richard is a very underrated power forward, having played in the shadows of Al Horford and Joakim Noah in college. Look for him to be a potential sleeper.
New Orleans Hornets: C
Picks: F. Julian Wright (13); G. Adam Haluska (43)
Wright is very athletic, but might be a bit overrated. Still, he'll be a good fit with Chris Paul running the offense. The Hornets might have done better by drafting Al Thornton, or even Nick Young or Thaddeus Young. Still, Wright does have the potential to shine.
Phoenix Suns: C+
Picks: G. Rudy Fernandez (24) Traded to the Portland Trail Blazers; F. Alando Tucker (29); G. D.J. Strawberry (59)
The Suns made out pretty well with this draft. Though, trading Fernandez for cash was a suspect move. Still, Tucker is a solid player with a high basketball IQ who could contribute right away and Strawberry is a defensive-minded guy who could be a steal at 59. Interestingly enough, the Suns missed out on drafting a much-needed big man. Tiago Splitter, who slipped to 28th, would have been the perfect pick for him. He's athletic and active, a good shot blocker and probably wouldn't come to the NBA for another year.
Portland Trail Blazers: A+
Picks: C. Greg Oden (1); F. Josh McRoberts (37); F. Derrick Byars (42) Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for PG. Petteri Koponen (30); PG. Taurean Green (52); F. Demetris Nichols (53)
The Blazers made out like bandits in this draft. Not only did they get the number one pick, Greg Oden, whom some proclaim as the second coming of Patrick Ewing, but they also drafted a number of players who were expected to go much higher. McRoberts was thought to go as high as 17 and isn't a big gamble at 37, Byars was also thought to be a first-round pick and trading him for Koponen gives the Blazers a highly regarded point guard prospect in Kaponen, many thought Green had played his way into the early second or late first round and Demetris Nichols could crack the lineup with his stellar shooting.
Sacramento Kings: C+
Picks: C. Spencer Hawes (10)
The Kings needed some youth up front and they got it with Hawes. He has great skill and a lot of talent. Still, there's some risk with him. He doesn't play defense well, he needs to add strength and he's had recent injury problems.
San Antonio Spurs: A
Picks: FC. Tiago Splitter (28); G. Marcus Williams (33); F. Giorgos Printezis (58)
It's amazing how San Antonio picks players that fill needs and who most thought slipped past where they should have been drafted. Splitter could not have landed in a better situation and though Marcus Williams comes with a lot of question marks, he's not a bad gamble in the second round. Another great draft for the Spurs.
Seattle Supersonics: A-
Picks: F. Kevin Durant (2); F. Carl Landry (31) Traded to the Houston Rockets; F. Glen "Baby" Davis Traded to the Boston Celtics, along with G. Ray Allen for F. Jeff Green (5), FG. Wally Szczerbiak and G. Delonte West
On the one hand, the Sonics drafted arguably the best player in the entire draft, and moved a big contract with bad ankles for formiddable prospects. On the other hand, it seems like in such a deep draft, they could have done much better than Carl Landry with the 31st pick, whom some thought should not have even been drafted in the first place.
Utah Jazz: B
Picks: G. Morris Almond (25); F. Herbert Hill (55) Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for F. Kyrylo Fesenko
Not a bad draft by the Jazz. They need help on the perimeter and Almond has the basketball IQ to contribute right away.
