2017 NBA Draft Grades (Lottery)

It'll take at least three to five years to really evaluate this year's draft and how it went down, but who doesn't love some knee-jerk reactions and way too soon grades for picks?

1. Philadelphia 76ers - Markelle Fultz - A

Fultz was pretty much the unanimous #1 overall pick, and the Sixers needed a point guard, so this is an easy grade. Philly filled their need and probably got the best player available, win-win.

2. Los Angeles Lakers - Lonzo Ball - B+

Josh Jackson was the second best player in this draft, and the Lakers had D'Angelo Russell. But, after turning Russell and Mozgov into Brook Lopez, this is far from a bad pick. Lonzo's ceiling is high, but the Lakers better hope he pans out and makes the Staples Center the place to be for free agents in years to come.

3. Boston Celtics - Jayson Tatum - B+

Again, Josh Jackson is the better prospect, but having drafted Jaylen Brown last year, and still having Jae Crowder on the roster (at least for now), Tatum's ability to play the 4 for the Celtics is a good get. Tatum may also have the highest floor of the top 5 picks, even if his ceiling is lower.

4. Phoenix Suns - Josh Jackson - A

If Fultz is the best player now in the draft (not my words), then Jackson has the chance to become the best player from this draft (my words). 

5. Sacramento Kings - De'Aaron Fox - A

The Kings best pick in years. Sacramento finally showed some life in the front office this year, even if Fox was a no-brainer at #5. 

6. Orlando Magic - Jonathan Isaac - B-

Following the top 5 in this draft is tough, and Isaac is a wild card right now, but the Magic are pretty committed already at the guard and post positions, so taking a chance on a high risk-high reward wing isn't a bad move for the Magic.

7. Chicago Bulls (via Timberwolves) - Lauri Markkanen - B+

Saying goodbye to Jimmy Butler and any chance at contending in the East will be tough for Bulls fans, but adding Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen isn't the worst thing if they're going to go all-in on tanking. Chicago now has Lavine, Kris Dunn, Cameron Payne, Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis, and Markkanen to experiment with.

8. New York Knicks - Frank Ntilinkina - B-

Ntilinkina has promise, but if the Knicks wanted a point guard, Dennis Smith was still on the board. The Knicks claim to not want to tank with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis still on the team, but drafting the project of a point guard over an electric, ready to play now guy is certainly a move in the opposite direction.

9. Dallas Mavericks - Dennis Smith - A

This may be the steal of the draft. Mark Cuban should be ecstatic about this pick, with Seth Curry as a fall back, Smith will be given a chance to take the reigns of a solid roster in Dallas, and jump start the post-Dirk Nowitzki era.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (via Kings) - Zach Collins - C

Why? Just, why? The Blazers must know something we don't if they were willing to pass up on taking chances on two bigs at 15 and 20 for the chance to get Collins at #10.

11. Charlotte Hornets - Malik Monk - A

This may also be the steal of the draft. Monk will get to step in next to Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum for a team that desperately needs outside shooting, and has quite the interesting roster. Plus, who doesn't want a Jordan Brand sponsorship?

12. Detroit Pistons - Luke Kennard - A

For a couple minutes Pistons fans may have thought they had a chance to steal Monk here, but Kennard is a great consolation prize. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope set to make the big bucks as a restricted free agent, Detroit can now save their money by adding Kennard's shooting ability.

13. Utah Jazz (via Nuggets) - Donovan Mitchell - C-

This just doesn't make much sense with Joe Johnson, Alec Burks, Rodney Hood, Dante Exum, and maybe Gordon Hayward all still on the roster next year. The only possibility here is that Utah sees Mitchell as an option at point guard if George Hill leaves in free agency.

14. Miami Heat - Bam Adebayo - B-

Not much to say here, this is where the draft is up in the air, and the Heat don't have much as far as returning players go.