NBA Draft: Regrading all 30 teams for the 2019 NBA Draft
Regrading all 30 teams for the 2019 NBA Draft: B Grades
Brooklyn Nets: B
Nic Claxton (31); Jaylen Hands (56)
Nic Claxton looks like he might be the best center in this draft class, a do-it-all defensive big with some classic rim-running traits on offense. He leaped from 31st to 12th in the redraft as he has become the best big defender on a title contender. The Nets’ other second-round pick, Jaylen Hands, has not played a game in the NBA and was mediocre in 40 games in the G League.
Phoenix Suns: B
Cameron Johnson (11); Ty Jerome (24)
The Phoenix Suns were widely panned for trading back from sixth to eleventh in the 2019 NBA Draft and then taking Cameron Johnson, one of the older players in the draft and thought to be a one-trick pony. Johnson has proven his doubters wrong already, playing a key role on a Phoenix team that made the NBA Finals. He is a great shooter but also has some utility attacking closeouts and is helpful on defense.
Ty Jerome, the team’s second first-rounder, is more of a question mark. The 6’5″ guard has logged just 64 total games due to injury, but the good news is he increased his accuracy significantly in his second season, now playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. If he takes another step forward he will begin to look like a rotation player and more worthy of a late first-round pick.
Atlanta Hawks: B
De’Andre Hunter (4); Cam Reddish (10); Bruno Fernando (34)
The Atlanta Hawks went into the 2019 NBA Draft wanting to upgrade their wing depth and their defense, and it’s hard to say they failed in doing so. Hunter is probably the best wing defender in the draft, and as a second-year player flashed real offensive upside. Cam Reddish out of Duke has struggled with an inconsistent shot after being billed as a shooter, but defensively has been a difference-maker and only fell to 15th in the redraft. Finally, Bruno Fernando has been fine as a fourth big but hasn’t popped.
Los Angeles Lakers: B
Talen Horton-Tucker (46)
The Los Angeles Lakers had just a single pick in the back-half of the second round, and yet they came away with a rotation player who might even become something more. Talen Horton-Tucker fell in the draft for unknown reasons, but his work ethic and insane wingspan have translated into a player who might be a hot commodity for the Lakers and the league at large in restricted free agency this summer.