NBA: Regrading every first round pick from the 2018 NBA Draft

NBA: Re-grading every first round pick from the 2018 NBA Draft

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (C) poses with NBA Draft Prospects Trae Young, Marvin Bagley III, Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

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NBA draft (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) /

2018 NBA draft: Re-grading Pick Number 24. Anfernee Simons: B

Brought in as something of an unknown after going through IMG Academy and showing flashes of dynamic athletic potential. It was a homerun swing worth taking for a team operating on the margins to add talent around Damian Lillard. This season saw Simons take a step forward and build on some of that potential as a solid rotation player for a playoff team. If he can continue that progression forward this pick will continue to look like a solid success.

Efficiency was the key for Simons in his third season in the league. A season ago his overall production was almost the same (0.5 points more per game in year two vs. year three) but he wasted more possessions for the team. He shot 39.9 percent from the field and 33.2 percent from distance in his second season. This year that jumped to 41.9 percent and 42.6 percent, respectively. The latter number is the difference between hurting your team when you are on the court and being a reliable threat when called upon.

This year also saw Simons take down the dunk contest, showcasing the breathtaking athleticism that brought him to the league in the first place. The swing the Blazers took three years ago is starting to pay off.

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