Night one of the NBA Draft went pretty much as expected. My mock (and many others) nailed the first 8 picks of the draft and overall the first round had only a few minor surprises. As the picks unfolded it became super clear just how much talent there was in this first round, all the way down to pick no.30. And that’s where I’ll start.
Mr. Arizona Koa Peat Stays Home
The former Arizona high school player of the year and Arizona Wildcats star didn’t get picked as high as he might have expected but he did get some welcome news when the Phoenix Suns traded up from the second round to draft him with the 30th pick.
Koa Peat’s draft stock was all over the place this season, rising into the top half of the lottery after his awesome opening night performance against the Florida Gators but then sliding throughout the course of the season. His draft stock fell further during the draft process, as his shooting form and lack of an outside shot scared teams away.
But I think the Suns got a steal at pick no.30. Peat is a monster of an athlete who has a NBA ready frame, plays a mature and heady game, and knows his role on the court. Not every player needs to be a high scoring, 3pt-shooting guy and every NBA team needs players who are willing to do the dirty work. Peat is going to come into the Suns organization and work hard, throw his weight around in the paint and be a great role player. And he might even develop that outside shot, that scared teams away with the first 29 picks of the draft.
The Memphis Grizzlies Got Some Beef
The team that already has Zach Edey manning the middle just got two highly skilled and very powerful forwards to add to the roster. The addition of Cameron Boozer with the no.3 pick and Karim Lopez with the 21st pick gives the Grizz an incredibly big, strong and physical front line that is going to be a load to handle.
Boozer has been mocked to the Grizzlies ever since they landed the no.3 pick on lottery night but now that it’s official its easy to get excited about the prospects of this pairing with Edey. In a Western Conference that has a lot of front-line talent the Grizzlies are ready to hold their own.
Karim Lopez is an awesome value at pick no.21. The best prospect to ever come out of Mexico, Lopez also comes in with grown-man strength and a ton of experience playing at a high level. He’s a big wing who plays with energy and power and isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint. I thought he was a lottery-level talent but in this deep draft he slides to no.21.
Memphis suddenly has a very intriguing young core with Edey, Boozer, Lopez, Cedric Coward, Santi Aldama, Tyler Hendricks, Jaylen Wells, Walter Clayton etc.
The Rich Get Richer – OKC Adds Aday Mara And Bennett Stirtz
I thought Aday Mara would go a bit earlier but when he fell to no.12 the Thunder wasted no time in making him the pick. He’s a difference maker in the lane, even if he only plays 20 minutes a night, and he gives them a massive man to help slow down Wemby in the playoffs. This is going to be a match up to watch for a many years. Even if Mara doesn’t turn into a star player he’ll be considered a great pick if he helps the Thunder get past the Spurs.
OKC then traded up one spot from 17 to 16 to take a guy in Bennett Stirtz who should be a valuable role player for the team. Minutes might be hard to come by in year one but he’s the type of steady, older prospect who should be ready to step up and take on minutes whenever they are available.
These are really nice additions to an OKC roster that needed some more size and needed to get cheaper. Great picks.
The 76ers Got A Steal
In many draft a player as talented as Labaron Philon would be a lottery pick but in this loaded first round one of the guards had to fall and the 76ers were the big beneficiary. The team already has Tyrese Maxey and the sensational VJ Edgecombe in the backcourt but needed depth, ball handling and a player who can run the point and let those two high scoring guards play in more of an off-ball role.
Landing Philon helps soften the hurt of trading away Jared McCain and gives Philly one of the most exciting young back courts in the league.
Cameron Carr Falls To The Lakers
I really thought teams would target Carr in the mid teens, maybe even the late lottery, but on draft night he fell to the mid twenties where the Lakers got great value. It’s not every day you find a sweet shooting wing who can fly above the rim and who also has a 7-1 wingspan. Carr is a great off-ball player who could fill a valuable role for the team. Great value with this pick.
With so much talent in this draft there were many, many great picks. The teams in the lottery all got got players that will be impact guys and the depth of talent was impressive. I feel like I could list almost all the first round picks as being favorites, given how good the prospects in this draft are. And there’s plenty more talent to be had on night two, so stay tuned for more!
Check out my full Instant Analysis of each pick and the Best Available list after round one.
Thanks for reading!