All week there were rumors from big time players possibly being traded to the possibility of the top 5 of the draft being altered again after Boston traded the top pick to Philadelphia. The draft then came and we did get a very important trade thanks to Minnesota, but there wasn’t much shocking that happened the rest of the night. Picks were swapped or sold but nothing as major as what we were expecting. Now that the draft has come and gone here are the winners and losers of draft night.
Winners:
Minnesota Timberwolves: The night started off with a bang as we learned that Minnesota had traded for Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls. Butler is one the games best two-way players and he will be reuniting with former coach Tom Thibodeau who helped mold Butler into what he has become. The Timberwolves now have a solid looking big 3 of Butler, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl-Anthony Towns to go with other solid pieces like Rubio and Dieng.
Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers made headlines earlier in the week when they traded for the top pick and proceeded to take the drafts best player in Markelle Fultz. Philadelphia now has a core of Fultz, Embiid, Simmons, and Saric which should be very good in a few years provided that all of them stay healthy.
Charlotte Hornets: Leading up to the draft the Hornets needed help down low and a guard that could score. First Charlotte traded for Dwight Howard who has played for current Hornets coach Steve Clifford twice in his career. If anyone can get Howard to lock in it should be Clifford. The Hornets also addressed their need for a scoring guard with the 11th pick and Kentucky product Malik Monk fell to them. With Monk and Howard the Hornets should be better than they were the past season.
Jordan Bell: Bell might have been the drafts luckiest player as the Golden State Warriors purchased the 38th pick from the Chicago Bulls to take the center from Oregon. Bell should fit right in with the Warriors second unit and he will get multiple opportunities to win a title. Not bad for a second round pick.
Losers:
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls not only traded away one of the NBA’s best players but the return they got (Zach Lavine and Kris Dunn) felt like it wasn’t enough for a player of Butlers quality. Now Chicago looks to be heading towards a full rebuild but this is a move that should’ve happened a year or two ago.
Boston Celtics: The Celtics were linked to players such as Fultz, Josh Jackson, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Kristaps Porzingis but after the night ended all the Celtics had was Jayson Tatum who isn’t a bad choice but I would definitely rather every other player mentioned over him. Will Danny Ainge’s hesitancy to pull the trigger this year end up hurting the Celtics?
Paul George: Paul George told the Pacers he wasn’t going to re-sign with them and that he wanted to play in LA for the Lakers so Indiana has been attempting to trade him. He was linked to the Lakers, Celtics, Cavaliers, Nuggets and a few others but as of now he is still a Pacer. Indiana does not want him there come training camp as it would create an awkward situation that the media would have a field day on. Look for George to get moved soon but unfortunately for him, right now he is still a Pacer.
Just Hoops 