Every year I hand out grades just hours after the draft. As a college professor by day, the exercise amounts to the equivalent of giving a student a final grade after the first day of class. There's so much we don't know about the teams and how these players will fit with their respective teams. In other words, these grades are subjective and unfair. In truth, you can't grade a draft for at least two years.
So why do it? Because it gives us a great opportunity to get an instant reaction on the future of every team in the league. What I write today won't be the definitive word on this draft, but it's a great way to start the conversation.
Here's our take on how every team in the league did Thursday night:
ATLANTA HAWKS | GRADE: C
Round 1: Lucas Nogueira (16), Dennis Schroeder (17)
Round 2: Mike Muscala (44), Raul Neto (47)
Analysis: The Hawks probably are losing a chunk of their rotation this offseason and didn't get much help in the draft for next season. It may be several years before we can accurately gauge how well they did.
Nogueira and Schroeder have upside. Nogueira can develop into an effective rim protector, and Schroeder is quick, athletic and tenacious on both ends. But both players appear to be several years from being serious contributors at the NBA level.
Muscala is the opposite of Nogueira and Schroeder. He's a polished college veteran who, of the Hawks' draft picks, might be the most ready to play now. Neto is a good player as well, but he's unlikely to come over to the NBA this year.
BOSTON CELTICS | GRADE: B+
Round 1: Kelly Olynyk (13)
Round 2: Colton Iverson (53)
Analysis: The Celtics made more noise outside the draft on Thursday, agreeing to trade Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the Nets for what boils down to three first-round picks.
So the Celtics are starting over, and it looks like Olynyk will be part of a young core led by Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger. (Rajon Rondo's future in Boston as he recovers from a knee injury is uncertain.)
It could get ugly real fast for Celtics fans. Although I haven't been a huge fan of Olynyk, I think he can stick in the league in the right style of play -- as long as his coach doesn't try to turn him into a center. He can hit shots and get to the rim, although he'll also play some matador defense.
Iverson adds toughness and six fouls, but no one will expect much.