2015 NBA Draft: Complete First Round Grades

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Justise Winslow (Duke) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number ten overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

6. Sacramento Kings

Pick: Willie Caulie-Stein, PF/C, Kentucky

Grade: C  

The NCAA defensive player of the year is headed to Sacramento Kings, and it’s a very questionable pick. However, he’s big, can defend and run the floor. He might not be that good on offense but they have Boogie Cousins for that (For now, at least). This guy is a legit defender and is a monster on the fastbreak — offensively and defensively. But how are they going to manage both him and Cousins?

7. Denver Nuggets  

Pick: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China

Grade: A  

This probably means the end of the Ty Lawson era in Denver. Possibly foreshadowing a trade for Cousins? Possibly. Either way, Mudiay is a steal this late in the round. He’s the second best point guard prospect in the draft — he’s athletic, fast, and is very well-rounded.

8. Detroit Pistons

Pick: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona

Grade: B

This guy is an athlete. Pure and simple. He might not be a good finisher or a good shooter, but he has long arms, barrels his way through defenders and can finish the fastbreak. He won’t be under the microscope in Detroit and will have plenty of time to develop.

9. Charlotte Hornets

Pick: Frank Kaminski, PF/C, Wisconsin

Grade: B  

The Hornets needed a shooter and they got one in the NCAA Player of the year, Frank Kaminski. He can shoot, his post game is solid and is very reliable. He will come with the spotlight on him though, after becoming somewhat of a folk hero in the NCAA tournament — and is a little too predictable when he does get in the post. He also has questions on defense, but he is a very good scorer for his size and position.

10. Miami Heat

Pick: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke

Grade: A

Steal. Steal of the draft. How he dropped this far, no one will know. He easily could’ve been a top-5 player in this draft and falling to Miami will prove to be a stroke of genius from Pat Riley.

Next: Pacers, Jazz, Suns, Thunder and Wizards