Ben Golliver’s NBA Draft Grades: Who Won Big? 2 Surprises

The 2023 NBA draft was a night for bold maneuvers, with three teams making aggressive moves that left everyone talking. The Chicago Bulls traded their first-round pick and two second-rounders for 20-year-old prospect Brandon Miller, a 6-foot-9 wing with a 40-inch vertical jump. The Charlotte Hornets landed a dynamic backcourt duo with the No. 2 pick and a subsequent trade for 20-year-old Coby White. And the Dallas Mavericks pulled off a stunning three-team trade that netted them the No. 5 pick and another first-rounder.

But how will these moves play out in the long term? History suggests that teams that make bold draft picks often reap rewards, but also face pitfalls. Think of the 2011 Cleveland Cavaliers, who traded for a package of young players that included Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. Or the 2018 Philadelphia 76ers, who mortgaged their future for a title shot that ultimately fell short. As we grade all 30 teams’ draft performances, it’s essential to consider the context and potential risks.

For fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the draft was a heart-wrenching affair. With the No. 3 pick, they selected 19-year-old Brazilian phenom Victor Wembanyama, only to see him immediately become the subject of a bitter contract dispute. As one team source put it, ‘It’s like trading for a superstar player, but then having to negotiate a contract that meets their demands – it’s a whole new level of stress.’ Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, two perennial contenders, focused on bolstering their cores with savvy moves, while the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers looked to the future with promising young players.

So, what’s next for these teams? The Bulls, Hornets, and Mavericks will all be looking to integrate their new players into their lineups and make a deep playoff run. The Timberwolves will be navigating the Wembanyama contract situation, which could become a major distraction. And the rest of the league will be watching to see how these bold moves play out over the next few months.

In our NBA draft grades, we’ll be evaluating each team’s performance based on the following criteria: draft value, player quality, and overall roster improvement. And in the end, only one team can be crowned the winner of the 2023 NBA draft.