It is customary the morning after the draft to do a feature of the winners and losers of the NBA draft.
This piece is going to do things a little differently and focus only on the winners. Winners will take into account, players, teams, and anything or anyone who benefited from the draft and the draft hype. The draft is in reference to all draft night proceedings, and proceedings leading up to draft night. That being said let’s get the ball rolling;
The Balls
There were several rumors leading up to the draft that the Lakers were considering passing on Lonzo. Even more rumors swirled that Lonzo would not work out for any other team but the Lakers. Many basketball experts, commentators and image consultants questioned if such a move was the right strategy. Lonzo is now a Laker, so we know the answer to that question. Lavar ‘spoke it into being’, he got what he always wanted, his first born is now a Laker.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jimmy Butler gets traded to the timberwolves for Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen. That move has to be the highlight of the Thibbs’ regime in Minnesota so far. Butler brings to the Wolves what they so desperately needed, a veteran two-way player. It is a bonus that Butler has just entered his prime. When next season has concluded, the Butler trade will be acknowledged as the tipping point that ended the Wolves’ playoff drought. This was an A+ move by the Timberwolves.
Zach Lavine
Cleveland Cavaliers
Who can forget the classic reaction to being drafted by the Wolves. Zach, you are free now, time to take to the air in the house that Air Jordan built. Zach Lavine needed to be the headline act and not stay stifled behind Towns and Wiggins. His aerial assaults and shooting will be appreciated in the windy city. Can we say a star is born?
Brooklyn Nets and Diangello Russell
The Nets didn’t own the number one draft pick in the 2017 NBA draft. The team that had the worst record in the league lost the pick, and to make matters worst, they lost their 2018 pick as well, thank you, Billy King. This happened and the Nets still won? Yep. D’Angello Russell is exactly what the Nets needed at the right time. They have their young star to build around. Russell won because he finally got his own team, enjoy the show, Brooklyn.
Charlotte Hornets
A motivated big man who can grab boards and block shots. A guard whose range knows no limit once he gets hot. A team missing a shooter and a rebounder. Yep, the Hornets are winners.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings got a starting point guard, a reserve point guard, additional shooting, and a guy who could have been the number one draft pick. Fox, Mason, Jackson, and Giles are not going to help Sacramento win much next year, but whoa, are they ever going to be fun to watch. The Kings have the talent to eventually contend, they will take their lumps but they don’t have any ‘boogie-men’ lurking in the shadows.
Golden State Warriors
What do you give the team that has everything? The Warriors could do with a little toughness and rebounding. Hello, Mr. Bell! Yes, the Empire just got stronger. Somewhere out there Darth Vader is laughing.
The Sixers
Trust the process and we don’t just mean Joel Embiid. The Sixers are stacked at every position, the only thing missing is age. Hello, Iggy. This team is going to be fun to watch. Don’t be surprised if they are playing far into May next season. When the Sixers win it all, they ought to unveil the Sam Hinkie statue, “TRUST THE PROCESS’’.
Must Read: 3 ways the Jimmy Butler trade was helpful for the Cavaliers
Twitterverse
You have a Woj. Nothing more needs be said.