2013 NBA Draft Grades

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2013 NBA Draft Analysis from Media

Originally this linked to a Google Spreadsheet for grades, but most media sources are just doing analysis at this point. I like what @southernflyer started below, so I'll continue. The spreadsheet may reappear.

So far we've compiled analyses from:
ESPN ($): http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/TradeGrades-130627/nba-grading-trades-draft-night
FOX Sports: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/...ysis-cleveland-cavaliers-orlando-magic-062713
SI: http://nba.si.com/2013/06/27/nba-draft-2013-first-round-pick-analysis/?sct=hp_t11_a6&eref=sihp
USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...des-pick-by-pick-cleveland-cavaliers/2465505/
CBS Sports: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/22547776/grades-2013-nba-draft
Yahoo! Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft
Rotoworld: http://www.rotoworld.com/slide/nba/313/2013-NBA-Draft-Round-1
SB Nation: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/6/28/4452216/2013-nba-draft-picks-results-grades
NBADraft.net: http://www.nbadraft.net/2013-nba-draft-grades

Read below for full analysis on each Cavs draft pick.

 

[southernflyer]

E$PN link for Cavs

1

Cleveland

Anthony Bennett 6-8 240 PF UNLV

The Cavs shocked just about everyone by taking Anthony Bennett No. 1. They loved him because they thought he'd be a great pick-and-roll partner for Kyrie Irving. Bennett was the player in this draft with the best chance to be a 20-and-10 guy. I liked Nerlens Noel and Victor Oladipo better. But Bennett is a good player and a solid pick in this draft at No. 1.

19

Cleveland (From L.A. Lakers)

Sergey Karasev 6-7 197 SG Russia

The Cavs have coveted Karasev for a while and he fills an immediate need for them at small forward. Karasev is a fantastic shooter with deep range. He's also a great ball handler with a terrific basketball IQ. He's going to be able to step in and help right away. Great pick for the Cavs.

33

Cleveland

Carrick Felix 6-6 203 SG Arizona State

Felix made his mark as an athletic defender. He really impressed teams in workouts. He's a really nice player in the second round who could end up as a rotation player.

 

[southernflyer]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/2013-draft-pick-by-pick-analysis-cleveland-cavaliers-orlando-magic-062713

1. Cleveland: Anthony Bennett, 6-8, SF/PF, UNLV

One thing is for sure, Cavaliers GM Chris Grant marches to the beat of his own drummer. No one had Bennett pegged as the No. 1 pick. He has the talent to be No. 1 but issues surrounding his proper NBA position and rumors of offseason weight gain seemed to drop him a few spots on everyone’s big board. He says he is a small forward at the next level, but he doesn’t shoot it well enough currently and will have a tough time guarding other SFs in the league. What he does have is a massive wingspan and a versatile offensive game.

19. Cleveland: Sergey Karasev, 6-7, SG/SF, Russia

After shocking the world and taking Bennett with the No. 1 overall pick, the Cavs decided to go with an international talent in Karasev. He was projected a lot higher than this with rumored promises to the Mavericks and Hawks, but in the end he falls to the Cavs. He isn’t likely to come over to the NBA this season but he has a lot of value at this point in the draft. He is an above-average shooter but struggles with his overall consistency. He is just 19 years old and one of the youngest players in the draft so there is plenty of time for him to grow and develop the consistency on both ends of the floor that he needs to play at the next level.

 

[southernflyer]

http://nba.si.com/2013/06/27/nba-draft-2013-first-round-pick-analysis/?sct=hp_t11_a6&eref=sihp

Anthony Bennett:

Strengths: Bennett showed versatility in playing out of position as a center for part of his freshman season at UNLV. At his best, though, Bennett views himself as a stretch power forward because of his ability as a ball handler and perimeter shooter (he hit 36-of-96, or 37.5 percent, from three-point range last season). He’s also a capable finisher in transition and a quality rebounder. With his ball skills at his size, Bennett can create mismatches for defenses.

Weaknesses: Is he a small forward or power forward? Which position will he be able to guard in the NBA? Bennett is undersized as a power forward and could struggle to keep up with small forwards. A better post-up game would help round out his offensive game. Bennett missed pre-draft workouts and will be unavailable for summer league after having rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder in early May, but he’s expected to be ready for next season. As for his asthma, Bennett downplayed concerns: “It’s not a big deal. It’s not like I’m the first one in the NBA to have it. It’s just something I’ve got to take care of.”

What Scouts Say: ”He got soft as the year went on. Why? His desire to play defense is another question. He’s a good athlete but not a great one. He’s going to be a better player in the pros than he was in college, because when he was in college he played with selfish teammates.”

Team Fit: The Cavaliers kicked off Thursday night’s draft with a major surprise: Bennett was seen as someone in recent days who might slide out of the top 10 picks. The first Canadian to be selected No. 1 overall, Bennett is undersized but possesses a strong, thick frame. The pick is particularly surprising, as the Cavaliers used the No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft to select Tristan Thompson, another power forward. Often compared to Larry Johnson, Bennett is a talented offensive player and a determined rebounder. Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert has made it clear he wants to make a run at the 2014 playoffs, and Bennett should be able to give strong rotation minutes immediately.

Sergey Karasey

Strengths: Karasev was productive against solid competition in Russia, where he distinguished himself with his catch-and-shoot skills and quick release on his left-handed jump shot. He backed up that play overseas by impressing scouts when he faced the U.S. junior national select team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April.

Weaknesses: He’s not an explosive athlete or especially quick, creating concerns on the defensive end. While he’s known for his shooting, there’s room for improvement with his off-the-dribble game. If that part of his game doesn’t blossom, defenses will be able to close out hard on his jumper without worry that he will blow by them on the drive.

What Scouts Say: A Western Conference executive said Karasev “is more athletic than you think.” Another executive likened him to Kyle Korver, one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA and a player known for his fast trigger.

Team Fit: The Cavaliers needed a small forward and got one at 19 with the fairly well-regarded Russian. He’s been productive in their solid domestic league and should be able to provide some spot-up shooting, at least, to a Cavs team that suddenly has a lot of perimeter firepower after taking Anthony Bennett at No. 1. Does Karasev or another one of their newer guys (Dion Waiters?) become trade bait at some point to help land a big man?

 

[southernflyer]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/draft/2013/06/27/grades-pick-by-pick-cleveland-cavaliers/2465505/

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: PF Anthony Bennett, UNLV

The draft's first stunner came ... on the draft's first pick. No one expected Bennett to go first. But he's a great fit for the Cavaliers, if he can get his weight down. Though Bennett is a power forward, he should fit well next to Tristan Thompson because they're both athletic and slightly undersized. Together they will rebound well. Bennett has as much upside as anyone in this class, though his weight and defense are concerns. Still, if he was going to be the target, the Cavaliers might have tried to trade down. Grade: B-

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: SF Sergey Karasev, Russia

Karasev may be the best shooter in this draft. He's a good but not great fit for the Cavaliers, who probably could have used a defensive-oriented wing at this spot. Karasev may not play in the NBA next season, but his shot is ready for that level. Bennett and Karasev are two very offense-first picks for a young team that already had one of the most dynamic young offensive players in the NBA in Kyrie Irving. Grade: C+

33. Cleveland Cavaliers: SG Carrick Felix, Arizona State

Felix is a fantastic defender but doesn't do much else. He's a four-year college player, and he can play either wing spot. But the Cavaliers now have drafted two wings and one combo forward. Felix may have the biggest impact. Grade: B-

 

[MattyFos.]

Time Out- what happened to 31? I was at work. I thought I read we drafted Crabbe?

 

[southernflyer]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/22547776/grades-2013-nba-draft

1 B Cavaliers select: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
I like a lot of what he provides. Good instincts. Size is gonna be an issue. However, if you put Bennett with a great point guard, he can be elite.

19 A- Cavaliers select: Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia
I think he has questions, but he can come in and contribute right now at this level. It's also a really good pick for the Cavaliers from a position standpoint.

33 C+ Cavaliers select: Carrick Felix, SG, Arizona State
A little bit of a reach but if he can contribute defensively, it's worth it.

 

[southernflyer]

Time Out- what happened to 31? I was at work. I thought I read we drafted Crabbe?

Traded to Portland for 2 future 2nds

 

[jkads]

Yahoo! Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft

1. Anthony Bennett PF 6'7 239 UNLV

Jeff Eisenberg's Analysis: It didn't take long for the first surprise of the draft to happen. Cleveland, which had been thought to be choosing between Nerlens Noel and Alex Len, instead selected UNLV forward Anthony Bennett. Though Bennett hasn't received the buzz some of his peers did, the Canadian-born forward may be the most talented prospect in the draft. He averaged 16.1 points and 8.1 boards in his lone college season, showcasing his versatility by scoring with ease in transition, from the perimeter and from the low block. The concern about Bennett is his work ethic. He'll need to shed weight, improve his stamina and stop taking plays off defensively to fully tap into his potential and make Cleveland's gamble look shrewd.

19. Sergey Karasev SF 6'7 197 Russia

Jeff Eisenberg's Analysis: Unlike some of the other top international prospects in this draft, Sergey Karasev will enter the NBA polished. The son of a coach and former player, Karasev has already appeared in the Olympics for Russia and led the nation's premier basketball league in scoring. He impressed scouts at the Nike Hoop Summit earlier this year with his high basketball IQ and prolific perimeter shooting. His deep range and NBA readiness should be an asset to a Cleveland team clearly eager to emerge as a playoff contender next season.

33. Carrick Felix SG 6'6 203 Arizona State

Jeff Eisenberg's Analysis: Having already landed the most talented forward in the draft and a pair of sweet-shooting wings, Cleveland addressed its defense with its fourth pick of the night. Arizona State's Carrick Felix is a long, athletic perimeter stopper capable of choking off passing lanes and scoring in transition.

 

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Rotoworld: http://www.rotoworld.com/slide/nba/313/2013-NBA-Draft-Round-1

1) Cleveland Cavaliers - Anthony Bennett, F, UNLV

After multiple reports that teams were concerned about his weight and his stock was falling, the opposite came true. As shocking as the pick is, he is a solid outside shooter and can stretch the floor with his dynamic game. This raises a lot of questions about what will become of Tristan Thompson, but then again, maybe the Cavs have a trade in mind, or think Bennett might be able to play some small forward. If he is starting on opening night, he'll be worth a late middle-round pick given his ability to score.

19) Cleveland Cavaliers - Sergey Karasev, F, Russia

They could use a solid small forward option, as they've struggled at the position ever since LeBron James bolted, and Karasev is listed as one of the "safer" picks in this draft. He's on his way back to Russia tonight for a National Team game tomorrow, but it doesn't appear that there are any plans to stash him. He's a great shooter and has a very high basketball IQ. He looks like one of the better players to come out of Europe in some time and he fully expects to play for the Cavaliers next season. The biggest surprise is that he wasn't taken sooner, and he could end up making a splash in Cleveland next year.

 

[jkads]

SB Nation: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/6/28/4452216/2013-nba-draft-picks-results-grades

1. ANTHONY BENNETT F, UNLV
6'8" · 240 POUNDS · 7'2" WINGSPAN

After keeping everyone guessing for months, Cleveland stunned many when they took Bennett. While there were concerns about his conditioning and defense intensity at UNLV, the Canadian native is the most explosive scorer in the draft. In bucking the pre-draft consensus so early, the Cavaliers set the stage for one of the wildest draft nights in recent memory.

UPSIDE: Jonathan Tjarks: A
FIT: Tom Ziller: D
IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Mike Prada: B-


19. SERGEY KARASEV G, RUSSIA
6' 7" · 197 POUNDS · 6' 9.25" WINGSPAN

Karasev was one of the hottest names in the run-up to the draft. Many thought the Cavaliers would have to move up to get him, but he fell to them at No. 19. A 19-year-old from Russia who currently plays for his father, Karasev is one of the best shooters in the draft and may come over immediately.

UPSIDE: Jonathan Tjarks: B-
FIT: Tom Ziller: A
IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Mike Prada: D

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Who was the guy from ESPN who called the Cavs' draft one of the worst in years?

 

[Boom Outta Here]

NBADraft.net: http://www.nbadraft.net/2013-nba-draft-grades

B+

Cavs' GM Chris Grant made a mockery of draft prognostication for the second consecutive year, selecting Anthony Bennett at the head of the class -- so much for concerns over added weight crippling his stock. Bennett should be physically prepared from day one (if his shoulder heals properly) and he boasts a polished, versatile offensive arsenal -- claims that could not be made to support Alex Len or Nerlens Noel. He wants to play small forward, but his lack of lateral quickness could derail this plan.

While the 19-year-old Karasev is a developmental project, he has major value and high upside as a shooter at 6-foot-7. Felix is a late-bloomer who plays with great energy and jumped a 38.5-inch max vert. He shares many commonalities with current Cavs wing Alonzo Gee, sans the range.