Detroit News NBA draft grades for first round, Pistons

1. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C, Fr., Arizona. Ayton has offensive star potential but questions about his defense. The Arizona product seems like a natural fit in Phoenix, but not pairing Luka Doncic with his Slovenian national coach Igor Kokoskov, new head coach of the Suns, is a missed opportunity. Grade: B-

2. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley III, F, Fr., Duke. Like Ayton, there are defensive questions. Bagley could be a Rookie of the Year candidate and a productive player for many years. But a higher-upside choice like Jaren Jackson Jr. would’ve been a better one for a franchise stuck in the mud. Grade: D+

3. Dallas Mavericks (from Atlanta): Luka Doncic, PG, Slovenia. The lack of European generational perimeter players gives NBA fans pause about whether Doncic will live up to the hype. But impressive performances against high-level competition indicates he's ready to break the mold. Grade: A

4. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Fr., Michigan State. The youngest of the lottery prospects, Jackson has projectable skills to be a multiple-time All-Star. Michigan State’s Jackson will turn 19 right before training camp opens and should develop into a two-way star for the Grizzlies. Grade: A-

5. Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas): Trae Young, PG, Fr., Oklahoma. Young has star potential but defensive limitations. Along with Michael Porter Jr., he’s the most polarizing prospect in the draft. Atlanta should be the worst team in the league this season and that losing culture and defenses keying on him could take a toll on his development. Grade: C

6. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba, C, Fr., Texas. A 7-foot-10 wingspan, 3-point shooting potential and engaging personality should make Bamba a fan favorite. For a franchise needing a jolt of star power, Bamba could help turn the tide for former Pistons executive John Hammond, who runs the show in Orlando. Grade: B

7. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr., C, Fr., Duke. It's hard to find any player in the top 10 with bust potential outside of injury issues, but Carter could be one who doesn't pan out. There's a lot to like, but the lack of elite athleticism makes him a little less desirable of a prospect than most of the others. Grade: C-

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Collin Sexton, PG, Fr., Alabama. Many won't like this pick, but Sexton is an electric talent who stole the show among many of these guys at the McDonald's All-American Game a year ago. Unlike most of the current Cavaliers, he should rise to big playoff moments, which should be appealing to a certain No. 23. Grade: A-

9. New York Knicks: Kevin Knox II, F, Fr., Kentucky. Knox has youth and upside potential. The Kentucky system and talent pool limits our certainty about him: Will he be just another dude like former Pistons draft pick Brandon Knight or thrive as he develops like Devin Booker of Grand Rapids? Grade: B-

10. Phoenix Suns (from Philadelphia): Mikal Bridges, wing, Jr., Villanova. Bridges is the night's first pick who is of legal drinking age. He’ll be 22 in August and that helps get past the bouncer, but also hinders his potential to become more than a safe, solid 3-and-D role player. This would be a nice pick for a rising team like Philly, but not as great for Phoenix, which needs more firepower. Grade: C+

11. Los Angeles Clippers (from Charlotte): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Fr., Kentucky. The league's bounty of point guards hurts the value of a prospect like SGA, who showed he can lead elite talents at Kentucky. The Clippers traded the pick they acquired from the Pistons for Blake Griffin to get him, and LA ended up with two safe picks, bypassing Michael Porter Jr., who has star potential. Grade: C+

12. Charlotte Hornets (from Clippers): Miles Bridges, F, Soph., Michigan State. The Michigan State product has been hiding in plain sight in the draft process, overshadowed by lesser-known quantities with higher projectables. Coming back to East Lansing may have hurt his draft stock, as another year of tape gives critics chances to poke holes. But he's also ready to help Michael Jordan’s team right away. Grade: A-

13. Los Angeles Clippers: Jerome Robinson, PG, Jr., Boston College. Once thought of a possibility for the Pistons at No. 42, Robinson skyrocketed up draft boards. He averaged more than 20 points per game in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but the Clippers better hope Porter doesn’t turn into a star. This poor grade is more about passing on Porter than taking Robinson. Grade: D+

14. Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., F, Fr., Missouri. In a league full of executives making decisions to save their jobs, credit Denver for getting a potential star with the last pick of the lottery. This might be the most talented player in the draft and might've been the first pick a year ago if high school players were allowed to go straight to the league. Grade: A

15. Washington Wizards: Troy Brown, SG, Fr., Oregon. The elite prospects were off the board at this point and Washington takes a swing on Brown, who tops their list of similar wing prospects who offer a variety of strengths and weaknesses. Brown is aided by the fact he spent time at point guard for the Ducks. His size and ability to create will cause matchup problems around the league. Grade: B-

16. Philadelphia 76ers (from Phoenix): Zhaire Smith, wing, Fr., Texas Tech. An explosive athlete, Smith will need time to develop offensively, which is no guarantee. This a strange move from Philly, who has enough question marks from the draft lately and needed a safe player like Mikal Bridges, who they traded away to get Smith. Grade: C-

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo, PG, Soph., Villanova. Michigan fans know all about the Final Four star, who used his 31-point effort against the Wolverines in the national championship as a springboard for a steady climb up the draft boards. Not a consistent shooter, but could be a nice addition for general manager Jon Horst of Sandusky, Michigan. Grade: B

18. San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker IV, SG, Fr., Miami (Fla.). Many thought Walker could go in the lottery, despite scoring just 11.5 points per game at Miami. Most of the work is ahead for him offensively, but there’s no better place for Walker to develop. San Antonio has earned the benefit of the doubt in uncovering good players. Grade: B+

19. Atlanta Hawks: Kevin Huerter, SG, Soph., Maryland. A combine riser who showed his shooting skills in Chicago despite a hand injury, Huerter benefited from a rule allowing players to test the waters of the draft process while having the option to return. Atlanta's belief in him as a first-rounder proved Huerter made the right choice in leaving Maryland. But a Huerter-Trae Young backcourt won't be able to defend anyone. Grade: C-

20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Okogie, SG, Soph., Georgia Tech. More D than 3 so far, but another super athlete on the wing who will try to develop his weaknesses. Coach Tom Thibodeau has to be frustrated with Minnesota's defense so far in his tenure, and Okogie is a step in the right direction there. Grade: A-

21. Utah Jazz: Grayson Allen, SG, Sr., Duke. The selection we all should have anticipated, Allen would've fit in well during the John Stockton and Karl Malone era of cheap shot artists in Salt Lake City. A solid shooter and competitive player should thrive for coach Quin Snyder. It will be fun for NBA fans to root against Utah once again. Grade: B

22. Chicago Bulls: Chandler Hutchison, Wing, Sr., Boise State. He scored 20 points a game at Boise State, but cheated by playing four years there. Who does that anymore? Hutchison can do everything well on the court, but will need to develop all those skills to go from the Mountain West Conference to the NBA. Chicago gave him the promise early and fulfilled it by picking him at 22. Grade: B

23. Indiana Pacers: Aaron Holiday, PG, Jr., UCLA. He's barely 6 feet tall and doesn't have the explosiveness to make up for his lack of size. But, he'll fit well in Indiana as a safe pick on a solid team looking for backcourt help and immediate impact. Grade: C+

24. Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, SG, IMG Academy (Fla.). He reclassified to become eligible out of high school and is all potential at 19 years old. It's whatever flavor you like for wings at this point in the draft. Portland must like the scoring upside for Simons and are content with being patient to wait for him to develop strength and defensive prowess. Grade: B+

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Moritz Wagner, PF, Jr., Michigan. Wagner's stock projections were all over the place, but Michigan alum Rob Pelinka, now the Lakers general manager under Michigan State’s Magic Johnson, went with Mo. The Lakers went with Wagner's shooting ability, leadership and winning pedigree over the upside of post players Robert Williams and Mitchell Robinson. Grade: B-

26. Philadelphia 76ers: Landry Shamet, PG, Soph., Wichita State. One of the better shooters in the draft, Shamet was projected as a second-rounder by most pundits. A big guard with questions about his athletic ability, Philly kept their interest in him under wraps. The 76ers had no issue making bold moves on draft night despite not having a general manager after Bryan Colangelo’s departure. Grade: B+

27. Boston Celtics: Robert Williams, PF/C, Soph., Texas A&M. Williams didn't do much to help his draft stock in a second season in College Station. His lack of scoring means he'll have to be a rim-runner and rebounder in the league. But Danny Ainge gets great value for the biggest slider in the first round. Grade: A-

28. Golden State Warriors: Jacob Evans, Wing, Jr., Cincinnati. Evans was the leader of a 31-5 team in Cincinnati and will be expected to play minutes every night for the two-time defending world champions. A great pick for a team that needs immediate depth help. Evans will be able to knock down open shots and defend athletic players. Grade: A-

29. Brooklyn Nets: Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia. A productive professional player in Croatia, Musa could be an impact scorer but needs to become a better athlete to make it in the league. The ESPN draft telecast said he was a big Kobe Bryant fan. He plays like him, including the poor shot selection and occasional dust-ups with teammates. Grade: B

30. Atlanta Hawks: Omari Spellman, PF, Fr., Villanova. A surprise pick to end the first round, Spellman was thought to be available when the Pistons picked at 42. One of the toughest players at the May combine in Chicago, Spellman was a tough and crucial cog for the national champions. Atlanta zeroed in on shooting for their trio of first-round picks, as general manager Travis Schlenk is trying to bring the Golden State culture to Atlanta. Grade: B+

38. Detroit Pistons (from Philadelphia): Khyri Thomas, SG, Jr., Creighton. Thomas is one of the best defenders in the entire draft. The two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Thomas should be a fine 3-point shooter. He was projected as a first-round pick by most outlets, but must improve ball-handling. Grade: A