In a historic NBA draft that many believe will be looked back on as one of the greatest ever, I noticed more second-rounders that I knew the names of than ever before (and undrafted two-way signees). It’s only fair to group them with the Wembanyamas and Hendersons of the world when it comes to grading each team’s draft. Let’s get into it.

Atlanta Hawks: Kobe Bufkin (15), Mouhamed Gueye (39), Seth Lundy (46)

A-

Though he wasn’t the best available, Bufkin is a solid pick for a team that needed a pro-ready third guard who can score at all three levels. The fundamental yet crafty guard is also big enough to balance the backcourt’s small size and add some rebounding chops to the team from the jump. Atlanta went out of their way to draft Gueye, who should bring the much-needed interior defense off the bench as Onyeka Okongwu looks to move into the starting lineup. If Lundy makes the lineup, he can be another hot hand from deep.

Boston Celtics: Jordan Walsh (38)

B

An athletic but young forward, Walsh was clearly the beating heart of the Arkansas team that made it to the Sweet 16 in March. He was all over the court, using his athleticism for hustle rather than highlights. When I was covering Anthony Black, I couldn’t help but notice how vital Walsh was to the success of the Razorbacks. He likely won’t get minutes for the Celtics for his first few seasons.

Brooklyn Nets: Noah Clowney (21), Dariq Whitehead (22), Jalen Wilson (51)

A

Not only was Clowney one of the best available at 21, but he also fills a huge need for Brooklyn: interior defense outside of Nic Claxton. He also brings a developing jump shot to a league where it is now required. As a suddenly rebuilding team, the Nets are taking a shot with Whitehead after foot injuries kept him on and off the court at Duke. 2022’s Mr. Basketball could develop into one of the most explosive scorers in the NBA. Wilson is not a shooter or a passer, but I’m still surprised he fell to 51 after his massive improvement in scoring late in his career at Kansas. The Nets were both safe and bold this year.

Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller (2), Nick Smith Jr. (27), James Nnaji (31), Amari Bailey (41)

C+

The Hornets contradicted themselves by avoiding drafting LaMelo Ball’s would-be backcourt partner in Scoot Henderson and then drafting former third-ranked Nick Smith Jr. Had he been healthy, Smith would have been a lottery pick. What if he is healthy? Then you have just created the problem you tried to avoid by passing on Henderson. I understand Brandon Miller’s fit in Charlotte as the best perimeter player in this draft, but I also understand Henderson’s place as by far the second-best player in this draft class. Let’s see if the Hornets regret passing on Portland’s new star just as Golden State passed on drafting Charlotte’s current star.

Chicago Bulls: Julian Phillips (35)

A

Trading into the draft and selecting Phillips is just about the best thing the Bulls could have done besides building a time machine, going back to 2021, and not trading for Nikola Vucevic. Phillips is a player every team wishes they had, using his wingspan and athleticism to do the dirty work. He’s intense, relentless, and a natural defender. Look for him to be a fan favorite in the Windy City.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Emoni Bates (49)

C

Yes, the Cavs need wings, but there were none available for them to select that could contribute instantly. At the same time, they already have Sharife Cooper, a remarkably similar player to Bates. The G-League Cleveland Charge may have the greatest offensive backcourt in G-League history this season, but this pick probably would have made more sense to trade to a bad team who could use Bates’s instant offense.

Dallas Mavericks: Dereck Lively II (12), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (24)

A

The fact that the Mavericks traded back two picks, still got their guy, and cleared Davis Bertans’s contract is a win in and of itself. On top of all this, Lively II will bring instant impact on the defensive end, and he can switch to any position, helping cover for Luka’s lackluster mobility on the defensive end. For a center, he was one of the better passers in college basketball, hitting cutters in stride and using fakes to get his shot. Prosper is another defensive piece that can play the forward position. I do worry about the floor-spreading if these two get minutes this season, but the defensive ceiling in Dallas has been significantly bolstered.

Denver Nuggets: Julian Strawther (29), Jalen Pickett (32), Hunter Tyson (37)

A+

Denver traded for all three of these players, and NBA fans have learned to trust their decisions. Strawther is an awesome shooter who plays solid defense as well, perfect for the Nuggets’ system. Jalen Pickett was my favorite hooper to watch during the Big 10 Tournament, doing it all on the offensive end. He diversifies as well, possessing an impressive pass IQ that can only improve the Nuggets’ snappy, quick offense. Tyson is another nice fit in Denver - he played five years at Clemson and is a steady, pro-ready shooter. They’ll have to cover for him defensively, however.

Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson (5), Marcus Sasser (25)

B+

Although I’m not sure Thompson was a top-five selection in this loaded class, the reports surrounding Cam Whitmore’s workouts have given Detroit reason to pass on him. He should be a nice shooting and defensive piece to compliment the Cade Cunningham show. Trading for Sasser and out of James Nnaji is beneficial to the team’s floor going into an era in which they look to finally make a playoff push.

Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski (19), Trayce Jackson-Davis (57)

B

Podziemski was no doubt a reach at 19, but he certainly fits the Warriors well, and when you are the Warriors, you draft for fit if you have a mid-first-round pick. He’s scrappy, and hard-working, but can also shoot. He’s also a superb rebounder for a guard with a short wingspan. Jackson-Davis only makes sense for the roster if Draymond packs his bags.

Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson (4), Cam Whitmore (20)

A+

The Rockets had a quiet draft (I feel like they are always trading up), but they still got what they wanted. Thompson gives Houston its biggest need: a real point guard. He should take pressure off of Jalen Green and carry the load in terms of running an offense, allowing Green to play to his strengths: movement shooting, and athleticism. Whitmore fell for a reason that NBA fans don’t know, but the risk is low for Houston. At some point, Whitmore had to be chosen, and he certainly is a better pure player than the spot he was drafted.

Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker (8), Ben Sheppard (26), Mojave King (47), Isaiah Wong (55)

A

The defensive pairing of Walker and Myles Turner could be scary for Indiana. The Pacers have their power forward, and if Walker develops his jump shot, they could truly have the best spacing of any team in the league while maintaining a defensive interior presence. Sheppard is the best on-ball three-point shooter in this draft, suggesting to the world that Buddy Hield’s shoes are being prepared to be filled. King is a super-athlete who should have some fun highlights in Indiana, and Wong has proven himself to be a leader and a winner at the college level. The future is bright in Indiana.

Los Angeles Clippers: Kobe Brown (30), Jordan Miller (48)

B-

Brown could develop into a great scorer, but he has only just emerged after a full college career. The age is a question for long-term development, but the Clippers need to succeed now, so perhaps he could slot into a reliable 3-and-D role as a rookie. Miller is another guy that played a full college career, but he’s more of a big guard who can pass. He is not a great fit now, but when the Leonard era ends, he could be the replacement.

Los Angeles Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino (17), Maxwell Lewis (40)

B+

There are mixed reviews surrounding the Lakers’ draft. The reality is that Hood-Schifino was the best pick they could’ve made here at 17. As much as I love D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers went through moments of stagnation and isolation. Hood-Schifino should keep the ball moving, taking pressure and attention off of Lebron, and he should also be able to use his 6-foot-6-inch frame to play defense and get to the basket. Lewis brings instant scoring and space creation. The problem people have with these selections is not the players but rather the fact that the Lakers made selections at all. Considering their limited cap space, this was possibly the only way the Lakers could afford to fill out their roster. They will have to rely on these two guys to grow up pretty quickly as they look to go all the way.

Memphis Grizzlies: Gregory Jackson II (45), Tarik Biberovic (56)

B

Both players and the Grizzlies took our projects. Jackson, the youngest player in this draft, has superstar potential but lacks the discipline and experience to reach such heights. He needs a lot of work, but his year at South Carolina truly included some special moments. With Ja Morant’s suspension, the Grizzlies can afford to give Jackson some minutes, and if he does not play well, they can sideline him when Morant returns and work on developing his raw set of skills. Biberovic will likely need a year or two overseas before coming to the States and joining the Grizzlies.

Miami Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (18)

A

Jaquez is not the ideal fit in the modern NBA, as he excelled at UCLA in the post. However, the scrappy senior is pro-ready and possesses a rare motor. He is a great rebounder, hustler, and defensive stalwart on a team with three undrafted shooters who struggle with rebounding and defense. Look for him to back up Jimmy Butler.

Milwaukee Bucks: Andre Jackson Jr. (36), Chris Livingston (58)

C

A defense-and-dimes guy who is built to be an excellent role player, Jackson could pan out to be a solid contributor to the Bucks, warranting the team trading up to select him. He is certainly not a floor-spreader, however, which may suggest a mediocre fit with the Bucks roster, at least at first. Livingston has the ideal NBA frame, but he really just cannot shoot. Interesting picks here for the Bucks.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Leonard Miller (33), Jaylen Clark (53)

A

After shipping all of their picks to Utah, the Timberwolves are tasked with making the best out of their second-round picks. Miller possibly had the best upside of anyone on the board at the time. His size and interior game should excite Minnesota fans as a first-round pick would, and he is keen on improving his jump shot. He can help with KAT’s defensive lapses, being able to switch to any position. The same can be said for Clark, who could have been a first-round selection had he not torn his Achilles during his last season at UCLA.

New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins (14)

A-

Though the Pelicans desperately need a true point guard, I can’t help but gush over Hawkins. Sure, Jalen Hood-Schifino made much more sense at this pick, but the Pelicans were also in the market for shooting, and boy did they get it. New Orleans is telling the world they are ready to win now, as Hawkins is pro-ready and prepared to light it up. Possibly the most underrated player in this class (several mock drafts labeled him as a second-round pick), Hawkins is a heliocentric flamethrower. Draw up an off-ball screen for him and see what happens. The attention required to guard Hawkins should expand the playbook and make it easier for iso players like Brandon Ingram to get a bucket.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Cason Wallace (10), Keyontae Johnson (50)

A-

One of the most complete players in this class, the Thunder could not go wrong with selecting Wallace. In a system that is figuring out its own players during a historic rebuild, Wallace can be a stagnant piece, showcasing passing, scoring, and defense in a polished and mature way. Wallace could emerge as one of the leaders of this team, and I and the Thunder both believe that he is not the number one option who will take the spotlight off of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Let’s see what Johnson can bring to the table as a 3-and-D guy.

Orlando Magic: Anthony Black (6), Jett Howard (11)

C-

Howard is considered by me to be too raw a prospect for the lottery, though his shooting and defense are steady. I just think this was a bit of a reach considering that Gradey Dick and Jordan Hawkins were still on the board. The way the Magic are built (like the new Raptors; a bunch of 6-foot-8-inch wings), I would think they would go with the high-ceiling two-way study in Taylor Hendricks at this pick. Instead, they picked up another guard to add to their three-guard rotation.

Phoenix Suns: Toumani Camara (52)

A

This is a solid pick for Phoenix as Camara is a well-rounded, unselfish, eager-to-learn young player. He’s also a good defender, which is so badly needed in Phoenix that it is becoming a joke. I do not see any other player they could have gone with here that fits the team better.

Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson (3), Kris Murray (23), Rayan Rupert (43)

A+

For a team that I was sure would trade at least one of their first-round picks, what a job the Blazers did. Scoot Henderson will instantly prove to be one of the better all-around players in the league, bringing playmaking prowess and explosiveness to an offense that can get too far away from the basket at times (not to mention he’s a franchise player). A stretch four in Murray may be not as impactful as his brother Keegan was in year one, but he was probably the best available and will bring instant shooting and defense to the squad. And what a pick-up in Rupert! This guy could be better than former fifth pick Isaac Okoro (who he is compared to) in year one as a lockdown defender and transition scorer.

Sacramento Kings: Colby Jones (34), Jalen Slawson (54)

B-

Sure, they had to trade out of the first round for cap concerns. Luckily, they got two similar players who can get buckets, make shots, and play hard. Look for Jones to get to the free-throw line at the volume a star would.

San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (1), Sidy Cissoko (44)

A+

Cissoko will be adored by Popovich as an elite athlete who can collect boards and lock up four positions. How he fell this far into the second round is beyond me; look for him to have a surprisingly impressive passing arsenal. And you do not need me to even mention the other guy.

Toronto Raptors: Gradey Dick (13)

C

I feel like they should have traded for more picks in this loaded draft. For what they got, however, I would give an A as Dick was certainly the best available and should pan out well on a young team.

Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks (9), Keyonte George (16), Brice Sensabaugh (28)

A

Three first-round picks, three projects. However, they took the best available at each pick excluding George, but he himself has a ridiculously high ceiling like the others. I cannot believe Hendricks fell right into their hands at nine.

Washington Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly (7), Tristan Vukcevic (42)

B

Listen, they really seem to like Coulibaly, but man, what a reach, and man, what a project. This is a true raw player, but if developed correctly, he could be something special. It is up to the Wizards to turn the B grade into an A grade, or this might become an F. Time will tell.