Here’s a rundown of the winners and losers from the first round of the NBA Draft.
winner
76ers
The 76ers scored big by selecting LaBaron Fillon Jr., a guard from the University of Alabama, at No. 22. Many believed he should have gone in the late teens, at least.
He had an impressive college season, averaging 22 points and five assists with a decent shooting percentage of 39.9% from beyond the arc. His ability to drive to the basket and a solid jumper really stand out. And, he showed real improvement from his freshman to sophomore year.
There were concerns, though; his 176-pound frame raised questions about whether he could withstand tough defenses.
Still, in Philadelphia, he slots in as the third guard behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. It’s a young group, all under 25.
spurs
San Antonio made a smart move to bolster their depth behind Victor Wembanyama. With the No. 20 pick, they selected Kentucky center Jaden Quentance, then acquired another first-round pick to choose Taris Reed Jr. from Connecticut at No. 26. Quentance is a potential lottery talent but comes with injury concerns after only playing four games last season post-ACL surgery.
It’s a risk that could pay off; he might not see much court time next season, but he has the potential to make an impact in the future. Reed, meanwhile, isn’t your typical big man—he’s not a three-point shooter and struggles with spacing, but he plays with toughness and could act as an enforcer.
thunder
Could Oklahoma City have found a solution to counter Wembanyama? Aday Mara, their No. 12 pick, may just be the answer.
At 7-foot-3, he’s a defensive powerhouse who led the University of Michigan to its first national championship in 37 years. The bigger the player you can position against Wemby, the better, right?
They complemented this pick by taking sharp-shooting guard Bennett Staats from Iowa State at No. 16. He should at least help with spacing, but he could end up being more than just that.
loser
clippers
Choosing Keaton Wagler over players like Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Mikel Brown Jr. was puzzling. The Clippers might be regretting missed opportunities because all three of those players are likely to have better pro careers. Wagler simply doesn’t measure up.
He lacks the defensive prowess of Flemings and the offensive potential of Acuff and Brown.
sans
Phoenix traded for the last pick of the first round to choose Koa Peat, a one-and-done wing from Arizona State who isn’t known for his shooting or defensive skills. That choice was curious; it feels like he would have benefited from staying in school. The Suns could have opted for better prospects, such as Duke’s Isaiah Evans or North Carolina’s Henri Viesar.
knicks fan
With excitement following their first championship in 53 years, Knicks fans were hoping for a standout addition. Leading up to the draft, there was talk about possibly selecting St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor.
However, the Hawks snagged him with the 23rd pick, which might have left some fans feeling let down.
The Knicks, it seems, played it safe and managed to save some cash, avoiding big risks early on. They did spark some interest by selecting Spanish point guard Sergio De Larrea, planning to keep him overseas for a while, but ultimately traded him to the Mavericks.
While the night had its disappointments, it could turn out to be a success if the Knicks can bring back players like Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson.
