2018 DRAFT PICK GRADES
Posted: September 9th, 2024, 4:10 pm
2018 SLN Pick by Pick Analysis & Grades
1 Milwaukee Bucks: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Needs: Everything
Analysis: None. Those are SGA's weaknesses. Something like that is the only way to leapfrog the Serbian prodigy Luka. This GM offered
his FRP last year for SGA and i think this was a homerun pick that 99% of the league would have done. Early ROY of the year favorite.
Grade: S
Fun: S
2 Chicago Bulls: Luka Doncic
Needs: Everything...but not really. Bigs.
Analysis: The Bulls picked 2nd for a reason. Luka is officially the savior of Chicago and a recently retired Tony Parker is confirmed to be
the new head coach for this youth movement. I really love the fit next to DWhite w/ Brooks being at the very least a good role player
for this team long term. This could be a long rebuild but knowing Matt he will be in the playoffs this year.
Grade: S
Fun: S
3 Seattle Supersonics (from WSH): Jalen Brunson
Needs: Hope
Analysis: I txted Nick because the draft was at a standstill but i knew he just needed a nudge; "Go get Jalen yuh poon". I think long
term Jalen is the consistent lead guard that helps you win a ring. The most pot in the class, 5th highest outside. Low passing. Good
handles. Great podcaster. His aura completely balances out the negative vibes that Simmons celebrity status and Lavar Ball have been
bringing around the facility the past year.
Grade: S
Fun: S
4 Washington Bullets: Trae Young
Needs: Lead Guard, Guards, BPA
Analysis: SLN is nice because you dont have to deal w/ the media storm that is the NBA. Trae will always be a one trick pony. He will
score a fuck ton of points but will have 2.5 to 3.0 turnovers, not do much else except set his teammates up for easier shots. Well thats
what vision means to me even though it does mean more turnovers. Jaren next to Jarrett Allen long term would have been disgusting
but adding a team carrying scorer at point is something you cant pass up.
Grade: A+, eh what am i saying Crawdaddy dont play no defense. Ill give it an S.
Fun: A. Based on the Wes scale of fun, Trae's lack of defense and high turnovers make him less fun. Those 50 point games will be S tier
though.
5 Portland Trailblazers: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Needs: Hope
Analysis: Another PacDiv GM who needs belief it will all work out. I think Jackson is closer to Boogie offensively than some want to
admit. His notes and his ratings like he is about to be a bucket at 4/5. You have your unicorn already Sam, Lauri can play wherever you
want him to and is good enough to. Jackson is about to look like an SF at the 4 and lockdown all our small lineups. Its not as fun as
having one of the 4 horseman but it just means two young players can get shots up and develop before a lead guard is found.
Grade: S
Fun: A
6 Los Angeles Lakers: Miles Bridges
Needs: TC luck and RP
Analysis: At first I didnt like it but after rereading his profile and looking at the ratings, Miles Bridges is a winning player for a team that
desperately wants to. A premier role player for a team that is set at a lot of positions is a good snag by GX. My only hold up on this pick
was if he was looking for potential star power, MPJ was the way to go. Bridges is good, safe, and will always have value.
Grade: B
Fun: B
7 Washington Bullets: DeAndre Ayton
Needs: GUARDS or wings
Analysis: I get the thinking. CWood and Pascal are 3/4s now instead of 4/5s. Adding the 5th highest scouted pot at a position where
depth is necessary is a great pick. I once again would have taken MPJ but it doesn't make the least amount of sense for the Bullets.
Ayton gives you a different look than Allen and can probably play next to each other long term. His notes are pretty plain but the value
if his potential really is high is perfect at 7.
Grade: A
Fun: D
8 Charlotte Hornets: Michael Porter Jr
Needs: Guards/Wings, Depth, BPA
Analysis: The Hornets are FUN. MPJ is the perfect pick for this team. 3/5 starters locked in as rookies. Isaac just won ROY, might as well
just add another lengthy scorer next to him. I love this pick and I hope you all do to.
Grade: S
Fun: S
9 Denver Nuggets: Marvin Bagley III
Needs: Bigs
Analysis: Really thrown off when i saw Kipke take the Bag man, but if there are people to trust with prospects, for me, its O6 members.
Bagley imo needed the NDL, BUT, Kipke has ZERO PFs, so if he chooses to leave him there then Bagley gets to start all season in the
SLN. Really smart idea with all the tanking going on right now. He was one of the last two profile guys, is 19, and hopefully gets more
pot juice because of it. That C+ inside is closer to B- but the C+ outside is closer to C.
Grade: B
Fun: C
10 Seattle Supersonics (from DET): Mikal Bridges
Needs: Hope
Analysis: Jalen with Mikal. Now Nick must acquire Josh and Donte. I dont make the rules.
Grade: A
Fun: S
11 Miami Heat: Josh Okogie
Needs: Wings, Young Bigs
Analysis: Okogie is a perfect piece for Scoops. Is it fun? No, but sometimes picks just make perfect sense. A great win-now chess piece,
Okogie has the 4th best defensive rating in the file. Never has to be an option with Klay and Dame eatting and can learn w/ Wade as a
mentor.
Grade: A+
Fun: B+
12 Golden State Warriors: Mo Bamba
Needs: RP
Analysis: This team needs to trade some players for better vets but overall it needed true center depth. Who knows if he gets PT this
year but i was ecstatic to have him fall to me. I think Joe was not happy to see him fall to me though.
Grade: N/A
Fun: Cmon he has a song named after him that bumps, S
13 Toronto Raptors (from CLE) CLE to TOR: Wendell Carter
Needs: IDK
Analysis: Jwoo traded with Cleveland for this pick and snags another center. Looney is expiring and he traded away Adams last year so
adding an A pot center makes sense. The slow ones are hard to pin down but I like the swing on someone who could be more than a big
butt.
Grade: A-
Fun: F
14 Los Angeles Clippers: Collin Sexton
Needs: BPA
Analysis: A pot, NDL eligible, and nicknamed the Bull. Sexton goes in a perfect spot and will probably eat for two years as he gains even
more pot.
Grade: S
Fun: C for Collin
15 Seattle Supersonics (from SAS): Mitchell Robinson
Needs: Hope
Analysis: How many picks do you have SoNICK? Robinson is fine, this team needed bigs.
Grade: B
Fun: D
16 Boston Celtics (from PHI) LAL to BOS: Anfernee Simmons
Needs: To trade more players (paid for by the Boston Celtics)
Analysis: I love Anfernee IRL and I somewhat hate that Joe took him just so he has another tank commander. Anfernee is a fucking
bucket but unless any trades happen, will not get to play much this year.
Grade: C
Fun: Fun pick, wrong team
17 New Jersey Nets: DeAnthony Melton
Needs: AD and Gobert to be friends again
Analysis: I think this pick makes total sense in a vacuum. There arent a lot of 4/5s at this point in the draft and Melton makes sense as
role playing 3&D wing. He is probably super swampy as well.
Grade: A
Fun: Swamptastic
18 Golden State Warriors (from SAC): Donte Divencenzo
Needs: Nick to pony up the coin
Analysis: I do really like Donte and think he can be a do-it-all 1-3. I just have zero RP so here i am doing this terrible pick grading where
I am being too nice or making enemies. Eh who cares, maybe 5 GMs will actually read this thing.
Grade: C
Fun: V...for Villanova. V FOR VICTORY.
19 Chicago Bulls (from BOS) BOS to LAL to CHI: Robert Williams
Needs: His 19 and 20 FRPs back
Analysis: TIME LORD has entered the chat and its not David Tenant. Bobert has gotta be so fucking slow even though his bounce is crazy.
C pot might be a trick but regardless he will be getting a boost to it and provides a name to the big depth of this organization.
Grade: C
Fun: I like doctor who but this pick seems too pre-meditated, C.
20 Boston Celtics (from IND): Kevin Knox
Analysis: Joe took a 19 year old with solid potential to be a scoring wing who plays defense.
Grade: B
Fun: Booooring
21 Sacramento Kings (from VAN): Isaac Bonga
Needs: Idk ask Jesse
Analysis: I just bullshitted the past 5 so i could get to this pick. YES! Mantypas will tell you how much i used to scream at the world to
respect Bonga. Well maybe not scream, but i always believed in him. Jesse gets a SF who can play PG who is 19, who will now be
camped amazingly, who he totally scouted, who fuck it, BONGA IS ABOUT TO BANG. Those Boban respect posts are going to slowly
change into Bonga deserves more respect. Fuck, this pick is perfect. We all think we are having fun and then Jesse comes thru.
Grade: S
Fun: S+++++++++++++++++++
22 Cleveland Cavaliers (from MIN) GSW to CLE: Lonnie Walker IV
Needs: Playoffs
Analysis: Skywalker provides a new hope in Cleveland with this pick. His hair is impeccable and he is about to bounce right into the NDL
dunk contest this season. The highest scouted B pot in the file. 4th highest inside(totes juiced by athleticism). Its a great NDL stash this
far down because he will probs have absurd volume from day 1 regardless.
Grade: A
Fun: A
23 Washington Bullets (from ATL) CHI to LAL to WAS: Mo Wagner
Analysis: Wes you get no needs, no grade, no fun for this pick. Stop creating your super NDL team. B inside w/ B- outside to start is
absurd. He will gain potential so it does not really matter you skipped over 20 SGs for him but sheesh. Santa Cruz in 4.
24 Los Angeles Clippers (from TOR) : Grayson Allen
Needs: To hurt other teams players
Analysis: Allen isnt the total douche he used to be but this is a young Allen so fuck it. Bobby wants to have a player who is willing to
undercut opposing dunkers. Oh gosh, put him the NDL too?! Sexton and Allen are about to avg 1 fight a game with opposing teams. I like
the grit Bobby added on the wing this draft.
Grade: B
Fun: Nope lol
25 Orlando Magic: Jared Vanderbilt
Needs: To resign Julius Randle
Analysis: B rebounding to start for a 19yr old is legit. He will scoop pot in the NDL(lol) and hopefully that defense goes way higher. This
could be a solid steal.
Grade: B-
Fun: VanderFun / Vandertastic
26 Portland Trailblazers (from DAL): Allonzo Trier
Needs: Hope
Analysis: I get the thinking in BPA but with as long as this rebuild is looking to take I wouldve thought Huerter was going here. He will go
and be a bucket in the NDL so i cant hate on that.
Grade: D
NDL FUN: A+
27 Milwaukee Bucks (from NYK): Aaron Holiday
Needs: Everything
Analysis: Starting point guard was acquired, Holiday is literally a bench PG. This works as a team building option and gives you a cheap
backup point.
Grade: B
Fun: Nope
28 Los Angeles Lakers (from UTA): Devonte Graham
Analysis: This makes a lot sense. Fell down the board for whatever reason but if GX gives Swipah the keys after this season
adding Devonte as his backup was a great get at 28.
Grade: A
Fun: C
29 Seattle Supersonics (from PHX): Duncan Robinson
Needs: An Empire
Analysis: Great NDL stash to end the first round KEVIN HUERTER
Grade: C
Fun: Nope
Hope you all enjoyed me slutting myself out for 250 RP if you made it this far.
1 Milwaukee Bucks: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Needs: Everything
Analysis: None. Those are SGA's weaknesses. Something like that is the only way to leapfrog the Serbian prodigy Luka. This GM offered
his FRP last year for SGA and i think this was a homerun pick that 99% of the league would have done. Early ROY of the year favorite.
Grade: S
Fun: S
2 Chicago Bulls: Luka Doncic
Needs: Everything...but not really. Bigs.
Analysis: The Bulls picked 2nd for a reason. Luka is officially the savior of Chicago and a recently retired Tony Parker is confirmed to be
the new head coach for this youth movement. I really love the fit next to DWhite w/ Brooks being at the very least a good role player
for this team long term. This could be a long rebuild but knowing Matt he will be in the playoffs this year.
Grade: S
Fun: S
3 Seattle Supersonics (from WSH): Jalen Brunson
Needs: Hope
Analysis: I txted Nick because the draft was at a standstill but i knew he just needed a nudge; "Go get Jalen yuh poon". I think long
term Jalen is the consistent lead guard that helps you win a ring. The most pot in the class, 5th highest outside. Low passing. Good
handles. Great podcaster. His aura completely balances out the negative vibes that Simmons celebrity status and Lavar Ball have been
bringing around the facility the past year.
Grade: S
Fun: S
4 Washington Bullets: Trae Young
Needs: Lead Guard, Guards, BPA
Analysis: SLN is nice because you dont have to deal w/ the media storm that is the NBA. Trae will always be a one trick pony. He will
score a fuck ton of points but will have 2.5 to 3.0 turnovers, not do much else except set his teammates up for easier shots. Well thats
what vision means to me even though it does mean more turnovers. Jaren next to Jarrett Allen long term would have been disgusting
but adding a team carrying scorer at point is something you cant pass up.
Grade: A+, eh what am i saying Crawdaddy dont play no defense. Ill give it an S.
Fun: A. Based on the Wes scale of fun, Trae's lack of defense and high turnovers make him less fun. Those 50 point games will be S tier
though.
5 Portland Trailblazers: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Needs: Hope
Analysis: Another PacDiv GM who needs belief it will all work out. I think Jackson is closer to Boogie offensively than some want to
admit. His notes and his ratings like he is about to be a bucket at 4/5. You have your unicorn already Sam, Lauri can play wherever you
want him to and is good enough to. Jackson is about to look like an SF at the 4 and lockdown all our small lineups. Its not as fun as
having one of the 4 horseman but it just means two young players can get shots up and develop before a lead guard is found.
Grade: S
Fun: A
6 Los Angeles Lakers: Miles Bridges
Needs: TC luck and RP
Analysis: At first I didnt like it but after rereading his profile and looking at the ratings, Miles Bridges is a winning player for a team that
desperately wants to. A premier role player for a team that is set at a lot of positions is a good snag by GX. My only hold up on this pick
was if he was looking for potential star power, MPJ was the way to go. Bridges is good, safe, and will always have value.
Grade: B
Fun: B
7 Washington Bullets: DeAndre Ayton
Needs: GUARDS or wings
Analysis: I get the thinking. CWood and Pascal are 3/4s now instead of 4/5s. Adding the 5th highest scouted pot at a position where
depth is necessary is a great pick. I once again would have taken MPJ but it doesn't make the least amount of sense for the Bullets.
Ayton gives you a different look than Allen and can probably play next to each other long term. His notes are pretty plain but the value
if his potential really is high is perfect at 7.
Grade: A
Fun: D
8 Charlotte Hornets: Michael Porter Jr
Needs: Guards/Wings, Depth, BPA
Analysis: The Hornets are FUN. MPJ is the perfect pick for this team. 3/5 starters locked in as rookies. Isaac just won ROY, might as well
just add another lengthy scorer next to him. I love this pick and I hope you all do to.
Grade: S
Fun: S
9 Denver Nuggets: Marvin Bagley III
Needs: Bigs
Analysis: Really thrown off when i saw Kipke take the Bag man, but if there are people to trust with prospects, for me, its O6 members.
Bagley imo needed the NDL, BUT, Kipke has ZERO PFs, so if he chooses to leave him there then Bagley gets to start all season in the
SLN. Really smart idea with all the tanking going on right now. He was one of the last two profile guys, is 19, and hopefully gets more
pot juice because of it. That C+ inside is closer to B- but the C+ outside is closer to C.
Grade: B
Fun: C
10 Seattle Supersonics (from DET): Mikal Bridges
Needs: Hope
Analysis: Jalen with Mikal. Now Nick must acquire Josh and Donte. I dont make the rules.
Grade: A
Fun: S
11 Miami Heat: Josh Okogie
Needs: Wings, Young Bigs
Analysis: Okogie is a perfect piece for Scoops. Is it fun? No, but sometimes picks just make perfect sense. A great win-now chess piece,
Okogie has the 4th best defensive rating in the file. Never has to be an option with Klay and Dame eatting and can learn w/ Wade as a
mentor.
Grade: A+
Fun: B+
12 Golden State Warriors: Mo Bamba
Needs: RP
Analysis: This team needs to trade some players for better vets but overall it needed true center depth. Who knows if he gets PT this
year but i was ecstatic to have him fall to me. I think Joe was not happy to see him fall to me though.
Grade: N/A
Fun: Cmon he has a song named after him that bumps, S
13 Toronto Raptors (from CLE) CLE to TOR: Wendell Carter
Needs: IDK
Analysis: Jwoo traded with Cleveland for this pick and snags another center. Looney is expiring and he traded away Adams last year so
adding an A pot center makes sense. The slow ones are hard to pin down but I like the swing on someone who could be more than a big
butt.
Grade: A-
Fun: F
14 Los Angeles Clippers: Collin Sexton
Needs: BPA
Analysis: A pot, NDL eligible, and nicknamed the Bull. Sexton goes in a perfect spot and will probably eat for two years as he gains even
more pot.
Grade: S
Fun: C for Collin
15 Seattle Supersonics (from SAS): Mitchell Robinson
Needs: Hope
Analysis: How many picks do you have SoNICK? Robinson is fine, this team needed bigs.
Grade: B
Fun: D
16 Boston Celtics (from PHI) LAL to BOS: Anfernee Simmons
Needs: To trade more players (paid for by the Boston Celtics)
Analysis: I love Anfernee IRL and I somewhat hate that Joe took him just so he has another tank commander. Anfernee is a fucking
bucket but unless any trades happen, will not get to play much this year.
Grade: C
Fun: Fun pick, wrong team
17 New Jersey Nets: DeAnthony Melton
Needs: AD and Gobert to be friends again
Analysis: I think this pick makes total sense in a vacuum. There arent a lot of 4/5s at this point in the draft and Melton makes sense as
role playing 3&D wing. He is probably super swampy as well.
Grade: A
Fun: Swamptastic
18 Golden State Warriors (from SAC): Donte Divencenzo
Needs: Nick to pony up the coin
Analysis: I do really like Donte and think he can be a do-it-all 1-3. I just have zero RP so here i am doing this terrible pick grading where
I am being too nice or making enemies. Eh who cares, maybe 5 GMs will actually read this thing.
Grade: C
Fun: V...for Villanova. V FOR VICTORY.
19 Chicago Bulls (from BOS) BOS to LAL to CHI: Robert Williams
Needs: His 19 and 20 FRPs back
Analysis: TIME LORD has entered the chat and its not David Tenant. Bobert has gotta be so fucking slow even though his bounce is crazy.
C pot might be a trick but regardless he will be getting a boost to it and provides a name to the big depth of this organization.
Grade: C
Fun: I like doctor who but this pick seems too pre-meditated, C.
20 Boston Celtics (from IND): Kevin Knox
Analysis: Joe took a 19 year old with solid potential to be a scoring wing who plays defense.
Grade: B
Fun: Booooring
21 Sacramento Kings (from VAN): Isaac Bonga
Needs: Idk ask Jesse
Analysis: I just bullshitted the past 5 so i could get to this pick. YES! Mantypas will tell you how much i used to scream at the world to
respect Bonga. Well maybe not scream, but i always believed in him. Jesse gets a SF who can play PG who is 19, who will now be
camped amazingly, who he totally scouted, who fuck it, BONGA IS ABOUT TO BANG. Those Boban respect posts are going to slowly
change into Bonga deserves more respect. Fuck, this pick is perfect. We all think we are having fun and then Jesse comes thru.
Grade: S
Fun: S+++++++++++++++++++
22 Cleveland Cavaliers (from MIN) GSW to CLE: Lonnie Walker IV
Needs: Playoffs
Analysis: Skywalker provides a new hope in Cleveland with this pick. His hair is impeccable and he is about to bounce right into the NDL
dunk contest this season. The highest scouted B pot in the file. 4th highest inside(totes juiced by athleticism). Its a great NDL stash this
far down because he will probs have absurd volume from day 1 regardless.
Grade: A
Fun: A
23 Washington Bullets (from ATL) CHI to LAL to WAS: Mo Wagner
Analysis: Wes you get no needs, no grade, no fun for this pick. Stop creating your super NDL team. B inside w/ B- outside to start is
absurd. He will gain potential so it does not really matter you skipped over 20 SGs for him but sheesh. Santa Cruz in 4.
24 Los Angeles Clippers (from TOR) : Grayson Allen
Needs: To hurt other teams players
Analysis: Allen isnt the total douche he used to be but this is a young Allen so fuck it. Bobby wants to have a player who is willing to
undercut opposing dunkers. Oh gosh, put him the NDL too?! Sexton and Allen are about to avg 1 fight a game with opposing teams. I like
the grit Bobby added on the wing this draft.
Grade: B
Fun: Nope lol
25 Orlando Magic: Jared Vanderbilt
Needs: To resign Julius Randle
Analysis: B rebounding to start for a 19yr old is legit. He will scoop pot in the NDL(lol) and hopefully that defense goes way higher. This
could be a solid steal.
Grade: B-
Fun: VanderFun / Vandertastic
26 Portland Trailblazers (from DAL): Allonzo Trier
Needs: Hope
Analysis: I get the thinking in BPA but with as long as this rebuild is looking to take I wouldve thought Huerter was going here. He will go
and be a bucket in the NDL so i cant hate on that.
Grade: D
NDL FUN: A+
27 Milwaukee Bucks (from NYK): Aaron Holiday
Needs: Everything
Analysis: Starting point guard was acquired, Holiday is literally a bench PG. This works as a team building option and gives you a cheap
backup point.
Grade: B
Fun: Nope
28 Los Angeles Lakers (from UTA): Devonte Graham
Analysis: This makes a lot sense. Fell down the board for whatever reason but if GX gives Swipah the keys after this season
adding Devonte as his backup was a great get at 28.
Grade: A
Fun: C
29 Seattle Supersonics (from PHX): Duncan Robinson
Needs: An Empire
Analysis: Great NDL stash to end the first round KEVIN HUERTER
Grade: C
Fun: Nope
Hope you all enjoyed me slutting myself out for 250 RP if you made it this far.