The Washington Wizards selected Oregon wing Troy Brown Jr. and Ukrainian combo guard Issuf Sanon in the 2018 NBA Draft. The internet’s resident basketball analysts were tepid in their responses.
Although someone points out every year that it’s premature to grade draft selections in any sport mere days after they happen, people still do it, and it can be useful to see whether grades are similar enough to build a consensus.
In the Wizards’ case this year, most graders have not been too hard on them, but they aren’t glowing, either.
The Ringer, grading first-round picks: C
Jonathan Tjarks: “There is a lot of Evan Turner in (Brown’s) game, both good and bad. This will be a great pick if he can figure out his wonky 3-point shot (29.1 percent from 3 on 3.1 attempts per game). If he can’t, though, he doesn’t have the athleticism to be an impact player without it.”
Sports Illustrated, grading first-round picks: B+
Jeremy Woo: “(Brown) can play on the ball, can defend multiple positions, and is still young for this draft class, suggesting there is untapped upside. Brown isn’t a great shooter and will require some refinement as a scorer, but won’t have to shoulder much of that load in Washington. Adding a young wing who has a variety of pathways to being successful is a sensible decision.”
USA Today, grading first-round picks: C+
Michael Singer: “Brown Jr. is a Swiss army knife of talent. While not necessarily a reliable scorer, the switchable wing checks many other boxes, including rebounding, physicality and athleticism.”
Yahoo Sports, grading full class: B-
Jordan Schultz: “No. 15 pick Troy Brown Jr. is a potential 3-and-D ace, but he shot just 29 percent from deep during his only collegiate season at Oregon. Still, Brown can become an ideal running mate for John Wall and Bradley Beal, and he could potentially make Kelly Oubre Jr., who is entering the final year of his deal, expendable should the Wizards not be able to afford him.”
CBS Sports, grading full class: D-
Kyle Boone: “Even the Wizards’ GM doesn’t seem confident their No. 15 pick, Troy Brown, can earn a spot in the rotation. That seems like it would be something important to factor in when drafting him! Further, drafting Issuf Sanon, a Ukrainian point guard at 44, leaves me a bit bewildered. What direction is the team going?”
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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