NBA according to Hooded Justice

[Hooded Justice]

Bucks Trade for Marc Gasol

Following the disagreement with Grizzlies board about where the team should be heading, it was expect that Marc Gasol leaves Memphis in the offseason. Last season's runner ups Milwaukee Bucks wasted no time in trading for the center from Spain.

BUCKS get: Marc Gasol, pick #33

GRIZZLIES get: John Henson, Thon Maker, Matthew Dellavedova, pick #22

With Bucks being a championship contender, it was obvious for them to strengthen their team even more and prepare for another season where they'll be competing with teams like Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Young center Thom Maker is the most important piece of the trade for Grizzlies as they're entering a rebuild process.

[Hooded Justice]

No. 1 Pick Traded

It seems like Atlanta Hawks didn't want to use their no. 1 overall pick to draft Delmontae Smith who is believed to be the very best player in this year's draft class. However, there were teams who were willing to trade up in order to get the UCLA point guard.

HAWKS get: Evan Fournier, Jonathan Isaac, pick #5

MAGIC get: Kent Bazemore, pick #1

Hawks get a nice update in SG position, while they still get some young talent in Jonathan Isaac and this year's no. 5 pick. And you can't really blame Magic for trading up since as they're looking to draft Smith, who has the potential to be their next franchise player.

Rumors are Suns and Clippers had their trade offers for the no.1 pick rejected.

[Hooded Justice]

NBA Draft 2018 (part 1)



1. Orlando Magic - Delmontae Smith (PG, UCLA)

Delmontae Smith out of UCLA is definitely the most talented player in this year's draft. Hopes for Smith are big and it's no wonder Magic were willing to give up Fournier, Isaac and their pick in order to get him.

Smith is a an outstanding two-way player and we could expect to see him in an all-star game in the next couple of years.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Evan Barker-Dennis (SF, Memphis)

Just like it was expected, Memphis Grizzlies used their no. 2 pick to get SF our of Memphis - Evan Barker-Dennis.

Barker-Dennis is known for his ability to score, both on the inside and outisde. If he can up his defensive game, he'll be able to leave a big mark in the league.

3. Dallas Mavericks - Kevin Lengoulama (PF, Arizona)

Having sneaked into top 3, Dallas Mavericks have drafted Kevin Longoulama out of Arizona. Lengoulama will be a replacement for Dirk Nowitzki who's about to annouce his retirment in the next couple of days.

Lengoulama is definitely the best defender in this years draft and could play an important role in Dallas.

4. Sacramento Kings - Mehmet Degerli (SF, Turkey)

Having made some questionable picks in the last couple of drafts, Sacramento Kings have decided to use their pick to draft Mehmet Degerli from Turkey.

Small forward who played for the trukish side Fenerbahce is an outstanding defendir with the ability to shoot from the outside. He can eaisly fit into SG role as well.

5. Atlanta Hawks - Cordarius Hicks (C, Butler)

Delmontae Smith really is the biggest talent in this year's draft but it's big question would him and Dennsi Schroeder manage to share minutes. This means Atlanta's decision to trade their no. 1 pick was a good idea.

Tehy used the no. 5 pick tehy got in that Magic trade to draft Cordarius Hicks out of Butler. Hicks is a real scoring machine. If he imporves his defence, he dould develop into a real star.

6. Phoenix Suns - Johnnie Terry (PG, Oklahoma)

Even though Johnnie Terry was expected to go mid-first round, Phoenix Suns used their no. 6 pick to draft the PG out of Oklahioma.

Terry is best known for his speed and ability to score 3pts.

7. San Antonio Spurs - Jeremy Hedden (SG, Creighton)

TRADE ALERT: It was expected for Cleveland Cavaliers to trade Brooklyn pick but not too many NBA fans saw Spurs making a trade for it. However, Brookly pick was traded on draft night as Spurs were looking for a player to replace Manu Ginobilli who has decided to retire.

CAVALIERS get: Pau Gasol, pick #34

SPURS get: Tristan Thompson, pick #7

Gregg Popovich has already stated that he could see Hedden fit into his Spurs team and with Hedden being available at no. 7, Spurs have decided to go for it. After losing to Pelicans in 2018 playoffs, Spurs decided to take a step back and add one more young player to their team.

There's no doubt we'll see the sharpshooter out of Creighton improve with Spurs.

8. New York Knicks - Kaleb Hines (PF, Syracuse)

With the pick no. 8, New York Knicks Drafted Kaleb Hines out of Syracuse.

The two-way PF is already good enough to get into Kicks rotation and we could see him cover SF spot as well, even though his outside shooting is questionable.

9. Chicago Bulls - Chris Blackmon (SF, Michigan State)

And with pick no. 9, we saw Chicago Bulls draft two-way wing out of Michigan State - Chris Blackmon.

[georgiafan]

Mehmet Degril is a cool name and he also looks very mean like he could be a hitman or something

[Hooded Justice]

NBA DRAFT 2018 (part 2)

-----> TRADE ALERT: HEAT get: pick #10 76ers get: Dion Waiters

10. MIA - Tavares Davis Jr. (PF, Kentucky)

11. IND - Nikita Juravlev (PF, Russia)

12. LAC - Tao Ran (PF, China)

13. POR - Giavani Perry (PG, Colorado)

14. LAC - Marquise Ryan (PG, Duke)

15. PHX - Avayon Wayans (SF, Colorado State)

16. CHA - JaQuvon Dillen (PF, Louisville)

17. UTA - Kevin Thurman (PF, South Carolina)

18. WAS - Hakeem Adewale (PF, Virginia Tech)

19. DEN - Elias Clayton (SG, Gonzaga)

-----> TRADE ALERT: PELICANS get: #pick 20 HAWKS get: '19 2nd round pick, Frank Jackson

20. NOP - Zeljko Brkljac (C, Serbia)

21. PHI - Tim McCrary (C, Nevada)

22. MEM - Ashtone Jacobson (SG, Canada)

23. CHI - DaJuan Marshall (PF, North Carolina)

24. SAS - Ahmad Wallace (C, Indiana)

25. MIN - Jayy Walker (PG, Oregon)

26. LAL - Jordi Rodriguez (PG, Spain)

27. BKN - Jordan Washington (PG, Ohio State)

28. BOS - Atrail Isaac(PG, Kansas)

29. ATL - Semir Omerbegovic (C, Bosnia - 2 years left in Europe)

30. GSW - Devin Thomas (PG, Iowa State)

2nd Round
(only players who've signed contracts with teams that drafted them)

-----> TRADE ALERT: RAPTORS get: pick #31 HAWKS get: '19 2nd round pick, '21 2nd round pick

31. TOR - Matt Williams (SG, Duke)

32. SAC - Jamalle Bendall (PG, UNLV)

33. MIL - Dean Pope (C, Minnesota)

-----> TRADE ALERT: CAVALIERS get: pick #34 SUNS get: '21 2nd round pick

34. CLE - Chris Carter (PG, Butler)

35. ORL - Geoffrey Brown (PF, Marquette)

37. DAL - Alessandro Minardi (SF, Italy - 1 year left in Europe)

38. NYK - Maurice Gondo (SF, Auburn)

39. PHI - Mattia Paciani (PG, Italy - 1 year left in Europe)

40. BKN - Lonnie Oscar (SF, Washington)

41. IND - Erick Tomlinson (C, Arizona)

44. HOU - Bradley Powell (SF, Maryland)

47. DEN - Lamar Carson (SF, Michigan)

49. MIN - Bright Madu (PF, Indiana)

55. OKC - Robert Brunson (PF, Mississippi)

[Hooded Justice]

Nowitzki Retires

After 19 seasons in the NBA league, Dirk Nowitzki has decided to retire. Nowitzki (40) has spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks who have announced they'll be retiring his jersey number 41. Dirk has played 1,475 games for the mavs and averaged 21.2 points per game.

Nowitzki isn't the only notable player to be retiring from the NBA as Manu Ginobilli, Jason Terry, Richard Jefferson, James Jones, Mike Miller and Matt Barnes have decided to do the same.

[Hooded Justice]

IT Finally Finds Home

Even though Isaiah Thomas had a decent stint with LA Lakers, he has decided to leave Los Angeles and join Indiana Pacers who seem to be building a decent team that can compete in the Eastern conference. Pacers announced they've signed Isaiah Thomas on a 4-year deal worth $106.34.

Pacers needed to clear some cap space in order to be able to sign Thomas which is why they've shipped Corey Joseph to Dallas Mavericks in a three-team trade.

PACERS get: DeAndre' Bembry

MAVERICKS get: Corey Joseph, '21 2nd round pick (from Pacers)

HAWKS get: J.J. Barea