NBA 2K17 News Post

NBA Draft Winners and Losers...

11:53 AM - June 24, 2016 by RaychelSnr

Want to be the champ? It all starts in the draft.

Last night, the 2016 NBA Draft was held in Brooklyn -- with the usual fanfare surrounding 60 new players entering the league. Some teams came out of draft night winners, and others didn't really advance an agenda towards championships. Let's look at some winners and losers with NBA 2K17 as our guide.

Winners

Oklahoma City Thunder - They're my hometown team and I just want to get this out of the way now. The Oladipo for Ibaka trade was brilliant and to add Domantas Sabonis to the mix as well for frontcourt depth is just a cherry on top. The Thunder appeared to get a lot better yesterday. The starting five of Westbrook, Oladipo, Durant, Adams, and Kanter are going to be about as good as you can get in NBA 2K17.

Boston Celtics - When you enter the draft with as many picks as Boston had, its really hard to mess up draft night. The Celtics got Jaylen Brown with the third pick then followed that up with two potential future front-court players in Guerschon Yabusele (PF) and Ante Zizic (C). Demetrius Jackson and Ben Bentil are both potential future rotation players and they were gotten in the second round. There's some projects here, but this draft could yield true dividends for the Celtics in the future. They're more intriguing to play as if your goal is long-term building in MyTeam.

Philadelphia 76ers - I won't lie in the sense I oftentimes don't know what the heck Philly is up to in building their franchise. There have been starts and restarts and restarts of restarts. However, Ben Simmons is a potential star and a couple of athletic guys who can fill up the bucket in Timothe Luwawu-Caborrot and Furkan Korkmaz. In terms of NBA 2K17 -- you've got a lot of young pieces to build a championship contender around now long term.

The Losers

Brooklyn Nets - The Nets hosted the draft and badly needed something good to happen. After mortgaging the franchises future on two over the hill players in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce -- the Nets were rewarded by coming into draft night with a bad draft position but a desperate need to rebuild. Caris LeVert and Isaiah Whitehead may or may not be NBA rotation type of guys, but nothing moved the needle here. The Nets have a long way to go and don't offer much excitement except as a total rebuild in NBA 2K17.

Milwaukee Bucks - Thon Maker either is the biggest hidden gem in the history of the draft, which the Bucks stole -- or they just drafted a guy who may or may not be 19, who hasn't played anything beyond high school ball, and probably could've been acquired way down the line and probably with a favorable trade. In terms of NBA 2K17 -- its doubtful Maker is rated high at all and the Bucks overall trend seems to be sideways at best after the draft.

Dallas Mavericks - I live close enough to Dallas to see the agony DFW fans go through who aren't Rangers fans. Draft night is a reason for panic, and anytime news of roster moves hit you instantly fear the worst. The Mavs only picked A.J. Hammons from Purdue -- but the amount of 7' guys with no physcial athleticism who are successful in the NBA is very low. Really it feels like Dallas picked someone just to pick someone -- I've done that before in NBA 2K when I didn't need a pick and there was no trade which worked for me. But that was also a video game.

What do you think about draft night? How did your team do?

Game: NBA 2K17Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
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Member Comments

# 1 steelersd26 @ 06/24/16 12:44 PM

The Knicks did a great job with their 0 selections. Seriously though, at least we didn't trade away any future 1st round picks.

# 2 michaelhawj @ 06/24/16 12:46 PM

nice lineups for Thunder roster. can't wait to play as Thunder in NBA 2K17.. i am fan of Thunder

# 3 Tressler23 @ 06/24/16 12:58 PM

I like what my nuggets added much need shooters to their core. Should be fun next year.

# 4 RoyalKrimpet @ 06/24/16 01:13 PM

I do not understand how you can rate the Nets among the losers of the Draft. They came into the draft with just the 55th pick & ended up with Caris Levert who most scouts said would have gone in Lottery if he did not get injured & Isaiah Whitehead who dominated at the Combine.

They only have 5 players on the roster right now & the most cap space in the League after Thad Young trade. Let's wait & see what they do in Free Agency before we write them off.

Also in terms of 2K, I don't see how the Celtics are Winners based soley off quantity of picks. They also had 3 1st round picks in last year's draft & all of those guys are rated below 70. & that was considered to be a better draft class than this year's crop. So they are Winners because they drafted more bench warmers? C'mon man.

# 5 DBMcGee3 @ 06/24/16 01:17 PM

Celtics were the loser of the draft in my opinion. They're starting to become a more talented version of the Sixers with all these young players. They should have taken Dunn at 3 and dealt him, he was CLEARLY the best available player at that point.

Been saying it all week, some sort of deal in which Avery Bradley and Kris Dunn go to the Bulls, with Jimmy Butler coming back to the Celtics, would have been beneficial to both teams. Bulls would have needed to take some sort of undesirable contract as well most likely, but still a decent move to help them plug a couple of holes in the roster. Dunn has star written all over him.

# 6 extremeskins04 @ 06/24/16 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBMcGee3


	Celtics were the loser of the draft in my opinion. They're starting to become a more talented version of the Sixers with all these young players. They should have taken Dunn at 3 and dealt him, he was CLEARLY the best available player at that point. Been saying it all week, some sort of deal in which Avery Bradley and Kris Dunn go to the Bulls, with Jimmy Butler coming back to the Celtics, would have been beneficial to both teams. Bulls would have needed to take some sort of undesirable contract as well most likely, but still a decent move to help them plug a couple of holes in the roster. Dunn has star written all over him.

I think the C's could have gone either way. Here's the reason why. Even with Jimmy Butler, they aren't beating the Cavs or coming close to the Finals this next year. Also, NEXT year they have the Nets 1st round pick. The Nets got even worse for next year which means the Celtics will have that 1st - 3rd overall pick again, and they can package a deal for a star the following year.

Also, in order to get Jimmy Butler it would have had to been more than a 1st rounder AND Avery Bradley. Chicago wasn't going to take that cause they could get more for him. And if we lose Bradley we're losing a vital defensive player as well.

I don't know. I think this was a good move for the C's considering they aren't contending this next year either.

# 7 twebb5896 @ 06/24/16 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalKrimpet


	I do not understand how you can rate the Nets among the losers of the Draft. They came into the draft with just the 55th pick & ended up with Caris Levert who most scouts said would have gone in Lottery if he did not get injured & Isaiah Whitehead who dominated at the Combine. They only have 5 players on the roster right now & the most cap space in the League after Thad Young trade. Let's wait & see what they do in Free Agency before we write them off. Also in terms of 2K, I don't see how the Celtics are Winners based soley off quantity of picks. They also had 3 1st round picks in last year's draft & all of those guys are rated below 70. & that was considered to be a better draft class than this year's crop. So they are Winners because they drafted more bench warmers? C'mon man.

R.J Hunter is the only one under 70, if you watched the playoffs Rozier and Hunter played big minutes when Avery Bradley went down. Don't get mad because we literally own the Nets future, I love the Nets so much thank you for 3 straight top five picks! You guys are so generous to tank for us! <3

# 8 Trackball @ 06/24/16 07:09 PM

Quote:


	who hasn't played anything beyond high school ball

"Why are the T-Wolves taking Garnett? He hasn't played anything beyond high school ball."

"Why did the Lakers trade for Bryant? He hasn't played anything beyond high school ball."

"Why is Cleveland taking James? I don't care that he's a hometown hero--he hasn't played anything beyond high school ball."

# 9 DBMcGee3 @ 06/27/16 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extremeskins04


	I think the C's could have gone either way. Here's the reason why. Even with Jimmy Butler, they aren't beating the Cavs or coming close to the Finals this next year. Also, NEXT year they have the Nets 1st round pick. The Nets got even worse for next year which means the Celtics will have that 1st - 3rd overall pick again, and they can package a deal for a star the following year. Also, in order to get Jimmy Butler it would have had to been more than a 1st rounder AND Avery Bradley. Chicago wasn't going to take that cause they could get more for him. And if we lose Bradley we're losing a vital defensive player as well. I don't know. I think this was a good move for the C's considering they aren't contending this next year either.

I think Bradley and Dunn for Butler would have come really close to getting the trade done. Perhaps the Bulls throw in the 14 pick for another decent player, with a salary that would match up.

I just feel like the longer the Celtics wait to pull the trigger on a proven star, the less leverage they have going forward. Butler would have provided them the scoring they desperately need now, and he's every bit as good a defender as Bradley. They could have been the definitive 2nd or 3rd best team in the East with that move, and they still had 2 of the 3 picks left, and a great draft again next year.

# 10 jeremym480 @ 06/27/16 10:50 AM

Unless we get D-League or expanded rosters, then I'd call Boston losers (2K wise) because they're not going to have room for the draft & stash or D-League players. In real life, I'm really excited about Yabusele & Zizic and I'm hoping that Bentil and Jackson can push Mickey and Rozier for their roster spots as well. Although, with plenty of talented players already on the roster and a ton of cap space to spend, I doubt that we'll see all four of those in 2k17.... well, not from the jump anyway.

# 11 HiNeighbor @ 06/27/16 01:41 PM

Kanter and Adams won't both be starting for the Thunder. They are both true C's. Ersan Ilyasova is the obvious choice for starting PF.

# 12 Mauer4MVP @ 06/27/16 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackball


	"Why are the T-Wolves taking Garnett? He hasn't played anything beyond high school ball." "Why did the Lakers trade for Bryant? He hasn't played anything beyond high school ball." "Why is Cleveland taking James? I don't care that he's a hometown hero--he hasn't played anything beyond high school ball."

That's all great if you compare those 4 in just that way. If you watch high school tape, you can clearly see Thon Maker is a giant project. Should have traded down.

# 13 Pokes404 @ 06/27/16 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiNeighbor


	Kanter and Adams won't both be starting for the Thunder. They are both true C's. Ersan Ilyasova is the obvious choice for starting PF.

Actually, Kanter has a good face-up jumper that can space the floor and does pretty well guarding traditional PFs. It's stretch-4s that give him trouble because while he runs the floor very well for his size, he has slow lateral movement. That's why he played a lot against San Antonio and not much against Golden State. Kanter and Adams can exist on the floor with each other without overlapping roles or stepping on each others toes.

However, I do think that it would be better to start Ilyasova (and Roberson for that matter) and allow Oladipo and Kanter to run the 2nd unit. I'd be willing to bet that you'll see a lineup of Westbrook, Oladipo, Durant, Kanter, and Adams in most 4th quarters though (assuming that Durant stays).

# 14 JazzCeltics @ 06/27/16 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackball


	"Why are the T-Wolves taking Garnett? He hasn't played anything beyond high school ball." "Why did the Lakers trade for Bryant? He hasn't played anything beyond high school ball." "Why is Cleveland taking James? I don't care that he's a hometown hero--he hasn't played anything beyond high school ball."

What about Kwame Brown?
What about Robert Swift?
What about Johnathan Bender?
What about Darius Miles?
What about Desagana Diop?
What about Eddy Curry? (I know he was good for a few years, but once he got to the Knicks he wasn't too good)
What about Martell Webster?
I know that many high school players like the ones you mentioned, Dwight Howard, Bynum, Jermaine O'Neal, and more, but there are many busts as well out of high school, so that argument can't be made for Thon Maker.

# 15 TGsoGood @ 06/28/16 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzCeltics


	What about Kwame Brown? What about Robert Swift? What about Johnathan Bender? What about Darius Miles? What about Desagana Diop? What about Eddy Curry? (I know he was good for a few years, but once he got to the Knicks he wasn't too good) What about Martell Webster? I know that many high school players like the ones you mentioned, Dwight Howard, Bynum, Jermaine O'Neal, and more, but there are many busts as well out of high school, so that argument can't be made for Thon Maker.

Thon doesn't need to become a superstar he just needs to be a solid contributor who doesn't mess things up for anyone else. That's just my opinion.

No one expected Martell Webster, Desagna Diop, and Robert Swift to have "Face of the Franchise" type of talent. Those guys were noted as having a (possible) high ceilings like Thon. I think what kills Thon is the KD comparisons, he is not that guy in the NBA but I think he can turn into a solid contributor. He just needs to be able to impact the game, he doesn't have to be Superstar to have a successful career. I'd Argue that he does not even have to become an All-Star to be successful.

# 16 Mauer4MVP @ 06/28/16 09:55 AM

There's also evidence that he's most likely at least 23.

# 17 redsox4evur @ 06/30/16 12:26 AM

I'm sorry Philly is a loser. They screwed up their pick. Ingram was the best player in this draft. Also they now have 5, seriously 5, guys that should be starting in the league. Embiid, Okafor, Simmons, Saric and Noel. And guess what they all have in common they are big men. Is Brett Brown going to go with 5 bigs on the court at one time?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 18 Trackball @ 06/30/16 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzCeltics


	What about Kwame Brown? What about Robert Swift? What about Johnathan Bender? What about Darius Miles? What about Desagana Diop? What about Eddy Curry? (I know he was good for a few years, but once he got to the Knicks he wasn't too good) What about Martell Webster? I know that many high school players like the ones you mentioned, Dwight Howard, Bynum, Jermaine O'Neal, and more, but there are many busts as well out of high school, so that argument can't be made for Thon Maker.

Hindsight bias.

After Garnett and Kobe came right out of high school and started kicking butt almost immediately (especially the former), a lot of players came out in the next 5-7 years. Who knew so many would start sucking?

Take this Bill Simmons column from right after the 2002 NBA Draft, regarding the top two picks:

Quote:


	Years from now, we will remember "Yao Ming over Jay Williams" the same way we remember "Bowie over Jordan," "Traylor for Nowitzki," "Carroll for McHale and Parish," "Aguirre over Thomas" and every other great draft day blunder in NBA history. I'm not just predicting it, I'm guaranteeing it.

Six months later, to the day, he wrote a follow-up. To his credit, he admits fault, which is more than I can say for some sportswriters.

Quote:


	I'm an idiot. Forget about Yao's emergence as the most polished rookie big man since Brad Daugherty, or that he offers the first worthy challenge to Shaq since Hakeem was still The Dream. If you're a basketball fan, you love Yao Ming. He's a godsend, the best Chinese import since General Tso. And I thought he'd stink. I may as well have predicted that Vin Baker would be the missing piece of the puzzle in Boston or the Blazers would be a team you could be proud to bring home to Mom.

Who knew Jay Williams would decide to be an idiot with his motorcycle?
...And yes, I know what you're thinking: Who knew Yao Ming's feet would betray him?
Not that it matters--Yao's in the Hall of Fame. Jay's not.

# 19 Mauer4MVP @ 06/30/16 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsox4evur


	I'm sorry Philly is a loser. They screwed up their pick. Ingram was the best player in this draft. Also they now have 5, seriously 5, guys that should be starting in the league. Embiid, Okafor, Simmons, Saric and Noel. And guess what they all have in common they are big men. Is Brett Brown going to go with 5 bigs on the court at one time? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like Ingram more as well, but you are wrong to call them a loser. That's just an opinion and Simmons is a good prospect (I'd put him in like a tier 2 type #1 prospect like John Wall, Dwight, etc).

# 20 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 06/30/16 09:58 AM

A little off topic but I kind of want to start a franchise with the draft picks . I think the lakers and Timberwolves had good picks

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NBA Draft Winners and Losers...