Los Angeles Lakers: Complete 2018 NBA Draft first round grades
With the NBA Draft coming to a close, how did the Los Angeles Lakers and other teams do in the first round?
The Los Angeles Lakers and rest of the NBA welcomed 60 new players to the league in the 2018 NBA Draft. This draft did not disappoint, as there were a number of trades completed. A number of teams should come away happy after the night, while others may be a little more disappointed.
Which teams are the happy ones? Check out our full first round team grades from the 2018 NBA Draft!
The first team under the microscope; the Phoenix Suns.
66. . Center. Arizona. DeAndre Ayton. 1. player
With the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Arizona center DeAndre Ayton like many expected. It became pretty apparent that Ayton was going to be the first pick for the past few weeks, and that is what ended up happening.
Ayton will provide the Suns with a new-age center in the middle, as he is able to play in both the post and also shoot from beyond the arc. For bigs in the NBA now, this is crucial and Ayton can do both well.
While Ayton does have some question marks on the defensive end, he certainly has the ability to be a great rim protector with his size. By taking Ayton, the Suns are building a strong core in the draft over the past few years, as they add Ayton into the lineup with Josh Jackson and Devin Booker.
Even though they have had a tough stretch the past few years, the addition of Ayton should help them improve next season. With a strong frame already, Ayton should be able to contribute right away for the Suns. For many bigs, the transition into the NBA can be a challenging one. However, Ayton certainly looks like he belongs physically in the NBA.