And it's our sixth year using draft slots! If you have questions about how this was calculated, these links should help: Draft Slots in RD1. Remember, RD2-6 are slotted in Power Ranking order #1-16, with snaking from RD3 and on. [ New Post-Season 2.0 | Power Ranking 2024 | Draft 2024 Sheet ] *Note these draft slots and picks don't account for trades.
Our fifth year using draft slots! If you have questions about how this was calculated, these links should help: Draft Slots in RD1. Remember, RD2-6 are slotted in Power Ranking order #1-16, with snaking from RD3 and on. [ New Post-Season 2.0 | Power Ranking 2023 | Draft 2024 Sheet ] *Note these draft slots and picks don't account for trades.
Heading into the 2023 NBA draft, there were three clear prizes: Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr., with a drop off afterwards. What would the SlamNation owners make of these rookies? [ 2023 Draft Order | 2023 RD1 Grades ]
Winning the Toilet Bowl in a year with no clear cut number one pick meant CHMK had to take a gamble and they decided to roll the dice on Jabari Smith Jr., who projects as an incredible two-way player who lands in Houston with plenty of playing time ahead. Still it was a bit of a surprise to see CHMK go this direction, as Paolo Banchero was the NBA’s top selection.
SPDE wasted no time pouncing on Chet Holmgren, who already feels like a Spade, with one year of injury under his belt, before he even hits the floor! That meant Toilet Bowl runner-up ILCN fell into Banchero at number three overall, which could perhaps be another Luka moment if Banchero turns out to be the All-Pro out of the bunch.
The first round was light on rookies actually, with only Keegan Murray (TRUO, RD1.4), Jaden Ivey (FOBS, RD1.6), and Benedict Mathurin (ABCX, RD1.13) joining the party. Rookie Tari Eason was the first pick of round two by SQSQ.
BUFF took high-value Collin Sexton (RD1.5) as the first non-rookie and youngish previous keepers like Kevin Porter Jr. (MELO), D’Angelo Russell (KSKT), and RJ Barrett (TRUO) came off the board in the first half of round one as well.
Let’s take a look at some quick team draft highlights—and lowlights?
• FJUB is going for more win-now, as PJ Washington, Gary Trent Jr., Kelly Olynyk, De’Anthony Melton, Brook Lopez, and TJ McConnell should all be useful rotation players.
• FUNK only had four picks, with none in the first three rounds.
• FOBS enjoyed two first rounders and seven overall picks, grabbing Ivey, Jalen Smith, and Luguentz Dort early.
• SWMP filled out their starting lineup with Marcus Smart and Monte Morris, and then moved to grab super youngsters Aleksej Pokusevski and Joshua Primo.
• MELO got some sneaky great picks in Kevin Porter Jr., Malcolm Brogdon (RD2.16), Lonzo Ball, Chris Duarte, and Norman Powell.
• KSKT had an enviable nine total picks, and their scouting department worked hard, nabbing rookies Jalen Williams (RD5.5), Shaedon Sharpe (RD5.12), and Jeremy Sochan (RD6.12) with their extra picks. Their two first rounders were D’Angelo Russell and Buddy Hield, who should bolster their roster significantly.
• ABCX likely got a steal in rookie Bennedict Mathurin, but they also scooped up RD5.10 Kevin Love, who turned in a very useful season last year.
• BUFF took all the keeper-esque leftovers he could get his hands on in Sexton, Tobias Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Steven Adams. Roger also took a spin on Miles Bridges…shame shame!
• SOUR had an outstanding draft, with Herb Jones, Josh Hart, Isaiah Stewart, rookie Jalen Duren, and Cam Reddish.
• SPDE took two Isaiahs—Jackson (RD3.2) and Hartenstein (RD5.2)
• ILCN got not only Paolo Banchero, but fellow rookie Walker Kessler (RD3.11) and then took injury fliers on Jonathan Isaac, De’Andre Hunter, and Patrick Williams as well.
• SCRM is looking for a win-now composition, as they took Jakob Poeltl, Gordon Hayward, Cam Johnson, Jordan Clarkson, and Aaron Gordon. That’s quite the bench mob!
Up to the minute draft grades and analysis! The content team is coming in hot this season—despite not articling anything about our last champion (yet)! [ 2023 Draft Recap ]
RD1.1 CHMK - Jabari Smith, Jr.
After a Toilet Bowl win, it seemed like this would be the best time to do some research on the rookies. Instead, GM Evan looked at the consensus top three prospects and took the 6’10" Rockets forward based on this reasoning: “I don’t know crap about the rookies. I just saw a big who shoots threes, [and] I draft.“That’s an owner who’s overpaying his scouting staff! (Or too cheap to have a scouting staff?)
The good news is that the nineteen-year-old rookie should add some offensive punch to the young CHMK frontcourt that also features defensive aces Bam Adebayo and Robert Williams.
Rumors are that James Harden is now on the move as he is now sorely miscast on a rebuilding team.
Grade: A-, hard to fault any of the top three picks
RD1.2 SPDE - Chet Holmgren
As an organization, Spade has always been unafraid to take injured players. So while it was a bit of a shock to see Holmgren still go number two, it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise.
GM Randall loves to roll the dice on upside and Holmgren has a lot of it. He could break the NBA!—at least until Victor Wembanyama arrives next season. SPDE now has a fully future-forward roster, as Holmgren can grow alongside last year’s rookie, current OKC teammate Josh Giddey.
After finishing with the second worst record in Slam last season, we’re likely looking at another tank year for SPDE. Note: Should a contender go get Kawhi Leonard?!
Grade: A, love the upside reach!
RD1.3 ILCN - Paolo Banchero
The semi-surpris first overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft falls into Frank’s lap, a bit unexpectedly. While Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren could both turn out to be exceptional, Banchero will be given the reins in Orlando immediately. This pick has shades of Luka Doncic falling into ILCN’s lap a few years ago.
With a young roster that really blossomed last season—Darius Garland, Jaren Jackson Jr., all put it together—ILCN was already on the verge of contention. Getting an impact rookie like Panchero is going to accelerate their path toward a title even further. Wow!
Grade: A+
Last year’s second overall pick, Jalen Green, is looking like a future star and TRUO’s keeper core was a churning this offseason as they inserted four new keepers.
Sophomores Green and Scottie Barnes will be a wonderful foundation to build on, while Dillon Brooks and Cole Anthony can provide scoring from the backcourt. Now the 6’8” Murray—who projects as a well-rounded and versatile asset— will join the TRUO youth movement, to be mentored by Jimmy Butler and Julius Randle.
Grade: A, next best rookie and a perfect fit for this team
RD1.5 BUFF - Collin Sexton
The first owner to deviate from taking rookies at the top of the draft, Roger had his sights set on Sexton, whose new role in Utah will be to get plenty of shots up—which he will, with aplomb!
With a roster that is already offense-heavy—Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram, Domantas Sabonis, Klay Thompson, Kyle Kuzma—we’re not sure if a different pick would have been more useful here, but Sexton is still quite young and has an outstanding opportunity on his new team. This was definitely “player over fit” pick.
Grade: B, young and productive, even if not the ideal player for this team
RD1.6 FOBS - Jaden Ivey
Tabbed as “the best guard in the draft,” Ivey will slot in on FOBS as Damian Lillard’s understudy perfectly. Both are highly explosive players who play no defense, but it seems like GM Jimmy is encourages that.
Jamal Murray, Keldon Johnson, Saddiq Bey are all score-first players, and it’ll be huge task for Jarrett Allen to give this team some semblance of defense. Still, drafting Ivey was a no-brainer here, as there was even some early talks of him going in the top-three.
Grade: A, easy obvious pick
RD1.7 MELO - Kevin Porter, Jr.
Chances are that the twenty-two year old Porter will outperform almost all of the players drafted above him, and especially the rookies. Despite some sub-par shooting percentages, Porter flashed great upside as a scorer and passer toward the tail end of last season—and is projected to post 16.9 PTS, 6.3 AST, and 4.5 REB. (For reference, Porter Jr. is less than a year older than Keegan Murray.)
MELO needed to add talent to this team—especially after the disastrous De’Aaron Fox for Kemba Walker trade—and it looks like Porter Jr. will be a huge value for them.
Grade: A, great pick!
Ah D’Angelo…nobody wants him, everyone would love the potential of him. At twenty-seven years old and just hitting his prime, it can be safely said that what Russell is now is what you’ll get in the future: terrible FG%, nice points, seven assists, a bunch of 3PT, and one-fourth of the season missed (at least).
For a team that is already fielding injury risks like Zion Williamson, Michael Porter, Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis, what’s one more right?!
Nobody will be counting on Russell to be a fantasy star this season—not behind sophomore Cade Cunningham, shocking projected top-ten fantasy pick Tyrese Haliburton, and Anfernee Simons—so maybe D’Angelo is in the perfect situation as the fourth guard here.
Grade: B, good value, no risk
RD1.9 TRUO - RJ Barrett (via SWMP and then SOUR)
So the final trade for De’Aaron Fox to SOUR ends up looking like this: Fox and Jordan Clarkson to SOUR for Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett for TROU. The jury is out on who got the better end of the deal, but the drafting of the still twenty-two year old Barrett is a nice bit of business for Thien.
With RD1.4 Keegan Murray also on board—Murray and Barrett are actually only one month apart in age—TRUO had a hell of a first round.
Grade: A+, lots of upside here!
RD1.10 FOBS - Jalen Smith (via FUNK)
Adding another “Jalen” to the mix—alongside Suggs—will give FOBS some marketing versatility at least. When Jaden Ivey fell into FOBS’ lap at RD1.4, we said that this team needed some defensive and frontcourt options.
Six picks later, third-year pro Jalen Smith could step right in as the new power forward starter for Indiana, and that could mean both BLK and 3PT from the center position for FOBS.
Note: The final trade for John Collins turned out to be John Collins and 2022 FOBS RD4.13 Monte Morris for FUNK 2022 RD1.12 Buddy Hield, FUNK 2022 RD2.7 Saddiq Bey, and 2023 FUNK 2023 1.10 Jalen Smith.
Grade: B+, with lots of big man options available, we like the combination of youth and upside
RD1.11 SCRM - Jakob Poeltl
ESPN had him listed as its next best player and someone had to take him right? GM Jordan was more than happy to grab the Spur’s double-double machine, who will ably fill the role left vacant by this year’s castaway keepers Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Stewart.
The still young-ish Poeltl isn’t a sexy pick, but he’ll be perfectly cast as the backup big man to defensive stalwarts Anthony Davis and Evan Mobley.
Grade: A, just take the best guy available!
Honestly, this was just fate. FJUBS has long favored do-it-all defensive players and here is Washington with his one STL, BLK, and (more than one) 3PT per game.
You can go ahead and buy a home here in Juba-land P.J., you ain’t never leaving. Maybe Washington and Robert Covington will become roommates?
Grade: A+, just as expected!
RD1.13 ABCX - Bennedict Mathurin
In desperate need of some young talent, ABCX made the playoffs last year despite dragging the corpses of Derrick Rose, Evan Fournier, and TJ Warren around—and is Russell Westbrook finally ready to move on? This year, ABCX is still a bit questionable at keeper with Harrison Barnes and Kelly Oubre, Jr. but it seems like GM Oliver read the tea leaves and a youth movement is underway.
Mathurin is the next-best rookie and he’ll be a perfect third guard next to Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball, as he’s capable of play off ball and just hitting shots. While Buddy Heild is starting in front of him—for now—in Indiana, the Pacers future backcourt will be Tyrese Haliburton and Mathurin.
Grade: A-, an inspired and appropriate pick for this franchise
RD1.14 KSKT - Buddy Hield (via SQSQ)
With their second first-round draft pick, KSKT nabbed Buddy Hield, who averaged 18.2 PTS, 5.1 REB, 4.8 AST, and 3.1 3PT in twenty-six games as a Pacer last season. The problem is, Hield is unlikely to stay there for much longer—hello Lakers?!—and Hield is actually about to turn thirty this season.
With D’Angelo Russell and Hield as their first rounders, KSTK is certainly looking to fill up the bucket, but we’re wondering if a non-offensive focused player would’ve been better here. Note: This was one of the picks coming from the Caris LeVert and Kevin Huerter trade—it was Huerter plus this pick (Hield) and a future SQSQ 2024 RD3 selection for LeVert.
Grade: B-, seems redundant with the Russell pick
RD1.15 SOUR - Herbert Jones
Is “Herb” now a “Herbert?” Whatever the case, this defensive ace adds a fair number of steals but may be better on-the-court than on paper. Like many real-life NBA defensive stalwarts, his game is best displayed in-person and not in the boxscore.
However, GM Trieu must see some great (fantasy) things ahead, as using a first rounder on Jones—who currently mainly contributes in one category—could be seen as overreaching, especially with so many veteran win-now options still on the board. It is not for us to question the great Trieu, but this pick was a little surprising. Perhaps Steph Curry demanded a defensive presence alongside him?
Grade: C-
Back-to-back Jones! This Jones is the new starting point guard in San Antonio and there isn’t a whole lot to go on, the Spurs will be tanking team and that usually means great news for fantasy owners.
The defending champs already have a lovely blend of veterans—Joel Embiid, CJ McCollum, Kyrie Irving, Rudy Gobert—and youth, with versatile sophomore Franz Wagner and new Knicks guard Jalen Brunson slated to go up another (statistical) level away from Luka Doncic.
Picking up another young ball distributor certainly won’t hurt SBUK at all and owner Josh can afford to bask in the afterglow of his first championship while tinkering with his core while working on a title defense!
Grade: B, sure why not!
Our fourth year using draft slots! If you have questions about how this was calculated, these links should help: Draft Slots in RD1. Remember, RD2-6 are slotted in Power Ranking order #1-16, with snaking from RD3 and on. [ New Post-Season 2.0 | Power Ranking 2021 | Draft 2023 Sheet ] *Note these draft slots and picks don't account for trades.
We had eight pre-draft trades this season, highlighted by our biggest, #114 between Chunky Monkeys and Squirtle Squad. Our current regular seasons champs are looking to push all-in and win their first title, moving for LeBron James at the cost of rising star Bam Adebayo.
This marks the third time King James has been traded and so far he’s already brought championships to two Slam franchises — Sour Snails and Chunky Monkeys. Even at the ripe old age of thirty-six years, James can be the difference maker for a team, especially when he’s now teamed up with back-to-back NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
For Monkeys, this likely signals the start of a slow rebuild, as they have been actively looking to shop their veterans and some ill-fitting parts of their perennial contender. Or is this just a savvy move by Evan to get younger and win at the same time?!
There were some other trades of note as well. Funk Coalition also decide to exchange future for present, sending the injured Jonathan Isaac off to So Buckets for DeMar DeRozan. Note: This was SBUK's third trade ever in almost a decade in Slam. While both FUNK and SBUK have strong cases for contender status, this swap gives FUNK a shorter window to win-now, and gives the stacked SBUK roster another defensive piece for a defensive core that already features Joel Embiid and Rudy Gobert.
Players moved for picks: Kelly Oubre Jr. for a 2021 RD3, Montrezl Harrell for 2022 RD3, Dennis Schroder for a 2021 RD4/5 pick swap, and then the first ever in-dispersal trade which exchanged De’Aaron Fox and Jaylen Brown for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OG Anunoby.
And then to wrap up, the father-son duo of SQSQ and KSKT teamed up to exchange KSKT’s 2021 RD2.12 Donte DiVincenzo for SQSQ’s RD3.16 Mason Plumlee and a RD5.16, which resulted in Tristan Thompson.
Great job guys with all the pre-draft moving and shaking!
Well, the global pandemic messed up our 2020 fantasy playoffs so the fairest thing to do was just install RD1 draft slots for 2021 in reverse power ranking order. That's right, no Toilet Bowl, no champion, nothing!
So RD1 was just done according to the draft slot rule instituted two years ago: Draft Slots in RD1, with SQSQ and SPDE installed as the presumptive finals contestants. Then RD2-6 was just slotted in Power Ranking order #1-16, with snaking from RD3 and on. [ New Post-Season 2.0 | Power Ranking 2020 | Draft 2021 Sheet ]
6. Anthony Bennett (Funk Coalition)
Does draft position equate to winning? Somehow the owners with the middle draft picks came out worse for wear during the season. The three worst teams last year drafted #6, 8 and 9 overall in 2010. Despite picking at decent positions, Eric A, Jimmy, and Chris combined for a 11-40-3 record. One factor could have been transactions, as Eric-A and Chris both had very low transaction moves during the season. Or perhaps their poor inaguaral season points to the drop off in top tier superstars from the #5 position on?
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