7. Sacramento Kings: SG Ben McLemore, Kansas
McLemore may be the best prospect in this draft based on natural talent. He fills an often overlooked role as a shooter, and his quiet personality and occasional disappearing acts led some to question his future. But McLemore's upside is way too high to pass up at this point. The Kings are a bit of a mess right now, with new owners, a new front office and a new coach. But McLemore is an important building block, albeit one in need of more stability around him. Grade: A
8. Detroit Pistons: SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia
Caldwell-Pope is a prototype shooting guard. He is a marksman from deep and can drive well enough to keep defenders honest. He also has the size to play the position and is really smooth with and without the ball. He's the replacement for Richard Hamilton the Pistons have needed for years. But an even bigger need was at point guard, where the local kid who was the best college player in the country, Michigan's Trey Burke, would have been a great fit. Caldwell-Pope should be a good player, but he doesn't have the upside of Burke and doesn't fit the team's biggest need. Grade: B
9. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves): PG Trey Burke, Michigan
UPDATE: The Timberwolves traded this pick to the Utah Jazz for the Nos. 14 and 21 picks,
USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick reports. Burke is the best playmaker in this draft, but his size made teams hedge. He's a great fit for a team that desperately needed to improve at point guard and has a stable frontcourt. Is he worth two first-round picks? In a draft like this one, he may be. Burke could have gone in the top five without any fuss. Here, he'll get a lower starting salary and a chance to start. Grade: A
10. Portland Trail Blazers: SG C.J. McCollum, Lehigh
McCollum now pairs with the player some expect him to follow, Damian Lillard. Like Lillard, McCollum is a high-scoring guard from a very small school who missed some time because of injury in college. Unlike Lillard, a point guard, McCollum plays shooting guard and relies on his deep shooting and quick handles. McCollum could be an asset off the bench for the Blazers or free them up to trade Wesley Matthews. Grade: B+
11. Philadelphia 76ers: PG Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse
Given that they just traded Holiday for Noel, the 76ers needed a point guard. Now they take a young, talented passer. Carter-Williams is 6-5 and long and can guard shooting guards, but his primary skill is passing. He has wonderful court vision but does not shoot or score very well and often forced it last season for Syracuse. That must change at the NBA level. Carter-Williams and swingman Evan Turner are similar players, so the Sixers may want to add a quicker guard to the mix. Still, he is a good value here and fits a new need. Grade: B+
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: C Steven Adams, Pittsburgh
The New Zealander didn't do much in his one season at Pitt, but he has tremendous potential because of his 7-foot frame and athleticism. He's very raw but shows tremendous enthusiasm on the court and is a charismatic person off it, meaning he aced the interview process. Adams needs a few years, which makes him a strange pick for a team that needs to win now (and needs help inside now). His potential is tough not to like. Grade: B-
