JIMMY Butler got traded, Paul George didn’t and Markelle Fultz went No. 1. The NBA Draft provided a rollercoaster ride as generation next found out their newest homes. There were established players that also changed area codes, with some teams clearly coming out on top and others flunking proceedings. Let’s dig into the winners and losers from the 2017 NBA Draft.

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WINNERS

Hornets
THE Charlotte Hornets have their backcourt of the future with Kemba Walker and now Malik Monk. One of my favourite players in this draft, Monk slipped to No. 10 on the board and the Hornets made the right choice swooping to secure the freshman phenom. He and Kemba may lack height, but the two studs will have no issue scoring the rock.

Tom Thibodeau
THIBS spent five seasons as the head coach of Chicago before arriving in Minnesota. During that time he helped Jimmy Butler develop into the superstar two-way player that he is today. Seeing them together will be an exciting combo for Timberwolves fans.

Image from sportsmockery.com

Knicks Fans
A moment of respite for Knick fans with no outrageous Kristpas Porzingis trade manufactured…..yet. Phil Jackson seems determined to run the Knicks into the ground, but they were able to draft international point guard Frank Ntilikina at No. 8. He has an educated, poised way to his style of play and I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a great pro.

76ers
THIS one is easy. Sixers fans have apparently already given the teams new young quartet a catchy nickname with Markelle Fultz, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric and Ben Simmons being tabbed as the ‘FEDS’. ‘The Process’ seems to have worked, now it’s time for Philadelphia to begin their climb back up the standings.

Lavar Ball
“I told you so”. Those were the four words LaVar Ball told the reporter as soon as his son, Lonzo, became the 2nd overall pick in the draft. Lonzo Ball will now join the LA Lakers, but if you have been following LaVar, you’ll know that he has seen this coming from day one. The news get’s better for Lakers fans with LaVar guaranteeing the playoffs next year with his son running the show. He hasn’t been wrong so far, so stay tuned.

Warriors
THE rich get richer. Golden State managed to buy a draft pick from the Chicago Bulls in the second round. That draft pick (No. 38) turned out to be used on Oregon forward Jordan Bell, many of whom thought would be a first round choice and is a versatile defender that can contribute meaningful minutes. FFS.

LOSERS

Kings
I’M not giving the Kings credit for taking Fox at No. 5 that was always the right choice. They then had the opportunity to pair Fox with his college teammate with Malik Monk at No. 10 and create some excitement, but instead they decided to move back and draft a carbon copy of Matt Barnes (Justin Jackson) and a player with constant knee issues (Harry Giles) who played just 300 minutes of college ball averaging 3.9 points.

Markelle Fultz’s Instagram
THIS so god damn funny. It seems like Markelle Fultz was so excited to post about his new home that he kind of forget to insert the words into his template. Fultz posted “Excited to head to (City) and join (team name) @Tissot.us is helping me get started with my (team name)”. Philly fans will be hoping Fultz’s Instagram account won’t reflect his play at the 76ers.

Image from azfamily.com

Ike Anigbogu
ANIGBOGU was meant to be a first round pick in most experts eyes. He was tabbed to be a fringe lottery pick by some and had to settle for watching his college teammates Lonzo Ball (No. 2) and T.J. Leaf (No. 18) go before his name was eventually called 47th. If healthy he could prove to be a steal, but his knee complaints cost him a lot of money.

Bulls
DUH. You didn’t think Chicago was going to survive the ‘Losers’ menu. The return they got for one of the top 15 players in the league was a rookie with a miserable 1st season, one healthy Zach LaVine ACL and Andrea Bargnani 2.0. Not exactly a great night from the Bulls front office and you would think that Dwyane Wade is regretting picking up that player option just a week prior.

Banner from lockhaven.com