2012 NBA Draft Team Grades - Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics: Jared Sullinger  Fab Melo  Kris Joseph 
Boston took what they hope to be their frontcourt of the future with picks 21 and 22 in the 2012 draft. Sullinger was pegged by many to be a lottery pick, before injury concerns derailed his draft stock. Melo is a legit rebounder and shot blocker, if given time he can turn into a good NBA center. Joseph is a project pick, it's yet to be seen if he can become a contributor or not. Solid draft by Boston here. GRADE: B+

Brooklyn Nets: Tyshawn Taylor  Tornike Shengelia  Ilkan Karaman
It's quite clear what Brooklyn's intentions are here. Build to win now, and that sentiment was shared to a nation audience during the 2012 draft. Taylor is a nice pickup who may find a spot in the rotation with some development. He was followed by two international players that are question marks. GRADE: D  

2012 NBA Offseason Preview: New York Knicks

Players Returning

SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Amare Stoudemire
C Tyson Chandler

Key Free Agents

PG Jeremy Lin
SG Landry Fields

2012 Draft Picks

#48

Team Needs

PG, SG

Given the team's struggles this past year, re-signing Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields will be crucial. However, due to Linsanity, he may get a bigger contract than he actually deserves. I don't see a reason why Fields shouldn't stay with the Knicks and even take some control at PG along with Iman Shumpert. There have been some rumors that they might sign Steve Nash with the MLE to reunite with Stoudemire, but they won't have too much else to spend and they don't have any solid draft picks, either. They will need to get things together internally to be able to compete with the best of the East this year.

Written by Wes B.