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: Toronto Raptors

Players Returning

PF Andrea Bargnani
SG DeMar DeRozan
PG Jose Calderon

Key Free Agents

PG Jerryd Bayless

2012 Draft Picks

#8, #37, #56

Team Needs

SF, C

As far as it goes being a true PG, Jose Calderon is pretty close to the real deal, especially when you consider the roster he's working with. He's great at orchestrating the offense and finding the right guys in the right places. DeRozan is still working his way into becoming one of the better young SGs this league has to offer. They really need to beef up their front court, considering Bargnani just isn't physical enough to bang inside and grab rebounds, and Ed Davis is seeming like he could be a solid sixth man for most of his career. The problem with that, is that Meyers Leonard from Illinois may be too much of a reach at #8, and nobody else is really available at that slot. Their next hope is that Harrison Barnes will drop to them, or they'll just pick up Jeremy Lamb. They will have some wiggle room with cap space, but let's be real, no free agent that's a real difference maker will be signing to Toronto this offseason.

Written by Wes B.