NBA draft winners and losers: Mavs score big with Doncic trade

The 2018 NBA Draft came and went without any major superstars being moved, but it still produced enough fireworks to keep viewers entertained.

It started with the Luka Doncic-Trae Young blockbuster, was carried by Adrian Wojnarowski's hilariously self-aware tweets, and finished with a handful of value selections in the second round.

Here are three winners and three losers from Thursday's draft:

Winners

Mavericks score Doncic

The Mavericks might have found their franchise cornerstone, and it only cost them a protected future first-round pick.

Doncic might not be an elite athlete, but the 19-year-old is the best all-around player in the draft and has all the accolades to back it up after being named EuroLeague MVP while leading Real Madrid to the title. He's a 6-foot-8 point guard with elite court vision and a deadly 3-point stroke off the bounce, and he's simply too big and too skilled to fail despite a limited first step.

Dallas also bolstered its backcourt by tabbing the consensus National College Player of the Year in Jalen Brunson. That gives Rick Carlisle two point guards to shore up the team's biggest position of weakness. - William Lou

Bulls solve 2 weaknesses

Entering the draft, the Chicago Bulls were missing three things: playmaking, a wing, and a center. Those needs were filled within two picks by Duke center Wendell Carter Jr. and Boise State point forward Chandler Hutchison.

Carter Jr. will supply the Bulls with elite rim protection, and he's become a capable 3-point shooter. He'll cover Lauri Markkanen's back around the basket and should be an effective pick-and-pop player with Kris Dunn. Hutchison, on the other hand, brings Chicago a solid passer with 3-point range who should help the Bulls hide Zach LaVine on the defensive end. - Wael Saghir

Celtics land a steal in Robert Williams

It's the third week of June, which means it's Danny Ainge season, and the Celtics general manager didn't even have to do anything to come out looking shiny after this year's draft.

Ainge, who has nailed high-quality picks like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in recent years, probably couldn't believe his luck when Texas A&M big man Robert Williams slid from a potential lottery pick to the 27th overall slot.

Williams is the prototypical big man for today's NBA, and he'll bring some quality interior defense to the stingy Celtics. He's also a highlight dunk waiting to happen, and will instantly become a fan favorite in the Garden.

The knock on Williams is his lack of effort at times, but that should be something Brad Stevens can take care of. - Belbeck

Losers

MPJ nearly slides out of lottery

Michael Porter Jr. spent the entire draft process boasting about how he was the best in the class, and reports consistently had him going No. 2 to the Sacramento Kings. On Thursday night, though, he just kept sliding.

Cameras repeatedly panned over to Porter Jr. after less talented wings were called before the Nuggets saved him with the 14th selection after reportedly strongly considering Zhaire Smith. Knicks fans chanted for Porter, but New York opted for Kevin Knox instead.

Not only will Porter Jr. have to overcome his scary injury issues, but he'll also have to find his shots within a Nuggets team flush with score-first, pass-second options. The odds will be against him. - Lou

Wizards fail to excite with lackluster Brown pick

The Wizards could use help at the four and desperately need another scorer next to Bradley Beal and John Wall. Unfortunately for Washington, its potential lottery ticket in Porter Jr. was selected at No. 14 by the Denver Nuggets, just one pick ahead.

However, the Wizards reportedly would've passed on the potential star regardless of his availability to go with utility wing Troy Brown Jr., who could struggle to fit in with Otto Porter Jr., Beal, and Wall. Washington needs shooting, which is arguably the only thing Brown is incapable of doing. - Saghir

Lakers unnecessarily reach for Wagner

Prior to the NCAA tournament, it would've been surprising to see Moritz Wagner taken in the first round, but the Michigan forward starred on his way to a runner-up finish. Still, taking him 25th overall was a massive reach for L.A.

The Lakers ranked 25th in the league in points allowed last season, and adding a defensive liability like Wagner isn't going to fix that. Los Angeles could have taken a two-time SEC defensive player of the year in Robert Williams, who might have drastically improved the club.

Instead, GM Rob Pelinka opted for his fellow Michigan Wolverine in Wagner.
- Belbeck

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)