With every draft comes the critique of the organizations who didn’t seem to make the most of their opportunities.

Thankfully, I’m not on TV…and not popular enough to experience a Mel Kiper-type backlash moment.

So, I’ll continue to put in my two cents and give my take on the matter…

Chicago Bulls

Anyone who tracked the Bulls’ success this season has to marvel at the dramatic improvement that this team has made in the past two years. But it’s also clear to see that Chicago’s future development will be hinged on their ability to garner more offensive options in support of the reigning MVP, Derrick Rose.

Norris Cole (Chicago’s 1st selection at #28) is a fairly good offensive player, but he plays the same position as Rose and was traded to Miami. Jimmy Butler (Chicago’s 2nd selection at #30) gives the Bulls another above average wing defender, but has limited creative abilities on offense. They traded for the rights to Nikola Mirotic, a 6’10″ power forward who won’t be aroundfor several years. In the secondround, they selected Malcolm Lee – a 6’5″ athletic perimeter player who has the potential to be great defensively, although he’s currently inconsistent offensively.

Basically, the Bulls didn’t do anything to make themselves better. And in the Association, you always have to be thinking of ways to make yourself better.

Fredette and Evans could form a devastating offensive combination.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings must have been high on The Jimmer. OK, fine. In regards to how Fredette’s collegiate success will translate in the NBA, the debate will rage on until the season begins.

Sounds like a team that is getting too excited, too fast. Sacramento seems to forget that Tyreke Evans, the 2009-10 Rookie of the Year, is the total package that they need. Does anyone think that Fredette is going to unseat Evans as the Kings’ franchise player?

And from an analytical standpoint, is the excitement of drafting The Jimmer worth letting a higher projected player go by the board? Is it also worth trading Beno Udrih for a more highly compensated, and less efficient John Salmons? For a team that’s facing contentious moments surrounding possible buyout scenarios, this type of move doesn’t seem like one that was fully thought out.  There’s no doubt that Fredette and Evans skills could mesh to become something special, but one has to wonder if the Kings were a tad bit too jolly to jump for the chance at the Jimmer.

Cavs’ Selection of Tristan Thompson at #4

This one is more about the process rather than the picks, themselves. Any franchise would be more than satisfied in going home with Kyrie Irving in their back pocket. With the #1 and#4 picks in last week’s draft, Cleveland faced a challenging decision – and indeed, they went in the direction that most felt that they would. A team in need of talent at every position, most expected Cleveland to nab one premier perimeter talent and one interior talent. The Cavaliers the Duke point guard with their first pick. And while Irving figures to be a spectacular performer and leader, this forced the Cavs to reach with their selection of forward Tristan Thompson at the number four slot.

Predictably, Derrick Williams went to Minnesota at #2, followed by Enes Kanter- who had to be Cleveland’s third favorite (behind Irving and Williams) – going to Utah at #3. This draft wasn’t deep in talented bigs, therefore the Cavsopted to select the next best available one with the next pick. But Cleveland could have plucked Thompson four or five slots later, and they would have been best served trying to trade down. They are stating that Thompson impressed them andthat he was the one that they wanted all along, but the fact remains that they could have gained at least another pick (possibly a second rounder in this or a subsequent draft) by being less anxious.

Of course, their other option would have been to pick Williams to open the draft. And in my estimation, the combination of Williams and the second-rated point guard prospect (say, Brandon Knight) would form a better set of cornerstones than Irving and Thompson. Certainly Irving’s potential as a top-flight point guard may be greater than Knight’s, but comparing Thompson with Williams is just plain unfair at this juncture.

Cleveland could have traded down and still acquired the rights to Thompson.

Orlando Magic

What’s worst than making a move that doesn’t work out?

Try not making a move at all.  Or better yet, try not making a move at all with rumors of your franchise player openly considering how he’d fit in with other teams.

With top notch teams like Dallas, San Antonio, Miami andBoston attempting to improve their situations during the draft, the Orlando Magic was eerily silent.  Orlando went into the draft holding just one second round selection, and they exited the draft with an additional wing player (DeAndre Liggins from Kentucky).

Don’t they have like 20 perimeter shooters on their roster already?

The Magic were a disappointment in this year’s postseason, coming up short against Atlanta – the same team that they trounced in the 2010 postseason.  While the chemistry of the new pieces certainly need more time to gel, the one glaring weakness that Orlando has is in the frontcourt.  For years, the Magic have been competitive with Dwight Howard being the sole true big body in the paint.  But this weakness became more evident this year as Howard found himself to be the frequent victim of foul trouble.  Orlando desperately needs someone who can bang bodies, snag rebounds, or even provide Howard with a timely rest.

However, the Magic took the easy way out in this draft. 

And I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Dwight eventually did the same.

T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com.  All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this author