2014 NBA draft grades: Eastern Conference teams

Team by team 2014 NBA draft grades for the Eastern Conference from USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph.

Atlanta Hawks

Additions: PF Adreian Payne (No. 15 pick, Michigan State), C Walter Tavares (No. 43 pick, Spain), SG Lamar Patterson (No. 48 pick, Pittsburgh).

The Hawks drafted two college seniors (Payne and Patterson) and the biggest and arguably rawest player available (Tavares). The point of intrigue here is that the Hawks had a lot of talent up front already, with Al Horford and Paul Millsap well established as starters and Pero Antic and Mike Scott (a free agent they surely want to keep) on the bench. Payne is ready to play in the NBA but was a reach with more talented wing players still on the board who could have filled the Hawks' needs better. Tavares was a great pick because his upside is huge, with some likening him to fellow Spaniard Marc Gasol.

Grade: C+

Boston Celtics

Additions: PG Marcus Smart (No. 6 pick, Oklahoma State), SG/SF James Young (No. 17 pick, Kentucky).

Smart and Young were solid value picks and have a lot of potential on a young and upcoming team that needed perimeter help. So there's not much to dislike here, except that Smart kind of clashes with Rajon Rondo. Is that pick a sign that Rondo is on his way out? That might make sense for Celtics President Danny Ainge's youth movement, though Smart also could play with Rondo as a shooting guard, replacing free agent and fellow defensive ace Avery Bradley. Here's to an intriguing plan that offers some flexibility but may require a drastic move down the line.

Grade: B+

Brooklyn Nets

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2014 NBA draft grades: Eastern Conference teams