The 2014 NBA Draft Grades are out, and the Charlotte Hornets have a good start by grabbing Noah Vonleh with the 9^th overall pick. However, they were criticized for their other first round pick.

Noah Vonleh was a top prospect that was projected as high as no. 4 to the Orlando Magic. Some of the teams ahead decided to take the more 'proven' college players who had better numbers.

It was expected that the Lakers preferred Randle over Vonleh-the other Lakers targets at point guard were gone (Dante Exum and Marcus Smart). The big surprise was the Sacramento Kings passing on Vonleh at no. 8 and taking Nick Stauskas. It could have something to do with the rumored Josh Smith trade.

From NBC Sports: "He (Vonleh) slipped on draft day, he was top five projected by many. He's a big man seemingly built for the modern game, able to play inside and score with either hand (he has a nice jump hook) plus he can shoot from deep, hitting 48.5 percent from three last season. He plays bigger than his size thanks to a massive 7'4.5" wingspan, plus he has huge hands. The questions are his high turnovers, poor passing, and doubts about whether he is explosive enough to adjust to the NBA game in the paint. He can learn next to Al Jefferson, nice fit."

Charlotte also owned the 24^th overall pick (from Portland) and they used it on UConn guard Shabazz Napier, the star of the national champion team. It was already publicized that LeBron James wanted him as a teammate, and now the Hornets had traded him to the Heat in exchange for Miami's 26^th overall pick and two second round picks that the Heat don't need.

Granted, it was P.J. Hairston they got for no. 26, a player Charlotte wanted. But Bill Simmons of Grantland, who was commentating live for ESPN could not hide his reaction: "I'm tired of teams helping Miami! They've been helping them for four years now. Enough!"

Will the Napier acquisition help Pat Riley to keep LeBron in South Beach? We'll see.