Instant reaction: Pick-by-pick lottery grades

1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, F, Duke RIGHT MOVE? There was no other choice for the Pelicans, who lucked into the top pick just as Anthony Davis ushered himself out of New Orleans. Statistically speaking, Williamson should meet or exceed Julius Randle's production (22-9 last season, same stats Williamson put up at Duke).

COMPING THE PICK: No natural comparison exists for Williamson, whose been stacked against the game's greats (Charles Barkley comes up regularly) as a dunker and rebounder. To that end, former Oklahoma forward and highlight-reel dunker Blake Griffin is the closest resemblance in terms of style of play and upside from Day 1. REGRETS, HAVE A FEW? Other than trying to sell the pick to the highest bidder, it's unlikely vice president of basketball operations David Griffin will look back on this selection and wonder, "What if...?" Williamson is not yet the total package, but the ceiling is sky high and anticipation for him hitting the NBA court will be off the charts.

GRADING THE PICK: A 2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, PG, Murray State

SMALL SCHOOL, BIG TIME: If not for Williamson, there would be more oohs and aahs in the gallery of Morant's unique talent. He can jump out of the gym, has Magic Johnson-like vision and drained 3-pointers with a smooth stroke ready to translate to the NBA. YOUR SHOW, MO: Morant became the first player in NCAA history to average 20 points and 10 assists and proved in two big showings in the NCAA Tournament that his game plays just fine, thank you, outside the Ohio Valley Conference. Morant is a Day 1 starter with the Grizzlies, replacing franchise pillar Mike Conley as a key to the fresh foundation alongside Jaren Jackson, the No. 4 pick in 2018.

GRIN AND BARRETT? The popular opinion entering the 2018-19 college basketball was RJ Barrett of Duke was the best player in the nation and a good bet to be the top pick in the draft. He has the guts and bravado to be a big-ticket item in the NBA, and his game won't likely fracture under the weight of being the marquee attraction at Madison Square Garden. Even still, the Grizzlies determined not long after scoring the second overall pick in the draft lottery that Morant was their man. GRADING THE PICK: A

3. New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, F, Duke CENTER STAGE: Barrett goes from Cameron Indoor Stadium to MSG and should inject life into a young core without a proven superstar. Barrett can score in a lot of ways, and the pressure of the market isn't a factor. If there was another direction to go here, it was perhaps point guard, but the Knicks are confident a core of Barrett, Dennis Smith Jr. and 19-year-old Kevin Knox can help turn the franchise around.

LYIN' ABOUT ZION: Fib if you must, N.Y. fans, but the Knicks can't hide their hangover from the draft lottery upset landing them with this pick and not the opportunity to pick Barrett's teammate, Zion Williamson, at No. 1. A relative disappointment, we're betting it won't be long before Knicks fans are all in on Barrett. GRADING THE PICK: B+