Its definitely an A++ with hindsight. The pick wasn't a great slot, and it didn't jump into the top 3. The upside of the pick was the big cost of the trade at this point, now we know it didn't happen.
The Crowder had the best season of the players we gave up and his replacement had a better season than he did. Kyrie was a clear upgrade on IT and is younger with an additional year of team control.
I was skeptical about the trade because I love IT and what he did while with the C's but the trade has been a home run.
Yeah, plus the #8 pick might not be as sexy a trade asset. Meaning, you could still use it in a package to maybe acquire someone like Lowry, Beal or McCollum, but unless you package it with Kevin Love and another piece, you may not get someone like Kawhi Leonard (though even that Love + BKN Pick package might not get Kawhi either).
If the pick was Top-3, it would be an extremely sexy trade asset for Kawhi or another bonafide star/superstar (if it meant keeping Lebron in Cleveland).
As for the trade grade, I originally said C/C-. Danny proved me wrong (again). It's now at a B+. Still depends on Kyrie's long term health AND whether he re-signs with us or not (no guarantee though I think he does).