Post by Admin on May 16, 2019 0:56:42 GMT -5
NBA Mock Draft 2019: Zion Williamson to NOLA (of course), Brandon Clarke to Boston Celtics, plus more
By Tom Westerholm
(AP Photo | Sean Rayford, File)
The 2019 NBA Draft lottery on Tuesday didn’t lack for drama -- when the lottery show went to a commercial break, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers were both still in contention for the No. 1 overall pick, either of which would have been chaos.
Instead, the NBA gave us maximum chaos: The New Orleans Pelicans, who currently still employ Anthony Davis, won the No. 1 overall selection and will have a chance to draft Zion Williamson.
But there are also 29 other selections in the first round, and we have some takes on all of them. After Tuesday’s lottery, here is the first stab we will take at a mock draft (based more or less on what we would do, with some consideration for how teams generally draft sprinkled in).
1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson (Duke)
How much analysis do you need? He’s one of the best prospects since LeBron James, and one of the most unique athletic marvels we’ve ever seen. This is going to be fun.
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant (Murray State)
The Grizzlies very well might look to move on from Mike Conley this summer, which would open up an opportunity for a lead ball-handler to play next to Jaren Jackson Jr.
Enter: Morant. An incredibly creative passer with shooting potential and excellent athleticism, Morant’s competition at Murray State wasn’t particularly strong, but he did more than enough to warrant a jump high into the lottery.
3. New York Knicks: R.J. Barrett (Duke)
Don’t sniff at Barrett after a lackluster year at Duke: He has a ton of defensive potential with his length and athleticism, and his offensive game can still be molded. If New York can turn him into an athletic, slashing, foul-drawing magnet who demonstrates the type of passing acumen he showed before his year at Duke, they will have a very nice player on their hands. It wouldn’t be the first time a Duke player showed more at the next level than he did in college (looking at you, Jayson Tatum).
4. Los Angeles Lakers: Darius Garland (Vanderbilt)
Garland didn’t play much this season after suffering a torn meniscus, he doesn’t project as an elite defender and the Lakers (nominally) already have a point guard in Lonzo Ball.
But Garland has real star potential as a deep 3-point shooter who can create for himself off the bounce. The Lakers could use a shooter next to Ball, and they could use a potential star in trades. He is also represented by LeBron James’ agency, Klutch Sports. Whether they keep or trade him, Garland quietly makes a lot of sense for Los Angeles here.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech)
After a devastating fall out of the top four, the Cavaliers get a small break here with Culver slipping past LA. A good shooter with nice instincts as a passer, Culver could be a secondary ball-handler and a solid scorer next to Collin Sexton. The Cavs would still be looking for their next All-Star, but having a good backcourt ready to go isn’t the worst result in a relatively shallow draft.
6. Phoenix Suns: Coby White (UNC)
White might be a small reach here, but the Suns are desperate for a point guard (Garland going early hurts). With good size for his position, nice athleticism and the ability to put the ball in the hoop from all over, White would be an intriguing fit next to Devin Booker in Phoenix’s back court.
7. Chicago Bulls: Cam Reddish (Duke)
Here’s an intriguing one: With two tall forwards on the board in Reddish and De’Andre Hunter, the Bulls (in this mock) gamble on Reddish’s upside over Hunter’s likely long-term role in the NBA. Certainly, this could come back to bite them, but at No. 7, betting on Reddish’s shot, athleticism, frame and star potential overcomes the question marks about his handle and poor shooting inside the arc (as well as Hunter’s relatively low ceiling).
8. Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter (Virginia)
We can’t continue Hunter’s drop any longer, however. Atlanta was hoping for Zion (which would have been a lot of fun -- Trae Young plus Zion Williamson would have been a great pairing), but the Hawks settle for a big, versatile defender with a nice 3-point shot who can likely contribute immediately upon entering the NBA.
9. Washington Wizards: Jaxson Hayes (Texas)
What will the Wizards need next season? Frankly, it’s impossible to say: A comprehensive rebuild looks like it may be in the works soon, no matter how often they insist they don’t plan to trade Bradley Beal. Starting that process with a center who possesses a bunch of untapped potential in Hayes isn’t bad. Hayes is athletic, long and talented, and he could be a rim-running, shot-blocking big man in the modern NBA mold. The Wizards need young stars, but absent those options, solid young role players aren’t a bad second option.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Sekou Doumbouya (France)
The Hawks have two first-round picks and certainly might look to move up. If they don’t, Doumbouya has a year of professional basketball under his belt in France and a nice NBA skill set as an athletic four with some shooting potential. His fit next to John Collins would need some examination, but Collins hit 34.8 percent of his 3-pointers last season, and Doumbouya projects to be stretchy as well. If both can knock down triples, they should be able to share the floor and space/roll around Trae Young.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nassir Little (UNC)
Minnesota drafted Josh Okogie last season and loved his defensive intensity and athleticism. Little’s skill level is questionable at this point, but he absolutely will play hard, and he has excellent athleticism and a nice frame for a wing. At some point, Little should be able to guard multiple positions (both wing and a little bigger), and teams will hope his 3-point shooting improves at the next level. Again: The star potential might not be incredibly high, but Little’s motor should help him carve out a role.
12. Charlotte Hornets: P.J. Washington (Kentucky)
The Hornets need a little bit of everything, but star power is in short supply late in the lottery. Washington can hit from deep and post up, and his powerful frame could be a useful asset next to Charlotte’s young guards, assuming Kemba Walker moves on this offseason. Don’t be surprised if the Hornets have a much higher pick next season.
13. Miami Heat: Romeo Langford (Indiana)
Miami would understandably have some concerns about Langford’s college shooting numbers, which were somewhat disastrous. But he’s a great finisher, and he could end up giving the Heat some lift as a pick-and-roll scorer. Langford’s jumper might improve as well as his thumb injury heals, which could boost him up another level.
14. Boston Celtics: Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga)
Clarke was included on our initial list of guys to watch for the Celtics.
The long and the short: Clarke is a super versatile defensive big man who has shown some flashes as a passer as well. He’s a little old coming out of the draft, but the Celtics might need front-court depth as some of their bigs hit free agency.
15. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Herro (Kentucky)
This might be a bit of a reach, but Herro’s 3-point shooting -- which projects really well -- could be a big boost for a Pistons squad desperate for some help on the wing.
16. Orlando Magic: Kevin Porter (USC)
The Magic have plenty of bigs. Porter gives Orlando a shooting guard who should be able to create for himself and knock down tough shots off the bounce -- the type of production that lifted them into the playoffs after a late-season push.
17. Brooklyn Nets: Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga)
A high-upside pick, Hachimura needs to improve his shooting and show his athletic tools translate to defense, but he could give the Nets an intriguing piece at forward.
18. Indiana Pacers: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech)
Higher-upside players are available at this stage, but the Pacers will have a lot of holes to fill this summer, and Alexander-Walker should be able to contribute on both ends in relatively short order, with his size, feel and 3-point shooting.
19. San Antonio Spurs: Cameron Johnson (UNC)
A devastating 3-point shooter, Johnson isn’t an elite athlete, but he should be able to stick in the league for a long time with his 6-foot-9 frame. He’s the type of player that would make everyone roll their eyes and say “Of course San Antonio got him.”
20. Boston Celtics: Keldon Johnson (Kentucky)
The Celtics might have some holes at the wing when all of their summer roster turnover is through, and Johnson could provide some lift. Johnson had a nice season as a shooter, answering some of his questions entering the college season, and he plays with an excellent motor. His athleticism isn’t elite and his ball-handling leaves something to be desired, but Johnson would check a fair number of Boston’s boxes.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Goga Bitadze (Georgia)
Bitadze has seen a rise in mock drafts recently and could continue to rise as the draft process continues. A gifted offensive center, Bitadze was a highly productive European player as a teenager.
22. Boston Celtics: Bol Bol (Oregon)
The Celtics really could us some guard depth, but at this point in the draft, we’ve let Bol slip further than is perhaps reasonable. The big man will need to pass physicals and show he can hang in the NBA physically, but he has unicorn potential as a skilled stretch-5 if he can put everything together. (And, again, don’t be surprised if the Celtics package some of these picks. The amount of big depth we have drafted for Boston here is a reminder that having and using three first-round picks can be a problem.)
23. Utah Jazz: Grant Williams (Tennessee)
A bruising power forward, Williams has below-average height for a big man, but he should be a solid pick-and-pop option, and he’s working on extending his range behind the arc.
24. Philadelphia 76ers: Talen Horton-Tucker (Iowa State)
ESPN’s most recent mock draft notes that Horton-Tucker can slide between the shooting guard and power forward positions, which sums him up nicely. The Sixers could use his defensive versatility on the wing (or wherever), especially if he can develop a reliable jumper.
25. Portland Trail Blazers: Ty Jerome (Virginia)
Portland gets an excellent shooter with great feel and a track record for winning, who could provide more scoring and floor spacing off the bench.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Luguentz Dort (Arizona State)
Putting Dort and Sexton on the floor together would be entertaining -- a pair of intense, hard-working guards who should eventually be able to make life extremely difficult for opposing backcourts.
27. Brooklyn Nets: Carsen Edwards (Purdue)
Edwards had a fantastic tournament, displaying the type of deep 3-point shooting teams love to see from lead guards. If he was a few inches taller, there’s a good chance he would be rated considerably higher in the first round.
28. Golden State Warriors: Matisse Thybulle (Washington)
The Warriors pick up one of the best wing defenders in the draft. He shot 30.5 percent from three last season, but the Warriors don’t lack for floor spacing.
29. San Antonio Spurs: KZ Okpala (Stanford)
Okpala has a fantastic frame and plenty of potential as a wing shooter who can defend. At 29, the Spurs have room to take a flier on a prospect who showed more flashes early in the year than late.
30. Milwaukee Bucks: Louis King (Oregon)
Again, probably a stretch. I just think Louis King -- with his athleticism and his varied scoring ability -- has a chance to be really good.
The 2019 NBA Draft lottery on Tuesday didn’t lack for drama -- when the lottery show went to a commercial break, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers were both still in contention for the No. 1 overall pick, either of which would have been chaos.
Instead, the NBA gave us maximum chaos: The New Orleans Pelicans, who currently still employ Anthony Davis, won the No. 1 overall selection and will have a chance to draft Zion Williamson.
But there are also 29 other selections in the first round, and we have some takes on all of them. After Tuesday’s lottery, here is the first stab we will take at a mock draft (based more or less on what we would do, with some consideration for how teams generally draft sprinkled in).
1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson (Duke)
How much analysis do you need? He’s one of the best prospects since LeBron James, and one of the most unique athletic marvels we’ve ever seen. This is going to be fun.
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant (Murray State)
The Grizzlies very well might look to move on from Mike Conley this summer, which would open up an opportunity for a lead ball-handler to play next to Jaren Jackson Jr.
Enter: Morant. An incredibly creative passer with shooting potential and excellent athleticism, Morant’s competition at Murray State wasn’t particularly strong, but he did more than enough to warrant a jump high into the lottery.
3. New York Knicks: R.J. Barrett (Duke)
Don’t sniff at Barrett after a lackluster year at Duke: He has a ton of defensive potential with his length and athleticism, and his offensive game can still be molded. If New York can turn him into an athletic, slashing, foul-drawing magnet who demonstrates the type of passing acumen he showed before his year at Duke, they will have a very nice player on their hands. It wouldn’t be the first time a Duke player showed more at the next level than he did in college (looking at you, Jayson Tatum).
4. Los Angeles Lakers: Darius Garland (Vanderbilt)
Garland didn’t play much this season after suffering a torn meniscus, he doesn’t project as an elite defender and the Lakers (nominally) already have a point guard in Lonzo Ball.
But Garland has real star potential as a deep 3-point shooter who can create for himself off the bounce. The Lakers could use a shooter next to Ball, and they could use a potential star in trades. He is also represented by LeBron James’ agency, Klutch Sports. Whether they keep or trade him, Garland quietly makes a lot of sense for Los Angeles here.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech)
After a devastating fall out of the top four, the Cavaliers get a small break here with Culver slipping past LA. A good shooter with nice instincts as a passer, Culver could be a secondary ball-handler and a solid scorer next to Collin Sexton. The Cavs would still be looking for their next All-Star, but having a good backcourt ready to go isn’t the worst result in a relatively shallow draft.
6. Phoenix Suns: Coby White (UNC)
White might be a small reach here, but the Suns are desperate for a point guard (Garland going early hurts). With good size for his position, nice athleticism and the ability to put the ball in the hoop from all over, White would be an intriguing fit next to Devin Booker in Phoenix’s back court.
7. Chicago Bulls: Cam Reddish (Duke)
Here’s an intriguing one: With two tall forwards on the board in Reddish and De’Andre Hunter, the Bulls (in this mock) gamble on Reddish’s upside over Hunter’s likely long-term role in the NBA. Certainly, this could come back to bite them, but at No. 7, betting on Reddish’s shot, athleticism, frame and star potential overcomes the question marks about his handle and poor shooting inside the arc (as well as Hunter’s relatively low ceiling).
8. Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter (Virginia)
We can’t continue Hunter’s drop any longer, however. Atlanta was hoping for Zion (which would have been a lot of fun -- Trae Young plus Zion Williamson would have been a great pairing), but the Hawks settle for a big, versatile defender with a nice 3-point shot who can likely contribute immediately upon entering the NBA.
9. Washington Wizards: Jaxson Hayes (Texas)
What will the Wizards need next season? Frankly, it’s impossible to say: A comprehensive rebuild looks like it may be in the works soon, no matter how often they insist they don’t plan to trade Bradley Beal. Starting that process with a center who possesses a bunch of untapped potential in Hayes isn’t bad. Hayes is athletic, long and talented, and he could be a rim-running, shot-blocking big man in the modern NBA mold. The Wizards need young stars, but absent those options, solid young role players aren’t a bad second option.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Sekou Doumbouya (France)
The Hawks have two first-round picks and certainly might look to move up. If they don’t, Doumbouya has a year of professional basketball under his belt in France and a nice NBA skill set as an athletic four with some shooting potential. His fit next to John Collins would need some examination, but Collins hit 34.8 percent of his 3-pointers last season, and Doumbouya projects to be stretchy as well. If both can knock down triples, they should be able to share the floor and space/roll around Trae Young.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nassir Little (UNC)
Minnesota drafted Josh Okogie last season and loved his defensive intensity and athleticism. Little’s skill level is questionable at this point, but he absolutely will play hard, and he has excellent athleticism and a nice frame for a wing. At some point, Little should be able to guard multiple positions (both wing and a little bigger), and teams will hope his 3-point shooting improves at the next level. Again: The star potential might not be incredibly high, but Little’s motor should help him carve out a role.
12. Charlotte Hornets: P.J. Washington (Kentucky)
The Hornets need a little bit of everything, but star power is in short supply late in the lottery. Washington can hit from deep and post up, and his powerful frame could be a useful asset next to Charlotte’s young guards, assuming Kemba Walker moves on this offseason. Don’t be surprised if the Hornets have a much higher pick next season.
13. Miami Heat: Romeo Langford (Indiana)
Miami would understandably have some concerns about Langford’s college shooting numbers, which were somewhat disastrous. But he’s a great finisher, and he could end up giving the Heat some lift as a pick-and-roll scorer. Langford’s jumper might improve as well as his thumb injury heals, which could boost him up another level.
14. Boston Celtics: Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga)
Clarke was included on our initial list of guys to watch for the Celtics.
The long and the short: Clarke is a super versatile defensive big man who has shown some flashes as a passer as well. He’s a little old coming out of the draft, but the Celtics might need front-court depth as some of their bigs hit free agency.
15. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Herro (Kentucky)
This might be a bit of a reach, but Herro’s 3-point shooting -- which projects really well -- could be a big boost for a Pistons squad desperate for some help on the wing.
16. Orlando Magic: Kevin Porter (USC)
The Magic have plenty of bigs. Porter gives Orlando a shooting guard who should be able to create for himself and knock down tough shots off the bounce -- the type of production that lifted them into the playoffs after a late-season push.
17. Brooklyn Nets: Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga)
A high-upside pick, Hachimura needs to improve his shooting and show his athletic tools translate to defense, but he could give the Nets an intriguing piece at forward.
18. Indiana Pacers: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech)
Higher-upside players are available at this stage, but the Pacers will have a lot of holes to fill this summer, and Alexander-Walker should be able to contribute on both ends in relatively short order, with his size, feel and 3-point shooting.
19. San Antonio Spurs: Cameron Johnson (UNC)
A devastating 3-point shooter, Johnson isn’t an elite athlete, but he should be able to stick in the league for a long time with his 6-foot-9 frame. He’s the type of player that would make everyone roll their eyes and say “Of course San Antonio got him.”
20. Boston Celtics: Keldon Johnson (Kentucky)
The Celtics might have some holes at the wing when all of their summer roster turnover is through, and Johnson could provide some lift. Johnson had a nice season as a shooter, answering some of his questions entering the college season, and he plays with an excellent motor. His athleticism isn’t elite and his ball-handling leaves something to be desired, but Johnson would check a fair number of Boston’s boxes.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Goga Bitadze (Georgia)
Bitadze has seen a rise in mock drafts recently and could continue to rise as the draft process continues. A gifted offensive center, Bitadze was a highly productive European player as a teenager.
22. Boston Celtics: Bol Bol (Oregon)
The Celtics really could us some guard depth, but at this point in the draft, we’ve let Bol slip further than is perhaps reasonable. The big man will need to pass physicals and show he can hang in the NBA physically, but he has unicorn potential as a skilled stretch-5 if he can put everything together. (And, again, don’t be surprised if the Celtics package some of these picks. The amount of big depth we have drafted for Boston here is a reminder that having and using three first-round picks can be a problem.)
23. Utah Jazz: Grant Williams (Tennessee)
A bruising power forward, Williams has below-average height for a big man, but he should be a solid pick-and-pop option, and he’s working on extending his range behind the arc.
24. Philadelphia 76ers: Talen Horton-Tucker (Iowa State)
ESPN’s most recent mock draft notes that Horton-Tucker can slide between the shooting guard and power forward positions, which sums him up nicely. The Sixers could use his defensive versatility on the wing (or wherever), especially if he can develop a reliable jumper.
25. Portland Trail Blazers: Ty Jerome (Virginia)
Portland gets an excellent shooter with great feel and a track record for winning, who could provide more scoring and floor spacing off the bench.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Luguentz Dort (Arizona State)
Putting Dort and Sexton on the floor together would be entertaining -- a pair of intense, hard-working guards who should eventually be able to make life extremely difficult for opposing backcourts.
27. Brooklyn Nets: Carsen Edwards (Purdue)
Edwards had a fantastic tournament, displaying the type of deep 3-point shooting teams love to see from lead guards. If he was a few inches taller, there’s a good chance he would be rated considerably higher in the first round.
28. Golden State Warriors: Matisse Thybulle (Washington)
The Warriors pick up one of the best wing defenders in the draft. He shot 30.5 percent from three last season, but the Warriors don’t lack for floor spacing.
29. San Antonio Spurs: KZ Okpala (Stanford)
Okpala has a fantastic frame and plenty of potential as a wing shooter who can defend. At 29, the Spurs have room to take a flier on a prospect who showed more flashes early in the year than late.
30. Milwaukee Bucks: Louis King (Oregon)
Again, probably a stretch. I just think Louis King -- with his athleticism and his varied scoring ability -- has a chance to be really good.
