2019 NBA Mock Draft: Fifth Edition

Here is my fifth edition of my 2019 NBA Mock Draft.

1. New Orleans Pelicans- Zion Williamson, Power Forward/Center, Duke: The Pelicans are massive winners here for landing the best prospect since LeBron James. Unfortunately, Anthony Davis still wants out of New Orleans and maybe they ship him to New York or Los Angeles for a bunch of young assets and either the third or fourth pick of the draft. That said, assuming they move on from Davis, they can start fresh with Williamson on board.

2. Memphis Grizzlies- Ja Morant, Point Guard, Murray State: The Grizzlies are big winners here as they jump to two. Morant is someone that people are down on due to weaker competition, but he really showed that he can be the real deal. Assuming he is the selection, he'd be the perfect replacement for Mike Conley, who they can trade this offseason for more assets to build around.

3. New York Knicks- RJ Barrett, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Duke: Barrett was the preseason top prospect before Zion broke onto the scenes and wowed everyone. He was overshadowed due to Zion's presence on the team, but he had his moments. There is the possibility the Knicks move this pick in a possible Anthony Davis trade, which would be a win for both parties involved as the Knicks would have a star to possibly pair with Kevin Durant (if he signs in New York).

4. Los Angeles Lakers- De'Andre Hunter, Small Forward/Power Forward, Virginia: Hunter is somebody that was excellent in Virginia's run to the title last season and his stock rose in light of it. I like Hunter and I believe he could surprise some folks as a rookie because of his fine two-way play. There is a distinct possibility that this pick is shopped though as they find another star to pair with LeBron James.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers- Jarrett Culver, Shooting Guard, Texas Tech: The Cavaliers are one of the lottery losers as they drop from two to five. Culver is somebody that had a sensational sophomore season to become a projected top lottery pick. He's somebody that can shoot the ball and rebound well for his position. He and Collin Sexton would make an interesting backcourt.

6. Phoenix Suns- Darius Garland, Point Guard, Vanderbilt: The Suns were another lottery loser as they dropped from three to six. They're biggest need coming into the offseason was a point guard and they land one here with Garland. He did only play in five games this past season due to the knee injury he suffered. A backcourt with him and Devin Booker would be interesting.

7. Chicago Bulls- Coby White, Point Guard/Shooting Guard: North Carolina: The Bulls drop from four to seven which isn't ideal for them. This would be an interesting selection considering they already have Kris Dunn on their roster. White is someone who was great in his lone collegiate season and that's what got him to this position. He and Zach LaVine would be an interesting backcourt pairing.

8. Atlanta Hawks- Cam Reddish, Small Forward, Duke: Reddish, like RJ Barrett, is someone that was overshadowed on the Blue Devils squad because of Zion's presence. Reddish did not shoot the ball well at times throughout the season and he needs to develop that consistent shot in the pro's. If he does that, than the Hawks got themselves another building block to go with the rest of their young core.

9. Washington Wizards- Bol Bol, Center, Oregon: The Wizards were a lottery loser as they fell from six to nine. Bol is somebody that is very talented, but has major bust potential. He did miss most of the season with a foot injury. He can protect the rim and shoot the three ball pretty well too for a seven footer.

10. Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas Mavericks)- Jaxson Hayes, Center, Texas: Hayes is someone who developed later on in his high school days and carried it over to college. He shot from a high percentage this past season and showed an ability to protect the rim. In this scenario, he'd come in and possibly start alongside John Collins (unless they upgrade the center position in free agency).

11. Minnesota Timberwolves- Brandon Clarke, Power Forward, Gonzaga: The first Gonzaga player comes off the board with Clarke, who would fill a long term need position for the Timberwolves. He provides energy and great two way play and he is someone analytic nerds will love with his high PER this past college season.

12. Charlotte Hornets- Sekou Doumbouya, Small Forward/Shooting Guard, France: Doumbouya is somebody that showed a good jump shot and qualify defensive play too. The defensive side needs to be more proven once he is in the league full time. He's someone that will probably be a bench player for the Heat that could see G-league time if he needs more development time.

13. Miami Heat- Romeo Langford, Shooting Guard, Indiana: Langford is someone that dealt with a torn labrum this past season which probably held him back in college. He didn't shoot the ball well last season, but if that improves the Heat found themselves a player.

14. Boston Celtics (from Sacramento Kings via Philadelphia 76ers)- PJ Washington, Power Forward, Kentucky: The Celtics have some options here as they can trade the pick for something else or just simply take who they feel is the best player available as they face a critical offseason. Washington is someone that has the talent of a lottery pick with his ability to stretch the floor.

15. Detroit Pistons- Kevin Porter Jr, Shooting Guard, USC: Porter is somebody that's a lottery talent that could very well drop into the twenties due to the injuries and suspension he had in college. If Porter lived up to the expectations he was given before college, the Pistons could be getting themselves a player.

16. Orlando Magic- Nassir Little, Small Forward, North Carolina: Little is somebody who had an uneven season with North Carolina to the point Coby White became the best freshman on the team. He showed flashes of good shooting and always has been a great athlete. He has lottery talent and if he lives up to capability, the Magic got themselves a player.

17. Brooklyn Nets- Rui Hachimua, Small Forward, Gonzaga: With the Nets having their own first rounder for the first time in forever, they take a lottery talent here with Hachimura. He is someone that is super talented and really took his game a notch this past season.

18. Indiana Pacers- KZ Okpala, Small Forward, Stanford: Okpala is somebody who's stock is rising at the moment due to his length and wingspan. The Pacers could use some wing depth and Okpala could be a bench guy for them and provide valuable minutes.

19. San Antonio Spurs- Keldon Johnson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Kentucky: The Spurs are a team that is very guard heavy and pretty big man heavy. Where they lack is forward depth and Johnson is somebody that can come in and develop with a team that is notoriously known for developing well. He can shoot the three-ball well, but he needs to develop more defensively, which the Spurs can help him with.

20. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers)- Goga Bitadze, Center, Serbia: The Celtics are a team that wants a lot more size. Bitadze, although there is skepticism because he played overseas, is a creative big man who is terrific in the midrange, crafty with the ball in his hands, and a strong force in the post.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Tyler Herro, Shooting Guard, Kentucky: The Thunder are getting themselves a mega steal here with Herro. He's someone that can flat out shoot the ball and could be a valuable bench piece for Billy Donovan immediately.

22. Boston Celtics- Talen Horton-Tucker, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Iowa State: Horton-Tucker is somebody that had a very good year with the Cyclones this past season as a freshman which got him to this position. The Celtics are a team (with three first rounders) that could afford to take chances on overachievers and Horton-Tucker would be someone that would provide solid minutes for them.

23. Utah Jazz- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shooting Guard, Virginia Tech: The Jazz are getting themselves a steal here with Alexander-Walker. He can guard multiple positions and play on and off the ball and the Jazz could use some wing depth off the bench.

24. Philadelphia 76ers- Cameron Johnson, Small Forward, North Carolina: Johnson is someone that was a very steady player in college for the Tar Heels. He's someone that can defend pretty well and shoot the 3-ball well. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes higher than this or he goes in the second round.

25. Portland Trail Blazers- Grant Williams, Power Forward, Tennessee: Williams, the two-time SEC Player of the Year, ends up in the area where he should be picked. He's someone who isn't athlete or has a good perimeter game, but he can score in the post and could adjust to the league better than people think.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Houston Rockets)- Luka Samanic, Power Forward, Olimpija: Samanic had a great showing at the combine and likely played his way into first-round territory, showcasing his offensive versatility and an improved physique that bodes well for the growth of his game. He’s ideal as a stretch-four with his skill level and size, and didn’t look bad moving his feet defensively, either.

27. Brooklyn Nets (from Denver Nuggets)- Carsen Edwards, Point Guard, Purdue: After a fantastic tournament, Edwards's stock has risen dramatically. He's someone that can score and could shoot it well from three. Edwards is probably more suited for a bench role although the Nets could need more point guard depth if they don't opt to bring back D'Angelo Russell.

28. Golden State Warriors- Luguentz Dort, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Arizona State: Dort is somebody that had a solid freshman season and lived upto his top fifty ranking he was given for his class. He's somebody that is versatile and could guard both guard positions well.

29. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors)- Matisse Thybulle, Small Forward, Washington: Thybulle is somebody who was curiously left off the NBA combine list, but has the talent to be a first round pick. He's somebody that showed fine two-way play with solid three-point shooting and great defensive instincts.

30. Milwaukee Bucks- Daniel Gafford, Center, Arkansas: Gafford is somebody that could have been drafted last year, but decided to come back to school for his sophomore season. He has tantalizing upside and is somebody that if the Bucks were to take here, would make a possible immediate contribution, especially if Brook Lopez bolts this summer.