2019 NBA Mock Draft: Ninth Edition

Here is my ninth 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. Anthony Davis is now in Los Angeles and the Pelicans can now start fresh with Williamson on board and all the other assets they received from the Lakers.

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. Now with Kevin Durant tearing his achilles and regardless if they sign him or not, I think it's more realistic they keep this pick rather than trade it for another star.

4. New Orleans Pelicans (from Los Angeles Lakers)- Darius Garland, Point Guard, Vanderbilt: There are hot rumors regarding what the Pelicans will do with this pick they got in the Davis deal and there's a chance they take Garland here and trade either Lonzo Ball or Jrue Holliday. He did only play in five games this past season due to the knee injury he suffered.

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- Coby White, Point Guard/Shooting Guard: North Carolina: 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 White. White is someone who was great in his lone collegiate season and that's what got him to this position. He and Devin Booker would be an interesting backcourt pairing.

7. Chicago Bulls- 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 Bulls got themselves another building block to go with the rest of their young core.

8. Atlanta Hawks- 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. He'd be another piece the Hawks could add to their core with Trae Young and John Collins.

9. Washington Wizards- 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 Wizards that could see G-league time if he needs more development time.

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. He would be an interesting fit next to John Collins in their front court.

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- Rui Hachimua, Small Forward, Gonzaga: Hachimura is someone that is super talented and really took his game a notch this past season. The buzz at the combine was that there is very little chance Hachimura slips out of the lottery, with Charlotte thought to be an interesting landing spot for him.

13. Miami Heat- 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 Heat got themselves a player.

14. Boston Celtics (from Sacramento Kings via Philadelphia 76ers)- 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.

15. Detroit Pistons- 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 Pistons found themselves a player.

16. Orlando Magic- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shooting Guard, Virginia Tech: Alexander-Walker had a great sophomore season for improve his draft stock. What makes him a hot commodity is that he can guard multiple positions and play on and off the ball. The Magic are a team that needs wing depth and Alexander-Walker can provide that.

17. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets)- PJ Washington, Power Forward, Kentucky: After finally owning their first round pick for the first time in a long time, what do the Nets do? Trade it away with a bad contract to clear cap space to entice a star player to join the team! Meanwhile, Washington is someone that has the talent of a lottery pick with his ability to stretch the floor.

18. Indiana Pacers- Tyler Herro, Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Herro is somebody that is a very fast riser of late. He's someone that can flat out shoot the ball and the Pacers are a team that needs outside perimeter shooting. If they take Herro, it would not shock me if he ends up being a big contributor immediately.

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)- 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 Pacers could be getting themselves a steal.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Bol Bol, Center, Oregon: The Thunder take someone that is perhaps the biggest high ceiling/low floor prospect in the draft in Bol. He is somebody with lottery talents that has shown good rim protection and a solid three point shot for a seven-footer.

22. Boston Celtics- Ty Jerome, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Virginia: Jerome is somebody that was very good in Virginia's Championship run. He's someone that is versatile and can defend multiple positions very well. The Celtics might lose Kyrie Irving this summer so they can use more depth and versatility at the position.

23. Utah Jazz- 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.

24. Philadelphia 76ers- Nicolas Claxton, Power Forward/Center, Georgia: Claxton is one of the fastest risers as we are less than a week away from the draft. He has great size and mobility and his versatility will be why he's picked possibly higher than this.

25. Portland Trail Blazers- Mfiondu Kabengele, Power Forward/Center, Florida State: Kabengele is somebody who's stock has risen of late. The Blazers are team that actually has some depth up front, but will probably lose Enes Kanter in free agency and Kabengele is somebody that provides versatility and defends very well.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Houston Rockets)- KZ Okpala, Small Forward, Stanford: Okpala is somebody who's stock is rising at the moment due to his length and wingspan. The Cavaliers could use some youth on the wing and Okpala could be a bench guy for them and provide valuable minutes.

27. Brooklyn Nets (from Denver Nuggets)- 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.

28. Golden State Warriors- 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.

29. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors)- Dylan Windler, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Belmont: Windler is somebody that is very underrated coming into the draft. He's someone that can flat out score, shoot it from three, and space the floor well.

30. Milwaukee Bucks- 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 Bucks would be an interesting landing spot considering they might need wing depth if Khris Middleton walks this summer.