Friday, June 14, 2019

2019 NBA Mock Draft: Seventh Edition

Here is my seventh 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. 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 Anthony Davis.


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- 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- 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 Minnesota generally thought to be a soft landing spot for him.

12. Charlotte Hornets- 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 Hornets got themselves a player.

13. Miami Heat- 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.

14. Boston Celtics (from Sacramento Kings via Philadelphia 76ers)- Brandon Clarke, Power Forward, Gonzaga: The second Gonzaga player comes off the board with Clarke. He provides energy 
and great two way play and he is someone analytic nerds will love with his high PER this past college season.

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- 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 Magic are a team that needs outside perimeter shooting badly. If they take Herro, it would not shock me if he ends up being a big contributor immediately.

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- 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.

19. San Antonio Spurs- Goga Bitadze, Center, Serbia: This feels like a classic Spurs pick. 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.

20. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers)- 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.

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- Keldon Johnson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Kentucky: The Celtics go with the talented winger in Johnson, who has good size and can shoot the ball well. He needs some work done on the defensive side though.

23. Utah Jazz- 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.

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- 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.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Houston Rockets)- 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.

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 probably need more point guard depth if D'Angelo Russell bolts this summer.

28. Golden State Warriors- 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.

29. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors)- Zach Norvell, Shooting Guard, Gonzaga: This wouldn't be a bad selection as the Spurs take a wing that has been in big games in college and has a nice all around game. The Spurs are a team that needs wing depth so this pick would makes sense.

30. Milwaukee Bucks- Bruno Fernando, Center, Maryland: Fernando is somebody that has tantalizing upside that averaged a double-double this past season. He has an NBA ready body and could be a contributor for the Bucks and could start for them if Brook Lopez bolts this summer.

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