2019 NBA Mock Draft

In the first (and last) edition of my 2019 NBA mock draft, I lay out the picks that I would make if I was the GM, complete with brief analysis for the lottery (and some other analysis sprinkled in).  Some of them are consensus. Some are a little spicy. Hope you enjoy.

1. New Orleans Pelicans

Luke Maye

F/C, North Carolina

Kidding.

1. New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson

F/C, Duke

 The obvious pick is the right one. Zion will be an immediate impact player from day one. His floor should be similar to earlier career Blake Griffin and his ceiling is somewhere near a 6'6" version of Giannis. 

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant

PG, Murray State

 Again, the obvious pick. Morant is a freak athlete who will almost certainly rank among the league's elite in passing and floor vision. Going from unranked out of high school to the number two overall pick (not to mention playing college ball in Murray, Kentucky) fits in nicely with Memphis's "Grit and Grind" culture.

3. New York Knicks

RJ Barrett

G/F, Duke

The last of the consensus picks. Barrett will provide playmaking and most notably scoring for a team that's pretty lacking in both areas.

4. New Orleans Pelicans

Darius Garland

PG, Vanderbilt

This is projecting the Pelicans to trade this pick to a team thirsting for a point guard (if the Pelicans stay put, I'd take Jarrett Culver). Garland has the best handle and one of the best three point shots in the class. ESPN/The Ringer's Ryen Russillo compared him to Kyrie Irving. He's a gamble, after missing all but five games of his lone season at Vandy; but this draft is full of unknowns, and Garland is part of the group with superstar upside.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Jarrett Culver

G/F, Texas Tech

Love Culver's skill set--at the very least, he should be able to serve as a secondary playmaker and lock up guards on the opposing team. At just 20 years old, I think he provides the right amount of upside and safety for a Cavs team that will only get a star if they draft one. Texas Tech listed him at 6'6" last year, but I swear he looks about 6'8" or taller on the court. 

6. Phoenix Suns

Coby White

G, North Carolina

The Suns have needed a point guard for what feels like forever, and they could have a franchise piece in Coby. The 6'5" guard may be the fastest player in the draft. I think he and Devin Booker would complement each other well, as they both can play on an off the ball. Coby showed a superb ability to knock down catch and shoot threes last year, and he already has a couple of NBA ready pull-up jumper moves in his bag. The key to his success will be whether or not he can learn to play at multiple speeds. I love Coby. 

7. Chicago Bulls

Cam Reddish

G/F, Duke

Again, this is another franchise that feels like they'll only get a star if they draft one. In high school, Reddish demonstrated the skills to handle the ball and get buckets at an unstoppable rate. However, his lone year at Duke, opposing teams often exposed his loose handle, forcing live ball turnovers; and he only shot 35% from the field (33% from three). His finishing ability around the rim was especially troubling. Yet, the upside is there, and I think Reddish can slide next to Otto Porter, Jr. seamlessly. That duo could boast elite perimeter defensive potential. 

8. Atlanta Hawks

DeAndre Hunter

F, Virginia

This pick would be a dream fit. The Hawks are emulating the same strategies that the Warriors implemented in building their five-year juggernaut: draft shot-makers, shot-creators, and defensive stoppers. Hunter would cover a multitude of Trae Young's defensive shortcomings, and his trajectory indicates offensive prowess waiting to be tapped. Let's not forget, the man averaged 15 points per game at Virginia. I've said this before, but that's like averaging 40 at a school that plays at a normal pace.

9. Washington Wizards

Sekou Doumboya

F, France

Okay, I don't really watch European prospects; I just know this dude has gotten some Pascal Siakam-lite comps (from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic), and the Wizards need front court help.

10. Atlanta Hawks

Brandon Clarke

F/C, Gonzaga

This would also be a dream fit for the Hawks. Clarke's defensive instincts are incredible--he's always in the right position, ready to block or alter shots. He's undersized and might never give Atlanta much offensively...but you put him in the same front court as John Collins and have Hunter, Kevin Huerter, and Trae Young on the perimeter, and it won't matter much.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Porter, Jr.

G, USC

Southern California was a dumpster fire this year, and Porter had his fair share of issues there (being benched, suspended, only averaging about 9 points per game). But he's a lefty guard (cue the unwarranted James Harden comparisons!!) with plus athleticism and passing ability. I'd like to see the Wolves gamble on a potential game-changer (who also may be a potential bust) to see if they can find a running mate next to Karl-Anthony Towns.

12. Charlotte Hornets

Nicolas Claxton

F, Georgia

I said in an older post that Charlotteans will never care about the Hornets anywhere close to as much as they care about the Heels and the Devils. So by that logic, I would love to see the Hornets just swing for the fences every year. If the pick doesn't work out, history tells us they'll wind up back in the lottery to take another crack. Claxton is a 6'11" highly athletic big man with soft touch around the rim (and he stepped out to make 18 three pointers for the Dawgs last season). Due to the lack of talent at the guard position around him, He even handled the ball and facilitated the offense a little bit. He's raw for sure, and would spend a lot of time in the G-League for a lottery pick...but why not?

13. Miami Heat

Nassir Little

F, North Carolina

Okay I admit...I wanted to mock Nas to the perfect situation. Miami as a franchise boasts an incredible knack for developing players. Little needs an organization that will be patient for him as he improves his feel for the game and help defense.

14. Boston Celtics

Goga Bitazde

C, Georgia (the Country)

The Celtics will most likely lose Al Horford in free agency, so I would try to draft his replacement. Bitazde is only 19 but already showcases expertise in screening and rolling. The coaching staff in Boston should be able to help him expand his range to the three point line.

15. Detroit Pistons - Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech - Pistons need shooting, Alexander-Walker might also be able to run some point, which they also need.

16. Orlando Magic - Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky

17. Atlanta Hawks - Grant Williams, F/C, Tennessee - so strong, good team defender, incredible passer. A LOT of guys get Draymond comparisons that don't deserve them. I think Williams might actually live up to that comp.

18. Indiana Pacers - PJ Washington, F/C, Kentucky

19. San Antonio Spurs - Cam Johnson, G/F, North Carolina - I'm begging Gregg Popovich to make Cam into Danny Green 2.0

20. Boston Celtics - Romeo Langford, G, Indiana

21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue - dude is yoked and is a walking bucket. We just saw Fred VanVleet (a very similar skillset to Edwards) help win Toronto a title; yet for some reason, teams won't draft Edwards this high.

22. Boston Celtics - Ty Jerome, PG, Virginia - just screams Boston Celtic.

23. Utah Jazz - Mfiondu Kabengele, F/C, Florida State

24. Philadelphia 76ers - Keldon Johnson, G/F, Kentucky

25. Portland Trail Blazers - Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas

26. Cleveland Cavaliers - Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga

27. Brooklyn Nets - Chuma Okeke, G/F, Auburn - his name triggers me because of what he did to UNC in the Sweet 16. Tons of 3-and-D potential with Okeke. Brooklyn has shown in the past that they're not afraid to take injured players (Caris LeVert in 2016). 

28. Golden State Warriors - Eric Paschal, G/F, Villanova - perfect fit for their offense. This is such a typical Warriors pick.

29. San Antonio Spurs - Dylan Windler, F, Belmont

30. Detroit Pistons - Bol Bol, C, Oregon