2019 NBA Mock Draft

The clock struck midnight on the Warriors dynasty, and the Toronto Raptors sit atop the NBA throne welcoming us to the NBA offseason. Free agents will find new destinations or stay loyal to their team. Teams will trade their best assets in hopes of taking advantage of this wide-open NBA title race (hello Anthony Davis) or double down and enter full rebuild mode (hello Mike Conley). A new group of young basketball players will enter the NBA with goals of being the best player in the league as well. Without further ado, let’s welcome NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“With the 1st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans select…”

This isn't fair.

Zion Williamson (Duke, 6’7, 285 lbs) is undoubtedly the number 1 pick in the draft. For months, people have tried to compare Zion to an NBA player. Blake Griffin and a non-fat Charles Barkley are the most popular comps. But only one player had the same hype and incredible expectations entering the NBA: LeBron James. LeBron and Zion showed unrivaled athleticism paired with an astounding basketball IQ. Both were superstars before the NBA. Both players were so good, people wore their high school jerseys. Both were studs defensively. Both needed to develop a three-point shot. Both entered the NBA with unfathomable expectations. The true NBA comparison for Zion is LeBron James. Now that Anthony Davis is a Laker, the Pelicans can focus on building a team completely around Zion. Adding the Lakers young core, minus Kyle Kuzma, and whoever they draft at 4 is a good start. We are almost in the post-LeBron era, and the Zion era is just beginning.

“With the 2nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select…”

I've been dunked on once, but not this badly...

Ever since Ja Morant (Murray State, 6’3, 175 lbs) carved through Alabama’s defense and threw down a dunk heard around the country, the hype surrounding this 6’3 point guard from little known Murray State has skyrocketed. He plays with a reckless abandon we only see in players like Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose. While the high-flying dunks make fans obsess over Morant, his basketball IQ, the ability to make the right play, is what makes me excited for the future of this franchise. He’s a dynamic scorer averaging 24.5 points per game (ppg) and also makes players around him better averaging 10 assists per game (apg). Lastly, Morant is Memphis. An underrated player who worked his tail off, plays with a chip on his shoulder, and is just getting the recognition he deserves. Pairing the skillset of Morant with an emerging Jaren Jackson Jr. could turn into something special for a fan base desperate to get back to relevancy.

“With the 3rd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select…”

One of my favorite pics of the season

RJ Barrett (Duke, 6’7, 202 lbs) is tied for the most polarizing player in the draft (guess the other player). I went on record saying I’d pick RJ Barrett over Ja Morant. What I see in RJ is a dynamic perimeter scorer with underrated playmaking ability who fits this era of positionless basketball. Then I got lit up by people calling him Andrew Wiggins lite. Let me be clear, the Grizzlies will pick Ja Morant. But Knicks fans should be excited for RJ for the one trait I believe RJ has and Andrew Wiggins never did: RJ has that dog in him and drive to be the best; Wiggins doesn't and never will. Barrett won literally everything at the high school level, was the number 1 ranked player in his high school class over Zion, and the projected number 1 pick in this draft. Then he went to Duke with Zion and the 2nd ranked player in their class Cameron Reddish (more on him soon). Barrett was still a 1st team All American averaging 22. 6 ppg, 4.3 apg, and 7.6 rebounds per game (rpg). Yet, for probably the first time in his life, RJ Barrett is being underrated, and I think this only adds fuel to his fire. After playing in the shadow of Zion, I believe he is ready to prove the world he’s worth the hype on the biggest stage in basketball. I'll die on this sword if needed.

"With the 4th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans select…”

A great fit with Zion and the Pelicans

While there are rumors the Pelicans want to go up in the draft and draft RJ Barrett, at the 4th pick, Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech, 6’7, 194 lbs) is the best player to fit alongside a young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson. Culver experienced one of the biggest jumps from Freshman to Sophomore year turning into the number 1 option for a Texas Tech team that went to the national championship game last year. He has one of the highest floors in the draft due to his ability to get to the rim and defend at an elite level. His efficiency dipped in his 2nd year, but he won’t be asked to carry an offense like he was asked to at Tech, which should help his production and efficiency at the next level.

“With the 5th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select…”

Hunter has the clutch gene hitting the game tying shot in the NCAA title game.

Since the Cleveland Cavaliers selected a point guard in last year’s draft in Collin Sexton, I’m against the Cavs drafting another point guard this year. This means the Cavs should draft the best available player and one of my favorites entering the draft in DeAndre Hunter (Virginia, 6.7, 225 lbs). Hunter was one of the best three-point shooters in the NCAA shooting 43.8% from deep, and his sneaky athleticism and length make him one of the best defenders in the draft. Due to a lack of depth at the 2 and 3 (shooting guard and small forward), Hunter is the easy choice fitting perfectly in new head coach John Beilein’s defensive system.

“With the 6th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select…”

Gotta love the hair too

Breaking news: the Suns need a point guard. Well the Suns need a lot more than that, but they desperately need a guard who can take the load off of Devin Booker and work effectively with DeAndre Ayton. While many believe Vanderbilt's Darius Garland is the next best point guard in the draft, I think otherwise and believe in Coby White (North Carolina, 6’5, 191 lbs). I love White’s motor. He is a blur who can score at will with NBA 3-point range and signs of good playmaking, which is a lot like Garland. But White’s defensive potential is higher due to his size. Both have a 6’5 wingspan, but White stands at 6’5 191 lbs, and Garland at 6’3 173 lbs. After watching more of both players, there were more instances of great defensive effort and positioning for White than for Garland. Because of this defensive potential and established scoring ability, White is a great fit next to Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton.

“With the 7th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select…”

The Vanderbilt product has unlimited range.

Like the Suns, the Bulls have shuffled through starting point guards failing to find a long-term solution. Kris Dunn, the 5th overall pick in the 2016 draft, has not shown enough to be trusted running the Bulls' offense and has put the Bulls in a similar situation as the Suns: looking for a point guard to match with promising young bigs and a high-volume scorer in Zach Lavine. Darius Garland (Vanderbilt, 6’2, 175lbs) is their guy. While I like White more, I’m still fascinated by Garland’s dynamic offensive ability. His size is comparable to Steph Curry, and Garland’s 3-point shooting is too. Prior to his meniscus injury, he showed why he was such a coveted high school recruit. Garland must improve his playmaking and his defensive ceiling is low, yet he still has all the tools to be very good starting point guard in the NBA.

“With the 8th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select…”

Hitting the game-winner against Florida St.

If you guessed Cam Reddish (Duke, 6’8, 205 lbs) as the other most polarizing player, congratulations. Reddish was projected as the 3rd pick in the draft prior to the start of the season. His silky 3-point shot, length and size comparable to Paul George at 6’8 with a 7’wingspan, defensive upside, and solid athleticism were why he was projected so highly. When other top ranked high school players call you the hardest player they’ve ever had to guard, that means something. But his performance at Duke failed to live up to expectations. He averaged a pedestrian 13.5 ppg, 1.9 apg, and 3.7 rpg as the 3rd option at Duke with Zion and RJ and lacked consistency on both sides of the floor. With that said, Atlanta needs wing production badly, and Reddish has the highest ceiling of the remaining players.

“With the 9th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select…”

An intriguing French prospect

Sekou Doumbouya (France, 6’9, 209 lbs) is widely regarded the best international prospect. At 6’9 230 lbs, Doumbouya has all the physical tools athleticism to be a stud in the NBA. His three-point shot improved throughout the season in France’s pro league as well. But it’s his length, athleticism, defensive potential, and basketball IQ that has teams salivating. While being an immediate contributor for this Wizards team isn’t likely, there are many similarities to the favorite to win NBA's Most Improved, Pascal Siakam. Doumbouya needs time to mature and figure out his fit in the NBA, but he is the perfect player for Washington’s rebuild.

“With the 10th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select…”

Has one of the highest ceilings in the draft

The Hawks lack production and depth at the wing and center positions, and they addressed their wing problem with Cam Reddish. Drafting Jaxson Hayes (Texas, 6’11, 210 lbs) addresses their center problem. Hayes is an uber-athletic big man who had the third best field goal percentage in college basketball with 72.8% because he basically dunked everything. Defensively, he averaged 2.2 blocks per game and averaged 3.8 blocks per game per 40 minutes. While still a work in progress rebounding and a raw prospect overall, Hayes has tremendous upside considering he grew 10 inches in high school, still getting used to his body, and has barely reached his very high potential.

“With the 11th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select…”

Rewind about a year and a half, and the Timberwolves were the 3rd seed in the west and living up to expectations after trading for Jimmy Butler. Then Butler got hurt. The Timberwolves struggled to make the playoffs, and Butler called out its stud Karl Anthony Towns (KAT) and dud Andrew Wiggins for lacking heart and not having that competitive drive. Fast forward to now, Butler is with the 76ers, and the Timberwolves are back to building around KAT. This team has an abundance of wings, but is thin at the 4 and needs another player to spread the floor and give KAT room to dominate. PJ Washington (Kentucky, 6’8, 230 lbs) is the perfect guy for that. His draft stock rose after returning for his Sophomore year and showed a consistent motor, three point shot, and ability on the boards. Since Taj Gibson, the starting 4 last season, is likely leaving in free agency, Washington could contribute immediately.

“With the 12th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets select…”

Nassir Little and UNC didn't seem like a good fit.

When Nassir Little (North Carolina, 6’6, 224 lbs) signed to North Carolina last year, I knew a few people who thought this was a bad decision calling UNC a place where 5 star prospects go to die. At first, this made no sense. Roy Williams is a Hall of Fame coach with top notch facilities and an intelligent coaching staff. But after looking into it more, maybe there’s something to it. Since 1998, the best players to come from the University of North Carolina are Harrison Barnes and Danny Green. I bring this up because Little’s lone year at UNC was extremely disappointing for the 3rd highest recruit in the 2018 class, higher than Zion (ranked 5th). With that said, Little still oozes star potential. Add Little to promising wings Malik Monk and Miles Bridges, and the Hornets suddenly have some young wings to play with Kemba Walker (if he stays in Charlotte).

“With the 13th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat select…”

Can Porter become a mature NBA player and reach his ceiling?

The Miami Heat are in the worst place to be as an NBA team, the middle. Their roster is just, meh. This means the Heat need to take a risk and hope this pick turns into a star. Enter Kevin Porter Jr. (USC, 6’6, 216 lbs) as one of the biggest risers in the draft. Porter has top 10 talent, but his perceived lack of motor and discipline are red flags likely keeping him out of the top 10. Add his on-court performance averaging 9.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 1.4 apg with a suspension for an undisclosed conduct issue, and this equals a poor lone season at USC. With that said, his all-around offensive talent mixed with high level athleticism make him a prospect with all star potential the Miami Heat can’t pass up. Starting his career under one of the best coaches in Erik Spolestra and with Pat Riley watching over him, Porter could be a steal.

“With the 14th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select…”

My how the turn tables…(bonus points if you get that reference). A team many thought would challenge the Warriors for the NBA Title is now looking at an underperforming roster likely without Kyrie Irving and definitely without Anthony Davis. But they still have their picks right? Well yes, but the Kings and the Clippers picks turned out a lot worse than expected leaving the Celtics with the 14th and 20th pick in the draft. What about their core? Ok sure, the Celtics still have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But Kyrie, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier might be gone leaving holes at point guard and center. Goga Bitadze (Georgia *the country*, 6’11, 275 lbs) could be the next great European center to enter the NBA. A versatile offensive player who can score from inside and out coupled with great shot blocking ability, Bitadze could be another good young player to build around and compliment Tatum and Brown.

“With the 15th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select…”

Romeo Langford (Indiana, 6’6, 215 lbs) entered Indiana with a lot of hype, and while he still had a solid year averaging 16.5 ppg, he shot a measely 27.2% from 3. Though this poor percentage could be attributed to a torn ligament in his shooting hand. Regardless, Langford showed his explosive ability to get to the rim and had high production in the pick and roll, something sure to translate well to the NBA. If his 3-point shot improves, the Pistons could add a nice young wing to a big-heavy team.

“With the 16th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select…”

The Magic need a point guard. Unfortunately for them, this draft lacks quality point guards meaning the Magic should draft the next best thing: combo-guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech, 6’5, 204 lbs). I see a lot of similarities in fellow three named guard and cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Both are guards who can play on or off the ball, have long wingspans (6’9 for Walker), can shoot from deep, and use their length well to finish at the rim and defend. Walker isn’t as offensively polished as his cousin, but he has the tools to be a versatile NBA starter.

“With the 17th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select…”

There’s a big part of me who hopes my pick is wrong and the Hawks draft Bol Bol, but I don’t think they’ll reach for him and draft someone with more production: Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga, 6’8, 207 lbs). At 6’8, Clarke was one of the best shot-blocking bigs in the country averaging 3.2 bpg. Add in averaging 16.9 ppg and a 68.7% field goal percentage with 8.6 rpg, and the Hawks will get one of the most efficient players in college basketball.

“With the 18th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers select…”

Tyler Herro (Kentucky, 6’6, 192 lbs) is a walking bucket. But don’t take it from me, watch this interview of the co-SEC Freshman of the Year real quick. As you can see, he’s not lying. His mechanics are a thing of beauty, and he’s not afraid of the big moment. The Magic could draft Herro at 16, but if not I don’t expect him to slide further than the Pacers at 18. Slotting Herro as a floor spacer with the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim next to Victor Oladipo attacking offensive game could be deadly.

“With the 19th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select…”

It will be a historic night for Japanese born Rui Hachimura.

Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga, 6’8, 230) will make history as the first Japanese born player to be drafted to the NBA, and deservedly so. He’s one of the most versatile offensive players in the draft with a silky-smooth mid-range shot and ability to shoot from distance. Hachimura’s body is similar to likely MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo standing 6’8 with a 7’2 wingspan compared to Antetokounmpo at 6’9 with a 7’3 wingspan. Don’t get it twisted, Hachimura has a very very long way to go until he can be compared to Giannis considering his lack of athleticism and average defensive ability. But Hachimura is one of the most coachable players in the draft improving tremendously each year at Gonzaga and plays with an intensity Coach Popovich will welcome with open arms.

“With the 20th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select…”

You’ve heard my Celtics spiel already, and with potentially losing perimeter production in Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier, Keldon Johnson (Kentucky, 6’6, 216 lbs) fits the Celtics well. While the co-SEC Freshman of the Year lacked consistency as a high volume shooter, Johnson blossomed as the season progressed showing signs of a dynamic offensive game. He’s a solid defender as well and could be a contributor to a Celtics team looking to contend once again.

“With the 21st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select…”

I touched on my issue with UNC products earlier, but the Thunder should draft based on need and get one of the best pure shooters in the class in Cameron Johnson (North Carolina, 6’9, 205 lbs). The Thunder are in dire need of three-point shooting considering their only three-point threat is Paul George. I don’t expect Johnson to be anything more than a threat from 3 considering his average athleticism and lack of consistent ability to get to the rim. But he still fits OKC well.

“With the 22nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select…”

One of the best college basketball games last year was Duke vs. Florida State in January. The number 1 team in the nation entered Tallahassee to face 13th ranked Florida State. Though Duke escaped with a win, Mfiondu Kabengele (Florida State, 6’10, 256 lbs) was outstanding and gave Duke’s frontcourt, including Zion, fits with his ability to stretch the floor. With forward Marcus Morris potentially leaving the Celtics, Kabengele could be a nice addition with his shooting and solid rim protection.

“With the 23rd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select…” (This pick will be made by the Jazz but go to the Grizzlies.

If he stays healthy...

This could be the most intriguing pick of the draft. Bol Bol (Oregon, 7’3, 208) is a 7’3 shot blocking behemoth with the handles and shot making of a guard. “Wait, then Francis why is he going 23rd and not in the top 5???” Injury concern. Bol suffered a season ending foot injury early in his only season at Oregon, and drafting injury prone big men could be a disaster (sorry Greg Oden). He’s also a walking twig and must put on weight to excel in the NBA. I asked Grizzlies fans would they want Bol Bol if he dropped this far, and most said no. But I disagree with Grizz Nation. The Grizzlies are not in win-now mode and in a full rebuild. Give Bol Bol time to develop, strengthen, and physically mature, and the Grizzlies core looks like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Bol Bol. What's better than one unicorn? Two. (if you get that reference, you're a real one).

“With the 24th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select…”

The 76ers need shooters to provide spacing for Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to operate. Though the draft’s best shooters are off the board, there is one more intriguing option who could provide more than shooting: Ty Jerome (Virginia, 6’5, 194 lbs). Jerome is a solid ball handler with incredibly high basketball IQ who can play on and off the ball. He was also a 40% 3-point shooter in college. This makes him a viable option as the primary ball handler allowing Ben Simmons to play in that “dunker role” coach Brett Brown loves to put Simmons in. But Jerome could also play the 2 with Simmons as point guard. Since Jerome is a capable shooter, this gives Simmons the space he needs.

“With the 25th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers select…”

Nicolas Claxton’s (University of Georgia, 6’11, 217 lbs) draft stock has steadily risen, and after watching some film and reading more on him, I can see why. Claxton is an athletic 6’11 big man who improved a ton in his 2nd season at Georgia upping his freshman season production of 3.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 1.3 bpg to 13.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg, and 2.5 bpg. If he adds more muscle to his body, the Blazers could be adding some valuable depth to their thin frontcourt.

“With the 26th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select…”

KZ Okpala (Stanford, 6’9, 210 lbs) is the prototypical NBA wing with good size, great length, and solid bounce at 6’9 with a 7’2 wingspan. Like Claxton, Okpala improved nicely in his sophomore season and showed flashes of all star potential as an uber athletic dynamic threat in the open court with the tools to be a good defender in the NBA. Many people compare him to Brandon Ingram, but Okpala reminds me more of Pascal Siakam with his length and ability to finish in the open court. Like Siakam, Okpala will start his career as a raw prospect who needs to establish a consistent 3-point shot. But once he does, Okpala could be a steal at 26.

“With the 27th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets select…”

Matisse Thybule did this a lot, steal the ball.

One of my favorite players in the draft, Matisse Thybule (Washington, 6’5, 200 lbs) is THE best perimeter defender in the class. I always preach this: if a player specializes in one thing, whether it be shooting, defending, rebounding, or playmaking, he will always have an NBA job (Tony Allen, Kyle Korver, etc.). Thybule is a defensive savant who averaged 3.5 steals per game and 2.3 bpg. Oh, he’s also 6’5 averaging 2.3 bpg. That’s almost the same as Nicolas Claxton’s average, and he’s 6’11. If Thybule develops anything resembling a consistent 3 point shot, he will have a long and successful NBA career.

“With the 28th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select…”

This one’s easy. The Warriors better select Carson Edwards (Purdue, 6’0, 198 lbs). Really you don’t need my analysis to understand why this pick is easy. Just watch this. Please basketball Gods let him play behind and learn from Stephen Curry. Amen.

“With the 29th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select…”

Here are the centers for the San Antonio Spurs: Jakob Poeltl and Drew Eubanks. Yeah. The Spurs need depth at center. Enter a dude with one of my favorite names in the draft: Bruno Fernando (Maryland, 6’10, 237 lbs). This guy is a rebounding tank averaging 10.6 rpg at Maryland. He doesn’t have tons of offensive upside, but Fernando and previous pick Rui Hachimura will add a physical presence and intensity the Spurs are lacking in the paint.

“With the 30th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select…”

The formula for the Bucks is simple, add shooters to provide spacing for the tank that is Giannis Antetokounmpo. With this in mind, the best shooter left on the board is Belmont’s Dylan Windler (Belmont, 6’8, 196 lbs). He’s not getting much hype, but he’s a 6’8 wing who averaged a double-double with 21.3 ppg and 10.8 rpg. A fringe 1st round-early 2nd round talent, the Bucks should take a chance on the best shooter left in the draft.

And there it is, my first NBA Mock Draft! This took a lot of preparation watching film and researching players, but hopefully you enjoyed it!