NBA: 2019 Mock Draft 1.0
1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson (PF/Duke): The Pelicans need someone to bring excitement back to New Orleans and as much hype as Zion has around him will for sure help. Also he has a ton of raw talent and has great upside. He has the potential to become a perennial NBA All-Star for years to come. He averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for the Blue Devils as he won Player of the Year. He's definitely going to be the top pick.
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant (PG/Murray State): The Grizzlies needs someone to help Jaren Jackson Jr. at the guard position. With someone who has athleticism and has great vision with ball handling, Morant will be a great fit under Mike Conley Jr. The Grizzlies have looked like a train wreck since Tony Allen and Zach Randolph left but there may finally be some upside if they can add Morant. He averaged 24.5 points and 10.0 assists at Murray State.
3. New York Knicks: R.J Barrett (SF/Duke): New York already has a young forward with Kevin Knox who they took with their first pick last season and this will help the Knicks on it's rebuilding. There isn't a lot of talent in New York after Kristaps Porzingis was traded to Dallas, but Barrett and the possibility of adding someone like Kevin Durant and/or Kyrie Irving should keep hopes high in the Big Apple, even though Knicks fans were praying for Williamson.
4. Los Angeles Lakers: Cam Reddish (SG/Duke): With the Lakers taking Lonzo Ball a few years ago, they need more of a shooting guard than ball handler and Reddish could be that guy. Even though he was inconsistent at Duke he has great potential and can extend the court with his long range shot. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.7 rebounds on 35.6% shooting from the field. He'd be the third Blue Devil selected in the first five picks and fit alongside LeBron James.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: De'Andre Hunter (SF/Virginia): After James left last year, they haven't been able to fill that SF spot and I think he will be a great fit to the play style with Collin Sexton and Kevin Love. Hunter is one of the most consistent mid-range scorers in the draft and he can score in the post, as well as defend anywhere and everywhere on the floor. According to ESPN, the Cavaliers have also hired former Michigan head coach John Beilein.
6. Phoenix Suns: Jarrett Culver (SF/Texas Tech): Culver is great at both ends and will for sure be a help to the Suns' young core, who only managed to win 19 games last season. Phoenix has a couple of nice pieces in Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton, and Culver would look to help build towards the future. Ironically, Culver reminds me a lot of Mikal Bridges, who he could be teammates with if the Suns decide to take him with this pick.
7. Chicago Bulls: Coby White (PG/North Carolina): It seemed like the Bulls were ready to draft Morant if they got the No. 2 overall pick, but they fell all the way from fourth to seventh. With that said, White is a terrific player who averaged 16.1 points on 42.2% shooting from the field in his lone season with North Carolina. Chicago could put him at the point guard, move Zach LaVine to his more natural two-position, and then build around them and Lauri Markkanen.
8. Atlanta Hawks: Darius Garland (SG/Vanderbilt): Garland barely played in his only season at Vanderbilt because of a season-ending injury, but there is no denying his incredible talent. He makes up for his small size (6'2 and 175 pounds) with great ball handling and a pretty outside shot. The Hawks need more scoring and that's what Garland does best. He would likely try and play alongside Trae Young, and they'd continue to mold a young tandem with John Collins.
9. Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura (PF/Gonzaga): John Wall is going to miss the beginning of the season as he is still out with an injury, and the Wizards will bring whoever they draft along slowly. Hachimura reminds me of Paul Millsap when he first came into the league and he's become a really consistent player. It's likely going to take him a few years to get used to the NBA, but he has some of the best potential after dropping 19.7 points per game.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Jaxson Hayes (C/Texas): We have the Hawks taking Garland with their earlier pick so it would only make sense for them to go after a big man with their second choice. Despite going just 29-53 last year, Atlanta has some pretty good building blocks with guys like Young and Collins. They could be solid in a few seasons and adding Garland and Hayes would be smart. Hayes won the Big 12 Freshman of the Year with Texas last season.
Photo Credit: Associated Press.
