The Draft lottery happened last night which gives us a better prediction of what will happen in the Top 10 of the draft.
Due to the new percentages, decent teams like the Pelicans, Lakers, and Grizzlies lucked out while the terrible Suns and Cavs missed out on Top 4 picks. This will make it a lot more interesting as all three of them could potentially make a playoff run with the right moves.
You can see our last mock here.
Lets Go.
1. New Orleans: Zion Williamson PF Duke
Will Anthony Davis stay around? Doesn’t matter. Zion is one of the best prospects in the past 10 years and will give the Pelicans a building block for the next decade if they can keep him around.
The only 3 Freshman to win the Naismith award in CBB history are Davis, Durant, and Williamson. Thats great company.
2. Memphis: Ja Morant PG Murray State
Mike Conley is still an above average NBA starter, but his days as an All Star candidate are numbered. Whether or not he remains on the team next season, Morant gives them a potential Westbrook esque player who can lead them moving forward along with Jaren Jackson Jr.
Barrett may get some consideration here, but I can’t see them passing on Morant.
3. New York RJ Barrett SG/SF Duke
This was the ideal situation for Barrett. Big Market, Massive Fanbase, and a potential contender if they land the free agents that Steven A. Believes they will land. His ability to score and distribute for his size/athleticism is something that only comes around once every few seasons. He has to be the pick in a 3-Man draft unless Morant falls.
4. Los Angeles Lakers DeAndre Hunter SF Virginia
This is the first pick that is really up in the air. Jarrett Culver, Darius Garland, and Cam Reddish could get some consideration, but Hunter is the best fit. His defense and ability to stretch the floor are appealing to a team with ball dominant LeBron, Ball, Kuzma, Ingram, Rondo (Is he still there?) and whoever else they sign this offseason.
5. Cleveland Jarrett Culver SG Texas Tech
Cleveland was arguably the worst team in the league this season, and ended up with the 5th pick. That blows. Culver and Sexton would form a really good young backcourt especially on the defensive end.
6. Phoenix Darius Garland PG Vanderbilt
Garland played only 5 games this season due to injury, but showed a lot in those 5 games. His scoring is far more developed at the NBA level than any player in this draft outside of Barrett. The suns haven’t had a good decent starting PG since Eric Bledsoe left town so this just makes sense.
7. Chicago Cam Reddish SF Duke
Coby White could get some looks here due to the Bull’s PG Needs, but Reddish is the best player on the board. He didn’t really get to showcase his talents at Duke, but he has All Star potential. His ability to play Off-Ball and lock down 1-5 with lateral quickness and a reported 7’2″ wingspan make him a perfect fit for the modern NBA. He will need to develop as a Playmaker/Shot Creator if he wants to take the next step.
8. Atlanta Jaxson Hayes C Texas
Hayes may take a year or two before he’s ready to play meaningful minutes, but the potential is there. His size and bounce would make a really entertaining combo with Trae Young and John Collins. Picture a young DeAndre Jordan.
9. Washington Bol Bol C Oregon
Bol is a really interesting prospect. Standing at 7’2″ with a reported 7’5″ wingspan and the skills of a guard, he has Unicorn potential. With that being said, he looked completely lost on the defensive end at times with Oregon. Who is he going to guard? NBA centers are going to bully him in the paint and any decent Guard/Forward can break him down on the perimeter. The Wizards basically have no hope until Wall’s contract is up so it makes sense to take a chance on the promising big man.
With a good combine he could potentially go Top 5. With a bad one he could go in the 20s.
10. Atlanta Coby White PG/SG UNC
Hawks don’t need a PG, but Coby White is too good to pass on at 10. At 6’5″ Coby White would have no problem playing SG/Secondary Ball Handler for stretches. His ability to shoot on the move would form a really interesting Duo with Trae Young that could be Lillard/MCollum-like if they pan out.
Picks 11-15
11. Minnesota Kevin Porter SG USC
This is a bit of an odd pick for Minnesota. The Timberwolves are in a weird situation where their starting lineup is really well rounded, yet they are picking in the Top 10.
Minnesota needs a true Guard shooter and Kevin Porter might be the best one left in the draft. He shoots 41% from beyond the arc and will be 19 Years Old when drafted. He adds some guard depth and a potential starter in the near future.
12. Charlotte Brandon Clarke PF/C Gonzaga
Nobody is really is talking about Clarke as an elite prospect. Maybe its because he played in the WCC. Maybe its because he was overshadowed by Hachimura. Maybe its just because nobody cares about defense. No Idea. He has All Star potential and could end up as the best true big man in the draft.
13. Miami Romeo Langford SG Indiana
Langford has gotten some criticism for inefficiency and ball dominant tendencies, but he was routinely doubled and played ACC teams every night. Thats tough. His ability to smoothly get to the basket and generate offense at 6’6″ make him a potential 20 PPG guy if he can figure out his Jumpshot (27.2 3PT%).
14. Boston Sekou Doumbouya PF/SF France
Without any decent Big Men or Guards on the immediate board, Celtics take a risk on the top international guy in the draft. If you haven’t watched Doumbouya at all and your favorite team is picking in the 10-20 range, check him out. The 6’9″ forward is an NBA athlete with impressive size for an 18 year old. He is definitely one of the rawest prospects in the class, but he has a ton of potential at 14. Celtics take a gamble on the promising forward.
15. Detroit PJ Washington SF/PF Kentucky
Washington improved significantly from his Freshman year to Sophomore and was a huge part of Kentucky’s success this year. The combo forward does all the little things and could be a huge pickup for a Detroit team looking for shooting and defense.
Picks 16-20
16. Orlando Tyler Herro SG Kentcuky
Herro is a very good shooter and off-ball scorer which is something Orlando desperately needs. Herro’s ability to stretch the floor could fit well next to Orlando’s crowded front court. Best-case-scenario, think another Devin Booker.
17. Brooklyn Rui Hachimura PF Gonzaga
The experienced Hachimura averaged 19 PPG and plays good enough defense to play major minutes right away for a Nets team looking to make a playoff run. He would fit really well as a small-ball four in their fast paced offense.
18. Indiana Keldon Johnson SG/SF Kentucky
Johnson’s athleticism and elite finishing ability would be a perfect pick for the transition heavy Pacers here. He has shown flashes of being a really good shooter if he can get to his spots. They will need a wing if they can not resign Bojan Bogdanovic who will be set to hit free agency this summer.
19. San Antonio Nassir Little SF UNC
Once seen as a potential Top 3 pick, Little had a down season at UNC but the talent is there. That’s something the Spurs will be all over. His length and athleticism will give him a relatively high floor as a versatile defensive stopper.
20. Boston Goga Bitadaze C Georgia (Country not the SEC School)
Outside of Horford, Boston has struggled to find good depth at center. Banes has been decent, Williams has potential, and Theis is good in spurts, but they need more depth. Standing at about 6’11” Bitadaze is versatile from the posts and will be able to space the floor out of the 5 spot.
Picks 21-30
21. Oklahoma City Nickeil Alexander-Walker G Virginia Tech
Alexander-Walker’s three point shooting and defensive ability would make an ideal 3 and D player in the NBA with a high floor. His game would fit perfectly in Oklahoma City as Russell Westbrook and Paul George could really use more off-ball production out of the SG slot.
22. Boston Talen Horton-Tucker SG/SF Iowa State
Horton-Tucker has shown some great playmaking skills and touch for his 6’4″ 235LB size. He will be 18 years old when he first steps on an NBA court next season and offers good potential in the 20s.
23. Utah Grant Williams PF Tennessee
Williams would be a good fit next to the NBA’s best paint protector in Rudy Gobert. He can stretch the floor, drive on slower big men, and body smaller players in the post. His upside is limited due to his frame and age, but he could be a day one starter for a playoff team. His passing out of the post reminds me a lot of Boris Diaw.
24. Philadelphia Matisse Thybulle SG/SF Washington
76ers lost in the conference finals in disappointing fashion. If they’re going to make it out of the East they will have to stop some of the following wings: Oladipo, Giannis, Kawhi, and KD (Probably). Thybulle is one of the best defenders in CBB history and could help limit them. Limited offensively, his role in the NBA would likely be similar to Andre Roberson.
25. Portland Cameron Johnson F UNC
As I’m writing this, Portland is down 1-0 to the Warriors in the WCF Finals. Chances are, they’ll probably lose. Rodney Hood, Al-Faruq Aminu, and Maurice Harkless have all averaged between 8.2-10.5 in the playoffs. Solid, but they need more production out of their Forwards. Cameron Johnson is a plus defender and a knockdown 3pt shooter (45.7 3PT%) who can compete for playing-time immediately.
26. Cleveland Chuma Okeke PF Auburn
Cleveland may not make they playoffs for a bit so why not take a chance on a player who was a potential lottery pick at times this season? Okeke is a future NBA starter and gives the Cavs another potential building block.
27. Brooklyn KZ Okpala F Stanford
Okpala is a great scorer with ideal physical tools and athleticism. The Nets have a lot of depth at the guard slots and could use some help on the wing so they go with the long-armed wing in KZ Okpala. He is a mismatch nightmare that could give Russell and co. some more room to work. If you haven’t seen much of Okpala, he plays similarly to Brandon Ingram.
28. Golden State MIfondu Kabengele C Florida State
Warriors get a potential starting center with the 6’10” Kabengele. He broke out a bit in the first two rounds of the tourney and showed a lot of potential as a 3 and D shot blocker throughout the season.
29. San Antonio Bruno Fernando C Maryland
The big bodied center has deceptive touch and projects as an above average interior defender. He isn’t a typical “Spurs Player” but he could fit very well in their rotation. He will need to improve upon his perimeter defense if he wants to compete for a starting job.
30. Milwaukee Carsen Edwards G Purdue
Carsen Edwards was a win away from arguably the greatest single player March Madness performance ever. The Bucks would love to get a scorer of his magnitude to liven up a very shallow backcourt and spread the floor for Giannis.
Second Round:
31. Brooklyn Luguentz Dort G Arizona State
While Dort’s three point shooting is a work in progress, Dort is a lethal scorer everywhere else on the court. The Nets need perimeter defense off the bench and the hard nosed Dort will sure be able to fill that role.
32. Phoenix Jontay Porter C Missouri
Porter missed the whole season with an ACL tear which he recently re-tore. Thats rough. He probably won’t suit up in the 2019-2020 season, but when he comes back he could be a steal. His skill and ability to create offense out of the post at his size is rare.
33. Philadelphia Ty Jerome PG Virginia
Philadelphia may be losing JJ Reddick this offseason which means about 30 MPG could potentially open up. Ty Jerome has playmaking to back up Ben Simmons and the size to play alongside him in the backcourt. Philly fans will love his aggressive defense.
34. Philadelphia Naz Reid PF/C LSU
Reid is a smooth scorer with stretch 4/5 potential and fantastic measurables for a NBA big standing at 6’10” with a 7’5″ wingspan. His defense and ability to guard perimeter players will likely determine ceiling.
35. Atlanta Isaiah Roby SF/PF Nebraska
Roby is relatively unknown outside of the Big Ten, but his defense is great and he has a Day 1 NBA body. Developing a jumper will be make or break for the athletic combo forward.
36. Charlotte Admiral Schofield SF Tennessee
Schofield is and NBA ready shooter and defender who has shown enough athleticism to compete at the next level. The Hornets haven’t gotten much production out of their forwards since Nicholas Batum decided he wanted to be some butt cheeks, so this pick makes sense.
37. Dallas Daniel Gafford C Arkansas
Without DeAndre Jordan, the Mavs have a massive hole at center next to Porzingis. Doncic was the leading rebounder at (7.8 RPG). Gafford is a big body who can soak up some quality minutes in the paint and make an impact as a post scorer.
38. Chicago Miye Oni PG/SG/SF Yale
Oni has great size for a combo guard at 6’6″ with a 6’11” wingspan and could rise up boards for a guard needy team. The Bulls are a guard needy team. He would be able to initiate offense as well as guard multiple positions for the Bulls.
39. New Orleans Charles Bassey C Western Ketucky
Pelicans look to add some defense in Bassey. The 6’11” Big Man showed alot of potential at WKU posting 14.6-10 as a True Freshman. He could potentially soak up some minutes at the 5 spot next to Davis/Zion.
40. Sacramento Nicholas Claxton F/C Georgia (SEC School)
Claxton has been rising up draft boards due to his athleticism and length. The King’s only plus defender in the front court is Cauley-Stein, which would allow Claxton to have an immediate role.
41. Atlanta Dylan Windler F Bermont
At 6’8″ Windler averaged 21.3 PPG 10.8 RPG and made 3 threes per game on 42.9%. Dude can play. Any team that could snag him in the second round could get a potential steal. Hawks need wing depth so this pick makes sense.
42. Philadelphia Deividas Sirvydis F Lithuania
The 76ers have 5 draft picks and they’ll likely be looking to take at least 1 European player to stash. Sirvydis is a year or two from being NBA ready, but his size (6’8″) and shooting stroke (.463 3PT%) could make him a steal at 34.
43. Minnesota Dedric Lawson PF/SF Kansas
Lawson quietly was one of the best players in the nation this season and even started to show signs of a really good jumpshot. His 6’9″ size and footwork makes him tough to stop. Timberwolves get a rotational forward who can potentially contribute right away if he can hit from beyond the arc.
44. Atlanta Ignas Brazdekis SG/SF Michigan
You know that thing that Baker Mayfield and Kobe have? That I don’t give a shit what you think winning attitude? Iggy embodies that. As a prospect he has his faults (Below Average defender and poor playmaker), but he is a really good shooter and has great size at 6’7″. He will find a role in the NBA.
45. Detroit Luka Samanic PF Slovenia
Samanic is still raw, but has a really smooth jumper for his size (6’10”). He could potentially do very well as a sharpshooter off the bench capitalizing on open jumpers via Griffin and Drummond.
46. Orlando Tremont Waters PG LSU
Waters would not do well on tinder at only 5’11’, but defensively he is more than capable of holding his own. This past season he averaged 3 SPG and took home SEC Co-DPOY award. Offensively, he can score from anywhere on the floor and is one of the best passers in the class. The Magic trot out DJ Augustine for about 30 MPG and take a swing at Waters.
47. Sacramento Darius Bazley SF USA
Blazey was a 5 star recruit who originally committed to Syracuse, but decided to play professionally instead. Not a ton of tape on him to be completely honest. The combine will be huge for his draft stock. Mitchell Robinson was a monster steal last year, and Blazey could be a similar situation.
48. LA Clippers Eric Paschall PF Villanova
Paschall is undersized, but is a really physical Big who has shown the ability to stretch the floor. The Clippers could use some shooting out of the front court so this just makes sense.
49. San Antonio Louis King SF Oregon
King broke onto big boards during Oregon’s tourney run and could be a viable pick for a team looking for a lanky scorer capable of stretching the floor. Spurs could use the depth and upside in the 2nd round.
50. Indiana Jalen McDaniels PF San Diego State
McDaniels is a high effort athlete who thrives finishing at the rim. He would be a great fit for a Pacers offense that likes to run in transition and play fast.
51. Boston Quinndary Weatherspoon SG Mississippi State
Weatherspoon is player who can score in bunches and will likely be a spark plug type guy in the NBA. Unlike most spark plugs, he’s a plus defender. With a strong 6’4″ frame and 6’9″ wingspan, he could potentially find a role with the Celtics.
52. Charlotte Jordan Nwora SF Louisville
Nwora had a major improvement from his Freshman season to Sophomore improving 11.3 PPG and 5.4 RPG. He has great size at 6’8″ and a really promising jumper. He will need to be knockdown from beyond the arc as he doesn’t offer much as a playmaker or anything unique as a defender.
53. Utah Caleb Martin SG/SF Nevada
At 6’7″ with decent handles and a really solid jumpshot, Martin is tough to guard. His age and lack of athleticism point to a lower ceiling, but the Jazz could use his contributions right away as they hope to make a deep run.
54. Philadelphia Fletcher McGee SG Wofford
Fletcher McGee is an NBA player. He had a brutal game against Kentucky and doesn’t have the athleticism of anyone pretty much anyone else in this draft, but he is one of the best humans in the world at shooting basketballs. Picture Joe Harris. If J.J. Reddick sticks around, he would be a perfect mentor to McGee.
55. New York Jaylen Hoard SF Wake Forrest
Once seen as a potential lottery pick, Hoard has fell a bit due to inconsistency. At 6’8″ with a 7’2″ wingspan and above average athleticism, drafting Hoard is basically a flier that he can figure it out. He is a decent defender, but needs to put on weight before he can be relied on at the NBA level.
56. LA Clippers Kris Wilkes SF UCLA
Wilkes is a really athletic combo forward who can score in bunches. He has shown times of being a “chucker” and has had lapses defensively which is why he fell off some draft boards. Wilkes could be a high potential pickup for the 56th pick.
57. New Orleans CJ Massinburg SG Buffalo
Hard nosed defender who can light you up from beyond the arc. Massinburg projects as a Wesley Matthews type 3 and D guy at the next level. Pelicans try to get a contributor at 57.
58. Golden State Neemias Queta C Utah State
Queta is a 7-footer with a massive 7’4″ wingspan. He’s a big dude. He nearly averaged a double-double to go along with 2.4 BPG as an 18 year old at Utah State, but looked completely lost at times. He’ll probably need a year or two in the G-League or overseas before he’s NBA ready, but the potential is there.
59. Toronto Kyle Guy SG Virginia
Guy is reportedly 100% committed to the 2019 NBA Draft and his stock will never be higher. He has his faults, but someone has to take a flier on a guy that thrives off hitting shoots of screens. Thats 80% of NBA possessions. Raptors need help at the 2-Guard and make sense here.
60. Sacramento Zach Norvell SG Gonzaga
The Sophomore Norvell is a really good shooter and scorer who could potentially earn a spark plug role at the next level. Kings get potential depth at the 2/3 spots.
