Zion Williamson NBA Draft Projection, Scouting Report, Strengths/Weaknesses, Pro Comparison, and Highlights leading up to the 2019 NBA Draft
Measurables:
- Age: 18
- Height: 6’7″
- Wingspan: 6’10”
- Weight: 285 LBs
Strengths:
Once in a generation athlete.
Mismatch nightmare. Faster than bigs and stronger than everyone.
Elite finisher at the rim.
Great rebounder. May be able to play small-ball 5 in modern NBA.
Projects as elite defender.
Generates blocks and steals at a high rate (1.8, 2.1).
Moves incredibly well for his size.
Weaknesses:
Shooting is a work in progress. (33.8 3PT%, 64 FT%).
Not ideal length for a big man. Struggled against shot-blockers at times.
Injury concerns due to his weight and speed. Tough to maintain.
Pro Comparison:
Draymond Green as an Elite Athlete
We haven’t really seen a player like Zion Williamson so this is tough. Charles Barkley and Larry Johnson come to mind, but they we’re throwbacks. Zion is perfect for the modern NBA and reminds me a lot more of a versatile 4/5 like Draymond Green. Offensively Zion has a much higher ceiling due to his athleticism and strength, but his impact as a playmaker and defender could mirror Draymond who is among the league’s best in those departments.
NBA Draft Outlook:
Hopefully he can squeeze in the Late 1st-Early 2nd Round.
Ideal Fits:
Pelicans at 1:
Anthony Davis just got shipped out for about 23 current/future players so this appears to be Zion’s team now. With a young surrounding core of Ball, Ingram, Hart, and the 4th Pick, this could be a really good team in a year or two. A very fun one at least. A Ingram/Williamson small-ball frontcourt would be an awesome compliment moving forward.
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