The NBA season is over with the Toronto Raptors taking home the trophy. Teams are now looking ahead to the draft, which happens today. Here is the 2019 NBA Mock Draft June 20. The draft order is from NBA.com.
1. New Orleans Pelicans- Zion Williamson, F, Duke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YY4uKBpwhw
The Pelicans won the lottery and got a great haul for trading Anthony Davis to the Lakers. Zion Williamson should be the pick. Williamson has gotten to show off his skills at Duke this season. He is really athletic, but is more than just a highlight reel player, as he can do a lot on a basketball court.
2. Memphis Grizzlies- Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
Memphis decided to keep Mike Conley at the trade deadline. They still are reportedly looking in on taking Morant. He can learn from Conley, or the Grizzlies could trade him now. Morant may have gone to a small school, but proved he could play with the best of them in NCAA Tournament. He’s got great athleticism and sets up his teammates well.
3. New York Knicks- R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke
Barrett should be the selection if the Knicks keep the pick. He has said that he is only working out for the Knicks before the draft. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it seems both sides want him in a Knicks uniform next season. Barrett has a polished offensive game, but does need to distribute the ball more.
4. Atlanta Hawks- De’Andre Hunter, F, Virginia
Hunter shot 43.8% from deep last season. He has a chance to be a good “3 and D” player, as he was also ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The Hawks traded a lot up to get this pick and Hunter can star on the wing, while Trae Young runs the point and John Collins mans the middle.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers- Jarrett Culver, G/F, Texas Tech
The Cavaliers have a solid young point guard in Collin Sexton and need to pair him with a good wing player. Culver helped carry Texas Tech to the National Championship Game. He has a solid offensive game and plays good defense.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves- Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIk5DPWTvLI
Garland missed the season with a meniscus injury. Due to a limited number of quality point guards in this draft class and his talent, he still could be drafted early. Minnesota could be going after a point guard as several of theirs are set to hit free agency.
7. Chicago Bulls- Coby White, PG, UNC
White started off the season slow, but really heated up down the stretch. He has good speed and size for the point guard position. If the Bulls have any doubts about Kris Dunn as their point guard, they should take one of the top two point guards in the class if they fall to them.
8. New Orleans Pelicans- Cameron Reddish, G/F, Duke
At Duke, Reddish took a backseat to Williamson and Barrett, but still has good athletic ability and traits that help him score. He’ll need to figure out how to be more assertive if drafted by the Pelicans, as he’ll be rejoining Williamson.
9. Washington Wizards-Sekou Doumbouya, F, France
Doumbouya is just 18 and looks like a player that could thrive if a good coach can mold him. The Wizards can develop him while John Wall is out next season.
10. Atlanta Hawks- Jaxson Hayes, F/C, Texas
Hayes is far from fully developed, but has good body control for his size. The Hawks could start him next to John Collins and start to fill out a decent starting lineup if they don’t trade their picks.
11. Phoenix Suns- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech
There were a lot of improved players in college basketball, but Alexander-Walker was right up there with all of them. After averaging 10.7 points as a freshman, he is now putting up 16.2 points per game. Alexander-Walker can play the point guard spot if needed, but should be able to develop as an off-ball guard as well.
12. Charlotte Hornets- Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7cVXVIO5Xg&t=5s
The Hornets have drafted plenty of wings in the past, so drafting a player who can play either forward spot could help the team. Hachimura can play either forward spot and can shoot, which could help out Kemba Walker next season.
13. Miami Heat- Nassir Little, F, UNC
The Heat have a weird y constructed roster, especially because they will be without Dwyane Wade next season. While Little was one of the most highly-touted prospects in this recruiting class, he didn’t quite live up to the hype in his one season of college basketball.
14. Boston Celtics- Goga Bitadze, C, Republic of Georgia
Bitadze is a physical player who can be a force if given the opportunity. With Al Horford likely leaving the Celtics should take a center to replace him.
15. Detroit Pistons- Keldon Johnson, G/F, Kentucky
While the Pistons are set on the interior with Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin, they need some better perimeter play. Johnson can fit the bill of an athletic wing, but he can also knock down the outside shot. Because of his defensive effort, he could turn into a great “3 and D” player.
16. Orlando Magic- Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky
Orlando is loaded up on frontcourt players and need more guards on the roster. Herro can really help them space the floor, as he is a pure scorer.
17. New Orleans Pelicans- P.J. Washington, PF, Kentucky
Washington was another player who vastly improved his game this season. He can score in the post and stretch the floor, but may lack the athleticism to become a star.
18. Indiana Pacers- Bol Bol, C, Oregon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiwPjsRKy7E
The Pacers have Myles Turner, but could take Bol Bol and play them both or wait for Bol to develop more.
19. San Antonio Spurs- Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland
Fernando is a great rebounder and inside scorer as an old-school center. The Spurs need to rebound better next season.
20. Boston Celtics- Mfiondu Kabengele, PF, Florida State
Although he came off the bench for the Seminoles, Kabengele was probably their best player. He can score in bunches and is a good athlete.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Kevin Porter Jr., G, USC
The Thunder need to get a shooter and someone who can space the floor for their stars. If Porter can stay out of trouble and develop well, he could be a steal in this draft.
22. Boston Celtics- Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
Langford can create his own shot, but isn’t the best outside shooter. If some Celtics leave in free agency, they will need more depth at guard.
23. Memphis Grizzlies- KZ Okpala, F, Stanford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAPOuVVFHgw
Okpala is a versatile player, who can come off the bench for the 76ers to start.
24. Philadelphia 76ers- Brandon Clarke, F, Gonzaga
Gonzaga found a great player in Clarke, who transferred in for this past season. He is a rim protector and has the athleticism that not too many people with his size have.
25. Portland Trail Blazers- Nicolas Claxton, F/C, Georgia
Claxton is rising up draft boards after a successful leap in production as a sophomore under Tom Crean.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers- Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas
He may not be the best offensive player, but Gafford has the necessary athleticism and finishing ability to be selected in the first round.
27. Brooklyn Nets- Louis King, G/F, Oregon
King is athletic, but can also shoot the three well. He could be a good bench piece for the Nets.
28. Golden State Warriors- Carsen Edwards, PG, Purdue
Shaun Livingston is 33 and Quinn Cook has one more year before hitting restricted free agency. What better way to keep the Warriors rolling than selecting the player who was compared to Steph Curry multiple times in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Cameron Johnson, F, UNC
The Spurs need to hit on one of their first-round picks if they want to get back to competing for championships. Johnson has great size and shooting ability, but lacks great foot speed.
30. Detroit Pistons- Matisse Thybulle, G, Washington
Thybulle is one of the best defenders in the class, but needs to improve on offense.
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