2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Jamaaliver]

Can Duke get the most out of Cameron Reddish?

There’s a small chance that Cameron Reddish might be the best player in the 2019 NBA Draft class. But with R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson around, is he going to have room to grow?

R.J. Barrett, Nassir Little, and Zion Williamson appear to be everyone’s headliners for the 2019 NBA Draft class. Cameron Reddish, on the other hand, seems to be forgotten in the mix of the top prospects. He’s included, sure, but it’s hard to find a scout that will put him number one or number two in the class. It can feel as though he’s begrudgingly included at the top of the class in discussions of the top five.

(R)easons for this are twofold: Reddish’s game is divisive, as he represents the classic high school scorer model, a player who dominated the ball, rarely tried on defense, and provided production that felt empty given his situation at the high school level. And perhaps more importantly, on a team as talented as Duke, one of the big three is likely to be marginalized. And with how good Barrett is, that seems likely to be Reddish.

Reddish earned his place at the top of the draft class with his potential as a scoring wing. Like Barrett, he has a strong handle and is adept at creating space, and he shows a decent level of craft around the basket.

Reddish combines this driving ability with what is the most established shooting package in the class. Reddish is a strong pull-up shooter with range out to 30 feet, and he’s very fluid getting into his pull-up out of an isolation. His jumper isn’t picture-perfect — there’s a small amount of elbow flare, and he tends to lean back into a fade — but he shot over 50 percent from 3 in team USA action, and he’s leagues ahead of every other guard in the freshman class as a pull-up shooter.

He also has some potential as a passer. While he’s not brilliantly creative like Barrett, he shows pretty good vision, and does a good job of seeing through traffic to make simple reads.

Spoiler:

Reddish’s skill set lends to the idea that he can be a strong scorer at the NBA level. However, he has shown some traits that bring the utility of that scoring into question. Reddish is good at getting points and can do so efficiently, but it may not be the most efficient team offense to give the reigns fully to Reddish. His creation ability is somewhat limited to isolations and simple pick-and-rolls, and we haven’t seen him take many advanced reads. He also can be a little over-reliant on his jumper one-on-one, which can lead to early shot-clock contested jumpers and quick pull-ups without teammates in position to clean things up.

Reddish’s ultimate NBA role. There are major questions about how Reddish’s shot selection will influence his overall impact, and it might be beneficial to have him filling a more restrictive role early on, giving him specific duties and actions as a complimentary player. Watching him come off screens and shoot from the corners will be valuable for assessing his off-ball potential. Defensively, Reddish’s profile is similar to his offensive profile — the bones of a skilled player that is bogged down by some bad habits and a bad role. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Reddish could become a strong switching defender. He has experience guarding fours like Marvin Bagley in AAU, and has shown the quickness to stay with NBA-level wings, such as in his battle with Nassir Little at the Jordan Brand Classic. Reddish, when engaged, shows some very quick hands and good denial skills, and even has shown some ability to be a weakside shot blocker.

Reddish is a top-five value in this class, as he should be solidly on par with Barrett and Little in terms of ceiling outcome on offense. However, it’s going to be difficult for him to reach that target value with his shot selection and defensive habits being as they are.

The Step Back

[tbhawksfan1]

It's great that it's another 5 deep draft. Hawks will get a top five.

I don't think Duke's big three should affect their draft status. Even if one loses some stats it shouldn't affect their ceiling.

Reddish is intriguing. Put a shooter/slasher/ D total package 6'7" SG next to Trae and good things are going to happen.

Really want to give Trae C. Look what he is doing with Len, Poy, Plumlee... imagine him feeding a more talented C. Rim protection and D would be nice too

[Jamaaliver]

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1 | RJ Barrett | Duke | No. 1 in 2018



After the postseason all-star games, Barrett looked like the No. 1 prospect in the 2018 recruiting class. He only solidified that notion during a two-hour Duke scrimmage last Wednesday. The physical tools are there, as he has good size for the position (6-foot-6) and has measured a fine length (6’9”) and standing reach (8’6”). Known for his scoring ability, he’s improved as a shooter since last spring and his scoring package is advanced. He also has the potential to be a very good perimeter defender. Barrett is a high energy alpha dog that competes on both ends.


2 | Nassir Little | North Carolina | No. 3 in 2018



No other 2018 prospect closed out their high school career with the vigor that Little did, reeling in MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American game and jumping to No. 2 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. At 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Little is physically gifted and is quite the athlete. He made major progress with his game over the course of his last year in high school. His energy and effort on defense and rebounding has always been there, but his jump shot and ball skills began to make gradual improvements.

3 | Cameron Reddish | Duke | No. 2 in 2018



Reddish is the most physically and naturally talented prospect in next year’s draft. His size for the position is terrific (6’8”), his length is equally as good (7’1”) and he’s an above average athlete by NBA standards. Reddish has always been a fine shooter, but in a recent viewing he appeared more consistent in this area — even looking like Duke’s best shooter. The question with Reddish has always been about his motor, but during a Duke scrimmage last week he played with more energy than we’ve seen in the past. Hopefully that’s a good sign, as all the tools are there.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

Quentin Grimes as a heady, 2-way combo guard is a young man I'll be keeping a close eye on this season:

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[Jamaaliver]

From ESPN Insiders -- (abridged version):

Answering the biggest 2019 NBA draft questions

How deep is this race for No. 1, and how far ahead is the current favorite?

Even though RJ Barrett has been the unanimous choice as the projected No. 1 pick since our very first forecast, his hold on that slot remains tentative

NBA executives we've spoken with mostly call the race for No. 1 a four-player contest, with the drop-off to the next tier of prospects being relatively substantial. In addition to Barrett, Duke's Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish are also firmly in the mix, as well as North Carolina's Nassir Little, who only emerged this past spring during the high school all-star game circuit as a serious contender. NBA teams don't appear to be convinced or enamored with the star power of this group, saying privately that it remains to be seen whether any of these prospects project to be the best player on a NBA playoff-caliber team down the line.


Who will be the first non-freshman college player drafted?

Early on, the highest such players -- sophomore Daniel Gafford, redshirt sophomore De'Andre Hunter and junior Rui Hachimura -- are projected to be selected at No. 11, 12 and 13 in our upcoming Top 100, with room to rise. Jontay Porter looked like a strong candidate to crack the top 10 as well, but he was just ruled out for the duration of the 2018-2019 season after tearing both his ACL and MCL, something that will make cracking the lottery far more unlikely.


What's the strongest position group this time?

Big guards, wings and combo forwards. While there may not be a bona fide future MVP at the top or a slew of All-Stars in the lottery, this group could fill huge needs throughout the modern NBA.

The first eight players in ESPN's Top 100 stand between 6-foot-5 and 6-9, with seven of them classified as big guards, wings or combo forwards. Between Barrett, Little, Reddish, Johnson, Romeo Langford, Quentin Grimes and Sekou Doumbouya, the top 10 is littered with versatile, switchable prospects. And even the other three have new-age qualities.

[Jamaaliver]

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1. R.J. Barrett, SG/SF — Duke

The No. 1 option on this list is R.J. Barrett. The Duke commit has become widely known for his all-around dominant skill-set. Barrett is a guy who can impact the game in multiple ways.

As a senior in high school, he led his team to a perfect 32-0 record en route to being named the 2018 Naismith Player of the Year. During his final year in high school, Barrett averaged 27.0 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting from the field.

Barrett was the No. 1 college prospect and has already gotten himself off to a great start with Duke. So far, he’s had multiple 30-plus point performances for the Blue Devils during their exhibition games. He’s looked very promising and has controlled each game he played in.

Spoiler:

4. Nassir Little, SF — North Carolina

Coming in at No. 4 on our list is North Carolina commit, Nassir Little. Little has been a star for quite some time and appears to be ready to take the leap. His skill-set makes him an ideal option for almost any team picking high in the draft. Little began to make some noise at the 2018 Adidas Gauntlet, where he averaged 17.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He used his above average size and length to power his way through defenders and score at will.

He has the capabilities of being a combo forward, something that is very appealing to modern-day NBA teams. He is big for his position and can do multiple things well. If he continues to develop other aspects of his game, such as ball-handling and shooting, he will be a superstar.

5. Romeo Langford, SG — Indiana

Langford is a wing player that can score in a number of different ways. His impressive play in high school made him a five-star recruit and he is expected to make waves at the collegiate level.

Langford was a monster on the offensive end in high school. As a senior, he averaged 35.5 points per game on 56 percent shooting from the field. His ability to shoot from deep and put the ball on the floor made him a versatile threat. While he lacks the foot speed of many other top recruits, Langford makes up for this with crafty moves. He is exceptional at picking his spots on the floor and knocking down shots, even with a defender in his way.

Langford stands at 6’6″ and has a 6’10” wingspan. His length gives him the ability to be a good rebounder at his position and all of the tools necessary to become a good defender.

[Jamaaliver]

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[atlantabbq99]

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Sekou Doumbouya's defense seems legit. I don't know about his shooting, but I like his fluidity and footwork on defense.

[Ball4life32]

Bol Bol is intriguing.

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[ATL Boy]

I hope we can snag Bol Bol with the Mavs pick

[jayu70]

Bol Bol is intriguing.

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7'-2" with guard skills and range? I'm intrigued.
What's his defense and rebounding like?

[Spud2nique]

Bol Bol is intriguing.

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7'-2" with guard skills and range? I'm intrigued.
What's his defense and rebounding like?

You try it on squawk with us and here????

Double agent!

[kg01]

I'm not big on 'bigs' with guard skills but marginal 'big man' skills. How does Bol compare to, say, Embiid who's an excellent big man ... who also has some guard skills?

[Jamaaliver]

If we get RJ, we can move past the asset accumulation stage and actually start constructing around him, Trae, Collins and Huerter.

It would also, likely, close the door on T Prince as a long-term Hawks fixture.

Draft Class: Six Interesting 2019 NBA Draft Prospects and Where They Should Go

That, and other dream pairings for some of our favorite college basketball prospects



Atlanta Hawks: R.J. Barrett (Guard/Forward, Duke)

R.J. Barrett is the most complete prospect in his draft class at this stage of the evaluation process. There’s little evidence that trend won’t continue. No one in NBA circles questions Barrett’s work ethic, and he’s being groomed for long-term success. Canadian Basketball invests heavily in his training and development by having a physical therapist travel with him everywhere. Barrett is worth it: The 6-foot-7 wing already led Team Canada to its first gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2017 against Team USA. He has the potential to be the pro star that Canada wished Andrew Wiggins would be.

Barrett can serve as a go-to scorer or a playmaker, and he has both the body and mind-set to be an effective multi-positional defender, but he’s still working to gain consistency on his jumper. At the next level, he’d be best served in a system that’s built to employ multiple attackers, like the Hawks. Trae Young is a stellar passer who can create offense for himself off the dribble. Barrett’s knack for cutting and slashing would make him a favorite target for Young. But Young can also thrive off screens with a costar like Barrett, who can return the playmaking favor.

Atlanta’s style of play is also a fit. Barrett flourishes in the open court; the Hawks are tied for quickest possession time in the NBA, per Inpredictable. Barrett has an unusual blend of size, speed, and fluid ballhandling, and he can occasionally look like a much smaller version of Giannis Antetokounmpo when he’s dribbling in the open floor. Barrett has a lot to prove to cement himself as the no. 1 pick. But it won’t be long before his name is called. The Hawks could be bad enough to have a chance at the rising Canadian star.

The Ringer

[Jamaaliver]

De’Andre Hunter (Forward, Virginia)

Every team in the NBA could use a player like De’Andre Hunter. He’s 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, and has the game to match his impressive physical makeup. It starts with defense with Hunter. The 20-year-old defended every position as a redshirt freshman last season at Virginia. He can slide laterally against quicker guards, and has the strength to contain larger wings and even some bigs. Hunter could be used across positions in an NBA lineup, including as a super small-ball 5 for limited minutes because he isn’t afraid to battle for rebounds.

On offense, Hunter realistically projects as more of a role player. He’s a solid spot-up shooter who hit 38.2 percent of his 3s last season, and he can attack off the dribble on straight-line drives. He needs to significantly improve his handle to shake and bake against high-level pro defenders, but he’s shown flashes of dynamic play when hitting midrange pull-ups and finishing against length inside.

Hunter could end up resembling Andre Roberson but with a 3-pointer. Hunter’s defensive prowess and offensive upside makes him a perfect fit next to [almost any ball dominant perimeter scorer].

The Ringer

[Jamaaliver]

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2. R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke | Freshman

Height: 6'7" | Weight: 210 | Age: 18

Barrett is generally considered the early-season favorite for the No. 1 pick, which is tied heavily to his impressively consistent play and the success he had in high school and playing for Canada. He’s wired to compete, known for a strong work ethic and has the physical toolbox to be a plus contributor on both ends of the floor. Barrett is most effective with a head of steam going toward the basket, utilizing a variety of finishes and understanding the importance of drawing contact. His biggest area of improvement is his three-point shot, which is often streaky. In the context of the draft, it’s not a bad thing to be considered a safe choice, and Barrett has more than earned that reputation over the last couple years. He’s essentially a lock to be one of the first two or three players drafted.

3. Cameron Reddish, G/F, Duke | Freshman

Height: 6'8" | Weight: 220 | Age: 19

While Reddish has become a (mildly) forgotten man relative to the starry coverage Barrett and Williamson have received, in terms of raw talent he should be considered their equal. His blend of size, explosiveness and legitimate secondary playmaking skills create a ton of upside, and in an absolute best-case scenario, Reddish could evolve to handle point forward duties and initiate offense at times. The biggest knock on him has centered on a frequently passive mentality, but early word is that the environment at Duke has begun to bring the best out of him. There simply isn’t much Reddish can’t do on the court when he’s fully engaged, and if he stays locked in all season, he may play his way into the conversation at No. 1.

[Jamaaliver]

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