2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Jamaaliver]

From the folks at Bleacher Report:

2019 NBA Mock Draft: Can Anyone Catch Duke's Zion Williamson for the No. 1 Spot?

1. Phoenix Suns: Zion Williamson (Duke, PF, Freshman)



It's early December, and it's becoming difficult to picture any team in the league eventually passing on Zion Williamson.

Compared to his teammate RJ Barrett, who started the season atop most draft boards, Williamson always won the upside debate based on his superior size and extraordinary explosiveness. But he's also been the more effective two-way player right away for Duke, averaging 31.8 points per 40 minutes, roughly the same as Barrett (31.1), on 7.5 fewer shots (per 40).


3. Atlanta Hawks: Cam Reddish (Duke, SF, Freshman)



Stuck as Duke's third option, Cam Reddish is still averaging 16.3 points in just 23.0 minutes (28.3 points per 40).

It's possible certain scouts wind up having him higher than his teammate RJ Barrett, who isn't as big or convincing as a shooter. Reddish already has 26 threes (43.3 percent 3PT) through eight games, demonstrating the effortless stroke and confidence that will help teams believe in his three-ball carrying over.

He's also shown glimpses of pick-and-roll and isolation offense, but with Williamson, Barrett and Tre Jones getting most of those opportunities, scouts will only have flashes to go on when projecting his trajectory as a scorer.

On the negative side, Reddish has struggled to finish in traffic or when contested. He's at 41.7 percent inside the arc, and he's missed 12 of his 16 guarded catch-and-shoot jumpers.


10. Houston Rockets: De'Andre Hunter (Virginia, SF/PF, Sophomore)

On breakout watch to start the season, De'Andre Hunter is following through, leading Virginia in scoring (16.4 points) and rebounding (5.5).

He's shooting 64.5 percent inside the arc and 47.6 percent behind it, looking stronger below the rim and more confident with his jump shot.

Hunter would have to turn up his scoring and shot-creating during conference play to push his way into the first half of the lottery. But all NBA teams will value his combo-forward versatility. Signs point to a multi-positional defender who can stretch the floor, attack closeouts and score from the post.


12. New Orleans Pelicans: Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech, SG, Sophomore)



Jarrett Culver is making the leap, averaging 19.0 points while more than doubling his assist rate to 28.4 percent from a year ago and shooting 45.8 percent from three.

He's already generated 52 points combined out of pick-and-rolls and isolation after totaling 51 points all last season. Culver has shown some extra wiggle, scoring and playmaking off the dribble this year, despite lacking explosion.

Once all the flashy freshmen names are off the board, there should be plenty of demand for this tough defender with an improved all-around offensive game.

[Jamaaliver]

From this list, Reddish and Nickeil are the top prospects for us to consider -- think Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, respectively.

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[Med Hawk]

It's early, so many of these players still have room to improve this season, but right now, it's Zion Williamson and then everyone else is boom or bust. There's a lot of warts on RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish right now.

[tbhawksfan1]

So Jamaaliver; the season ends, lottery comes and Hawks have #1. What do you do? Trade back for say Cam and a likely loto in 20 or take consensus #1 Zion? TS chose the trade back and the likely lott pick... As we know, top talents win in the NBA and second or third tier have to play with #1 to win. Doncic or Trae top talent?

[CP War Hawks]

Reddish seems such like a beta to me. Even more so than Joe, so those comps seem very accurate. It's Zion, Barrett, and then Little as of now.

He's just so much more offensively gifted than them all, such a conundrum.

[atlantabbq99]

From the folks at Bleacher Report:

2019 NBA Mock Draft: Can Anyone Catch Duke's Zion Williamson for the No. 1 Spot?


3. Atlanta Hawks: Cam Reddish (Duke, SF, Freshman)



Stuck as Duke's third option, Cam Reddish is still averaging 16.3 points in just 23.0 minutes (28.3 points per 40).

It's possible certain scouts wind up having him higher than his teammate RJ Barrett, who isn't as big or convincing as a shooter. Reddish already has 26 threes (43.3 percent 3PT) through eight games, demonstrating the effortless stroke and confidence that will help teams believe in his three-ball carrying over.

He's also shown glimpses of pick-and-roll and isolation offense, but with Williamson, Barrett and Tre Jones getting most of those opportunities, scouts will only have flashes to go on when projecting his trajectory as a scorer.

On the negative side, Reddish has struggled to finish in traffic or when contested. He's at 41.7 percent inside the arc, and he's missed 12 of his 16 guarded catch-and-shoot jumpers.

This is why i call Red a 6'9 Durant, his shooting stroke and mechanics is basically identical to that of Durant when you watch the film close up.

But his overall game though, the more i watch him, the more he looks like a rich man's Steve Smith, or Steve Smith with Reggie Miller's shooting.

[Jamaaliver]

Keep an eye on this kid for use with the Mavs pick...

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[Jamaaliver]

So Jamaaliver; the season ends, lottery comes and Hawks have #1. What do you do? Trade back for say Cam and a likely loto in 20 or take consensus #1 Zion? TS chose the trade back and the likely lotto pick... As we know, top talents win in the NBA and second or third tier have to play with #1 to win. Doncic or Trae top talent?

I still see RJ Barrett as the #1 prospect in the draft. He's a known commodity that has impressed scouts for years at every level. He's a two way player, an alpha dog and a top scorer.

I see him filling stat sheets moving forward across the board. (Points/Rebs/Assist/Steals/blocks) He' still raw, still plays hero ball, and needs tremendous improvement in team defense. But, to me, he's a guaranteed All Star player for years to come back.

All that to say, if get #1 pick, I'd trade down a spot or two.

NOTE: Lloyd and Trae may have to pry the ball away from him with a crow bar early on.

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[Jamaaliver]

I'm guessing we were there to see Rui up close...as well as Admiral, the 'good twin' from Nevada and a few others...

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Spoiler:

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[Jamaaliver]

Prospect with the Mavs pick:

Point of Walker: VT’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues evolution as NBA Draft stock rises



Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Virginia Tech | Soph | SG | 6-6

It’s still pretty early in the 2018-19 season, but let’s go ahead and make this declaration: no one in the ACC has made a bigger jump than Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Right now, the Hokies rank inside the top 10 nationally in adjusted offensive rating, three-point percentage and effective shooting. A big piece of the puzzle is Alexander-Walker, who continues to climb as an NBA prospect, too. Virginia Tech’s top-10 offense already had one of the better pick-and-roll creators in the nation: senior guard Justin Robinson. Well, now it appears to have two because Nickeil Alexander-Walker is online as a dribble-drive scorer and passer.

This season, Alexander-Walker has played on the ball more and embraced playmaking for others. After handing out just 3.3 assists per 100 possession last year, Alexander-Walker already has 32 assists (in 262 minutes) this season — 7.2 per 100 possessions (22 percent assist rate).

f you think of Alexander-Walker as a second-side player in the NBA — someone that functions as a secondary creator, playing off some advantage and attacking closeouts — this is a really nice skill to flash. The combination of range shooting (9-of-21 3PA from NBA range, per The Stepien), off-dribble shot creation and playmaking is rather appealing.

ACC Sports

[Spud2nique]

So Jamaaliver; the season ends, lottery comes and Hawks have #1. What do you do? Trade back for say Cam and a likely loto in 20 or take consensus #1 Zion? TS chose the trade back and the likely lotto pick... As we know, top talents win in the NBA and second or third tier have to play with #1 to win. Doncic or Trae top talent?

I still see RJ Barrett as the #1 prospect in the draft. He's a known commodity that has impressed scouts for years at every level. He's a two way player, an alpha dog and a top scorer.

I see him filling stat sheets moving forward across the board. (Points/Rebs/Assist/Steals/blocks) He' still raw, still plays hero ball, and needs tremendous improvement in team defense. But, to me, he's a guaranteed All Star player for years to come back.

All that to say, if get #1 pick, I'd trade down a spot or two.

NOTE: Lloyd and Trae may have to pry the ball away from him with a crow bar early on.

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You’d take Barrett over Zion?? Yeaaa no.

[Jamaaliver]

You’d take Barrett over Zion?? Yeaaa no.

To build around for the next decade?

100%

Zion has a higher ceiling, admittedly.

But he's an undersized, overweight F who can't shoot and will have trouble defending on the perimeter.

He's also massively overweight. Massively.

RJ is a known quantity who will fill up a stat sheet on offense and defense, finish in transition, shut down his opponent, attack the rim off the dribble, take the big shots in crunch time, create for others...

and is a physical specimen. All at a position of need.



NOTE: Zion's half court offense against strong competition is fairly mediocre.

Spoiler:

2. RJ Barrett | Duke | Fr | SG | 6-7

RJ Barrett was the No. 1 player on my board entering the season, and his one spot drop says more about Zion's rise than Barrett's fall. He's a versatile wing prospect who is competitive, physical, and unafraid of the moment. He tends to have tunnel vision from time to time and puts his head down to make a play for himself instead of sometimes making the correct basketball play, as we saw in the final moments of Duke's loss to Gonzaga, but his toughness and pure will as a player is something I like about him as a prospect. He's a skilled hooper who can get his own shot and make plays off the wing;

[Spud2nique]

You’d take Barrett over Zion?? Yeaaa no.

To build around for the next decade?

100%

Zion has a higher ceiling, admittedly.

But he's an undersized, overweight F who can't shoot and will have trouble defending on the perimeter.

He's also massively overweight. Massively.

RJ is a known quantity who will fill up a stat sheet on offense and defense, finish in transition, shut down his opponent, attack the rim off the dribble, take the big shots in crunch time, create for others...

and is a physical specimen. All at a position of need.



NOTE: Zion's half court offense against strong competition is fairly mediocre.

Spoiler:

2. RJ Barrett | Duke | Fr | SG | 6-7

RJ Barrett was the No. 1 player on my board entering the season, and his one spot drop says more about Zion's rise than Barrett's fall. He's a versatile wing prospect who is competitive, physical, and unafraid of the moment. He tends to have tunnel vision from time to time and puts his head down to make a play for himself instead of sometimes making the correct basketball play, as we saw in the final moments of Duke's loss to Gonzaga, but his toughness and pure will as a player is something I like about him as a prospect. He's a skilled hooper who can get his own shot and make plays off the wing;

You know on ur spoiler there, it ranks Barret #2...whose #1? Yup, that guy!

[Spud2nique]

Gimme 1/3 Dukies. Let’s build!

[Jamaaliver]

You know on ur spoiler there, it ranks Barret #2...whose #1? Yup, that guy!

Indeed.

I wouldn't pass up a sure thing in RJ on a gamble like Zion. He's clearly a cut above collegiate teenagers. But grown men in the league will body him every step of the way.

They'll be bigger, taller and stronger.

Also...he's carrying too much weight. He needs to drop 30 pounds and keep it off most of his career.

[Spud2nique]

You know on ur spoiler there, it ranks Barret #2...whose #1? Yup, that guy!

Indeed.

I wouldn't pass up a sure thing in RJ on a gamble like Zion. He's clearly a cut above collegiate teenagers. But grown men in the league will body him every step of the way.

They'll be bigger, taller and stronger.

Also...he's carrying too much weight. He needs to drop 30 pounds and keep it off most of his career.

On a talent like Zion the weight will shed off no problem he’s not Stanley Roberts. Cam Red is the best fit but Zion is a guy Atlanta needs.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

if WE FALL OUT OF TOP-3, I'd STRONGLY consider trading back for multiple players. The difference between #5 and #10 this draft is minimal.

I'm not sure why they project Dallas to convey a pick as high as #7.

2019 NBA Mock Draft: Duke's Zion Williamson takes over the top spot and Kentucky has two projected first-rounders

3. Suns

Cameron Reddish | Duke | Fr | 6-8

Cameron Reddish was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 247Sports 2018 recruiting class rankings, making him perhaps the most overqualified floor-spacer in college basketball history. Because of Zion Williamson's and RJ Barrett's role in Duke's offense, his edict, more or less, has been to knock down open shots from the perimeter and be aggressive when his number is called. He's done well for himself in that role, leading the starting five in 3-point shooting and, right now, third in scoring per game. His role makes him a difficult scout and projection to the NBA, but he's still in the top tier of prospects in this class.


4. Hawks

Nassir Little | North Carolina | Fr | 6-6

Nassir Little looked like the best prospect -- and was the most productive player -- in the McDonald's All-American Game prior to his freshman season. Yet his role with North Carolina, to this point, has been an off-the-bench player as the Tar Heels work him into a deep rotation at his position. Whether or not he eventually gets more of a role in UNC's offensive attack or not, there's no denying Little's skillset as a long, versatile wing player with a dynamic offensive game. He's a smooth scorer who attacks the hole and can create for himself, which is an asset the Hawks could absolutely put to use alongside Trae Young in Atlanta. He's not shooting it great from long distance this season but his mechanics are there and his 75 percent free-throw shooting suggests his 3-point shot may improve over time.

7. Hawks

Keldon Johnson | Kentucky | Fr | SF | 6-6

Pick from Mavericks: Keldon Johnson is a physical and competitive wing who can play both sides of the ball at the next level and fit a multitude of systems at the next level. Athletically, he's a gifted talent, and he plays a with a competitive streak that gives him a reliably high floor -- even if his ceiling may not project to be at an All-Star level. His motor always runs hot and he plays hard.


11. Celtics

De'Andre Hunter | Virginia | Soph | SF | 6-7

Pick from Grizzlies: Missing the NCAA Tournament last season was a missed opportunity for him to showcase his talents on the biggest stage. But back for his sophomore season, De'Andre Hunter is even better than he was last year. His shot is more consistent even with an increased workload, his defense is more magnificent -- an area he didn't necessarily need improvement in -- and he's become more of a playmaker, too. He's a perfect 3-and-D prospect with a diverse defensive skill set.

CBS Sports

Spoiler:

15. Hornets

Jarrett Culver | Texas Tech | Soph | SG | 6-5

Jarrett Culver is thriving as Texas Tech's leading scorer, as expected, shooting an improved clip from the field (51.7 percent) and from 3-point range (45.8 percent), all while rebounding more, assisting more and scoring more. He's shown everything scouts love about him, most notably his long frame which is attributed to his defensive prowess on the perimeter. If he can continue his early season hot start, he may work his way into the back half of the lottery.


16. Magic

Daniel Gafford | Arkansas | Soph | C | 6-11

In today's NBA 6-11 center prospects who can dive to the basket, finish lobs and protect the rim have more value than ever. That's why Arkansas product Daniel Gafford, who may have been a first-rounder last year had he chosen to come out, is destined for the first-round if he chooses to come out in 2019. He's averaging 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game for the Razorbacks and shown he can potentially thrive in a niche role given his specific skills.

[DRKB21]

This is going to be such a weak draft.

[Jamaaliver]

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