My top 13 on my personal big board Jan 30th 2019
For me, from 6-25, they are all similar in terms of overall to me. Just the ones I like the most potentially is higher on my board. To me, this class is much better than the 2016 class but that class was known for having a strong top 7 with Chriss being the one with the massive untapped potential and being the 8th guy. This class is much much much deeper. The issue with this class is #1 is as good or better than any class ever but #2 would have been fighting for #7 pick with Wendell Carter Jr. last year. Ja is a similar prospect for me to Trae and that could be much better than you expect long term while going through the struggles, short term. I actually like Ja more than Trae as a prospect, just a tad, personal preference. Honestly, I can't rate Cam or Jarrett in the same class with Mikal Bridges which was slightly higher than WCJ or Trae although I like Cam and Jarrett more than Knox as a prospect.
After that, it's like last year's draft for me. SGA and Garland are similar rated prospects in my tier system. 6-25 range equals the SGA and 13-22 range of last year. It's all about who you like the most. This isn't a weak draft at all. A lot of 3/D guys, a lot of guys with the size or athletic ability. A lot of two way potential guys with some BBIQ as well. But the superstar quality is extremely low in this class. It's literally, get a top 3 pick or SOL and truthfully, get Zion is you really only option. This is a great draft to have a mid or mid late 1st. Maybe not as much for a lottery pick. That said, I personally rated the guys I liked the most after 5.
I like K.Z., I think he could be a star long term. I see a potentially better Tobias Harris long term. I really like Jaxson Hayes, he is raw but smart, freaky fast twitchy but not skilled, high motor but not a scorer. Has a great bounce, great shooting form and shows a lot of potential with his shot long term. He is a strange prospect. - rebounder for position and doesn't have active hands in the passing lane but covers ground at an elite level, a tremendous shot blocker and already a tremendous team and PnR defender. Good frame. He has room for grow due to his broad shoulders. I like kids with NFL and West African dads, they usually have broad shoulders and are able to quickly add weight.
Rui is high on my personal list because he is one of the few guys that just translates for me. Combo forwards who can defend and switch, play on and off the ball, can dribble, can shoot and pass are in vogue in the modern NBA. It's hard to pass on him. Tobias Harris is about to be a max contract. These guys are the wave. Garland like SGA aren't going to set the NBA on fire but they translate and will help you ASAP. For both players, it's their ceiling but I am fond of their floor. I think both will land between All Star and good PG. A tad higher than prime Jeff Teague range.
Hunter is my favorite. 3/D, translates, can defend multiple positions, can pass. If he had more upside for me, I would have him with Mikal Bridges. I personally think he is a lot like a smaller Danilo Gallinari. He is a lot more skilled than he gets credit for and he is such all a plus in every area but he isn't a 1-3 option. In fact, like DMC, he is a #4 to #5 option on offense. NAW for me is a rich man's Arron Affalo. He has all of what Arron has but a much better shooter and maybe scorer. I can see in the right system, him becoming a potential All Star. I know some who think he is another Jamal Murray. It's possible, he is such an efficient scorer.
I am not as high on Langford, I think he is as talented as anyone in my 6-25 if not more talented. But talent isn't everything. I don't think he is athletic enough to get to the rack in the NBA for his first couple years and doesn't shoot the ball well enough to keep the defense honest. I think he will struggle honestly. But he is as talented as anyone in this draft after Ja, R.J. and Zion. Little has a lot of talent but I don't really know what he does at a NBA level. The potential to be a star is there with him but he is so far from it and it's unlikely he gets there. My Stanley Johnson of the class. I loved Johnson as a prospect. I focused on his star potential and less on his rawness and he doesn't do anything to get on the court at this stage at the next level. For prospects like these, they pray to go to Boston, San Antonio, Brooklyn, etc. Most teams will make them busts. Simple as that.
That's my personal 13 for now. It will consistently change. Guys move up and down.
1. Zion
Major Gap
2t. R.J.
2t. Ja
Gap
4. Cam Fam
5. Jarrett Culver
Slight Gap
6. K.Z. Okpala
7. Jaxson Hayes
8. Rui
9. Darius Garland
10. DeAndre Hunter
11. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
12. Romeo Langford
13. Nassir Little
