2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Jamaaliver]

From CBS Sports -- Getting D Hunter and Little Nas would be...intriguing, but less than ideal.

NBA Mock Draft 2019: The first-round draft order is set outside of the lottery

5. Atlanta Hawks

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

Hunter is a 6-7 wing who A) measures similarly to OG Anunoby, B) can switch on to bigs or guards no problem, and C) shot 43.8 percent from 3-point range this season while leading Virginia to the national championship. It's hard, bordering on impossible, to come up with reasons why he won't be very good, if not great, at the next level. In fact, I've heard former NBA players who are now television analysts describe him as the Kawhi Leonard of this draft. I can't promise that, exactly, because it's such a high bar. But if their point is that Hunter projects as a tremendous two-way player, yeah, that's a fair assessment.

9. Hawks

Pick acquired via trade with Dallas

Nassir Little | N. Carolina | Fr | SF | 6-6

Little was the MVP of the 2018 McDonald's All-American Game and the 2018 Jordan Brand Classic. So it's reasonable to suggest most didn't expect him to average just 9.8 points in his freshman season at North Carolina. But that's exactly what he did -- at least partly because he played just 18.2 minutes per game and behind a pair of seniors in Cameron Johnson and Luke Maye. It just wasn't a good fit from a roster perspective. Regardless, scouts are still intrigued by Little's natural gifts and potential. So while he won't be picked where he would've been picked before the season started, Little will, barring a surprise, still be picked in the lottery.

CBS Sports

[Jamaaliver]

CBS Sports:

Sekou Doumbouya | France | SF | 6-9

Doumbouya should be the first non-college player selected. The 6-9 forward was born in Guinea but raised in France — and he didn't turn 18 until last December, which makes him the youngest projected first-round pick available. He's a good athlete who can run the floor and play above the rim. And though Doumbouya's high-arcing jumper has never gone in consistently enough for anybody to call him a reliable shooter, there's no obvious reason he can't develop into one and become a high-level two-way player when he moves from the top professional league in France to the NBA.




Eric Paschall | Villanova | Sr | PF | 6-8

Villanova needed Paschall to elevate his play this season to stay relevant and win a fifth Big East title in a six-year span. He did. So the Wildcats did. And, in the process, the 6-8, 260-pound senior helped himself with NBA scouts by proving he's more than just a role player on a team with four future NBA players, which is kind of what he was previously. Paschall averaged 16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 36.1 minutes per game this season. The biggest thing working against him, at this point, is that he's already 22 years old and will turn 23 in November.

[marco102]

Don't want to derail the thread again, but looks like Cam Reddish chose to go with Trae's (Steph and Giannis') agency. Octagon Sports over Klutch.

https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2019/04/12/cam-reddish-signs-with-octagon-basketball-over-klutch-sports/

[Jamaaliver]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Spud2nique]

http://bleacherreport.com/post/college-basketball/467be3bd-12d5-4666-9669-e03cfa09ffe2

[Spud2nique]

My boy DeAndre!

[Spud2nique]

My boy DeAndre!

[Indyhawks26]

Most interesting will be the bottom of 1st rd and 2nd with the quality of players who could be a diamond in the rough.Edwards and Jerome are just 2 of the names that intrigue me.

[shakes0]

If they come out of this draft with Hunter and then take a flyer on JHayes or Bol I wouldn't be upset. Or if they come out with 2 wings instead also wouldn't be upset.

[EazyRoc]

Hunter and Hayes for me.

People have Hunter pegged as just a 3 and D guy and I won’t argue against that. I just see a little more offensively than a spot up shooter. Hes not a guy that flashes 1st or 2nd option ability, but I think he could develop into a very good 3rd/4th option. He still has a ways to go with his ball handling, but I like his willingness to post smaller guys and win match ups there.

Jaxson Hayes is someone I’m warming up to. The kid is crazy raw but still was moderately effective in NCAA. I think I read somewhere that this is his 2nd season as a starter on any level. He also could still be growing. He’s like the piece of clay you could mold into whatever you like. He’s already a safe bet as a rim protector with the mobility and feet to be an all around impact defender. He’s a very high level athletic big. Loads of unrealized potential. He could also still be growing and is already knocking on the door of 7ft. He’s going to take time though. I’m thinking 4-6 years minimum before he’s playing his best basketball. Probably 1.5 seasons coming off the bench before he’s ready to start full time. I can’t emphasize enough how much potential he has to grow. Potential can also go the other way and never be realized though.

[marco102]

Any thoughts on taking a flier on Darius Bazley with one of the second round picks? Lots of upside with this 6'10" combo forward with guard skills!

[Jamaaliver]

Any thoughts on taking a flier on Darius Bazley with one of the second round picks? Lots of upside with this 6'10" combo forward with guard skills!

I'd probably lean towards taking someone with more strength and polish.

I also question his maturity and decision-making with the whole Syracuse/G-League indecision.

Plus, there's enough collegiates and higher upside foreign kids that'll be available in the early second round:

• Dylan Windler
• Louis King
• Jontay Porter
• Luka Samanic
• Chuma Okeke
• Admiral Schofield
• Ty Jerome
• Matisse Thybulle
• Charles Bassey

[marco102]

Any thoughts on taking a flier on Darius Bazley with one of the second round picks? Lots of upside with this 6'10" combo forward with guard skills!

I'd probably lean towards taking someone with more strength and polish.

I also question his maturity and decision-making with the whole Syracuse/G-League indecision.

Plus, there's enough collegiates and higher upside foreign kids that'll be available in the early second round:

• Dylan Windler
• Louis King
• Jontay Porter
• Luka Samanic
• Chuma Okeke
• Admiral Schofield
• Ty Jerome
• Matisse Thybulle
• Charles Bassey

I can respect that. I don't believe any of those players have more upside and the kid needed to get money for his family. I respect a man who will take a risk to support his family immediately.

[Jamaaliver]

I can respect that. I don't believe any of those players have more upside and the kid needed to get money for his family. I respect a man who will take a risk to support his family immediately.

This is a really fair point. And I know nothing of his family financial situation. But I do believe he cost himself money long term with this decision.

Had he played overseas or just taken the year to play collegiately, I think he could improved draft stock and/or made money along the way.

But the tack of committing to college, de-committing from college, publicly stating his intention to join the G-League draft, withdrawing from the G-League draft -- all in a few months -- seems like a flashing red light of immaturity. He's getting bad advice. And that he's likely to go in the mid 2nd round now?

Was that really worth it?

Spoiler:

Did Darius Bazley and Klutch Sports make the right call?



Klutch Sports made headlines last year when it was announced that Bazley would turn down a scholarship offer with Syracuse to sign with LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul. In doing so, Klutch arranged an internship with New Balance that could pay Bazley up to $1 million over five years. There is also the possibility of signing a shoe contract with New Balance upon Bazley entering the NBA. It was an interesting and innovate deal at the time and we will soon find out how exactly it will payoff.

Read on Twitter

In June of 2018, Bazley was slotted as the 18th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Following a full year of college basketball, and all the attention that surrounds March Madness, Bazley–the 6-9 forward from Cincinnati, Ohio–seems to have fallen off the radar to a large extent. According to HoopsHype’s Aggregate Mock Draft, Darius is now considered the 44th best player available, or a mid-second rounder. Not exactly where he anticipated being selected when he decided to forgo both college and the G-League this season to train and work for New Balance.

USA Today

[marco102]

I can respect that. I don't believe any of those players have more upside and the kid needed to get money for his family. I respect a man who will take a risk to support his family immediately.

This is a really fair point. And I know nothing of his family financial situation. But I do believe he cost himself money long term with this decision.

Had he played overseas or just taken the year to play collegiately, I think he could improved draft stock and/or made money along the way.

But the tack of committing to college, de-committing from college, publicly stating his intention to join the G-League draft, withdrawing from the G-League draft -- all in a few months -- seems like a flashing red light of immaturity. He's getting bad advice. And that he's likely to go in the mid 2nd round now?

Was that really worth it?

Spoiler:

Did Darius Bazley and Klutch Sports make the right call?



Klutch Sports made headlines last year when it was announced that Bazley would turn down a scholarship offer with Syracuse to sign with LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul. In doing so, Klutch arranged an internship with New Balance that could pay Bazley up to $1 million over five years. There is also the possibility of signing a shoe contract with New Balance upon Bazley entering the NBA. It was an interesting and innovate deal at the time and we will soon find out how exactly it will payoff.

Read on Twitter

In June of 2018, Bazley was slotted as the 18th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Following a full year of college basketball, and all the attention that surrounds March Madness, Bazley–the 6-9 forward from Cincinnati, Ohio–seems to have fallen off the radar to a large extent. According to HoopsHype’s Aggregate Mock Draft, Darius is now considered the 44th best player available, or a mid-second rounder. Not exactly where he anticipated being selected when he decided to forgo both college and the G-League this season to train and work for New Balance.

USA Today

If you look at the Mitchell Robinson situation, he may make more money than the last few pick of the draft and he will be up for a 2nd contract after 3 years and not four.

Darius also has up to $14 million endorsement deal with new balance once he makes it to the league.

[Jamaaliver]

If you look at the Mitchell Robinson situation, he may make more money than the last few pick of the draft and he will be up for a 2nd contract after 3 years and not four.

Darius also has up to $14 million endorsement deal with new balance once he makes it to the league.

^There's a ton of fine print on that New Balance Deal.

I truly hope things work out for him.

Spoiler:

There is also the possibility of signing a shoe contract with New Balance upon Bazley entering the NBA. It was an interesting and innovate deal at the time and we will soon find out how exactly it will payoff.

Darius is now considered the 44th best player available, or a mid-second rounder. It makes you wonder where exactly Bazley would be ranked today had he similarly played out a season of college basketball.

Not too long ago, it seemed like the No. 13 player in the class of 2018 had a great chance at the guaranteed money that comes with being a first round pick in the NBA.

USA Today

[marco102]

If you look at the Mitchell Robinson situation, he may make more money than the last few pick of the draft and he will be up for a 2nd contract after 3 years and not four.

Darius also has up to $14 million endorsement deal with new balance once he makes it to the league.

Hence why I put "up to". Point being, he may make just as much money as the other first round picks.
He took a slightly different route to support his family legally which you have to respect. I know we may not like it but he was a top 10 in this draft and if he shows that at workouts and the combine he will get a three year guarenteed contract. He is betting on himself. I hope it works for him.and the Hawks.



^There's a ton of fine print on that New Balance Deal.

I truly hope things work out for him.

[Jamaaliver]

[Hazer]

Don't want to derail the thread again, but looks like Cam Reddish chose to go with Trae's (Steph and Giannis') agency. Octagon Sports over Klutch.

https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2019/04/12/cam-reddish-signs-with-octagon-basketball-over-klutch-sports/

Ahhhhhh, not only does he have perfect measurables and shooting stroke, he's a bright one too!

[Hazer]

Would love to see Colonel Schlenk nab Jontay Porter in the 2nd round, take a flyer on his knees. Perfect C for our system.