The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery was one of the more entertaining lotteries in recent memory. The Lakers, Pelicans, and Grizzlies jumped while the Hawks, Suns, and Cavaliers all fell. The draft order is set, and now the fun begins. Let’s take a look at our updated 2019 NBA Mock Draft with the players who are draft eligible.
2019 NBA Mock Draft
1. New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson: Combo Forward- Duke
This is the obvious pick. The Pelicans get a chance to pair Zion Williamson with Anthony Davis. If Davis still wants to leave, the Pelicans have their new franchise player ready to go. This is what you call a jackpot.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant: Lead Guard- Murray State
All signs point to Memphis moving towards a full-on rebuild. This means trading 31-year old Mike Conley and starting anew with Ja Morant as the franchise guard. Morant promises high offensive upside, and having an elite defensive big man in Jaren Jackson is sure to cover some defensive woes.
3. New York Knicks
RJ Barrett: Wing- Duke
The Knicks grab a Duke star after all. Barrett is a physical specimen of a wing who could become a high-level secondary scorer who can initiate some offense. Add in some serious on-ball defensive upside and Barrett could become a contributor in multiple ways alongside the stars that the Knicks may bring in.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Darius Garland: Lead Guard- Vanderbilt
This one is more predictive than anything, as I personally do not rate Garland this highly. However, Darius Garland left the NBA Draft Combine, leading to mass speculation that he received a promise from a team. With the need for a pick-n-roll scorer who can play two guard spots and a Klutch Sports connection, it is reasonable to believe the Lakers are the team that has promised.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
De’Andre Hunter: Combo Forward- Virginia
New head coach John Beilein will likely want a steady, smart, and reliable player with his first pick as the Cavs’ coach. Hunter fits that mold and can also fit alongside Collin Sexton. Projecting as a high-level 3-and-D candidate, Hunter is a great starting piece that possesses a skill set every team needs. Regardless of how Beilein wants to build his team, Hunter will have a place in it.
6. Phoenix Suns
Jarrett Culver: Wing- Texas Tech
The Suns have gone for two-way wings in recent years with Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges (trade, I know), but this may be the best one yet. Culver will be reliable both on and off the ball on defense while providing some secondary initiator upside. Throwing talented, versatile wings alongside Devin Booker is also the likely best fit for the team.
7. Chicago Bulls
Coby White: Lead Guard- UNC
The Bulls will feel hard pressed to move down three spots from their expected draft position, but not all is lost. This 2019 NBA Mock Draft is keeping Chicago right where they are. Coby White is an explosive offensive guard who will be able to play both spots in the backcourt. The scoring threat and downhill danger that White brings to the table paired with a versatile frontcourt in Chicago poses a scary issue for teams who heavily switch on defense.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Brandon Clarke: Big- Gonzaga
Brandon Clarke is better than this draft position so this may be the first true “steal” of the draft. Clarke’s elite athleticism and instincts offer a tantalizing package as a defender and rim-roller. Throw in the fact that Clarke can create a little bit of offense for himself, and he proves that he can become more than just a roll man. Though, imagine trying to defend a Trae Young/Brandon Clarke pick-n-roll.
9. Washington Wizards
Bol Bol: Big- Oregon
Bol Bol has one of the highest ceilings in the entire class, but injury and defensive concerns have him sliding down to this point. The Oregon freshman is incredibly fluid at 7-foot-2 and boasts an incredible jump shot both off the catch and even off the bounce. On the flip side, Bol is coming off a season-ending foot injury and often looked lost as a help defender when he was playing. As a rim protector, he looked late to react to rotations too often. However, Bol has truly outlier level offensive upside, and that can change a franchise.
10. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas Mavericks)
Cam Reddish: Wing- Duke
After drafting a reliable high floor/low ceiling type of guy in Brandon Clarke, the Hawks roll the dice on a low floor/high ceiling guy in Cam Reddish. Reddish had a tumultuous year at Duke but managed to show just enough to keep faith. The freshman projects as a likely 3-and-D player, but will need to continue to work on both aspects. His size at 6-foot-8 paired with his mobility and handle offer an intriguing combination given the skill set he projects to have.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
Jaxson Hayes: Big- Texas
Pairing the offensive specialist that is Karl-Anthony Towns next to a guy who has one of the highest defensive upsides in the class is fitting. Hayes at 6-foot-11 is incredibly mobile, possessing the quickness to switch and stay in front of much smaller guards. He has a tendency to overplay, falling for shot and pass fakes in hopes of making a play. However, Hayes has terrific natural instincts for rotating and identifying plays. His offense will likely not be much more than a rim-roller, but given spacing, he can provide value on that end too.
12. Charlotte Hornets
Sekou Doumboya: Combo Forward- Limoges
With a full rebuild on the horizon in Charlotte, it makes the most sense for the Hornets to go for the best player available here. Sekou Doumboya is still incredibly raw but is also one of the youngest players in the class. Doumboya projects as the modern power forward. The Guinean-born forward can space the floor, create some of his own offense, and possesses high defensive upside. At 6-foot-9 and mobile, Doumboya could become a true multi-positional defender. This will take time and luckily, the Hornets can afford to be patient.
13. Miami Heat
Goga Bitadze: Big- Mega Bemax
The Heat also likely have a rebuild on the way, and the best player available is the smart choice yet again. Goga Bitadze is an intriguing do-it-all big man who fits the ideal modern center mold. What he lacks in athleticism, Bitadze makes up in instincts and IQ. For his size, the Georgian center offers a terrific passing package and a scoring arsenal that features 3-point range. Bitadze’s switchability raises some concern, as he looks notable stiff against quick guards at times. However, he often can position himself well enough to not get totally burned and is also more fluid than you’d expect.
14. Boston Celtics (via Sacramento Kings)
PJ Washington: Big- Kentucky
This summer will be a massive one for the Celtics. With so much uncertainty about their roster and what it will look like, opting for the best player available is the smart choice- especially when you own 3 1st round picks. PJ Washington is a versatile 6-foot-8 that can play both frontcourt positions. With a 42% 3-point shot, a growing passing ability, and the athleticism and length to project as a switchable defender, Washington is an excellent all-around choice.
15. Detroit Pistons
Romeo Langford: Wing- Indiana
With a need at the wing, Romeo Langford provides the best option for Detroit here. The Indiana freshman projects a secondary initiator who operates inside the arc. Langford can produce his own offense and has a real knack for finishing through contact at the rim. Add in some perimeter defense and Langford looks like a quality rotation player with starter upside if he can develop his jumper.
16. Orlando Magic
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Wing- Virginia Tech
The Magic appear to have their frontcourt of the future. For a team that values versatility, Alexander-Walker projects as a versatile guard who can play multiple positions. With major improvements off the bounce and out of the pick-n-roll, the sophomore guard should be a factor as an initiator of the offense. Alexander-Walker made strides as an overall defender, too.
17. Brooklyn Nets
Grant Williams: Combo Forward- Tennessee
Grant Williams is the type of smart, high-floor pick that the Nets are liable to make. Williams has an outstanding level of feel and basketball aptitude that make him intriguing paired with his skill set. The 20-year old projects as an outlier level passer for his position who can space the floor and offer some defensive versatility in the frontcourt.
18. Indiana Pacers
Talen Horton-Tucker: Wing- Iowa State
Talen Horton-Tucker is the youngest player projected to go in the first round and offers an interesting upside bet given his versatility. With overall positional versatility to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, he is a plug-and-play candidate. Horton-Tucker is a playmaker at heart, flashing vision and the ability to score within the arc.
19. San Antonio Spurs
Bruno Fernando: Big- Maryland
With two first-round picks, the Spurs are best drafting the best player available with the first selection. Bruno Fernando is an interesting big man who projects as a quality paint protector with some switchability and an athletic 6-foot-10 rim-runner. Throw in some post moves and budding passing ability and Fernando offers a tantalizing mold for the Spurs to develop.
20. Boston Celtics
Jontay Porter: Big- Missouri
As a good team with three 1st round selections, the Celtics can afford to be patient with a talented big man who is coming off consecutive ACL injuries. While he is likely to sit out next season, Porter can learn from Al Horford (who is a fairly good player comparison for Porter’s projection) for a year before playing. Porter can play both frontcourt positions with his IQ and ability to switch the floor. Look for Boston to solidify their future frontcourt.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
Cam Johnson: Combo Forward- UNC
The OKC Thunder need instant impact and also need shooting. While you typically don’t want to draft for shooters, Cam Johnson is polished enough to make an exception for. Johnson is coming off a season in which he shot 46% from deep on nearly 6 attempts per game. Sticking him on the 3-point line is an offensive strategy that works perfectly while Westbrook collapses defenses.
22. Boston Celtics
Kevin Porter Jr: Wing- USC
The Celtics will likely need more players who can reliably produce points on their own. With Kyrie Irving likely on the way out, Porter Jr can help fill the void as an isolation scorer. At over 6-foot-5, he can also line up in a few different positions and fit with different groups.
23. Utah Jazz
Keldon Johnson: Wing- Kentucky
The Jazz have a few different wings who all bring something different to the table. Keldon Johnson offers a chance to put some of those contributions into one player. Johnson’s best hope is to become a 3-and-D specialist, as shooting off the catch is one of his strengths and he has shown the ability to be a helpful defender. He won’t produce his own offense much, but he can serve as a contributor in a valuable role.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
Carsen Edwards: Lead Guard- Purdue
Philadelphia is in need of shooting and could use an explosive playmaker to tag alongside Ben Simmons in the backcourt. In a way, they can cancel each other’s weaknesses as a backcourt pairing and Edwards can provide an ability that the team is in need of. As a win-now team, a high floor, experienced player like Edwards makes sense.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Nassir Little: Combo Forward- UNC
A bit of a surprising drop, but Nassir Little is essentially just a ball of upside at this point. The Trail Blazers could feel that they can harness his elite physical tools and motor and turn it into production on defense and the boards, while maybe throwing down a few highlight dunks at times too.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Houston Rockets)
Tyler Herro: Wing- Kentucky
One of the best shooters in the class, Tyler Herro could provide some immediate impact and spacing. Herro can score off the bounce as well, and even displayed some flashes of quality passing. The Kentucky freshman could have a long, impactful career as a knockdown shooter who can do a few of the little things to keep defenses on their toes as well.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Denver Nuggets)
Jordan Poole: Wing- Michigan
This would be a surprise pick, but a potentially high reward selection. Poole is a versatile wing with length who can score at all 3 levels. The Michigan sophomore also projects as someone who can be a good defender both on and off the ball due to his length, quickness, and instinctual reactions. It’s a bit of an upside gamble, but Poole could be a crafty 3-and-D role player.
28. Golden State Warriors
Ignas Brazdeikis: Combo Forward- Michigan
Another Michigan player off the board here, this time its 6-foot-7 Iggy Brazdeikis. The Warriors nab a high IQ player who impacts both ends and is willing to do the little things to win.
29. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)
Chuma Okeke: Forward- Auburn
Chuma Okeke coming off an ACL injury almost certainly means he will provide no value in year 1, but his long-term projection is intriguing. Okeke is a modern-day power forward who can shoot the ball, switch on defense, and crash the boards at a high rate.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Dylan Windler: Forward- Belmont
The Bucks are in win-now mode for the foreseeable future, so a high-floor experienced player makes sense with this pick. Windler is an outstanding shooter who also possesses a high level of basketball IQ. Just the type of player you want to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with.
