The college basketball season has now come and gone and all that’s left for college hoops fans is the draft and monitoring who is staying and who is leaving. As we look towards that, it is now time to update our 2019 NBA mock draft. Much has changed during March, where stars get put to their biggest tests of the season and lights are brightest.
I have made sure to note the draft status of each player listed since the announcements have been coming in bulk. Standings are as of 11:00 PM EST April 8th and draft decisions have been updated as of 11:15 AM EST April 13th.
1. New York Knicks
Zion Williamson: Combo Forward- Duke
Status: Undeclared
Zion Williamson has been the best player in the college basketball all season long. His transcendent athleticism paired with his body, mobility, and touch at rim is incredibly unique. There will be plenty of gambles in this draft- Zion is not one of them.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
RJ Barrett: Wing- Duke
Status: Declared, not returning
Barrett hasn’t had the flashy, spectacle of a year that many expected, but has produced at an elite level nonetheless. After playing the two-guard for most of his time at Duke, his skill set will be better served in the NBA as a true wing with floorspacers around him. The Canadian freshman has real issues regarding tunnel vision and the ability to create his own jump shot, but the spacing of the NBA should serve him especially well.
3. Phoenix Suns
Jarrett Culver: Wing- Texas Tech
Status: Undeclared
Jarrett Culver made even bigger waves by leading Texas Tech on the biggest stage. Culver is a smart, versatile two-way player who can score at all 3 levels. While not a dynamic athlete, the sophomore has a unique ability to contort his body and utilize angles when attacking as well as anybody. The Stepien’s Ross Homan explains this incredibly well in this piece. While Culver may not have an elite star upside, he is a safe bet to be a very good player and contribute at a high level for a long time, mostly regardless of the situation.
4. Chicago Bulls
Ja Morant: Lead Guard- Murray State
Status: Declared, not returning
The Ja Morant train added even more passengers after he led Murray State to an upset over Marquette in a dominating performance. Morant’s elite athleticism, size, and length for his position offer promising intangible. Throw in the fact that he is an outstanding passer, often throwing a laser cross-court skip pass in casual fashion for a big-time assist. While still fairly raw, Morant offers one of the more promising ceilings in this class.
5. Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre Hunter: Combo Forward- Virginia
Status: Undeclared
The quiet DeAndre Hunter was not always aggressive in the tournament, but he often made the play that was needed from him. When Hunter turns on the aggression, however, his combination of strength and size make him hard to stop. His defense is top quality, particularly on the ball, where he suffocates defenders of many sizes. It isn’t hard to project him as a 4-position defender at the next level. Pair that with his ability to knock down the three and attack closeouts and his floor is safe enough to pick here while you let the creation ability develop.
6. Washington Wizards
Cam Reddish: Wing- Duke
Status: Declared, not returning
Freshman Cam Reddish had arguably the most disappointing season of any top-billed prospect. Reddish was inconsistent as a shooter and struggled mightily to finish at the rim. Despite this, Reddish’s size and fluidity paired with a promising handle offer an upside that could be very much worth developing. It feels safe to bet that he will become a good spot-up shooter. He also showed flashes of being a high-quality defender. Reddish here is a risk-reward balance, but it could pay off in a big way.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
Brandon Clarke: Big- Gonzaga
Status: Undeclared
Brandon Clarke often looked like the savvy veteran playing a step ahead of the opposition. Clarke’s possesses elite athleticism and stunning IQ- a lethal combination. With a knack to always be in the right spot at the right time on both sides of the ball, Clarke has an incredibly high floor. Though, he will be 23 by the time the NBA season starts and has not shown consistent, translatable offense yet.
8. Atlanta Hawks (Via Dallas Mavericks)
Jaxson Hayes: Big- Texas
Status: Declared, not returning
The Hawks with their second top 10 pick in this draft and a franchise point guard already on the roster can afford to take a risk on a high upside center. Hayes is a high-motor, incredibly mobile and athletic center. Still refining his basketball skills, the Texas freshman has great defensive instincts and the physical tools to act on it in an impactful way.
9. New Orleans Pelicans
Coby White: Lead Guard- UNC
Status: Declared, not returning
Coby White made waves as a dynamic downhill scorer who possesses a lethal stepback jumper. While he looks like more of a shotmaker than a pure shooter at times, the points count all the same. Questions remain about whether he can lead an offense at the next level and how impactful he’ll be on defense. However, as those skills grow, his offensive gravity and production will offer a good starting point.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Darius Garland: Lead Guard- Vanderbilt
Status: Declared, not returning
It seems like the Wolves have yearned for a dynamic lead guard who can create his own offense for a while. Enter Darius Garland, a scoring guard who is slippery of screens and can punish teams with his pull-up jumper. Coming off an ACL injury, it remains to be seen what his physical profile will look like, but today’s medical advances offer a positive outlook for a highly skilled player.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
Bol Bol: Big- Oregon
Status: Declared, not returning
This pairing seems like a perfect fit. Big name, unique physical traits and skill set, and Los Angeles. Bol’s size and mobility offer tantalizing defensive upside, while his shooting ability makes him a potentially drool-worthy prospect. His primary questions involve how he will adapt to NBA physicality and speed and how he returns from his season-ending foot injury. Bol can be a steal here if a team can develop him correctly.
12. Miami Heat
Sekou Doumboya: Combo Forward- Poitiers (France)
Status: Undeclared
Sekou Doumboya is the perfect mold of the modern power forward. Mobile, yet strong and can operate on the block a bit. Doumboya can also space the floor, as he has shown some shooting touch as well as the ability to attack closeouts. He has mostly been flashes up to this point, but he will be one of the youngest players in the class and has shown enough for a team to take the bet on upside here.
13. Charlotte Hornets
PJ Washington: Big- Kentucky
Status: Declared, not returning
PJ Washington projects as a valuable combo big. The size and possible defensive skill set to play center in small ball lineups with the offensive ability of a modern power forward. Washington has made major strides in his shooting and passing abilities, offering a whole new dimension to his game. If Washington can consistently impact the game in the face of NBA defenses while showing versatility on defense, his value in the late lottery skyrockets.
14. Boston Celtics (Via Sacramento Kings)
Nassir Little: Wing- UNC
Status: Declared, not returning
This is where the draft takes a dip in quality, as many in his next batch would usually be about 5-6 spots back in a better draft. Nassir Little, at this stage, is a big ball of upside. His physical traits are elite, but that is where it ends. Little often looks lost on both ends. While he’s shown small flashes of scoring off the dribble, he looks overwhelmed with the ball at times. Taking a year on a great team to learn from other great wings can result in a big payoff for both parties.
15. Detroit Pistons
Kevin Porter Jr: Wing- USC
Status: Declared, not returning
Kevin Porter Jr has tremendous basketball skill, there is no doubt about this. The questions arise when you consider his isolation playing style in the context of a team setting. While his archetype does not always result in winning impact, he is young and talented enough to feel safe in believing that his natural skills can be used in an impactful way. Under the right tutelage, Porter can shine in a limited bench scorer role.
16. Brooklyn Nets
Romeo Langford: Wing- Indiana
Status: Declared, not returning
Romeo Langford had something of a disappointing year in Bloomington. Langford never got his shooting stroke down and often took tough shots around the basket. While he showed a propensity for making the tough finishes around the basket, it is hard to rely on that at the next level. Langford flashed defensive upside as well, offering some semblance of two-way upside. He nursed a hand injury most of the season which could have hurt his shooting. If he can improve that aspect, Langford could really add a dimension to his game.
17. Orlando Magic
Keldon Johnson: Wing- Kentucky
Status: Declared, not returning
Keldon Johnson is likely not the best player available but fits the needs of this team better than a big man likely would. Johnson is a high-motor ball of energy who simply plays tough defense. He is not the strongest nor longest, but Johnson uses his quick feet to stay in front of the opposition and quick instincts to react in a timely fashion. His offense is mostly spot up jumpers, but he has shown enough when attacking the rim to believe that he can attack on straight-line drives at the next level.
18. Boston Celtics (Via Los Angeles Clippers)
Bruno Fernando: Big- Maryland
Status: Undeclared
Bruno Fernando brings value as a strong rim protector who has the mobility and size to consistently disrupt the paint. The 6-foot-10 center projects as a quality rim-runner who can operate out of the post as well. Fernando has developed some scoring moves out of the post, but has really made strides in his passing game. If he can continue this track of development, Fernando could be the ideal two-way center.
19. Indiana Pacers
Jontay Porter: Big- Missouri
Status: Undeclared
Jontay Porter recently suffered a second ACL injury in the last 7 months. While this isn’t ideal, Porter is not a player who relies on his athleticism and modern technology can alleviate some concerns. Porter is a high-IQ, highly skilled big man who will make an impact on both ends of the floor. It will be a long development after the latest setback, but his Porter can improve his body, that opens the door for him to dominate given his natural basketball skils.
20. San Antonio Spurs
Goga Bitadze: Big- Mega Bemax
Status: Undeclared
The Spurs and a skilled foreign prospect always seem like a great pair. Goga Bitadze is a 6-foot-11 big man who has flashed some shooting touch but makes plays on both ends with high-level feel. He may not be the most switchable big man that NBA teams crave, but he shouldn’t be a total liability in that regard, and possesses enough length and IQ to partially compensate for some of the athletic shortcomings.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
Grant Williams: Combo Forward- Tennessee
Status: Declared, may return
The Thunder are in the process of building something and want to win as soon as possible. Adding in a high-floor player like Grant Williams who simply knows how to make plays happen would be the obvious plug-in here. Williams will spend most of the time at the four, in which he’ll act as a post playmaker and gritty rebounder.
22. Boston Celtics
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Wing- Virginia Tech
Status: Declared, not returning
Alexander-Walker has made improvements in his game by displaying the ability to create for himself off the dribble while proving value to his teammates as well. His playmaking out of the pick-n-roll has been impressive, while his spot-up shooting has remained good. Questions come about his defensive impact and whether or not he can create separation at the next level.
23. Utah Jazz
Talen Horton-Tucker: Wing- Iowa State
Status: Declared, may return
Horton-Tucker has been a surprise prospect, drawing eyes as a terrific playmaker off the dribble with the ability to make tough finishes at the rim. A fairly inefficient scorer as an undersized wing at 6-foot-4, many will question his ability to score against NBA length from any level as well as guard bigger wings.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
Tyler Herro: Wing- Kentucky
Status: Declared, may return
It seems like the 76ers are always looking for shooting. Tyler Herro is a lights-out 3-point shooter who also possesses the ability to put the ball on the ground when needed. In the mold of JJ Reddick, Herro will always have value in the NBA.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Jordan Poole: Wing- Michigan
Status: Declared, not returning
Jordan Poole offers a creative, dynamic offensive wing player who can try to do a little too much at times. Poole is a lanky wing who is still fairly raw on both ends, but the flashes he has shown as a scorer offer a reason to bet on him.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (Via Houston Rockets)
Carsen Edwards: Lead Guard- Purdue
Status: Declared, not returning
Carsen Edwards a pure flamethrower. Edwards has unlimited shooting range and is always a threat to score. As a small, quick guard, he projects as being very hard to guard. Edwards projects to be a negative on defense and questions will come regarding his ability as a passer and creator for teammates.
27. Brooklyn Nets (Via Denver Nuggets)
Cam Johnson: Combo Forward- UNC
Status: Graduating senior
Cam Johnson may have just one bonafide NBA skill, but it is a truly elite one. His ability to relocate and shoot in spot-up situations given his size is remarkable and worthy of a first-round pick.
28. Golden State Warriors
Mfiondu Kabengele: Big- Florida State
Status: Declared, not returning
Kabengele provides incredible two-way upside at this stage in the draft. A block machine with mobile feet, Kabengele is the ideal center in today’s NBA. Add in a budding 3-point jumper and the upside possessed by Kabengele is very enticing.
29. San Antonio Spurs (Via Toronto Raptors)
KZ Okpala: Big- Stanford
Status: Declared, may return
KZ Okpala offers a modern take on the power forward position, with the ability to shoot the ball from deep as well as put it on the floor. Okpala will need to refine his ball skills as well as overall defensive awareness.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Rui Hachimura: Big- Gonzaga
Status: Undeclared
Rui Hachimura brings a scoring power forward mold to the floor. He excels in the mid-range and high post, being able to put the ball on the floor and using his mobility to get around other bigs. His defensive and shooting questions hold his stock back.
