As the NBA Finals end, the off season is beginning to ramp up. After a block-buster trade went through this week, sending perennial all-star Anthony Davis to the Lakers to pair with Lebron, we are now in a full blown off-season frenzy. One with so many blanks to be filled in, and questions to be answered surrounding some of the leagues elite, the next 3-4 months will change the landscape of the league forever. But, we start with the NBA draft. And a very pulverizing one at that, with 3 Duke All-Americans atop the board with a mid-major superstar and much, much more. And although this draft has gotten labeled a “3 player draft”, I vehemently disagree. Yes, Zion, Ja, and RJ are head and shoulders above the other prospects, but it’s important to note that with how young and underdeveloped NBA draftees are in today’s league, some mid 1st-2nd round picks will develop into stars as well. Thursday night will be a very entertaining and interesting draft, with presumably a plethora of trades and surprises. Here is how I think things will shape up. (PS: my player comps are high end comparison. Best-case scenarios.)
1.) New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, Forward, Duke
That was easy. I could sit here and lay out what makes Zion, well, Zion, but I don’t like wasting time. The once high school social-media dunking phenomena, Williamson displayed much more of a well rounded game with the nations eyes on him this year in Durham, North Carolina while playing for Duke. With the savvy David Griffin now running basketball operations in New Orleans, Zion will step into a great situation and hit the ground running. Surrounded by veterans like Jrue Holiday, and newly acquired young talent in Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans are in a much greater situation than most thought they would find themselves in during the Anthony Davis trade saga last winter. With Davis out the door, adding Zion and the 4th pick to this roster puts the Pelicans right back into the playoff race and opens the door for much more in the coming years. Next.
Comparison: Blake Griffin / Charles Barkley
Athletic freak. Ferocious rebounder. Matchup nightmare. Just a couple of adjectives that describe Zion, and help me make the connection to Chuck and Blake. Zion will make a living on the glass and in the passing lanes in the NBA with the upside to develop a complete offensive skill set and become one of the most unique players we’ve ever seen. With his freakish hops, combined with his alien-like wingspan, infectious smile and humble attitude, Zion has quickly become a super-star for fans across the globe. And his stardom will only continue to rise once he laces up in the NBA.
2.) Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
That was almost as easy. After trading away Mike Conley yesterday, the Grizzlies all but confirmed what most have speculated when they landed the second pick: trade away Conley and build around Ja. The only other player ever truly in the conversation for the two pick, was Duke guard RJ Barrett. But the thought of pairing the explosive, relentless Ja, with last years 4th overall pick, big man Jaren Jackson, is very intriguing. Creating a headache for opposing defenses in the pick and roll with the smart and methodical Morant running the show. I think Morant is locked in to the Grizzlies at 2.
Comparison: Derrick Rose
I’m big on Morant. My personal favorite player in the draft and the player I expect to become the best overall pro. With jump off-the-screen athleticism and an overall natural feel for the game, Ja Morant will become an instant star given his exceptional basketball IQ and his ability to get to the bucket at will, while actively setting up everyone around him. Much like Rose, his shooting will need improvement at the next level. Although, I think that can be exaggerated at times, as he shot the 3-ball at a 37% clip in his final year at Murray State. I fully expect Ja to develop nicely and become a stud for the ailing, stuck Grizzlies.
3.) New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, Guard, Duke
This time last year, Barrett was deemed to be the prize of this draft. But after the transcendence of Zion and the emergence of Ja Morant, RJ has become the 3rd most sought after player in this draft, and quickly the most underrated. This is a dream scenario for the Knicks given that RJ’s game can be put alongside other elite NBA players, like Kevin Durant. But, can also be the center building block of a really good team if they were to strike out in free agency. RJ has great iso ability in offensive sets while also having great facilitation of the offense, and playing with Zion and Reddish has RJ going a bit overlooked. Not even the Knicks can mess this pick up.
Comparison: James Harden
Ok ok, ok. It’s easy to blow off this comparison when you think of James Harden the MVP, 35 point per game player. But, RJ is only 19 years old. So go back and look at Arizona State edition James Harden and revisit this comparison. RJ has the gifted isolation ability to get to his spot, and get his shot much like The Beard. The biggest similarity between these two is Barrett’s ability to get to the free throw line and control the flow of the game. He needs to refine his outside shot, and giving him a redshirt year and then pairing RJ with KD coming off an injury could be scary. RJ Barrett will join Ja Morant as two premier backcourt players in the NBA for years to come.
4.) New Orleans Pelicans: De’ ANDRE Hunter, SF / PF, Virginia
Jrue Holiday. Lonzo Ball. Zion Williamson. De’ANDRE Hunter. Good luck scoring on that team. And with how this roster has begun to fall into place, I think this is the direction and identity David Griffin and the Pelicans should embrace. Hunter was the best player for the Virginia Cavaliers during their championship run this past year. He can guard any position 1-4 and some 5’s. Having the ability to have a young player that you feel comfortable with guarding other teams top players is a great addition to any team. With a newly solidified backcourt and the addition of Zion, Hunter would step in and start from day one on the wing with elite defense and a consistent ability to knock down shots off the catch.
Comparison: Richard Hamilton
Much like Hamilton, Hunter is a smothering defender with an underrated ability to knock down shots and create off the dribble. Hunter does have some more weight to him but both players stand at 6’7 and had marginal success in college. The biggest key to the comparison is Hunter’s ability to have a key role in winning basketball, without having the ball in his hands. With the supporting cast in New Orleans, Hunter fits in perfectly.
5.) Cleveland Cavaliers: Cam Reddish, Wing, Duke
The Cavs need shooting. After taking Colin Sexton last year to be their guard of the future, it is imperative they surround the drive-first, attacking Sexton with shooters. Assuming they keep Kevin Love, having the versatility of Reddish’s shooting with Love’s offensive ability and Sexton driving to the rack creating open looks, this would be a good core to put into new coach John Beilein’s system. Cavs could look to go point guard here, but I think they will see the upside with Reddish as a shooter combined with the question marks surrounding Vanderbilt guard Darius Garland and go a different direction. It could be North Carolina’s Coby White, but I’ll go with Cam Reddish.
Comparison: Joe Johnson
Both having a pure outside game, with big frames and a “killer” mentality about them. Another reason this is a good fit for the Cavs is having a guy that can hit a big shot down the stretch. Reddish didn’t perform as expected in his lone year at Duke, but most of that can be attributed to playing with Zion and RJ. He has one of the highest ceilings in this draft, and I project him to be a Joe Jonnson type player at the next level.
6.) Phoenix Suns: Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
The Suns experimented with the point- Booker last season by virtue of desperation. But getting Devin Booker back to his natural score/shoot-first shooting guard role is going to be a must for new coach Monty Williams. They will look at Coby White here, but I think they land on the upside of Garland and salivate at the mouth thinking of the explosiveness of that backcourt paired with Deandre Ayton.
Comparison: Kemba Walker
With great patience and exceptional knock down ability, combined with a rare ability to read screens and make the right play, Garland in the pick and roll with Suns center Ayton is intriguing. This also draws the Kemba comparison, having great pace off the dribble with crafty ability to step back and create space for jump shots given their smaller frames. If Garland plays an entire collegiate season he may be ahead of Morant, but he still goes top 7 because of his scoring ability and a great projection for style of play in today’s NBA. I believe him to be a high volume scorer and play maker with his natural passing ability to set up others.
7.) Chicago Bulls: Coby White, G, North Carolina
Having drafted two big men in the last two years in Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter, the Bulls will look to secure a point guard to pair with them and Zach Lavine to finally get this train back on track. White showed great maturity and composure when running Roy Williams offense at Carolina. Looked like a 4 year starter as just a freshman. His combination of a silky smooth outside shot, with an ability to score at the rim at his 6’5 frame, White will address an immediate need and the Bulls will look to move from Kris Dunn. Plus, the Bulls have a good history with Tar Heels.
Comparison: Gilbert Arenas
White is tough to garner a comparison for. His stature fits more of a shooting guard, but his play leans more towards a point guard. I think Arenas is a good comparison in terms of size and play. Although Arenas is a couple inches shorter, they both have more of a point guard play style with bigger frames. Both aren’t overly athletic but are very crafty handling the ball and controlling the offense, while having take-over offensive scoring and shooting ability. Both have great ability to attack the hoop and use their size around the rim against shot blockers. White will transition well to the next level and I think this is a great fit all around.
8.) Atlanta Hawks: Jaret Culver, SG, Texas Tech
After drafting Trae Young last year, adding the physical Culver to that backcourt who will provide more strength defensively in the backcourt will secure a point of emphasis for the Hawks who were very poor defensively last season. Culver isn’t going to ever put up more than 22 points a game, but that’s why he fits alongside the volume shooter/scorer in Trae Young. Culver will be a do-it-all, not great at anything type of player. He has a nice mid-range game but needs to improve his longball as he shot just 30% from 3 point land last year at Tech. Solid player who isn’t afraid to go get a bucket in crunch time. Culver fits here and he’s the top player left in this scenario. Hawks will go best available and be back up at 10 feeling good.
Comparison: Demar Derozan
Both long- athletic, two-way players that can be a great compliment to a scoring guard. If the Hawks get Culver, they have a Lowry-Derozan Raptors type backcourt, with more upside because of Trae Young. Culver is a lock-down perimeter defender who can be an efficient offensive player in the mid-range, although he and Derozan are both players who struggle being consistent from deep. I see Culver fitting in nicely in the NBA once he gets his jumpshot down and finds a role. Impressive in college this year but struggled against bigger defenders in terms of creating space and hitting shots.
9.) Washington: Sekou Doumbouya, SF, France
Between not having a GM or President of basketball operations, John Wall being out for the entire season with his achilles injury, and the uncertainty of the future of guard Bradley Beal, the Wizards find themselves in an awkward spot. However, this could be a diamond in the rough type pick. The mostly unknown long forward from France could be a solid addition to this roster. After trading away Kelly Oubre and Otto Porter last season, the Wizards could use another long forward who can handle the ball to play alongside Beal and defend the perimeter. If he is developed well, Sekou has great potential and for a team whose future is uncertain at best, this could be a good draft and develop spot.
Comparison: Pascal Siakam
Much like Siakam, Doumbouya is an under the radar player and mostly unknown, but for NBA teams and scouts he jumps off the highlight real. Excellent motor running the floor, creating off the dribble, and scoring in the post. He is a very versatile player whose length alone will be a huge boost for any NBA team with great potential shooting the rock from outside. Much like Pascal, if Sekou is developed right, he can pay huge dividends in the long run for the Wizards or whoever ends up taking him Thursday night.
10: Atlanta Hawks: Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas
I will preface this by saying I will be highly surprised if the Hawks end up drafting at both 8 and 10. But, I don’t do trades in mock drafts. This of course is the pick the Hawks got in the Trae Young- Luka Doncic trade during last years draft. So, in essence this pick and Trae Young is what the Hawks got for Luka. And if they stay here I think they can really use Hayes. A 6’11 young, still developing center who has extreme athleticism, and shot blocking abilities. He runs the floor nicely on both ends protecting the rim and getting layups and dunks on the offensive end. After a guard-heavy top 9, I think this is great value for the Hawks. Adding a big, versatile big to create a nice pick and roll action that the Hawks used a lot last year with Trae Young and Alex Len/Dwayne Dedmond, Hayes would definitely be an upgrade from those guys. Drafting a center will also allow young star John Collins to play more off the ball and stretch outside.
Comparison: Ben Wallace
Now, I’m not sure Hayes has the same level of toughness as a Ben Wallace, and he’s a bit taller, but his ability to block and change shots at the rim while not being a liability guarding the perimeter makes me think of Wallace. Similar offensive skill-set in terms of playing above the rim and having a knack for finding the open spots around the rim off of pick and rolls. I think pairing Hayes’s ability to get open off the roll with Trae Young’s feel for the game and passing ability would be a big boost for the Hawks on both ends of the ball.
Now, for the rest of the first round I will just be giving my picks as after the top 10 it becomes mostly a crapshoot. So here are picks 11-30:
11.) Minnesota Timberwolves: Nassir Little, North Carolina
12.) Charlotte Hornets: Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga
13.) Miami Heat: Kevin Porter Jr., USC
14.) Boston Celtics: PJ Washington, Kentucky (OR Tyler Herro)
15.) Detroit Pistons: Romeo Langford, Indiana
16.) Orlando Magic: Tyler Herro, Kentucky
17.) Atlanta Hawks (Don’t think they pick here): Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga
18.) Indiana Pacers: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech
19.) San Antonio Spurs: Darius Bazley, USA
20.) Boston Celtics: Nic Claxton, Georgia
21.) Oklahoma City Thunder: Cam Johnson, North Carolina
22.) Boston Celtics: Ty Jerome, Virginia
23.) Memphis Grizzlies: Bol Bol, Oregon
24.) Philadelphia 76ers: Eric Paschall, Villanova
25.) Portland Trail Blazers: Keldon Johnson, Kentucky
26.)Cleveland Cavaliers: Matisse Thybulle, Washington
27.)Brooklyn Nets: Dylan Windler, Belmont(Flyer)
28.) Golden State Warriors: Carsen Edwards, Purdue
29.) San Antonio Spurs: Luka Samanic,International
30.) Detroit Pistons: Chuma Okeke, Auburn
Read Between The Lines 