Waste The Pointless Day In The Cubes With The 2019 NBA Draft Big Board
Let’s be honest. Today is absolutely pointless if you’re sitting in the cubes. It simply doesn’t matter. You’re not doing work. Your customers aren’t doing work. So let’s waste some time looking forward to the 2019 NBA Draft. I mean, some teams are already eliminated from the playoffs and with the new lottery rules you can start paying attention to the college game.
This doesn’t take into account where teams will end up in the Draft as that tends to play a role in who gets drafted when, but rather if a person is looking at best player available. This draft also feels different than previous ones where the depth simply isn’t there. Don’t get me wrong the top of this draft should be damn good, but I’m just not sure how deep we’re looking at. This will go in depth on the top-30 in college hoops too, then list the next 30 and we won’t get into the international players just yet.
Happy arguing.
1. Zion Williamson (Freshman, Duke, Hybrid)
I have no idea what to call Zion when it comes to position so let’s just go with hybrid. I mean the dude can do just about anything he wants with the biggest question being consistent shooting. I’ve been wildly impressed with his ability to take a rebound and just go. He’s shown flashes of being an excellent passer, especially in transition and his athleticism lets him be a rim protector, especially coming from the weakside. He’s starting to really put himself in this tier 1 category by himself.
2. RJ Barrett (Freshman, Duke, Wing)
Barrett isn’t the most efficient player, but he’s someone that can go score the ball. He’s going to draw comparisons to DeMar DeRozan when it comes to that sort of game. You’d like to see him get better at being a playmaker and getting others involved on a consistent basis, but the one thing that he should be able to do next year is score the ball. He’s not a franchise changing guy, but his floor of being a volume, yet inefficient scorer, isn’t the worst thing in the world.
3. De’Andre Hunter (Sophomore, Virginia, Stretch)
I absolutely love Hunter’s game. He’s someone that can do pretty much anything and doesn’t really have a big weakness. He’s wildly efficient – shooting 44% from three, 53% from the floor and 82% from the FT line. You can also put him on the wing or in that stretch position at the next level. He’s not going to blow you away with ridiculous athleticism, but it’s not nearly a weakness like some are talking about with him. He’ll enter the draft as one of the best defenders in the class.
4. Nassir Little (Freshman, UNC, Wing)
Little might be the 2nd most talked about prospect after Zion because of how he’s being used at UNC. Here’s the thing though. When he’s on the floor he’s still producing. His numbers really aren’t that different than say Marvin Williams who went No. 2 after not starting for the year. Yes, Little can use a bit of help on his jumper, but we’ve seen a bunch of people develop a more consistent jumper with his sort of game. Little can attack the rim, his defense should translate and his athleticism will translate. He’s worth the top-5 pick no matter how he’s being used at UNC.
5. Cam Reddish (Freshman, Duke, Wing)
The third Duke prospect is Reddish, who came to Duke with the reputation of being a knock down shooter. He’s shooting just 35% on the year from three, but he’s attempting over 7 threes per game. There are questions about how much he cares about the game, but part of that could also be just waiting to get paid. Here is what Reddish brings though. He’s 6’8″ with good handles and the ability to be in this positionless era. He can defend multiple players. He’s a decent rebounder. He’s still a good shooter. We’d probably be talking about Reddish more if he wasn’t at Duke quite honestly.
6. Keldon Johnson (Freshman, Kentucky, Wing)
Keldon Johnson is the likely Kevin Knox of this draft. The guy who eventually turns into the go-to option for Kentucky and stays in the top-10 with people talking about his draft stock rising heading into the draft. We saw Johnson on full display against UNC. He went 4-for-7 from three while also attacking off the bounce. He’s shooting good from three this year, but I do worry a bit with his free throw percentage right around 70%. I’d like to see that go up. That said, Johnson is a guy that can defend on the wing, can attack off the bounce and is physical. If he becomes a more consistent shooter, don’t be surprised to see him in that top-5.
7. Kevin Porter Jr. (Freshman, USC, Wing)
I actually think Porter has a chance to be one of the best players in this class when it’s all said and done. Here’s the thing when it comes to Porter. He hasn’t really been coached on the defensive side of the ball yet in his life. He defends simply by being an athlete. With the NBA that will change. Offensively he has a strong arsenal of moves.
8. Ja Morant (Sophomore, Murray State, Point)
Don’t be surprised to hear Morant draw comparisons to Russell Westbrook during the draft process. That’s what happens when you’re a walking triple-double threat and questions about being overaggressive and consistent shooting. That’s the easy breakdown on Morant’s game. The point guard from Murray State though has been one of the fastest risers from the last NBA Draft to the early part of this year. There’s a reason to that. The dude can play.
9. Romeo Langford (Freshman, Indiana, Wing)
The first major recruit for Archie Miller at Indiana and likely the first top-1o pick as well. Langford is a big wing that can really score the ball. He is a bit inconsistent with his jumper but does an excellent job of finishing around the rim and creating opportunities to get there. Langford should be a decent defender at the next level and has the frame to be one as well. If he can get consistent outside of 15 feet he’ll be an easy top-10 guy.
10. Jarrett Culver (Sophomore, Texas Tech, Wing)
We’re just seeing Jarrett Culver flying up draft boards this year. When Chris Beard took over Texas Tech he made sure to recruit the local kid and keep him home. Before last season started a majority of people liked Culver as a draft prospect more than Zhaire Smith. Well, here we are a year later and Culver is doing pretty much everything for a top-15 team in the country. Culver is better off as a secondary ball handler and as the second option where he can really attack. That will happen at the NBA level obviously. He’s been strong in high ball screens this year and obviously defensively he’s terrific.
11. Lugentz Dort (Freshman, Arizona State, Wing)
If you want the comparison that everyone will be doing? Dort is Marcus Smart. He’s a big guard that can defend multiple positions, play bully ball and needs to improve his shooting. He’s someone that has just absolutely played his way into this sort of NBA Draft talk as a freshman out of Canada. One of the reasons I have him so high is how far from finished his game is. If he looks like this, this early, how good will he be when he develops more?
12. Tre Jones (Freshman, Duke, Point)
The fourth Duke freshman out of the top-12 and I really think Jones has a chance to possibly end up in my top-10 when it’s all said and done. Jones is one of the absolute best on-ball defenders in the country. He creates havoc by using his feet to go with quick hands to tip passes and disrupt dribbles. That game against Texas Tech was won pretty much by his defense. Offensively, he’s a steady hand at the point guard spot. He won’t blow you away with anything crazy, but he can hit shots and more importantly is used to playing with other stars and getting them involved. His game is tremendous.
13. Bol Bol (Freshman, Oregon, Stretch/Post)
Bol Bol and this draft is going to be absolutely fascinating to me. Yes, he’s a unicorn in the sense that he’s 7’2″ can shoot the ball and has decent handles. But, at the same time he doesn’t move great and is so thin he gets bullied and can’t really hold his spot in the post. He doesn’t move well enough to be a stretch either, so he’s in a weird spot. Yes, he does block shots but he’s pretty bad defensively. That’s what makes him so fascinating as a prospect and through the draft process.
14. Naz Reid (Freshman, LSU, Stretch/Post)
I know a lot of people are down on Naz Reid and I get it. But, I’m going the opposite way. It’s going to be my ‘hot take’ of the NBA Draft process. I’m buying Reid. I don’t know if it’s stuff I heard from people that have known him his high school years or what, but I’m buying a guy that’s 6’10” can put guys on skates and has a fairly high ceiling. Now, I will acknowledge he has a pretty low floor too and there are concerns about his effort on a consistent basis.
15. Darius Garland (Freshman, Vanderbilt, Point)
It’s a shame that the college basketball world won’t really get to see Garland as he’s done for the year with a knee injury. Garland seems to constantly develop a new move in order to create space and find a new way to score. He’s pretty strong with a change of pace and how he can use his athleticism to create space. Despite the injury, he should be a lottery pick.
16. Quentin Grimes (Freshman, Kansas, Wing)
I have no idea how Quentin Grimes is struggling so bad right now. It really makes no sense after how he looked to start the season against Michigan State. That’s what he can be though. I’ll chalk some of this up to being a freshman in Bill Self’s system as a wing. It happens. But, Grimes is someone that can create shots for himself in a class where the guard play is fairly weak.
17. Daniel Gafford (Sophomore, Arkansas, Post)
Gafford made the decision to come back to Arkansas after being a likely first round/top-20 pick last year. Gafford is an athletic big that does an excellent job of protecting the rim. He’s at his best running in transition and finishing above the rim. He’s someone that can come in and be a decent defender right away.
18. Rui Hachmiura (Junior, Gonzaga, Stretch)
Rui is an excellent scorer at the college level but there are questions about his defense. Most notably there are questions about his ISO and PnR defense. He doesn’t have the quickest feet in the world and has to do a better job of staying in front without giving up a ton of space. What he can do though is stretch the floor and continue to develop more of a pull up game.
19. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Sophomore, Virginia Tech, Wing)
The cousin of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should give the family two top-20 picks in as many years. The Virginia Tech sophomore has been wildly efficient this year, shooting 46% from three – a year after he shot over 39%. He’s also averaging over two steals per game this year. He does an excellent job of attacking off the wing as a secondary ball handler and looks to get others involved.
20. Coby White (Freshman, North Carolina, Point)
The other freshman at North Carolina this year finds himself at No. 20 on my list here. He’s a dude that can simply go get buckets. But, at the same time we saw what happens when you slow him down like Kentucky was able to do. He can struggle a bit in that setting and having to take care of the ball. That said he’s someone who can create for himself and score in a variety of ways.
21. Jontay Porter (Sophomore, Missouri, Stretch)
Jontay came back for another year to play for his dad and improve his draft stock. Unfortunately he tore his ACL and we didn’t get to see him this year. Now, that said he still will be a 1st round pick and that’s because he’s a good rebounder that can also stretch the floor now. We’ll keep an eye on how his rehab process goes.
22. KZ Okpala (Sophomore, Stanford, Wing)
I will say this about Okpala – a guy that most people won’t get to watch because he’s on Stanford – the dude can defend four positions and that’s legit. He’s that versatile defensively with his 6’8″ frame and long arms. He can probably put a little bit of weight on as he’s just 195lbs, but it’s not a huge concern right now. More importantly he’s improved his 3-point shooting from 22% to 44% on more attempts.
23. Carsen Edwards (Junior, Purdue, Point)
Edwards is a guy that can create for himself and has become one of the most consistent shooters in the country. He also has a bit of underrated athleticism as he’ll have a poster dunk every month or so. He seems to be the perfect mold for a backup point guard or someone to play if you want two ball handlers on the floor together.
24. Jalen McDaniels (Sophomore, San Diego State, Stretch/Post)
What McDaniels does extremely well is move for a guy his size. He’s someone at 6’10” who gets up and down the court, can switch and guard on screens while also starting to attempt more threes. He needs to get more consistent with his outside shot and touch from the line, but he’s someone who has the raw talent and size to translate pretty quickly to the NBA. He could rise as the draft comes to someone we’re talking about as a potential lottery guy.
25. Brandon Clarke (Junior, Gonzaga, Wing)
Clarke is a unique player because of his ability to score without shooting threes. He attempts less than .5 per game but it still scoring 18 per game. Part of the reason is his ability to attack off the bounce and create a mismatch. The real draw to his game though? He’s one of the best defenders in the country and may win NDPOY this year.
26. PJ Washington (Sophomore, Kentucky, Stretch)
Washington is one of the best rebounders in this class. He’s extremely physical when he’s attacking the glass and that’s something that should translate. More importantly he’s looking for his outside shot more and is shooting 45% from three this year. On top of that his stroke isn’t that funky looking or anything weird like that. He’s running a bit of an outdated offense but he’s playing on top of the hi-lo and we’re seeing his passing big to big out of that set.
27. Simi Shittu (Freshman, Vanderbilt, Post)
Shittu is another young big who is a strong rebounder. But, what I like about his game the most? His passing ability, especially out of the post sets. He’s averaging 2 assists per game, but when you watched him against Arizona State you saw him have 4 and they came in a variety of ways. The fact he’s already a decent passer is a huge selling point.
28. Ty Jerome (Junior, Virginia, Point)
Jerome has the size to play both on or off the ball and is a real good shooter. He’s shooting over 42% from three this year while being a strong on ball defender. He was playing off the ball in different sets and lineups and at 6’5″ you have the option to play him at either spot. He’s also a great rebounder for a guard.
29. Admiral Schofield (Senior, Tennessee, Wing)
Schofield has taken a big step this year with his outside shooting and being more consistent offensively. That’s the one thing he needed to improve on the most coming into the year. He’s a physical wing that plays more like a forward than anything else. He’s someone that should add depth to a team off the bench right away.
30. Jaylen Hoard (Freshman, Wake Forest, Wing)
It’s a bit tough to tell exactly what to think about Hoard when you watch Wake games. Sometimes he looks like a lottery pick and is incredibly aggressive. Other times he looks lost and you forget he’s out there. He is a strong rebounder from the wing spot, but does need to get more consistent shooting.
31. Shamorie Ponds (Junior, St. John’s, Point)
32. Charles Bassey (Freshman, Western Kentucky, Post)
33. Dylan Winder (Senior, Belmont, Wing)
34. Jaxson Hayes (Freshman, Texas, Post)
35. Grant Williams (Junior, Tennessee, Stretch)
36. Charles Matthews (Junior, Michigan, Wing)
37. Ashton Hagans (Freshman, Kentucky, Point)
38. Talen Horton-Tucker (Freshman, Iowa State, Wing)
39. Bruno Fernando (Sophomore, Maryland, Post)
40. Cam Johnson (Senior, UNC, Wing)
41. Jalen Smith (Freshman, Maryland, Post)
42. Tyus Battle (Junior, Syracuse, Point)
43. Eric Paschall (Senior, Villanova, Stretch)
44. Louis King (Freshman, Oregon, Wing)
45. Juwan Morgan (Senior, Indiana, Stretch)
46. Iggy Brazdeikis (Freshman, Michigan, Wing)
47. Markus Howard (Junior, Marquette, Point)
48. Isaiah Roby (Junior, Nebraska, Wing)
49. Zach Norvell (Sophomore, Gonzaga, Wing)
50. Killian Tillie (Junior, Gonzaga, Stretch)
51. Matisse Thybulle (Senior, Washington, Wing)
52. Caleb Martin (Senior, Nevada, Point)
53. Sagaba Konate (Junior, West Virginia, Post)
54. Ky Bowman (Junior, Boston College, Point)
55. Cody Martin (Senior, Nevada, Wing)
56. Charlie Brown (Sophomore, St. Joe’s, Wing)
57. Brandon Randolph (Sophomore, Arizona, Point)
58. Dedric Lawson (Junior, Kansas, Post)
59. Lagerald Vick (Senior, Kansas, Wing)
60. Kris Wilkes (Sophomore, UCLA, Wing)