Live 2019 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 16-30 | Grades for Round 2
2019 NBA Mock Draft | 2019 NBA Mock Draft – Walt’s
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New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, F, Duke – A+ Grade
Absolute no-brainer for the Pelicans who struck gold by winning the lottery and getting their franchise cornerstone, post-Anthony Davis. Outside of the unique skillset he brings to the floor, Williamson will be a marketing megastar and the potential face of the league in a few years.
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Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, PG, Murray State – A Grade
It’s hard not to picture Morant being anything but a difference-maker on the floor with the diverse arsenal he brings at point guard. Memphis getting the ping pong balls to bounce its way and obtaining this pick allowed them to move Mike Conley (go here for the Mike Conley trade grades) and begin its rebuilding project even earlier. I still think R.J. Barrett has a higher ceiling in the NBA, but I certainly do not hate on this pick. -
New York Knicks: R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke – A+ Grade
Sure, R.J. Barrett’s outside shooting needs to improve, but I love his competitive fire and the versatility he brings to the floor. New York lucks into him falling to the third spot, and he fills a void as a scoring wing who brings excitement to a franchise looking to make a big splash this offseason. -
Atlanta Hawks: DeAndre Hunter, SF, Virginia – A Grade
The Hawks held six picks, so it’s no surprise they were willing to package three of them to move up and get a talented, versatile wing who fits in nicely on the wing. I think Hunter will be a very good role player at the next level, but do not see him being a superstar. Regardless, he fills a void on a young, up and coming Atlanta roster. -
Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt – C Grade
Drafting Garland likely means that Collin Sexton’s tenure in Cleveland is short-lived? I don’t know if I love the idea of Garland and Sexton playing together as a long-term recipe for success. I would have selected Jarrett Culver here, as the Cavs desperately need a true wing and Culver’s versatility is a huge asset that Cleveland doesn’t have. -
Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech – B- Grade
The Wolves dealt Dario Saric and 11 to move up and grab Culver at 6. I’m surprised they passed on a needed point guard of the future in Coby White, but Culver is a versatile wing who can defend numerous positions. He, Andrew Wiggins and Robert Covington do make an intriguing trio alongside Karl-Anthony Towns up front. -
Chicago Bulls: Coby White, PG, North Carolina – A Grade
I love Coby White but I don’t know if I love him in the same backcourt as Zach LaVine. Regardless, this was the right pick for the Bulls, who need an upgrade at the point over Kris Dunn. The Bulls have actually collected some nice young pieces over the past few drafts. -
New Orleans Pelicans: Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas – B- Grade
This pick makes a ton of sense from a fit standpoint as the Pelicans have no real size on their roster. Upside, potential, projectability, all those fun draft buzz words are the key for Hayes as he was a late bloomer from high school to college. I still would have went with Cam Reddish, whom I think can be the fourth-best player to come out of this draft, but understand the risk/reward with Hayes. -
Washington Bullets: Rui Hachimura, PF, Gonzaga – A Grade
Washington had go with frontcourt help here and get a versatile forward in Rui Hachumira. He was among the top options here with Sekou Doumbouya, so I like this pick. -
Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas): Cam Reddish, SF, Duke – A+ Grade
The Hawks got their versatile wing at No. 4 in Hunter and now add a perimeter gunner in Cam Reddish. It’s crazy that he fell to 10, but as I’ve said, there is a lot of risk/reward here. It’s well worth the risk for the Hawks here, though. Add him to a Trae Young/Kevin Huerter backcourt and Atlanta has weapons on the outside. Watch out for this team in a couple years. -
Phoenix Suns: Cameron Johnson, SF, North Carolina – F Grade
GULP… I get it that this guy can shoot the rock, but I had him as a borderline first-round guy, so Johnson going No. 11 is wild to me. I don’t see him as anything more than a role player/bench scorer type. Guys like Douyoumba or Nassir Little have way more potential at the forward position. If I was Phoenix, I would prefer staying at No. 6 and having Coby White over Dario Saric and Johnson any day of the week. -
Charlotte Hornets: P.J. Washington, PF, Kentucky – D+ Grade
I don’t know, this just seems like a boring pick which fits Charlotte’s M.O. I think can Washington can be a solid role player, but I don’t see a big time ceiling here versus other guys still on the board. He does fit a need for the Hornets as a guy who can play either forward spot. -
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, SG, Kentucky – C Grade
This seems like another reach at the end of the lottery. Miami needs depth on the wing, which Herro will provide as well as the ability to shoot it. However, I would have went with Douyoumba or Nassir Little. -
Boston Celtics (from Sacramento): Romeo Langford, SG, Indiana – D+ Grade
Boston has shooting guards/small forwards but no point guards or front-court players, so the fit of Langford makes little sense to me. He didn’t have the freshman season many expected him to and struggled shooting it from deep, but is a skilled scorer off the bounce and finisher around the rim. I would have went with a big like Bitadze or Kabengele, however. -
Detroit Pistons: Sekou Douyoumba, F, France – A+ Grade
Because of his size, length, versatility, and upside; this is a home run pick. The Greek Freak comparisons are certainly aggressive but for Detroit to get him at 15 is a great value. Add him to a frontcourt of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin… and there is a lot to like there.
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Go to Live 2019 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 16-30
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Go to Live 2019 NBA Draft Grades: Round 2
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2019 NBA Mock Draft – Walt’s
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