Live 2019 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15
2019 NBA Mock Draft | 2019 NBA Mock Draft – Walt’s
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Brooklyn Nets (from Cleveland): Nicolas Claxton, C, Georgia – A Grade
Thank goodness for Twitter, or I would have zero idea who owns these second-round picks. Claxton is a raw big with a ton of upside. Many thought Claxton had climbed into the first round, so Brooklyn getting him here to have another young low-post option alongside Jarrett Allen is something I dig.
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Miami Heat: KZ Okpala, SF, Stanford – B+ Grade
I wasn’t overly excited about Okpala, but he is a good value in the second round. The Heat grabs another wing option and someone who could potentially play the four in a smaller lineup. -
Boston Celtics: Carsen Edwards, PG, Purdue – A+ Grade
I think Edwards will have a long, successful career as a backup point guard. The Celtics are going to lose Kyrie and maybe Terry Rozier, so they need a scoring guard.
Walt’s Note: My dad, who woke up for this pick, was thrilled until he realized that Carsen Edwards will be going to Boston. “Ah f**k!” -
Atlanta Hawks: Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland – A- Grade
Atlanta jumps up to get Fernando, who gives them a needed athletic, physical big man.
Walt’s Note: My dad is pissed again. “We need players now; not future second-round picks! F***ing idiot, this Elton Brand!” -
New Orleans Pelicans: Marcos Louzada Silva, SF, Brazil – C Grade
The Pelicans ended up with three first-round picks so it makes sense to go the draft-and-stash route in the second round. I would have for sure rolled the dice on Bol Bol though. Totally worth the risk. -
Charlotte Hornets (from Washington): Cody Martin, SF, Nevada – C+ Grade
I would have gone with one of the athletic bigs or a point guard here, just based on the roster makeup. I liked Cody Martin a lot more heading into this college season versus the conclusion of it. -
Detroit Pistons: Deividas Sirvydis, SF, Lithuania – C Grade
Detroit trades up to grab someone who will likely play overseas. We’re at the point of the draft where this becomes common … and boring. -
Chicago Bulls (from Memphis): Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas – A Grade
Outstanding value here for the Bulls, who had two great picks. Gafford could be a solid backup big man down the road. -
Golden State Warriors: Alen Smailagic, C, Serbia – A- Grade
I had the Warriors taking him at No. 41 so that counts as a win, right? He is the Euro model of a stretch four who would potentially help Golden State’s floor spreading even more. -
Sacramento Kings (from Minnesota): Justin James, SG, Wyoming – D- Grade
I don’t see this guy as someone who can stick in the league. There were 50 better options here. -
Golden State Warriors: Eric Paschall, PF, Villanova – A+ Grade
This is a wonderful pick for Golden State, as Paschall is that undersized four who can do a lot on the floor to help you win. He should fit in very well with the Warriors. -
Washington Bullets: Admiral Schofield, SF, Tennessee – B Grade
Another undersized, but physical and versatile Volunteer. Admiral has the toughness to stick in the league, and the Bullets need depth all over.
Walt’s Note: My dad is not pleased. “I don’t understand f***ing Elton Brand. He’s working the entire day just to trade every f***ing pick!? He needs to be fired!” -
Minnesota Timberwolves (from Miami): Jaylen Nowell, SG, Washington – C- Grade
Nowell is a good scorer although I question whether he can do it at the next level. Plus, Minnesota just snagged a wing earlier in Jarrett Culver and took Josh Okogie last year. -
Denver Nuggets: Bol Bol, C, Oregon – A+ Grade
The red flags about his durability were legit. At this point though, Bol is infinitely worth the risk as he has lottery potential due to his ability to shoot and obvious length. -
Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Roby, PF, Nebraska – D+ Grade
I don’t really see Roby as being a tweener forward who can stick in the league. Maybe if he really can find a niche as a defender… -
Los Angeles Lakers (from Brooklyn): Talen Horton-Tucker, SF, Iowa State – D Grade
It seemed foolish of Horton-Tucker to turn pro, as there was no chance he would be a first round prospect. He’s another second-rounder I don’t ever see finding a consistent home in the NBA. -
Sacramento Kings (from Orlando): Ignas Brazdeikis, PF, Michigan – D- Grade
There have been a good amount of guys getting picked whom I don’t think will make it in the league more so than guys whom I think can make it in the league, but aren’t getting drafted. I don’t see Iggy having the athleticism to be an NBA-level wing. -
Los Angeles Clippers: Terance Mann, SF, Florida State – B+ Grade
Here is a guy who can find a role in the league due to his length and athleticism as a defender. The Clippers could use a guy like him off their bench. -
San Antonio Spurs: Quinndary Weatherspoon, G, Mississippi State – D+ Grade
Weatherspoon was a solid college scoring guard, but I don’t see him being able to bring that same impact at the next level. -
Utah Jazz: Jarrell Brantley, PF, Charleston – D- Grade
An undersized four who doesn’t shoot it well from the outside, but is a solid rebounder, Jarrell Brantley could be a Jae Crowder replacement in Utah, but I doubt he makes their roster. -
Boston Celtics: Tremont Waters, PG, LSU – B Grade
I like Waters as a second-round point guard prospect, but the fit doesn’t make sense since Boston took Carsen Edwards earlier in the second round. -
Charlotte Hornets (from Oklahoma City): Jalen McDaniels, PF, San Diego State –
When I saw McDaniels play live this season, he didn’t show anything to make me think he was an NBA guy. He’s long and athletic but needs to gain a ton of strength and needs to improve his scoring touch. -
Utah Jazz: Justin Wright-Foreman, PG, Hofstra – C- Grade
Justin Wright-Foreman scored at a high level in college, but played against lesser competition. That might afford him a chance to make an NBA roster. -
Philadelphia 76ers: Marial Shayok, SF, Iowa State – B+ Grade
It feels like Philly has been involved in about 17 trades tonight, but this draft is also hitting the five-hour mark and my brain hurts. I’ve liked Shayok’s versatility on the wing and how it could translate to a bench role.
Walt’s Note: My dad’s take on this pick: “Who the f**k is that!?” -
New York Knicks (from Houston): Kyle Guy, PG, Virginia – C- Grade
Kyle Guy can shoot and that seems to be a hot commodity in this draft. I just don’t see who he guards at the next level though. -
Brooklyn Nets: Jaylen Hands, PG, UCLA – B+ Grade
I know Hands didn’t exactly light it up at UCLA, but he is a solid distributor with good size for a point guard. -
Detroit Pistons: Jordan Bone, PG, Tennessee – B- Grade
Bone is a quick and athletic point guard who could give Detroit some needed depth in the backcourt. -
Golden State Warriors: Miye Oni, SG, Yale – A Grade
With good size and scoring ability for a wing, Miye Oni is someone I like as a second-round pick. -
Toronto Raptors: Dewan Hernandez, C, Miami – D Grade
Dewan Hernandez missed all of last season and is really a center in a power forward’s body. -
Sacramento Kings (from Milwaukee): Vanja Marinkovic, SG, Serbia – C Grade
Guys who I’m really surprised didn’t get drafted: Luguentz Dort, Naz Reid, Zach Norvell Jr, Louis King, and Jalen Lecque. As always, many college kids made terrible decisions to leave college too early and didn’t get drafted. It’s sad for these kids that they have zero patience or just get terrible advice. Until we do it again next year…
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2019 NBA Mock Draft – Walt’s
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