2019 NBA Mock Draft

Zion Williamson is likely locked in as the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

THE LOTTERY

1. New Orleans Pelicans- Zion Williamson(Duke): Zion solidified himself as the #1 pick in his one season at Duke. He will bring some excitement to New Orleans with his beyond human athleticism.

2. Memphis Grizzlies- Ja Morant(Murray State): Morant could be argued as the best player in this draft. He is easily the best passer in the draft and is an explosive athlete to add to the likes of Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and Derrick Rose(when healthy). He will become a triple-double threat as soon as he gets on the court and will have a great role model in Mike Conley.

3. New York Knicks- RJ Barrett(Duke): RJ Barrett entered the 2018 college basketball season as the most highly touted recruit in the nation. He quickly became second behind Zion after just their first game against Kentucky. Barrett still has the potential to become a superstar in the NBA. He has the left-hand advantage and is a crafty scorer.

4. Los Angeles Lakers- Darius Garland(Vanderbilt): Garland had a short college career but is still considered the best PG in the draft not named Ja Morant. The Lakers don't seem too high on Lonzo or even keeping this pick, but Garland would be the best pick to help LeBron the next three years of his contract.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers- De'Andre Hunter(Virginia): He has the size and defense to play the 4 and the athleticism to play the 3. It would be a great add to have a mature and ready to go guy like Hunter to pair with Sexton.

6. Phoenix Suns- Coby White(North Carolina): White seemed to have come out of nowhere this past college basketball season. With the limited amount of time Garland was on the floor, you could make a case for White to go before Garland and I don't think any NBA team would be unhappy with the choice.

7. Chicago Bulls- Cam Reddish(Duke): Reddish was #3 on Duke's three headed monster. He has the size to play the 3 and the athleticism to play the 2. The Bulls would be able to play him at the 3 with LaVine and Markkanen. The Bulls will likely want to get a PG, but if Garland and White are off the board by #7, Reddish will be the best bet.

8. Atlanta Hawks- Jarett Culver(Texas Tech): Culver is another guy that seemed to come out of nowhere this past season. Leading Texas Tech to their first ever Final Four in school history, Culver was able to shoot up the draft boards. Culver could very well go in the Top 5, but a trio of Trae Young, John Collins and Culver would be a very fun team for Hawks fans to watch.

9. Washingon Wizards- Rui Hachimura(Gonzaga): The Wizards have holes in plenty of places. The PF spot is definitely one. Hacimura is a good enough athlete to play the 3 and 4 and has the tools and makeup to be a very good piece if and when the Wizards decide to move on from the John Wall era.

10. Atlanta Hawks- Nassir Little(North Carolina): Little showed little in college but he is an elite athlete that can play both forward spots. He will need to prove his shooting ability but should be able to compete physically from day one and be able to add in a lot of fun. Think about Trae Young being able to throw oops to John Collins, Jarrett Culver and Nassir Little next season.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves- Keldon Johnson(Kentucky): The Timberwolves need someone else that can go get buckets. Unfortunately, Wiggins just cannot be trusted to be consistent enough in that area. Karl Anthony-Towns is going to need help or he will be leaving Minnesota as quickly as he can and T'Wolves fans will not want to go through more rebuilding after getting teased with the playoffs in the 17-18 season. Johnson may take 2-3 years to get it going, but he has the potential to be a lethal scorer at the NBA level.

12. Charlotte Hornets- Jaxson Hayes(Texas): The Hornets need another big man plain and simple. Cody Zeller is a starting center in the league but isn't able to stay healthy enough. Frank Kaminsky is an absolute bust so far. Hayes would fill in as an athletic and lengthy rim protector and the Hornets could absolutely use it with the possible exit of Kemba Walker.

13. Miami Heat- Nickeil Alexander-Walker(Virginia Tech): The Heat will be looking to fill in a spot left by Dwyane Wade. They won't get a prime Wade, but if Walker can give the on court production of an 18-19 Wade, they should be happy.

14. Boston Celtics- Sekou Doumbouya(France): This gives the Celtics a project and doesn't give them a guy who will clog up the rotation. He is a very raw prospect that will need a lot of work, but he would have the time to do it with a franchise trying to compete for an NBA title.

FINISHING IT OUT

The three most intriguing picks for me in the last half of the 1st Round here would be the Magic taking Bol Bol, Romeo Langford falling to #20 to the Celtics and Tyler Herro going to the 76ers. How great would it be to see the Magic take Bol Bol? To have the length of Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba and Bol Bol would be something to see on the defensive end of the court. The Magic would easily become the lengthiest team in the league with great defensive potential if they could put it all together. Langford is a player that could go anywhere from 10-20. He is a bit of a puzzle. We were unable to see him play healthy while at Indiana and still averaged just over 16 ppg. If he falls this far somehow, the Celtics would have to take him. He has more potential to become a star out of anyone outside of the lottery. Exit JJ Redick and enter Tyler Herro. A perfect swap right? And a much cheaper option with a higher ceiling as well. Herro is a better shot creator than Redick and has the makings of being a sniper in the NBA for many years.

15. Detroit Pistons- KZ Okpala(Stanford)

16. Orlando Magic- Bol Bol(Oregon)

17. Brooklyn Nets- Branden Clarke(Gonzaga)

18. Indiana Pacers- Cam Johnson(North Carolina)

19. San Antonio Spurs- Naz Reid(LSU)

20. Boston Celtics- Romeo Langford(Indiana)

21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Kevin Porter(USC)

22. Boston Celtics- Mfiondu Kabengele(Florida State)

23. Utah Jazz- Ty Jerome(Virginia)

24. Philadelphia 76ers- Tyler Herro(Kentucky)

25. Portland Trail Blazers- PJ Washington(Kentucky)

26. Cleveland Cavaliers- Daniel Gafford(Arkansas)

27. Brooklyn Nets- Jordan Nwora(Louisville)

28. Golden State Warriors- Carsen Edwards(Purdue)

29. San Antonio Spurs- Goga Bitadze(Republic of Georgia)

30. Milwaukee Bucks- Matisse Thybulle(Washington)