The 2019 NBA Draft will take place on June 20, 2019. The order will be determined by the Draft Lottery, until the Lottery takes place standard ranking methods will be used in determining the projected draft order.
As teams prepare for the conference schedule, here is where the top players stand.
Rankings are accurate as of 12-31-18.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Zion Williamson, PF (Duke) —
Zion Williamson has shown that he is much more than a dunker. His passing has been impressive and his decision making incredible. Williamson has asserted himself as the most unique talent in the draft and a player that the top team will not be able to pass on.
2. Phoenix Suns – RJ Barrett, SG (Duke) —
RJ Barrett has shown his dominance on the floor, becoming the lead man for a star studded Duke roster. His ability to take over a game with his scoring will be an asset for any team in need of a star.
3. New York Knicks – Kevin Porter Jr., SG (USC) +3
Kevin Porter Jr. has risen up the list after each and every game he’s played. He is a great scorer and has shown impressive defensive abilities that many believe will translate well.
4. Chicago Bulls – Rui Hachimura, PF (Gonzaga) +6
Rui Hachimura might be the biggest riser in the non-conference portion of the schedule. His clutch gene in the Duke and Tennessee match-ups put scouts around the league on notice.
5. Atlanta Hawks – Cam Reddish, SF (Duke) -1
Cam Reddish has not shot the ball at the rate many predicted, but many scouts are not worried about his “slump,” given his form is still exactly what they are looking for in a prospect.
6. Washington Wizards – Bol Bol, C (Oregon) +2
Without Bol Bol on the floor the Oregon Ducks are a mess. His versatility as a big man is unparalleled in this draft and will be an asset to teams picking in the lottery.
7. Orlando Magic – Ja Morant, PG (Murray State) +8
Ja Morant is an explosive Point Guard who has led his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He is 6’3 and long, which makes him even more attractive to the Magic and GM John Hammond, who are in desperate need of a point guard.
Hammond has a history of selecting players with big measurables (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker, Malcolm Brogdon, and most recently Mo Bamba.)
8. New Orleans Pelicans – Romeo Langford, SG (Indiana) -3
Langford is a good scorer who can shoot the three well, making him an asset to a team that likes to work from the post. If the Pelicans are able to retain Anthony Davis they will need to surround him with guards who can shoot from the perimeter and compliment his game.
9. Brooklyn Nets – Nassir Little, PF (North Carolina) -6
Nassir Little is one of the most talented players in this draft and could quickly rise back up boards at the combine, but for now he is stuck at North Carolina. Earlier this season coach Roy Williams said, “I suck.” Many scouts agree with that analysis when it has come to his handling of Little, who remains on the bench at the start of games despite his obvious talent. There is plenty of time left in the season but for now the question remains, why is Little on the bench?
10. Minnesota Timberwolves – Keldon Johnson, SF (Kentucky) -3
Keldon Johnson is a long athletic defender, his defensive prowess has drawn comparisons to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but his scoring ability is where many hoped MKG’s would eventually reach.
11. Atlanta Hawks (From Mavericks) – Bruno Fernando, C (Maryland) +17
Bruno Fernando is an experienced big man who can stretch the floor, making him a great fit for a team looking to adapt and conform to the new style of the NBA. The Hawks are in a position to take players at any position if they think they can use them in their system, so they will be considering a number of players with this pick.
12. Utah Jazz – Naz Reid, PF (LSU) -3
Naz Reid has flashed his potential but remains primarily a throwback style big, working with foot work and post moves more than many young bigs. The Jazz have not yet left that style of play making Reid a good fit to add depth to their unique front court.
13. Boston Celtics (From Grizzlies) – Daniel Gafford, PF (Arkansas) -2
Gafford is an athletic Forward with a mid range jumper, on a deep Celtics team, Gafford would be given time to develop his jump shot and make an effort to become a Marcus Morris prodigy.
14. Boston Celtics (From Kings) – Jaylen Hoard, SF (Wake Forest) -2
Jaylen Hoard is a well rounded player, he is aggressive on the glass and has shown he can be a double double machine at his best. Again, the Celtics are a deep team looking to add to their rotation, they will likely trade picks but for now Hoard makes since.
15. Detroit Pistons – KZ Okpala, SG (Stanford) NEW
16. Miami Heat – Jontay Porter, SF (Missouri) +10
17. Charlotte Hornets – Tre Jones, PG (Duke) +5
18. San Antonio Spurs – Darius Garland, PG (Vanderbilt) -4
19. Portland Trail Blazers – Jalen McDaniels, PF (SDSU) +4
20. Los Angeles Lakers – PJ Washington, PF (Kentucky) -1
21. Boston Celtics – Sekou Doumbouya, PF (France) -8
22. Houston Rockets – Charles Bassey, C (Western Kentucky) -2
23. Boston Celtics (From Clippers) – DeAndre Hunter, SF (Virginia) -6
24. Oklahoma City Thunder – Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SF (Virginia Tech) -3
25. Philadelphia 76ers – Kris Wilkes, PF (UCLA) -9
26. Golden State Warriors – Charles Matthews, SG (Michigan) +1
27. Indiana Pacers – Jalen Smith, PF (Maryland) -2
28. San Antonio Spurs (From Raptors) – Goga Bitadze, C (Republic of Georgia) NEW
29. Brooklyn Nets (From Nuggets) – Jarrett Culver, SG (Texas Tech) NEW
30. Milwaukee Bucks – Moses Brown, C (UCLA) -1
+/- indicates movement from Mock Draft 1.0 to 2.0.
Some trades hold conditions that have or have not been triggered based on the rankings at the time of this mock draft.
