NBA Mock Draft 2019: Edition 2 (Combine Edition)

Jarrett Culver to the Lakers

1. New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson, F, Duke
After winning the lottery last Tuesday, New Orleans appears to be the winner of the Zion Williamson sweepstakes. That is huge for an organization that has had financial and attendance problems and whose best player, Anthony Davis, has made it clear he wants to leave. Zion's athleticism continues to wow scouts, and the Pelicans hope it impresses AD enough he might want to stay around for a little bit longer.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
This is a huge win for Memphis, who now has the chance to land the top point guard in this Draft to fill in for the aging Mike Conley. Morant really is the type of elite talent you can build a team around, as evidenced by Murray State's NCAA Tournament run this past season. He'll get the opportunity to learn and grow for a bit under Conley, who will likely be around for two more years.
3. New York Knicks
R.J. Barrett, F, Duke
Knicks fans were holding out for Zion, but it looks like they'll instead have to settle for his Duke teammate. R.J. Barrett is not a bad consolation prize as the former five-star prospect showed that he could be a go-to scorer and was a versatile offensive force. With that being said, he really shot poorly from three this season and has to prove he can make some adjustments.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Jarrett Culver, G/F, Texas Tech
Jarrett Culver is an extremely appealing lottery prospect as a two-way stud that is a superb defender. The Lakers struggled to defend anyone this past season, particularly on the wing. Culver will fill in nicely and can defend multiple positions. He'll have to grow as a shot creator, but all the tools are there.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
DeAndre Hunter, F, Virginia
Cleveland needs some offensive punch and DeAndre Hunter would add just that at pick five. A lengthy, well-rounded big, Hunter was a crucial component of Virginia's National Title run. If he can establish more consistency, there is no reason to to doubt the impact he'll have at the next level.
6. Phoenix Suns
Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
After leaving the Combine early, some NBA people think Darius Garland received a promise from somebody in the Top 10. It would sense if it was Phoenix, who doesn't seem to have a long term plan at point guard. Garland missed nearly the entire season in '18-'19, but he was a big name high school prospect who attracted buzz everywhere he went.
7. Chicago Bulls
Coby White, PG, UNC
It may be best player available here for Chicago, who dropped way down in the lottery to seven. Cam Reddish makes some sense but the Bulls can't pass up on Coby White, who had a huge year for the Heels. White does everything an NBA point guard can do and shoots the ball at a pretty impressive clip. He could take over point guard duties from Kris Dunn, who seems to have a lower ceiling.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Cam Reddish, G/F, Duke
Questions emerged for Cam Reddish this past season as he lagged behind fellow freshman Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Tre Jones. Reddish was incredibly streaky from downtown and struggled to really make an impact. Yet, he has prototypical size for a shooting guard and is a terrific athlete. He'd form a terrifying shooting combo with Trae Young down in Atlanta.
9. Washington Wizards
Jaxson Hayes, F/C, Texas
Washington was so desperate for a rim protector this past off-season they brought in Dwight Howard, who is well past his prime. The Wizards instead go younger with Jaxson Hayes, who would be an ideal big for this team. He's a great shot-blocking mobile big that has serious upside and is well worth a Top 10 selection.
10. Atlanta Hawks
Bol Bol, F/C, Oregon
Injury concerns will hang on Bol Bol for much of the Draft process but the NBA legacy has serious talent. He is massive but possesses a pretty jump shot from outside and can slither his way to the basket. There are certainly shades of Kevin Durant in his game, if you harness the potential. He'd fit well next to John Collins down low.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
Brandon Clarke, F/C, Gonzaga
While Karl-Anthony Towns has proven himself as a star offensive player, his struggles to protect the rim have seriously harmed the Minnesota defense. The Timberwolves find a quick fix in Brandon Clarke, who impressed onlookers at the Combine. Despite recording unimpressive measurements (6'8" height, 6'8" wingspan on the smaller side), Clarke displayed elite athleticism and impressed in scrimmages. He will be able to fill in immediately right next to KAT up front.
12. Charlotte Hornets
Sekou Doumbouya, F, France
If Kemba Walker does indeed leave in free agency over the summer, Charlotte will need a new point guard to run the show. However, there is not any PG that makes sense at 12 with Morant, Garland and White off the board. Instead, the Hornets take a chance on Sekou Doumbouya, a versatile talent out of France. He seems like he would fill in nicely for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who has had long-running injury problems.
13. Miami Heat
Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga
The Heat have struggled to maintain stability at either forward spot since Chris Bosh had blood clot problems. They'll have an abundance of options here at the back-end of the lottery, but Rui Hachimura seems like he would make the most sense. He can play either forward spot and with a rounded offensive skill set, Miami could use him in a variety of ways.
14. Boston Celtics
Bruno Fernando, F/C, Maryland
Bruno Fernando really emerged as a force this past season at Maryland and he is attracting significant lottery buzz following the Combine. Fernando can run the floor like a seasoned veteran and has a polished jumper that fits right in with the current NBA. Boston takes a chance on the upside to add more length down low.
15. Detroit Pistons
Naasir Little, F, UNC
Adding talent on the wing should be of top priority for a Detroit team that was incredibly thin despite a playoff berth. Even though he didn't earn a ton of playing time this past at UNC, Naasir Little showed flashes of impressive post play, as a superb rebounder and showing good touch around the rim. He seems like a logical addition given his potential right outside the lottery.
16. Orlando Magic
Keldon Johnson. G/F, Kentucky
Terrence Ross is set to hit free agency this summer and it makes sense for Orlando to add his replacement here in Keldon Johnson. Johnson is a terrific two-way forward that does all the little things that are crucial for winning basketball games. He is one of my favorite non-lottery prospects in this Draft.
17. Brooklyn Nets
P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky
Another Kentucky player off the board, as Brooklyn adds a talented youngster in P.J. Washington who came back for an extra year and really impressed scouts. Washington is a tremendous athlete that can score in a variety of ways. He played the four in college, but seems like a better fit at the three in the pros. He'd be a nice fit as a rim-runner next to budding center Jarrett Allen.
18. Indiana Pacers
Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia
One of the top International prospects in this Draft, Goga Bitadze has been shooting up boards as of late. Bitadze has ideal size for an NBA five, measuring 6'11" with a 7'2" wingspan and is incredibly active around the rim. He mocks favorably as a Jusuf Nurkic-type who can do every little thing, although he will have to bulk up for the next level.
19. San Antonio Spurs
Grant Williams, F, Tennessee
Even though he is a little bit of a tweener and an interesting fit in the modern NBA, Grant Williams has impressed NBA people with his well-built game and offensive repertoire. He didn't overwhelm at the Combine, but still looks like a mid-first rounder at this point. San Antonio could use some youth in the frontcourt and Williams just looks like a Spur.
20. Boston Celtics
K.Z. Okpala, G/F, Stanford
With a number of big name free agents set to hit the open market this summer, Boston has to hit on some of their major needs in late June. Adding a versatile defender who has significant offensive upside is an ideal opportunity for the Celtics. He could work nicely next to Marcus Smart, who is a similar player even though he doesn't have Okpala's length.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech
As I've mentioned previously, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the type of guard that would make a lot of sense playing on this current Thunder roster. Alexander-Walker is a skilled option that moves extremely well without the ball and can really stroke it. Billy Donovan is a good enough coach to open up this offense and get Alexander-Walker open away from Russell Westbrook.
22. Boston Celtics
Ty Jerome, PG, Virginia
I'd be stunned if both Terry Rozier and Kyrie Irving were on the Boston roster next season, particularly with Rozier bad-mouthing the team this past week. The C's add on a replacement at the point guard spot in Ty Jerome, who plays like a Brad Stevens guy. He doesn't have the upside of others in this Draft but has proven himself as a valuable leader and skilled shooter.
23. Utah Jazz
Kevin Porter, G/F, USC
Kevin Porter is a controversial prospect to many in this Draft. He came into USC as a highly-touted wing but had serious ups-and-downs and off-the-court problems remain. With that being said, people love his upside as a high-scoring guard/forward whose athleticism can wow you. Utah could see a possible Gordon Hayward replacement in Porter, who has more upside.
24. Philadelphia Sixers
Matisse Thybulle, G/F, Washington
This will be a crucial off-season for Philadelphia, with a number of important contributors set to hit free agency. Even if the Sixers do manage to bring back Jimmy Butler adding another young wing who can defend would really help them in the long term. Matisse Thybulle was a record-setting shot-blocking and steal magnet during his time at UW and is well-worth a first-rounder.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Mfiondu Kabengele, F/C, Florida State
A major reason for Portland's WCF run was not only the play of their tremendous backcourt but also a vastly improved frontcourt. However, Enes Kanter and Al-Farouq Aminu hit free agency this summer, forcing the Blazers to retool that front. Kabengele was extremely productive despite not playing a ton of minutes at FSU and he has serious upside.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers
Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky
There were a ton of problems on this past Cleveland team, chief among them a terrible shooting roster. Welcome Tyler Herro, one of the top deadeye shooters in this class, who seemed to only get better as the season went along. There are some that think the combo guard might return to school but if he does indeed stay in the Draft, this is around where he'll land.
27. Brooklyn Nets
Talen Horton-Tucker, G/F, Iowa State
Already adding in a talented young forward in P.J. Washington earlier, Brooklyn adds a dynamic wing in Talen Horton-Tucker in their pick acquired from Denver. Horton-Tucker is still a streaky scorer and a little bit undersized, but he has proven himself as a floor-spacer who has the tools to improve as a defender.
28. Golden State Warriors
Cam Johnson, G/F, UNC
The future of Kevin Durant will dominate this off-season for Golden State. No matter what happens, Cam Johnson is the type of player the Warriors adore. He's long, experienced and a superb shooter, hitting 46% from three this past season. He obviously won't be a KD if he does indeed leave, but should be a valuable commodity off the bench.
29. San Antonio Spurs
Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
The Spurs have made a living plucking dropping prospects in the Draft and Romeo Langford could be the next. Despite his immense talent, he didn't shoot the ball well this past at Indiana and there are concerns about his decision-making. He may slip, which would enable San Antonio to acquire a talented combo guard here.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Louis King, F, Oregon
Even though he was streaky during his lone season in Eugene, Louis King has first-round talent and would make a lot of sense for a team looking for upside at a low cost. Milwaukee certainly fits that bill, as they could use some depth on the wing. Mike Budenholzer could really get the most out of King, considering what he was done with this whole Bucks team in '18-'19.