NBA Draft 2019: Top 40 Big Board
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| DeAndre Hunter, No. 7 |
Strengths: Elite-level athleticism, impact defender, finishing ability, world-class potential
Weaknesses: Shooting from three, fit in NBA offense
Ceiling: NBA Superstar
Bust Potential: Low
Widely viewed by fans and NBA personnel alike as the best player in this Draft, Zion Williamson is the clear No. 1 here. At 6'7", 285 pounds, Williamson is built more like a tight end than a basketball player, and offers insane athleticism. He still has to answer questions as a shooter and finding floor spacers to surround him with will be key, but all the tools are there for Zion to be a superstar at this level.
2. R.J. Barrett, F
Strengths: Versatile offensive player, dominant isolation scorer, quality rebounder
Weaknesses: Streaky shooter, prone to turnovers
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Moderate
Although he was overshadowed in his one season in Durham by Zion, R.J. Barrett is still an attractive NBA prospect. Barrett already has elite offensive tools, as a dangerous isolation scorer and solid shooter, although he didn't shoot as well as hoped in college (31% from three-point). If he lands in the right spot Barrett projects very favorably as a top option in a variety of NBA offensive sets.
3. Ja Morant, PG
Strengths: Top-flight court vision, superb athleticism, defensive upside
Weaknesses: Questionable shooting mechanics, thin frame by pro standards
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Low
Ja Morant broke on to the scene this past season with a huge sophomore season at Murray State, including a dominant showing in an upset over Marquette during March Madness. He seems nearly destined to go second overall to Memphis, who desperately needs a young, talented point guard. It seems like a great fit for Morant, who has excellent passing ability and court vision. He is ready to become a leader at the next level, but he'll need to improve his shooting.
4. Jarrett Culver, G/F, Texas Tech
Strengths: Shutdown defender, versatility, active around on the rim
Weaknesses: Questionable three-point shot, doesn't possess elite athleticism
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Low
The leading man on the National Runner-Up Texas Tech Red Raiders, Jarrett Culver isn't quite at the level of the top three prospects in this Draft, but instead leads the next tier. The most attractive thing about Culver is his versatility; he can play and defend multiple positions, which is so crucial in today's NBA. That defense is also a big seller for NBA teams, as he projects favorably as a three-and-D player that aren't easy to find cheap across the league today. He isn't as flashy as a Zion or Morant, but seems a little bit more well-rounded.
5. Brandon Clarke, F/C, Gonzaga
Strengths: Shot-blocking, touch around the rim, efficiency
Weaknesses: Undersized for an NBA big, short wingspan
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
I've long had a fondness for the type of bigs Mark Few produces out at Gonzaga, and Brandon Clarke is the best true big in this Draft in my opinion. He's an extremely active big that averaged over three blocks per game this past season for the Bulldogs. Clarke is not yet elite offensively, but his athleticism and finishing ability down low are a good starting point to work from. The only concern I have with Clarke is what came out at the Combine: a small 6'8" wingspan that matches his 6'8" height. It's incredibly small for a rim protector in the NBA, but his instincts and athleticism seem to make up for it.
6. Coby White, PG, UNC
Strengths: Fabulous ball-handler, explosive offensive scorer, solid defender
Weaknesses: Still streaky as a shooter, prone to mistakes
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Low
There are some that think Coby White is going to drop a little bit this upcoming Thursday with increased love for Darius Garland, but I think that would be crazy. White looks like a really strong point guard prospect who was dominant at times this past season for the Tar Heels. He shot the ball really well from three-point and well his turnovers need to be cut down, they aren't bad for a teenager running the offense in the ACC. He also has serious upside, with ample room to grow over the next few years.
7. DeAndre Hunter, F, Virginia
Strengths: Long frame, terrific defender, can score nearly anywhere on the court
Weaknesses: Needs to bulk up, not yet a shot creator
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
While guards Ty Jerome & Kyle Guy were the guiding forces behind Virginia's redemptive National Title run, DeAndre Hunter has long been the best NBA prospect in Charlottesville. Scouts absolutely love his body: a 6'7" forward with a lengthy wingspan and big hands. He also is a pretty polished player top to bottom who can score in a variety of different ways. Hunter needs to add more muscle and needs to become more aggressive offensively, but his floor is still pretty high in the mid-lottery.
8. Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
Strengths: Strong shooter, moves incredibly well without the ball, agile offensive player
Weaknesses: A little bit undersized, injury concerns
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Moderate
There isn't a more intriguing boom-or-bust in the lottery this year than Vanderbilt's Darius Garland. Garland was a consensus five-star recruit before a knee injury ended his Vandy career after just five games. That leaves him without much tape to impress scouts, but NBA teams are still falling in love with his quickness as a PG and his ability to move around and make things happen in any offense. With that being said, I still have major concerns about a guy whose only collegiate experience was a little bit underwhelming (averaged more turnovers than assists).
9. Sekou Doumbouya, F, France
Strengths: Two-way forward, good size & wingspan, oozing with upside
Weaknesses: Still very raw, played against weaker competition in Europe
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Moderate
He isn't getting a ton of attention beyond hardcore NBA Draft fans, but Sekou Doumbouya should warrant some buzz. The 6'9" French big plays both ends of the court extremely hard and well, and is exceptional at crashing boards at either end. He can score differently offensively but the real potential is on defense, where he has all the tools to be something special. He'll need to land in the right situation given how raw he still is (didn't play basketball until he was 12) but this guy has the chance to be the real steal at the back-end of the lottery.
10. Cam Reddish, G/F, Duke
Strengths: Quality shooter, ideal size for the modern NBA, good athlete
Weaknesses: Takes a backseat offensively, doesn't play as big as he is
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Moderate
Cam Reddish has been picked apart like few other players in this Draft, resulting in some mixed feelings from NBA personnel. He came into Duke with plenty of fanfare as a No. 1 pick possibility, but struggled to make any impact behind Zion & Barrett. With that being said, his size (6'8", 7'1" wingspan) is ideal for a two-guard in the current NBA, and he has proven he can stroke it from three. With that being said, he still played down to smaller defenders at times, not going up strong or shying away from contact. That won't work at all in the Association.
11. Keldon Johnson, G/F, Kentucky
Strengths: Stud two-way player, solid shooter, impressive versatility
Weaknesses: Still streaky offensively, needs to improve around the rim
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
12. Matisse Thybulle, G/F, Washington
Strengths: Best defender in this Draft, versatility, offensive upside
Weaknesses: Shooting from three, ceiling lower than others near the lottery range
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
13. Jaxon Hayes, F/C, Texas
Strengths: Ideal rim-running big in the mold of Jarrett Allen, quality defender, good athlete
Weaknesses: Very unrefined in some parts of his game, needs the right coaching
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: Moderate
14. Bol Bol, F/C, Oregon
Strengths: Rare offensive talent, can really stroke it from downtown, incredibly long frame
Weaknesses: Serious injury questions in the long-term, fit in NBA offense
Ceiling: NBA All-Star
Bust Potential: High
15. Mfiondu Kabengele, F/C, Florida State
Strengths: Size and body NBA teams love, incredibly efficient, a force on the glass
Weaknesses: Can't really shoot the ball, not a great athlete
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
16. Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga
Strengths: Fabulous at attacking the rim and finishing, good athlete, has improved wildly in college
Weaknesses: Suspect shooter at times, undersized for NBA forward
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Low
17. Naasir Little, F, UNC
Strengths: Big build, rebounding force in the low post, serious offensive potential
Weaknesses: Didn't produce much at UNC, still very limited as an offensive big
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
18. Louis King, F, Oregon
Strengths: Superb athlete, scary offensive weapon in transition, possesses tools to be a reliable shooter
Weaknesses: Immature at this point, wildly inconsistent
Ceiling: NBA Starter
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| Bruno Fernando, No. 19 |
19. Bruno Fernando, F/C, Maryland
Strengths: Showed impressive versatility with Maryland, well-built, great lob finisher
Weaknesses: Needs to improve as a post defender, still very raw
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
20. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech
Strengths: Perhaps the best pure shooter in this Draft, incredibly quick release, good size
Weaknesses: Limited potential, needs to bulk up
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
21. Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky
Strengths: Fabulous shooter, good size and build, strong passer for a two-guard
Weaknesses: Average defender, can be incredibly streaky
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
22. Luka Samanic, F, Croatia
Strengths: Well-rounded offensively, can play either forward spot, potential as a shooter
Weaknesses: Limited upside, needs to become better conditioned
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Moderate
23. P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky
Strengths: Well-rounded offensively, good athlete, strong rebounder
Weaknesses: Does not shoot the ball well, weird fit in modern NBA, a bit undersized
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
24. Kevin Porter Jr., G/F, USC
Strengths: Jaw-dropping athlete, can play multiple positions, serious offensive upside
Weaknesses: Questionable work ethic, off-the-court questions
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: High
25. Ty Jerome, G, Virginia
Strengths: Lights-out shooter, great leader, well-rounded player
Weaknesses: Low ceiling, not a great athlete, older than most in this Draft
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
26. Nicolas Claxton, F/C, Georgia
Strengths: Very mobile big, excellent passer, strong offensive player
Weaknesses: Needs to refine jumper, establish a more well-rounded post game
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
27. Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
Strengths: Quick, deceptive ball-handler, combo guard with versatility
Weaknesses: Streaky as a shooter, questionable leader
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: Moderate
28. Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue
Strengths: High-volume scorer, great shooter, experience as No. 1 scoring option
Weaknesses: Undersized, forces shots and plays too often
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
29. Goga Bitadze, C, Republic of Georgia
Strengths: Ideal size for a five, elite rebounder, defensive upside
Weaknesses: Incredibly raw, very limited as a post player
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Moderate
30. Dylan Windler, G/F, Belmont
Strengths: Crafty offensive player, good shooter, moves incredibly well without the ball
Weaknesses: Low ceiling, not a superb athlete
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
31. Naz Reid, F/C, LSU
Strengths: Huge, bulky frame, physical offensive player, handles the ball very well for his size
Weaknesses: Consistency, emotional player that can sometimes be a problem
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Moderate
32. Grant Williams, F, Tennessee
Strengths: Polished offensive player, versatile, great leader
Weaknesses: Tweener, undersized, low ceiling
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
33. Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn
Strengths: Fabulous defender, really good shooter for his size, high basketball IQ
Weaknesses: Coming off a torn ACL, fit in an NBA offense
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Moderate
34. Talen Horton-Tucker, G/F, Iowa State
Strengths: Talented offensive playmaker, eye-popping 7'1" wingspan,
Weaknesses: Not very quick or incredibly athletic, very streaky player
Ceiling: NBA Role-Player
Bust Potential: Moderate
35. Tacko Fall, C, UCF
Strengths: 7'6" with long arms, fabulous touch around the hoop
Weaknesses: Not very mobile, prone to foul trouble, long-term injury questions
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: High
36. K.Z. Okpala, F, Stanford
Strengths: Ideal size for his position (6'8"), very good shooter
Weaknesses: Needs to improve on defense, takes plays off at times
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
37. Lugentz Dort, G, Arizona State
Strengths: Physical offensive player that loves contact, superb athlete
Weaknesses: Very streaky offensively, funky shooting mechanics
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
38. Darius Bazley, F, USA
Strengths: Long frame, 8'11" standing reach, can play multiple positions
Weaknesses: No experience playing ball beyond high school, needs to bulk up
Ceiling: NBA Starter
Bust Potential: High
39. Cam Johnson, G, UNC
Strengths: Deadeye shooter, great size, proven experience
Weaknesses: Limited potential, needs to improve defensively
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
40. Eric Paschall, F, Villanova
Strengths: Glue guy that does the little things so well, proven winner, versatile player
Weaknesses: Not very quick or athletic, very old compared to others in this Draft (23 in November)
Ceiling: NBA Role Player
Bust Potential: Low
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