NBA Mock Draft 2019: Edition 3 (Final Edition)

Darius Garland to New Orleans

1. New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson, F, Duke
There is zero chance New Orleans goes with anyone but Zion with the No. 1 overall selection. Not only is Williamson is a world-class prospect, but he seems like a really good fit with the pieces recently acquired in the Anthony Davis deal, namely Lonzo Ball & Brandon Ingram.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
Trading Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz officially ushers in the Ja Morant era in Memphis. This has long been a team that needs a change of pace at the position, and there is a stark contrast between Morant and Conley. Morant is a much better athlete and an even better passer, although he'll need to add more muscle over the coming years.
3. New York Knicks
R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke
The way the early lottery is trending, I would not be surprised if it is Darius Garland with pick three. However, in the end it makes sense for the Knicks to stick with Barrett, who has been rumored here since the lottery. He has proven he can be the go-to scorer this team covets, but he'll need to prove he can stroke it from three better.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
Late workouts and performances by Garland have him rising up boards late in the process, and I don't think he'll last outside the Top 5. Despite playing just five games in the collegiate ranks, Garland has garnered respect from NBA personnel because of his quickness and upside as a shooter. I think the Pelicans will end up trading this pick, but even if they don't Garland makes sense.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Jarrett Culver, G, Texas Tech
Scouts have been quick to compare Jarrett Culver to Jimmy Butler, and you can see why. He is already a top-notch defender who can guard multiple positions, he is incredible versatile and he has a throwback, gritty offensive game. Cleveland could use that type of weapon on the wing, where they got very little production this past season.
6. Phoenix Suns
Coby White, PG, UNC
The Suns don't have a single true point guard on their roster that is a long-term solution. That's stunning for a franchise that has held high Draft pick year after year this decade. Phoenix will finally solve it by adding Coby White, who comes out of North Carolina. With this scoring ability, the Suns have one lethal backcourt, including Devin Booker.
7. Chicago Bulls
Cam Reddish, G/F, Duke
Even though Cam Reddish has been dropping down boards for some time now, he seems like he could fit in nicely at No. 7 to Chicago. He adds a valuable shooter with ideal size for a two-guard at the next level and with some nice pieces in place, he won't have to do too much right away. Pairing him with Zach LaVine could be very fun to watch.
8. Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre Hunter, F, Virginia
While Trae Young and John Collins offer a quality young core, neither are plus defenders at this point in their careers. Atlanta could certainly add at eight with DeAndre Hunter, who played in a terrific defensive system during his Virginia career. He also has impressive offensive upside, with a long, versatile frame to work with.
9. Washington Wizards
Jaxson Hayes, F/C, Texas
Its been years since Washington had a high impact big man and signing Dwight Howard to a one-year deal certainly didn't solve that problem in the nation's capitol. Jaxson Hayes is the big man with the most potential at this point in the Draft, as a rim runner that can block shots and finish anywhere around the rim. He could be a nice fit in an up-tempo offense if John Wall is ever able to recover from injury.
10. Atlanta Hawks
Sekou Doumbouya, F, France
With their second selection in the Top 10, Atlanta once again goes with a combo forward in France's Sekou Doumbouya. Doumbouya isn't as polished as a DeAndre Hunter might be, but the tools are there for him to be a beast. He plays both ends spectacularly well, has perfect NBA size, and major defensive upside.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
Brandon Clarke, F/C, Gonzaga
This is an ideal situation for Minnesota, who is able to land a guy they're really high on in the late lottery. Even though he is a little bit small for a rim protector at the next level at 6'8", Clarke's instincts and athleticism make up for it. Plugging him in next to Karl Anthony Towns, who isn't much of a defender, is a win for the T-Wolves.
12. Charlotte Hornets
Nassir Little, F, UNC
No matter what happens with Kemba Walker's free agency, the Hornets could really use a talented young piece. Nassir Little wasn't able to get on the court as much as some had hoped with the Tar Heels, but he has the talent to be a lottery selection. He's fabulous around the rim and a great rebounder, but still has to work on his fundamentals.
13. Miami Heat
P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky
Washington's decision to return to Kentucky for his sophomore season really paid off. He flashed wildly improved shooting from three, a body with much more muscle and more polish top to bottom. He seems bound to land somewhere in the mid-first round, and the Heat could use a forward like him for the future.
14. Boston Celtics
Goga Bitadze, C, Republic of Georgia
Al Horford's decision to enter free agency might be a blessing in disguise for Boston. They will save a lot of money not investing in an aging big who seems to be slowly reaching the end of his career. The Celtics instead add a talented five from across the pond in Goga Bitadze, who hails from Georgia. He has a well-rounded offensive game that has impressed enough people to rise up the board.
15. Detroit Pistons
Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
Despite making the postseason this year, Detroit didn't get much production from their backcourt and will need to hit on pick 15 here. Even though his shot disappeared down the stretch while at Indiana, his craftiness and explosiveness will attract Detroit. The Pistons will be eager to keep the former Indiana Mr. Basketball inside the Midwest.
16. Orlando Magic
Keldon Johnson, G/F, Kentucky
The Magic have invested in the wing a lot more over the past few years, but they still need an impactful youngster on the perimeter. Johnson is one of the best two-way players in this Draft and he really is a jack-of-all trades that will be huge for a team like Orlando, who is right on the edge of postseason contention.
17. Atlanta Hawks
Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky
The Hawks may have two of the best young shooters in the NBA in Trae Young & Kevin Huerter, but why not add another with the 17th selection? Tyler Herro proved he could really stroke it in his one season in Lexington, and he impressed throughout the Draft process. He has a real chance to go in the lottery, or elsewhere in the mid-first.
18. Indiana Pacers
Bol Bol, F/C, Oregon
There remains few greater mysteries in this Draft than Bol Bol, who has rare talent but has long term question marks. He can really stroke it, and produced in his injury-shortened minutes with Oregon this year. However, can his frail frame hold up in the ultra-physical NBA? Indiana takes a chance in the late teens.
19. San Antonio Spurs
Bruno Fernando, F/C, Maryland
Despite playing on one of the youngest teams in the country at Maryland Bruno Fernando impressed NBA scouts with his mobility and potential in the low post. San Antonio could use some real youth in the frontcourt that could use a major facelift. Fernando has real upside as a rim-runner who could also become an impact defender.
20. Boston Celtics
Ty Jerome, PG, Virginia
Even though he may not have the upside of other point guards in this Draft, Ty Jerome still offers plenty of value at pick 20. He is a proven winner that has shown he can really stroke it from three, evidenced by his play in their National Title run. Boston looks to be losing both Terry Rozier and Kyrie Irving, opening the door for minutes for Jerome.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech
I love the fit of Alexander-Walker in the Oklahoma City offense. He's a sharpshooting combo guard that could really work well next to Russell Westbrook and open up space. According to reports, OKC is shopping Andre Roberson, which means they would certainly be in the market for an impact player who is natural at shooting guard.
22. Boston Celtics
Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga
Rui Hachimura could go as high as Top 10 in this Draft or fall to the back-end of the first round. He is a high-scoring combo forward who has shown he can lead an offense. Yet, he is a little bit of an odd fit for the modern NBA, and he doesn't shoot the ball well. Even so, the Celtics are willing to take a chance on him with their third selection of the first round.
23. Memphis Grizzlies
Mfiondu Kabengele, F, Florida State
With the pick recently acquired in the Mike Conley deal, Memphis adds an impactful forward in Florida State's Mfiondu Kabengele. He projects favorably as a Zach Randolph type that does everything well and is an active piece around the rim. Randolph certainly had a great career with the Grizzlies, as will Kabengele.
24. Philadelphia Sixers
Matisse Thybulle, G/F, Washington
No matter what happens this summer with Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia could use another impact defender on the wing. As the lead defender in Washington's complex 2-3 zone, Matisse Thybulle proved himself as a lockdown player and real talent. He is one of my favorite players in this Draft and I see him as a steal at 24.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn
If not for a torn ACL suffered in the postseason, Chuma Okeke would be in the mix to go lottery. He is a well-rounded forward that can defend multiple positions and block shots. He seems to have a really high floor, which is a plus this late in the first. Portland could use another talented forward to further strengthen a quality bench.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Porter, G/F, USC
A consensus five-star recruit, Kevin Porter had an up-and-down campaign in Southern California. He flashed eye-popping athleticism and real offensive potential, but he was also incredibly streaky and off-the-court problems resulted in a suspension. His potential is worth a flyer here, particularly for a team like the Cavs.
27. Brooklyn Nets
Eric Paschall, F, Villanova
A glue guy that won a lot of games at Villanova, Eric Paschall reminds me a lot of Draymond Green. Adding a player with that skill set would be important for a Brooklyn team set to enter a new era as a likely Kyrie Irving signing approaches.
28. Golden State Warriors
Dylan Windler, SF, Belmont
Crafty, sharpshooting wings are prospects Golden State adores and Dylan Windler fits that mold. Windler was a prolific scorer at Belmont and can space the floor while also attacking well on the dribble. It looks like the Warriors will be without Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson next season no matter what happens in free agency, making this pick even more crucial.
29. San Antonio Spurs
Luka Samanic, F, Croatia
International guys with versatility and good feel for the game always have a home in a place like San Antonio, and the Spurs invest their second first-rounder in Croatian big Luka Samanic. Samanic has a well-rounded game and can be moved around a lot as a big. That will be really important in a Spurs offense that should be more athletic next year.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Nicolas Claxton, F/C, Georgia
Brook Lopez was very important for Milwaukee in their Eastern Conference Finals run but probably isn't the long term at the five. Milwaukee could land a big man with a similar skill set in Georgia's Nicolas Claxton, who played really well under new Bulldogs head coach Tom Crean. Claxton isn't the shooter Lopez is but he is a really good passer and very active center.