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(Photo: NBA.com)
With Draft selections finalized, speculation is starting to grow more than ever. Zion Williamson is almost a lock to go #1 overall, but where does it go from there? Who will see the biggest rise from pre-Draft workouts and the Combine? Atlanta, Boston, San Antonio, Brooklyn, and Cleveland all have multiple picks and will attempt to address their respective needs. With that being said, here is the first of a couple OTG mock drafts that will be conducted from now up until the NBA Draft:
1. New Orleans Pelicans: F Zion Williamson- Duke; Fr.
There is not too much to be explained here; the Pelicans won the Draft lottery and will be able to bring in one of the most heralded prospects in recent memory.
2. Memphis Grizzlies: PG Ja Morant- Murray State; So.
There have been rumors that Memphis has already decided on taking Morant, which would make sense considering their willingness to trade Mike Conley this past year. The Grizzlies take a do-it-all guard to kickstart their rebuilding process.
3. New York Knicks: G/F RJ Barrett- Duke; Fr.
The Knicks miss out on the Zion sweepstakes, but they bring in a proven scorer who contains All-Star potential. The uncertainty of the Knicks’ direction will give Barrett plenty of opportunities to contribute early.
4. Los Angeles Lakers: G/F Cam Reddish- Duke; Fr.
Would this pick honestly surprise anyone? Reddish was rumored to already have ties with LeBron James, and his three-point shooting ability would address a big need for LA.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: G/F Jarrett Culver- Texas Tech; So.
Losing a bit of his appeal in the NCAA Championship game, Culver remains one of the prospects with the highest ceilings. A solid defender with a growing offensive arsenal, he is a no-brainer here for Cleveland.
6. Phoenix Suns: PG Darius Garland- Vanderbilt; Fr.
The Suns have been looking at a franchise point guard for a while and Garland fits the bill. Despite needing to put on weight at the next level, he holds all of the potential to transform the Suns' offense.
7. Chicago Bulls: G Coby White- North Carolina; Fr.
Over the past two Drafts, the Bulls have addressed their frontcourt needs by taking Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr; White is able to play either guard position and would give Chicago a three-level scoring threat.
8. Atlanta Hawks: F De'Andre Hunter- Virginia; So.
It is unclear whether Hunter will actually fall this far, but Atlanta takes him in a heartbeat here. He fits the need for a wing and offers immediate 3-and-D potential for a team that doesn't need him to be a primary scoring option.
9. Washington Wizards: C Bol Bol- Oregon; Fr.
Despite the foot injury, Bol is my top big man in this year's class. He is a high-risk, high-reward prospect with injury concerns, but he showed in college that he can score at all three levels. For a rebuilding Wizards organization, Bol is worth the risk.
10. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas Mavericks): C Jaxson Hayes- Texas; Fr.
After drafting a wing, the Hawks turn to a high motor big man oozing with potential. This selection is more of a play for the future as it may take some time for Hayes to contribute substantially. However, the length he possesses and the energy he plays with would be a perfect fit alongside John Collins.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves: F Sekou Doumbouya- France
A young, athletic forward who can rebound and do many things well, Doumbouya is the top international prospect in the 2019 class. His ability to rebound and play with toughness would immensely benefit Minnesota. If he can develop a consistent perimeter shot, things could get scary up north.
12. Charlotte Hornets: G Kevin Porter Jr- USC; Fr.
There is no telling what Kemba Walker will decide to do in free agency, but Charlotte takes KPJ as a possible measure to persuade him to stay. Porter Jr's college production wasn't appealing, but he possesses a pure jumpshot with a unique feel for the game.
13. Miami Heat: G Romeo Langford- Indiana; Fr.
At this point, the Heat need to take the best player available; Miami elects to go with a long, athletic guard who can play off ball or as the lead guard. With all of the uncertainty in the backcourt, he offers a potential long-term solution.
14. Boston Celtics (via Sacramento Kings)- PF Brandon Clarke- Gonzaga; Jr.
Boston has three first-rounders in the 2019 draft and will look to replenish their frontcourt and add to depth. The Celtics elect to go with the best defender in the draft; Clarke's tenacity, athleticism, efficient scoring, and rebounding make him an attractive selection late in the lottery.
15. Detroit Pistons: G Nickeil Alexander-Walker; Virginia Tech; So.
16. Orlando Magic: SG Tyler Herro- Kentucky; Fr.
17. Brooklyn Nets: PF PJ Washington- Kentucky; So.
18. Indiana Pacers: SF Nassir Little- North Carolina; Fr.
19. San Antonio Spurs: F Rui Hachimura- Gonzaga; Jr.
20. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): G/F Keldon Johnson- Kentucky; Fr.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: G/F Cameron Johnson- North Carolina; Sr.
22. Boston Celtics: C Goga Bitadze- Georgia (Intl)
23. Utah Jazz: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker; Iowa State; Fr.
24. Philadelphia 76ers: PG Carsen Edwards- Purdue; Jr.
25. Portland Trail Blazers: F KZ Okpala- Stanford; So.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Houston Rockets): C Bruno Fernando- Maryland; So.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Denver Nuggets): PF/C Mfiondu Kabengele- Florida State; So.
28. Golden State Warriors: F Matisse Thybulle- Washington; Sr.
29. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors): F Chuma Okeke- Auburn; So.
30. Milwaukee Bucks: F Grant Williams- Tennessee; Jr.