As the new year rolls on, how is the 2019 NBA Draft picture taking shape?
The 2018-19 NBA season continues to entertain. The entire Western Conference (minus Phoenix) features legitimately good teams. The Eastern Conference, despite concerns about the Philadelphia 76ers‘ depth, features five high-level contenders.
Things are playing out similarly at the college level, with some entertaining NBA Draft prospects beginning to hit the public spotlight. Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett have been discussed ad nauseam, but now Ja Morant is beginning to receive Trae Young-esque hype at Murray State. And deservedly so.
Even with less depth compared to the 2018 draft, the 2019 rookie class should provide several quality NBA players. Williamson alone has the potential to inject once-in-a-generation talent to a tank-happy team with favorable lottery odds.
Per usual, the draft order was determined via Tankathon simulation — not the raw standings. Unfortunately for those who frequent this site for Sixers content, this simulation ended with Boston picking No. 2, because of course it did.
Here’s our latest mock draft.
Standings as of 1/14/2019
The Magic have promising young pieces in Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba, but none compare in magnitude to Zion Williamson. In a tier of his own, Zion is the clear-cut No. 1 prospect in the 2019 class. He could give Orlando a much-needed facelift.
At 6-foot-7, 285 pounds, Williamson combines athleticism, power and finesse in a wholly unique manner. He makes tight moves in traffic, boasts excellent footwork and can explode to the rim at any given time. He’s also a tank in transition, bowling through defenders and often finishing with highlight dunks.
It’s not just athleticism and dunks for Zion, though. He’s also skilled, with excellent instincts on the offensive end. He makes high-level passes on the regular, using his size to see over defenders and using his gravity to generate passing lanes. He’s a special talent and, barring injury, shouldn’t drop further than this.
Despite a largely underwhelming season, Cam Reddish should garner top-three interest in June. He’s coming off his best game at Duke, scoring 23 points and hitting the game-winning three in last Saturday’s win over Florida State.
He displayed the aggressiveness and purpose that was previously lacking, reminding scouts of his innate talent. At 6-foot-9, with a smooth stroke and point guard skills, Reddish’s game makes sense in the NBA. If he performs well in pre-draft workouts, teams will naturally gravitate back toward him.
The Celtics are loaded and getting the No. 2 pick would be borderline unfair — and painful for those following the Sixers. He wouldn’t start, but Reddish’s shooting, secondary playmaking and defensive versatility would fit nicely with the Celtics’ deep second unit. Godspeed, NBA.
There’s still a solid chance Duke ends up with the top three picks in the draft, which speaks to the recruiting Coach K has done in recent seasons. The preseason favorite to go No. 1, R.J. Barrett has shown some unsettling tendencies. Even so, he’s a clear top prospect who teams will fawn over.
At 6-foot-7, Barrett is an aggressive slasher with an improving three-point stroke. He can score at all three levels, finishing with finesse at the rim and showing craftiness off the bounce. Tunnel vision is an issue, but he’s also capable of dropping nice passes. Hopefully the latter becomes more frequent and the former fades away under NBA coaching.
Barrett is also an excellent defender who plays with rare intensity for a top-level prospect. He has the “killer instinct” so many pundits rave about, looking to win individual matchups and play hard on every possession. The Suns don’t need wings, but this pick is Best Prospect Available. He fits with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
Moving into the top four, Detroit has an opportunity to address their point guard issues. The team doesn’t seem sold on Reggie Jackson long term, which is understandable. Ja Morant, despite playing for mid-major Murray State, continues to solidify himself as the top point guard prospect in the 2019 class.
With high-level athleticism, Morant is capable of making some highlight plays — including a recent dunk in which he Giannis Antetokounmpo’d his defender. Adding strength will be important, especially on defense, but he’s a quick-twitch, dynamic athlete who stands out against all levels of competition.
Despite questions about his three-point shot, Morant should thrive offensively. He’s a shifty ball handler, explosive slasher and impressive passer, boasting elite instincts and court vision along with his speedy movement. The Pistons would happily take him inside the top five.
Teams will still draw on Nassir Little‘s pre-college tape when evaluating his NBA future. North Carolina isn’t the best spot for five-star prospects — Little hasn’t cracked the starting lineup yet — but there are still enough flashes to warrant optimism.
At 6-foot-7 with a strong frame and long arms, Little projects as a versatile defender who competes hard. He can also handle either forward spot offensively, aggressively slashing to the rim and using his strength to finish inside.
Improving his touch and exploiting mismatches on a more consistent basis will be key for Little. He has also struggled to generate quality looks against quicker defenders, a worrisome trend at the collegiate level. Even so, there was considerable top-three hype coming into the season. Little will grab teams’ attention, and the Cavs are an ideal situation.
Romeo Langford is probably a better shooter than his numbers suggest, with his high school tape and soft touch backing up that notion. He’s the best finisher in college basketball and has quick shooting mechanics that should translate to reliable percentages at the next level.
The Bulls need wing depth beyond Zach LaVine, so Langford is a natural fit. With several other prospects in this range experiencing injuries, Langford might get a slight boost on health alone. He’s also an intriguing defensive prospect.
Becoming more consistent should be Langford’s primary focus. He’s a natural scorer, but can’t let his current shooting woes follow him to the NBA. The Bulls have an intriguing young core in LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. Langford could complement all three nicely.
The Knicks have some solid point guard prospects in Emmanuel Mudiay, Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke, but none of them feel like the long-term solution. Darius Garland will miss all but five games with an MCL injury, but he’s still the best lead guard prospect outside Ja Morant.
In a class without elite talent, upside and need should keep Garland in the top-10 discussion. He’s a shifty ball handler with smooth shooting mechanics, allowing him to terrorize defenses in the pick-and-roll. His passing instincts are also underrated, making him the prototypical point guard in the modern NBA offense.
Defense might pose an issue, as Garland lacks elite size and athleticism at 6-foot-3. He’s still quick laterally and gives good effort, though, so he’s far from disastrous. He fits next to Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Knox, boasting the skill set needed to coincide with other high-level scorers.
Jarrett Culver is a clean fit in the Hawks’ young core — a 3-and-D wing who can spot-up, play without the ball and impact the game defensively. He could slide in seamlessly alongside Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter as a tertiary option.
At 6-foot-5, Culver continues to rocket up draft boards due to his excellent perimeter defense and offensive archetype. He isn’t a go-to scorer, but shoots efficiently and has the skills to attack closeouts effectively. Even with unconventional mechanics, his shooting profile projects exceedingly well in the NBA.
The Hawks need players who fit their pace-and-space system, when Culver does. He can add another viable defender to the perimeter while playing off the ball-dominant Young on offense. Even without clear-cut star upside, he’s someone the Hawks would be wise to invest in.
The Wizards take the best player available and address the frontcourt, adding a versatile defender at the power forward spot. Standing 6-foot-8, Hunter has the size and length to defend 4-5 positions on a regular basis, hitting the switch-heavy NBA with ease.
Defense ceiling alone should draw teams to Hunter in the lottery. He’s also an intriguing offensive talent, however, boasting three-point range and a fluid face-up game. On a Virginia team that lacks outright firepower on offense, his ability to score in isolation is a valuable dynamic.
Washington is a mess, so adding a glue guy of Hunter’s ilk makes sense. He can provide stability with or without the current core — having ample talent, but also a skill set that allows him to produce in a complementary role next to John Wall and/or Bradley Beal.
Sekou Doumbouya is one of several potential lottery picks battling injury, which adds even more uncertainty to a relatively weak draft class. Even with nagging foot issues, Doumbouya is an upside-laden prospect on both ends.
While very much a work-in-progress, Doumbouya’s size, strength and explosiveness give him the ability to defend 4-5 positions regularly. He can also dominate in transition, using his frame to burst to the rim and finish through contact.
Improving his handles and getting more consistent shooting mechanics should be Doumbouya’s top priority, and it might take a couple seasons for him to find his footing in the NBA. He’s still young, though, just recently turning 18. The Celtics can afford patience with their second top-10 pick.
Kevin Porter Jr. has been suspended indefinitely after a brief one-game return from injury. There’s a legitimate chance the five-star recruit doesn’t suit up for USC again, which adds even more ambiguity to his draft stock.
A rising star early in the season, Porter should still get lottery looks. He needs to improve his decision-making, but the ability to generate isolation offense at a high level is a trait NBA teams will covet. Porter already has excellent feel when it comes to creating space, playing angles and scoring at all three levels.
With some length and promising defensive tools, Porter fits the Hawks’ rebuild nicely as another spacey wing next to the Trae Young and John Collins core. Especially with Taurean Prince‘s future with Atlanta in question, don’t be surprised if Atlanta goes wing-heavy in the lottery.
At 6-foot-5, Keldon Johnson has all the tools of a successful NBA wing. He defends hard, can hit spot-up jumpers, and continues to show flashes as a secondary playmaker. The Pelicans desperately need two-way depth around Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, making it a natural fit.
With questions about his shot coming into the season, Johnson was still a borderline lottery talent. He’s shooting 38.9 percent on 3.4 three-point attempts per game. His mechanics project well and the growth, by all accounts, seems legitimate.
There are questions about Johnson’s average athletic profile and lack of top-end length, but his floor should tempt teams like New Orleans. With the AD project running short on time, adding someone who can contribute in meaningful minutes could prove beneficial.
A strong-bodied guard who plays bigger than his 6-foot-5 height, Luguentz Dort is putting together a strong freshman campaign at Arizona State. He’s an impressive force on both ends, aggressively slashing to the rim on offense and racking up eye-popping highlights on defense.
The Timberwolves would be wise to stock up on quality two-way players. Even with Robert Covington on board, there are noticeable holes in the roster. Adding Dort alongside Josh Okogie gives Minnesota some quality young talent to bank on.
While not an elite shooter, Dort has shown the ability to hit shots both spotting up and off the dribble. He’s a reliable go-to option for the Sun Devils, exploiting various mismatches at the collegiate level. That, combined with his hard-working nature, should get scouts interested.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues to show impressive growth in his sophomore season, becoming a more reliable all-around option for the Hokies. He’s also the perfect backcourt complement to Donovan Mitchell — something that can’t be said for Ricky Rubio.
At 6-foot-5, Alexander-Walker boasts the length to defend either guard spots, and he does so well. That offers more flexibility for Mitchell. He’s also an excellent secondary playmaker, allowing Spida to run the show when necessary, but also running the pick-and-roll and getting dribble penetration when necessary.
In a league that’s becoming increasingly oriented around 3-and-D wings, Alexander-Walker fits a high-demand mold. He’s shooting 43.5 percent from deep, bumping him over 40 percent in his collegiate career. The lottery seems quite possible.
Bol Bol is 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-8 wingspan, putting him in a unique physical category at the next level. He’s built similarly to Mo Bamba, only with more offensive skill and even less muscle mass. His recent foot injury — which will keep Bol out all season — is concerning.
Foot injuries in general are bad, but Bol is abnormally long and thin. His frame alone leaves him prone to injury, while not every lingering foot ailment results in Joel Embiid. Even so, his defensive upside and shooting touch should intrigue teams like Charlotte, who need frontcourt depth.
The Hornets, with or without Kemba Walker next season, should be swinging for the proverbial fences. Bol has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. If he can add lower-body strength, consistently hit threes and remain healthy, Bol has special tools. Charlotte should walk away ecstatic.
The Nets might make the playoffs, marking a major step in their rebuilding process. They also own their first-round pick, allowing them to add another talented prospect to a burgeoning young core. Rui Hachimura fits the bill.
Brooklyn lacks depth at the four-spot, which Hachimura fits seamlessly. He’s a long, agile defender who’s becoming a legitimate threat on offense in his junior. After playing just limited minutes last season, Rui is the go-to option for the Zags. He’s stepping up across the board.
While there are still noticeable lapses in Hachimura’s defensive approach, his physical tools and athleticism warrant optimism — especially in the Nets’ developmental system. He’s also shooting 40.9 percent on 1.2 three-point attempts per game, showing considerable growth in an important area.
Tre Jones is the most underrated cog in a Duke rotation littered with five-star prospects. He doesn’t have elite-level athleticism, but basketball I.Q. and a well-rounded skill set make up for it. He’s a natural fit in Miami.
The Heat need point guard depth beyond the aging Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow. Jones can step right in and play a serviceable role, seldom turning the ball over, running the pick-and-roll, and hitting pull-up jumpers. He’s also a smart, aggressive defender who guards his position well.
For a Blue Devils team with the potential to own all of the top-three picks, it wouldn’t run as smoothly without Jones running the offense. He’s a major cog on arguably college basketball’s best team. Scouts are paying attention.
The Lakers’ current center rotation consists of JaVale McGee, Tyson Chandler and Ivica Zubac. Adding more depth to the frontcourt should top Magic Johnson‘s to-do list, and Jontay Porter makes ample sense.
While missing the entire season with an ACL/MCL tear definitely taints Porter’s stock, his performance last season should earn first-round grades. Conditioning will be essential, but he’s already a hyper-skilled offensive player who fits L.A.’s current system.
At 6-foot-11, Porter is an excellent screen-setter who can finish with touch at the rim or pop out to the three-point line. He’s also an underrated passer, often surveying the court from the free throw line and making pinpoint passes to open teammates. The Lakers push the pace and move the ball, which Porter can contribute to.
With Pau Gasol fading into the ether, the Spurs need to address the frontcourt. Jaxson Hayes — an unheralded freshman coming into the season — is shooting up big boards, making him an ideal candidate.
At 6-foot-11, Hayes boasts excellent physical tools for the center position. He’s mobile enough to switch on the perimeter, but he also thrives as a rim protector. On the offensive end, his fluidity in the open court is impressive. Few bigs at Hayes’ size can move as gracefully in transition.
The Spurs would have two young bigs beyond LaMarcus Aldridge in Hayes and Jakob Poeltl, giving Gregg Popovich (or whoever’s coaching) decent flexibility. Hayes’ defensive upside is something San Antonio would surely appreciate, especially with Aldridge on the wrong side of 30.
The Celtics will almost certainly look to replace Terry Rozier in the offseason. Adding a viable backup point guard in the draft makes sense, especially when you have multiple opportunities to address certain needs with young, cost-controlled assets.
The less-heralded of North Carolina’s major freshmen, Coby White continues to outperform the aforementioned Nassir Little. He’s not the better prospect, but White fits the Celtics’ needs. He’s an excellent shooter, smart playmaker, and capable two-guard when Kyrie Irving is on the floor.
Boston has the luxury of taking risks, but in certain situations, they’ll be more inclined to add NBA-ready contributors. White falls in the latter category, giving them someone who can feasibly replace Rozier’s minutes — to some degree — in year one.
Once considered a potential top-five pick, Quentin Grimes has fallen universally outside the lottery. In most cases, he’s considered closer to second-round pick than early-20s pick. Even so, his upside and pedigree should keep NBA teams interested.
At 6-foot-5, Grimes has a mature frame and some legitimate skill. He hasn’t been the dynamic playmaker that many hoped, but he’s a capable passer who can use his strength to slash and finish at the rim. A recent hot streak is also promising.
The Rockets take the risk on a young prospect who can fill the relief valve duties behind James Harden and Chris Paul. Austin Rivers has been a valuable addition, but it might be short-term given his current contract. Taking on the Grimes project could be worthwhile.
The Blazers continue to find success despite flawed stars and questionable depth. P.J. Washington is a safe pick in the late first round, adding defensive versatility and some intriguing offensive tools to the frontcourt mix.
While slightly undersized, Washington has the strength and wingspan to defend 4-5 positions. Outside the top 15, his defensive ceiling might be the highest in the 2019 draft. He can learn behind Al-Farouq Aminu in the rotation.
Washington has improved his three-point shooting to 37 percent on 1.7 attempts per game, significant growth that speaks to his work ethic. He’s also a viable face-up scorer, building on the promising flashes from his freshman campaign.
The Celtics, holding four first-round picks in this scenario, might want to explore the draft-and-stash route. Luka Samanic makes sense — a versatile stretch forward with a clear long-term path to NBA playing time.
At 6-foot-10, Samanic already has fluid mechanics with a nice face-up game. He’s still thin and doesn’t make the most consistent impact, but the tools and skill level are present. The Celtics are as good an organization as any to oversee his development.
In Samanic, the Celtics also sure up the frontcourt behind the aging Al Horford and Aron Baynes. Alongside Doumbouya, the Celtics might add the top-two international prospects in the class. Neither are ready for immediate stardom, but both are good value selections.
Despite continuing his strong production from last season, Daniel Gafford might end up losing ground in the draft picture. As Jaxson Hayes and Jontay Porter pick up steam, a more traditional center might get less traction.
With that said, Gafford still has an NBA skill set. He’s an excellent rim-runner, using his athleticism to finish lobs and score efficiently at the rim. Add in rim protection upside, and he’s an ideal reserve to work into the rotation behind Steven Adams. That’s especially true if Nerlens Noel walks in free agency.
The Thunder already have reported interest in addressing the frontcourt, so Gafford feels like a natural fit if available. While some big man archetypes no longer carry the same value, expect Gafford to play productive minutes at the next level.
The Sixers need depth on the perimeter, ideally addressing the minutes that currently go to T.J. McConnell (and, until recently, Furkan Korkmaz). Adding cost-controlled assets via the draft is an excellent way to accomplish that goal.
A breakout freshman at Iowa State, Talen Horton-Tucker is somewhat unconventional in his success. He’s short, stout and slyly powerful, using his strong frame to absorb contact, play different angles and get buckets at the rim.
While not an elite shooter, Horton-Tucker has shown the ability to hit triples. He’s also a heady playmaker, giving the Sixers another ancillary playmaker next to Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler (?) moving forward.
After a promising freshman season, KZ Okpala is quickly rising up draft boards as a sophomore. The Pacers are settled in the frontcourt, but adding another versatile body to the forward rotation makes sense.
With defensive versatility and offensive growth, Okpala fits the modern NBA well. He can defend multiple positions at 6-foot-9, offering flexibility that will improve as his frame develops. His 46.2 percent three-point clip is an over-20 percent increase compared to last season.
His development, while still raw, should keep NBA teams intrigued. He’s putting in the work to improve important facets of his game, all while producing at the collegiate level. The Pacers have the chance to add a high-upside prospect in the late first round.
Arguably Gonzaga’s best player this season, Brandon Clarke continues to make his case for first-round consideration. After transferring from San Diego State, Clarke is averaging 16.5 points and 3.1 blocks per game. He’s an anchor on both ends for the Zags.
The Warriors’ future is, for the first time in years, somewhat uncertain. DeMarucs Cousins’ departure feels inevitable, but that doesn’t really matter. It’s Kevin Durant whose free agency leaves Golden State shrouded in questions, fair or not.
Regardless, a team with Stephen Curry will contend in the West. Clarke has the tools to immediately contribute to winning basketball, even if his age (22) limits his ceiling. At 6-foot-7, hustle, athleticism and defensive activity are staples of Clarke’s game. He’s also becoming a well-rounded offensive player.
Despite some concerning moments on defense, Ignas Brazdeikis — a relative unknown coming into the season — has established himself as a potential first-round pick. The Nets can appreciate skilled shooters on the wing.
Shooting 36.4 percent on 3.1 three-point attempts per game, the numbers don’t do justice to Brazdeikis’ shooting upside. He’s also a skilled isolation scorer, using tight handles and soft touch to break down defenders and finish inside the arc.
The Nets put a heavy emphasis on spreading the defense out, an offense Brazdeikis’ skill set would fit with naturally. With Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert among those anchoring the rotation, Brooklyn can afford prospects who don’t specialize on defense.
The Bucks don’t have much certainty at the point guard position beyond the 2018-19 season. Eric Bledsoe and George Hill will hit free agency, while Malcolm Brogdon seems to thrive in an off-guard role.
Ayo Dosunmu could provide an answer. A top-rated point guard recruit, few expected Dosunmu to be in the draft discussion as a freshman. He’s already averaging 14.2 points per game, shooting 41.8 from deep and striking all the right chords for an NBA point guard prospect.
At 6-foot-5, Dosunmu combines his offensive talent with intriguing defensive tools. He’s one of several prospects asserting themselves in a draft class with limited depth beyond the top-tier lottery prospects.
A perfect Spurs pick, Admiral Schofield has shown steady improvement throughout his career at Tennessee. He’s now an integral piece for a title contender, giving the Vols a uniquely versatile two-way player.
Schofield doesn’t fit your typical wing mold — he’s 6-foot-5, but boasts tremendous strength and a frame that’s more indicative of power forwards. He can defend multiple positions as a result, using his girth and mobility to avoid mismatches.
A strong multi-position defender and 45.1 percent three-point shooter, it’s easy to imagine Schofield’s fit at the next level. The Spurs can appreciate a) his name and b) his NBA readiness. He’s a late first-round pick with the potential to get legitimate minutes as a rookie.