NBA Draft 2019: Big Board 5.0

Darius Garland missed all but a handful of games after tearing his meniscus early in the season. His extended absence didn’t lead to a drop in stock, though — his stock has been trending in a positive direction for quite some time.

It makes sense, as Damian Lillard‘s postseason reaffirmed the value of stretchy pull-up shooters. Garland is a twitchy athlete at 6-foot-2, using crafty handles to jerk free and nail jumpers out to the NBA three-point line. He also excels in the open court, using his speed to beat defenders to the cup and finish with craft.

As a playmaker, Garland’s turnovers were a bit worrisome, but his vision and passing chops should give optimism that he can improve under NBA guidance. He’s a natural pick-and-roll operator who, due to his pull-up threat and finishing ability, can give defenses trouble.