Beginning June with an updated top-30 prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft.
It’s officially 2019 NBA Draft month. The combine is over and teams are transitioning into private workouts, which means more intel will surface over the next several weeks. That is until June 20, when the picks are made and the new rookie class is instated.
The Philadelphia 76ers are slated to pick 24th overall, a spot the front office is familiar with. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was the 24th pick just a few seasons ago, though Elton Brand wasn’t in charge at the time. 2018’s late first-round pick yielded Landry Shamet.
In a draft that lacks well-defined tiers outside the top three, Philadelphia will have a myriad of options to choose from. The Sixers also have several needs to address — an issue multiple second-round picks will help solve. There’s an opportunity to add real contributors to a thin bench.
The following big board outlines the top-30 prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft class. Team needs are not taken into consideration and each prospect does not equate to a draft projection. This isn’t a mock draft. You can read our most recent mock draft here.
A knee injury sidelined Louis King for the season’s first month, which hurt his stock quite a bit. The five-star recruit rebounded nicely down the stretch, though, becoming an important piece to Oregon’s unexpected tournament run.
Standing 6-foot-8 with a wingspan over the 7-foot mark, King has ideal measurements for a wing. He’s a long, fluid scorer, showing promise off the bounce and a smooth stroke out to the three-point line. While not the best finisher inside, his athleticism and touch warrant optimism.
King also has the tools to develop on defense, though he’s still a work in progress. His effort and commitment was inconsistent at best in college, as he often found himself out of position or beat one-on-one. If he can improve his intensity on that end, King projects as a solid 3-and-D wing with playmaking upside.
A high-level athlete, Luguentz Dort pops on screen. He’s strong and explosive, bursting into passing lanes on defense or finishing rim-rocking dunks in transition. He has the physical tools to make an immediate impact in the NBA.
Dort plays hard, and it shows on both ends. Offensively, he’s a relentless slasher who uses quick dribble moves to shake defenders and willingly embraces contact at the rim. He’s also active off-ball, effectively cutting and collecting easy buckets.
On defense, Dort’s penchant for getting into passing lanes and swatting weak-side blocks often leads to transition opportunities on the other end. He’s also an aggressive one-on-one defender, using his 222-pound frame and 6-foot-9 wingspan to lock up multiple positions.
After a strong freshman campaign in 2017-18, Daniel Gafford made the surprise decision to return for a sophomore season at Arkansas. It hasn’t played out in his favor, with limited growth leading to a sharp decline in draft stock. Some mocks have him going as late as mid-second round.
In the end, Gafford remains an appealing prospect with the tools to become an effective big in the modern game. He should get looks in the first round. He measures well at 6-foot-11, boasting a 7-foot-2 wingspan and explosive athleticism. He’s an effective lob-catcher and vertical spacer in the pick-and-roll.
On defense, Gafford averaged 2.8 blocks per 40 minutes. He’s an excellent rim protector and has the mobility to survive on switches. He doesn’t shoot much at all and didn’t show convincing offensive growth, but his base skill set is enough to bank on.
A hyper-versatile 7-footer, Nicolas Claxton checks out with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and excellent mobility for his size. He can function in a unique space on offense, pushing the pace in transition with tight handles and smooth dribble moves. He can also pass, cut and drive in the halfcourt.
On defense, Claxton defends the perimeter exceedingly well for someone with his physical tools. Adding strength and retaining lateral quickness is key, but Claxton’s ability to switch onto guards and defend one-on-one is something NBA teams will value.
He even shot 28.1 percent on threes, albeit on limited attempts. There’s room for expansion in that regard. His efficiency wasn’t great in college, but his athleticism, passing upside and defense are all attributes teams should covet. He’s a first-round prospect, for sure.
Chuma Okeke tore his ACL during Auburn’s tournament run, which complicates things moving forward. Teams will need to be confident in his medical situation to use a first-round pick, as it isn’t Okeke’s first knee issue. As a prospect, though, he’s earned such consideration.
Standing 6-foot-8, Okeke is a smart, high-energy defender who can switch between multiple positions. He’s not an elite athlete, but smartly positions himself for weak-side blocks, steals and help defense.
He also projects as a solid glue piece on offense, hitting spot-up jumpers, cutting to the rim and operating in the post. His passing is underrated and his touch helps compensate for limited explosiveness inside. He’s a prototypical two-way role player.
An important cog in Virginia’s title-winning machine, Ty Jerome projects as potentially the best shooter in the 2019 class. He’s an elite spot-up threat, but can also pull up or hit shots off movement. He’s a dynamic shooter, which gives him one NBA-ready skill off the bat.
Jerome can also impact the game elsewhere, especially with his passing. He’s an apt ball handler and spent time as the Cavaliers’ point guard, though he’s most likely a comboguard in the NBA. Jerome combines a high I.Q. with a deft shooting touch, something a certain team in Philadelphia might appreciate.
The main criticism for Jerome stems from his athleticism. He’s slow-footed for his size and doesn’t have great lift when driving inside. NBA athletes might be able to take advantage of his limitations. He has good size at 6-foot-5, but that won’t be enough in certain matchups.
Keldon Johnson was a top-10 prospect to some when the season began. His stock has since cooled, with concerns about his offensive ceiling and defensive fundamentals dropping Johnson into the late first-round conversation.
While Kentucky was atypical in its lack of high-level prospects, Johnson still stood out as an important piece on the perimeter. He’s energetic to the extreme, making hustle plays on defense, crashing the boards and running the floor in transition. He tries to put himself in a position to impact the game.
At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Johnson has the tools to defend three positions in the NBA. He’s not an elite athlete, but improved fundamentals and awareness, in tandem with his effort, would make Johnson a valuable defensive piece. He’s also a solid spot-up shooter, leaving 3-and-D upside teams tend to gravitate towards.
Another Kentucky guard, Tyler Herro salvaged his stock after a slow start to the campaign. His shooting will be the main draw for NBA teams, along with a 6-foot-6 frame and defensive intangibles. He, similar to the aforementioned Jerome, has a very clear NBA skill.
Herro’s 35.5 percent clip on three-point attempts was less than stellar, but his percentages trended upward in conference play. He has compact, fluid mechanics, allowing him to shoot in tight spaces. His transition from dribble to shot is quick and he’s a strong spot-up threat.
In addition to his shooting, Herro flashed upside as a playmaker, perhaps taking on a secondary creation role in the NBA. He can handle, make passes in the pick-and-roll and bend defenses with his pull-up threat. There’s a lot to like about Herro’s offensive package.
Rui Hachimura stepped into big shoes this season, becoming the Zags’ go-to option after two years in the shadows. He filled those shoes quite well, emerging as one of college basketball’s most prolific offensive threats. There are questions about how his skill set will translate at the next level, though.
Listed at 6-foot-8, 230 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Hachimura has splendid physical tools. His athleticism comes in waves, whether it’s an impressive block or an emphatic dunk. He has the ability to push through smaller defenders inside, drive past slower defenders outside and work the in-between game effectively. He hasn’t expanded his range comfortably to the three-point line, but it’s getting there. His touch on mid-range jumpers is promising.
On defense, it’s more hypothetical and than tangible with Hachimura at this stage. He’s long, strong and mobile — all the tools needed to defend four to five positions and develop into a do-it-all marvel. But right now, he’s more prone to lackadaisical coverage, poor awareness and ill-timed miscues. That, alongside questionable decision-making on offense, gives Hachimura an uncomfortably low floor.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has tremendous measurements for an NBA comboguard, standing 6-foot-6 and wielding a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He has the tools to defend either guard spot, as well as the skill to play with or without the basketball.
A creator at Virginia Tech, Walker-Alexander showed great promise as a playmaker. He’s one of the best passers in the draft, whipping on-target dimes with both hands. He can see above defenders in the pick-and-roll and does an excellent job locating shooters off drives to the hole.
In addition to his passing, NAW is a smooth spot-up shooter who can maneuver his way into pull-up jumpers. While high-level athleticism isn’t there for the sophomore, his skill level and physical tools should lead to NBA success.
Talen Horton-Tucker is a unique physical specimen. He’s 6-foot-4, but weighs in at 235 points and boasts a wingspan a shade over 7-foot-1. He has the tools to defend four positions on paper. That versatility will doubtlessly intrigue NBA teams.
A strong-bodied guard on offense, Horton-Tucker has unexpected shot creation skills. He’s a herky-jerky ball handler who can generate space and hit pull-up jumpers. Given his strength, though, Horton-Tucker should draw more fouls than he does. His poor free throw shooting isn’t the best sign either.
Horton-Tucker will need to improve his decision-making and become a more consistent downhill scorer/playmaker in the NBA. He will also need to tap into his defensive potential more often, using his tools to interrupt passing lanes, contain bigger players and switch on the perimeter, rather than showing mere flashes.
Jontay Porter re-tore his ACL while training in Denver, his second major knee injury since his freshman season ended. Now the brother of Michael Porter Jr. is ready to commit, though his stock is as uncertain as ever.
Before the injury, Porter was a consensus top-20 prospect. He might have been picked in the first round last summer, but decided to return to Mizzou for a sophomore campaign. His knee injuries are an obvious concern, as is the Porter’s family’s troubling history of injuries. His medicals will go a long way in boosting (or destroying) his stock on June 20.
Nonetheless, Porter projects as a strong NBA prospect in a vacuum. He’s a skilled offensive big, stretching the floor with his three-point stroke and providing secondary creation with his passing out of post-ups and pick-and-rolls. If he can get healthy, Porter should exceed his inevitable draft position.
Grant Williams was a two-time SEC Player of the Year at Tennessee, emerging as one of college basketball’s most consistent options in the post. His approach might change at the next level, but he’s an intelligent 6-foot-8 forward whose skill set should translate to NBA offenses.
Most of Williams’ damage in college came through post-ups, where the Vols attempted to exploit mismatches using Williams’ strength on the block. He won’t be quite as dominant in that respect against NBA athletes, but his interior passing, screen-setting and soft touch will all translate.
As for expanding his arsenal, Williams showed flashes of a reliable spot-up triple last season. He still needs to expand his range, but his mechanics are clean and there’s reason to anticipate full growth in that department. He’s also a high-I.Q. defender who stays vertical, has quick hands and seldom ends up in the wrong spot.
Brandon Clarke was among the most efficient players in college basketball last season, providing Gonzaga with an impressive return on the transfer market. He’s 6-foot-8 and oozing with functional athleticism, allowing him to thrive as a vertical spacer in the pick-and-roll.
There’s no denying Clarke’s productivity at Gonzaga and his base skill set. He can finish inside, pass at a high level and defend across the board — blocking shots and sliding his feet in space. Clarke should become a valuable role player in the NBA.
The one hold-up is his size. At 6-foot-8 with a negative wingspan, Clarke won’t be able to rely on athleticism to the degree he did at Gonzaga. Without a go-to move on offense or clean, projectable three-point mechanics, there’s still ample room for concern. He’s also closer to 23 than 22.
On loan to Buducnost, Goga Bitadze produced at the highest levels of European basketball this season. Despite appearing in just 13 EuroLeague games, he won the league’s “Rising Star” award at 19 years old, which speaks to his unusual effectiveness in a league centered around veterans.
There are natural concerns with slow-footed centers in the modern NBA, but Bitadze has the skill to overcome his weaknesses. At 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, he’s a strong presence inside, deterring shots at the rim and showing excellent awareness rotating for blocks. He can effectively drop in pick-and-roll coverage, boasting quick hands and instincts.
As for his offensive production, Bitadze has shown signs of a reliable spot-up three-point shot. He’s also fluid attacking closeouts and skilled in the post, using touch shots to finish over defenders underneath. His hard screens and passing will also appeal to NBA teams.
There isn’t a single prospect more difficult to peg than Bol Bol. His range of potential outcomes is vast, as are the concerns about his fitness and injuries. He could flame out and never see consistent NBA minutes. But he’s also 7-foot-3 and shot 52 percent on 25 three-point attempts before his foot ailment.
Bol’s mechanics are odd and feature a low release, but it might not matter. He’s tall, long and possesses unimaginable touch for someone at his size. He can spot-up, attack closeouts, hit pull-up jumpers or finish with touch shots inside. He has some genuinely mind-boggling moments on offense.
On the other side of that very shiny coin, Bol struggles to defend in space, gets pushed off his spots and weighs just 208 pounds. His 7-foot-7 wingspan rivals Mohamed Bamba, but he’s even weaker than the Texas shot-blocker. Much like his father before, Bol’s durability will be a long-term question mark.
Due to upside, Sekou Doumbouya remains the top international prospect in the 2019 class — right where he began the season. It was an up-and-down campaign for the 18-year-old, but his three-point shooting picked up recently. His athletic tools are among the best in the draft.
At 6-foot-9, Doumbouya is a strong, explosive athlete. He can protect the weak side, jump passing lanes and defend across the positional spectrum, though his fundamentals could use work. He’s impressive in the open court as well, using long strides to attacking reeling defenses.
Doumbouya has some promising skills. He can generate space off the bounce, has touch on his jumper and possesses great potential as a slasher. If he can improve his mechanics, add a handle and become a more well-rounded decision-maker, there’s top-10 upside.
A strong sophomore campaign has pushed P.J. Washington into the lottery discussion. He showed growth in several keys areas this season, becoming a 42.3 percent three-point shooter and cementing himself as a top-tier defensive prospect.
Listed at 6-foot-8, Washington has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a 230-pound frame to work with. He’s ready for NBA physicality, using his strength to compete in the post and possessing enough lateral quickness to defend wings on the perimeter. His versatility fits perfectly in the modern power forward spot.
An improved jumper has vastly improved Washington’s offensive outlook as well. He’s a talented face-up scorer who can power his way to the rim and finish with touch. He’s also an underrated passer, making high-level reads from the elbow and elsewhere.
An unheralded recruit before the season, Jaxson Hayes quickly added his name to Texas’ growing list of athletic big men. He measured well at the combine, nearing the 7-foot mark and boasting a 7-foot-4 wingspan. His presence as a lob threat and rim protector will serve an NBA team well.
With both length and mobility, Hayes projects well as a defensive anchor. He needs to add more weight, but his frame affords him room to do so. He can deter shots with his length, but his potential to defend in space and survive in the postseason is perhaps his most compelling attribute in 2019.
On the other end, Hayes is a vertical spacer and lob threat, setting strong screens and rolling to the rim with great effectiveness. His hands are impressive, which is further served by his large catch radius. He’s not much of a shooter or passer, but he’s also young and inexperienced. There’s reason to believe he can (and will) improve.
Despite a rocky freshman season, Romeo Langford did enough to justify his reputation at Indiana. He’s a talented pure scorer, boasting a dynamic pull-up game, NBA-level athleticism and impressive touch inside. He was among the best interior finishers in college basketball on the wing.
Langford will need to address his shooting mechanics and injury concerns at the next level. He can comfortably create space and score off the dribble at every level, but his spot-up shooting was widely inconsistent due to a long wrist-flick, which messed with his release point.
At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Langford has the physical gifts to become a solid two-way force. He has strength as well, allowing him to switch between at least three positions on paper. He just needs to improve his awareness and intensity, which were lacking all season.
Kevin Porter Jr. wasn’t the most popular recruit, but it didn’t take long for the USC freshman to become one of the nation’s most polarizing prospects. He dealt with injuries, a suspension and a limited role, all of which contributed to a wacky, at times off-putting campaign.
And yet Porter, who entered the season as a non-factor on most draft boards, sits in the top 10 here. He’s a special, albeit flawed, shot creator, using shifty handles to generate space and score in isolation. His step-back is NBA caliber and his go-to scoring upside is something teams should covet.
Whichever teams takes the plunge on Porter will need to prioritize decision-making. He has upside as a pick-and-roll ball handler and secondary creator, but needs to become a more willing passer. He also settles for contested, early-shot clock mid-rangers more often than he should.
Coby White was a five-star recruit but found himself buried in Nassir Little‘s shadow to begin the season. That didn’t last long, as White was far more productive as the Tar Heels’ starting point guard. Now he’s a prospective top-10 pick.
For a lead guard, White has good size at 6-foot-5. He’s a quick, dynamic shot creator, using dribble moves and explosive step-backs to create space, though his efficiency wasn’t great. He’s also an effective spot-up shooter with compact mechanics.
White is at his peak in transition, where his speed and playmaking are on full display. He can get to the rim or find open teammates at a high level, often beating defenses down the court. Add in a solid one-on-one defense, and White has the tools to become a useful lead guard in the NBA.
Before the season, Cam Reddish was my No. 1 prospect. I bought the natural talent, among other things. He was a smooth, fluid shooter who, at 6-foot-8, flashed real point guard skills in AAU and high school. There was a lot to like.
It wasn’t so pretty at Duke. The shine wore off quick, as Reddish struggled to find his role next to the ball-dominant R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson. Reddish was terribly inefficient at every level and had multi-game stretches where his production was scarce. He definitely scared away a sizable contingent of talent evaluators.
Even so, there’s reason to believe Reddish can turn it around. His pedigree remains and he’s a fluid pull-up shooter with good size. He needs to improve his finishing at the rim and become more engaged on defense, but an NBA team will bite on upside — upside that very much exists.
Nassir Little struggled to get playing time at North Carolina, averaging just 18.2 minutes per contest. His production was sporadic and inconsistent, leading some to jump ship — similar to Reddish, to a certain degree. Now he’s as far as the mid-20s on some boards.
Before the season, some considered Little to be Barrett’s chief contender for the No. 1 spot. Obviously things change, but there’s still a lot to like when it comes to Little’s profile. He’s a strong, dynamic athlete at 6-foot-6, boasting a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a recently trimmed frame.
Little still has the physical tools to become a bullish slasher and shot creator on offense. He needs to refine his jumper, but has strength to finish inside and a budding pull-up game. Little can also defend bigs due to his strong core and should be a more useful perimeter defender at the next level. Thoughtful interviews at the combine, along with a highly-touted work ethic, have boosted Little’s stock in recent weeks.
De’Andre Hunter‘s absence was a contributing factor in Virginia’s stunning tournament loss to UMBC over a year ago. As a sophomore, Hunter helped lead the Cavaliers to a title. He has been firmly in the top-10 for most of the season.
At 6-foot-7, Hunter is a tad small for a natural power forward. Even so, his defensive versatility is something NBA teams will value — and it’s what puts him so far up this draft board. Not only does he possess the strength to combat larger post threats, but he’s a mobile on-ball defender who can stick with guards on the perimeter. He has the upside to legitimately switch 1-5 in the right matchup.
He’s also an efficient complementary piece on offense, shooting spot-up jumpers at a high clip and offering value as a face-up scorer. He doesn’t have a dynamic handle and isn’t known for his passing, but Hunter should provide an immediate boost as a versatile four-man in the NBA.
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.
After breaking onto scouting radars as a freshman, Jarrett Culver made himself a top-five pick candidate as a sophomore. He thrived as the go-to option for a Texas Tech team that finished runner-up in the tournament, showing tremendous growth as a shot-maker and creator.
At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Culver has solid physical tools on the wing. He competes on defense and can defend several positions, boasting wide shoulders and the potential to add more strength in future seasons. He’s the kind of multi-position, versatile wing teams are attracted to.
On offense, Culver shows promise as a pull-up shooter. He has some nice dribble moves and tends to make tough shots. He projects as a decent spot-up shooter as well, but his mechanics are still long and arduous. His 30.4 percent three-point clip isn’t too inspiring.
R.J. Barrett got caught in the shadow of Zion Williamson, an unfortunate position for the preseason consensus No. 1 pick. He still showed out, though, leading Duke in scoring and producing at a historic rate for a freshman. He caught some undeserved flack in the process.
There were moments when Barrett’s approach was problematic, but in general, his aggressiveness as a slasher and finisher is promising. He needs to improve his touch, but Barrett gets to the rim in long strides, showing tremendous pace and keeping defenders off balance with his pull-up threat.
If Barrett can lean into his passing more, cut down on ill-advised long twos and become a more consistent shooter, he has star potential. He’s an excellent athlete, a hard-nosed defender when engaged and has the best pedigree of any prospect in the 2019 class. He’s firmly in the top-three.
It’s rare to find a mid-major guard favorited to go second overall, but here we are. Ja Morant built on a spectacular freshman season with an even better sophomore season, performing well against high-major opponents when given the chance. He’s in the same tier as Barrett.
There are concerns about Morant’s thin 175-pound frame, but he’s an elite-level athlete nonetheless. He’s demonic in the open court, shedding defenders with quick direction changes and showcasing both finesse and explosiveness at the rim. He’s also the draft’s best passer, earning tentative Trae Young comparisons — though Young remains the better prospect. He can pass with both hands from any angle and takes pride in setting up teammates.
Morant is also dynamic in the halfcourt, shredding defenses in the pick-and-roll with his passing and pull-up shooting. He’s in need of mechanical changes, but Morant has range and touch. His low release point is the primary concern. He also needs to play harder on defense.
There’s no disputing Zion Williamson’s spot atop the 2019 NBA Draft. He’s the consensus No. 1 pick for a reason, and there hasn’t been a compelling argument to the contrary since the college season began. He’s a generational talent and a unique athlete. The Pelicans lucked out.
Williamson is listed at 6-foot-7, 285 pounds. He’ll be the second-heaviest player in the NBA, trailing only Boban Marjanovic. He isn’t overweight either — it’s mostly muscle, offering Zion an unmatched blend of strength and explosiveness. It shows on both ends, whether it’s attacking in transition or playing free safety on defense.
Zion can terrorize defenders in transition or dominate in the halfcourt, using impressive footwork to dissect his way to the rim. In addition to soft touch and elite efficiency, Williamson developed into a solid playmaker at Duke. He can pass on the move and create for others. And he has All-Defense potential in the future.
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