SportsPulse: A few months ago, Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett were teammates at Duke. Now they're top NBA draft picks offering hope to franchises that haven't had it in quite some time. USA TODAY
The 2019 NBA draft is in the books.
It was an eventful night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center featuring tears, amazing (and not-so-amazing) outfits, and a lot of wrong hats.
The presumptive top-three picks — Duke's Zion Williamson, Murray State's Ja Morant and Duke's RJ Barrett — went 1-2-3. But this draft was deep, and a handful of players have franchise-altering potential.
Who will be the next non-lottery player to develop into a superstar, Ã la Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard?
Below is every pick, and analysis, from draft night.
1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, F, Duke - No surprises here. The electrifying Williamson has been a lock for this slot for months, and the Pelicans — who agreed last week to trade superstar big man Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers — have a new face of the franchise.
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, G, Murray State - Memphis needed a point guard after reaching a deal to send veteran Mike Conley to Utah, and Morant fits the bill – an explosive point guard who can score and pass. The Grizzlies are in a rebuild, and Morant pairs nicely with big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team last season.
3. New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, F, Duke - The roar from the Knicks fans in Barclays Center when Barrett's name was called said it all. Don't let the fact that he went third overall fool you: He's no consolation prize. He's a versatile wing with superstar potential, and you can expect that he'll be able to handle the pressure of helping lead the Knicks back to relevance.
Loud applause from the crowd at the Barclays Center when the RJ Barrett pick is announced:
299 people are talking about this
TRADES GALORE: Breaking down all the draft-night movement
4. Atlanta Hawks: De'Andre Hunter, F, Virginia - Atlanta traded up to get Hunter with the No. 4 pick, giving up three picks (eight, 17 and 35). He has good size for a small forward, plays outstanding defense and improved his 3-point shooting from his freshman to sophomore season with the national champion Virginia Cavaliers.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, G, Vanderbilt - Garland only played five games with Vanderbilt before suffering a knee injury, but his lack of college experience didn't discourage Cleveland, and it shouldn't have. Now, the question is: How will the Cavs pair Garland and Collin Sexton, who they took eighth overall in last year's draft?
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarrett Culver, G, Texas Tech - The Timberwolves traded the No. 11 pick and Dario Saric to Phoenix in order move up and take Culver, a shooting guard from Texas Tech who was the Big 12 Player of the Year. Culver will need to improve his 3-point shooting, but he has shown flashes of knocking down shots and comes from a defensive-minded program. This was new Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas’ first major roster move since getting the job.
33 Photos
Best NBA draft fashion of the past decade
7. Chicago Bulls: Coby White, G, North Carolina - White climbed up draft boards during his lone season with the Tar Heels, and his size and athleticism should help his transition to the NBA on both ends of the floor. He's not the best passer or defender in the draft, but he has the tools to improve in those areas.
8. New Orleans Pelicans: Jaxson Hayes, F, Texas - Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin envisions an athletic, imposing frontcourt. He’s on the way, pairing Williamson with the 6-11 Hayes, who was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He's a good finisher (shot 72.8% from the field) and an excellent rim protector (2.2 blocks per game).
9. Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga - The Wizards needed a stretch-four, and Hachimura is just that. He improved dramatically during his time with Gonzaga, posting averages of 19.7 points (on 59.1% shooting) and 6.5 rebounds during his junior season. He's the first Japanese player ever selected in the first round of the draft.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Cam Reddish, F, Duke - The Hawks are filling their roster with talented young players. Reddish didn’t have a great season shooting in his one year at Duke, but he often took a secondary role to Williamson and Barrett. There is belief he will flourish in the NBA as a player who can score from the perimeter and get his shot off on drives. He also has the potential to be a strong defender.
11. Phoenix Suns: Cam Johnson, F, North Carolina - Johnson, 23, is one of the oldest players in the draft. He's also one of the best shooters. The 6-9 forward hit 45.7% of his 3-pointers last season with the Tar Heels, and he fills a void left by TJ Warren, who was traded earlier on draft day. Johnson wasn't expected to be taken this high.
12. Charlotte Hornets: PJ Washington, F, Kentucky - The Hornets selected a player who can play both forward positions (he's also an improving 3-point shooter). On a talented Kentucky team, he was the Wildcats’ leading scorer and rebounder. The Hornets will have a nice pairing with Washington and second-year forward Miles Bridges.
13. Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky - Herro made an impression on several teams during individual workouts as a shooter who can also defend. He shot up draft boards during the pre-draft process. He made 35.5% of his 3-pointers and 93.5% of his free-throws during his lone season with Kentucky.
14. Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford, G, Indiana - The Celtics wanted a scoring shooting guard, and they got one in Langford. Another player who needs to work on his 3-point shooting, Langford has good size (6-6), can get his own shot and rebound. He led Big Ten freshmen in scoring (16.5 points per game).
15. Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya, F, France - The first player with no college experience taken in this draft, Doumbouya and his all-around skill set should excite Pistons fans. He's a raw prospect, but he's the youngest player eligible for the draft, and he has a high ceiling.
16. Orlando Magic: Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn - The Magic weren’t swayed by Okeke’s torn ACL sustained during the NCAA tournament. He was a projected late first-round or early second-round pick in several mock drafts, but the Magic have a front office known for going against the grain.
17. New Orleans Pelicans: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech - Another young player for the Pelicans to build around, Alexander-Walker, a combo guard, will benefit from playing with Jrue Holiday. He led the Hokies in scoring (16.2 points per game) as a sophomore last season.
18. Indiana Pacers: Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia (country) - A true center who likes to play in the low post, the 19-year-old Bitadze was named the 2018-19 EuroLeague Rising Star. The winner the two previous seasons? Luka Doncic.
19. San Antonio Spurs: Luka Samanic, F, Croatia - He's not as well known as Doumbouya or Bitadze, but Samanic — a 6-11 forward-center — has a versatile offensive game and could be a great fit in San Antonio.
20. Philadelphia 76ers: Matisse Thybulle, F, Washington - Philadelphia went for perimeter defense in Thybulle, who was the 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He broke Gary Payton’s 30-year-old conference record with 331 career steals, including 126 steals (3.5 per game) as a senior. He also averaged 2.3 blocks.
21. Memphis Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, F, Gonzaga - Clarke is a phenomenal athlete and defender who made a name for himself after transferring to Gonzaga from San Jose State. He averaged 3.2 blocks during the 2018-19 season and put together a dominant performance in the NCAA tournament — 36 points on 15-18 shooting, eight rebounds and five blocks in the second round against Baylor.
22. Boston Celtics: Grant Williams, F, Tennessee - Williams is a power forward who can do a little bit of everything — score, pass, rebound, block shots and get to the free-throw line. Williams had Ivy League interest but choose Tennessee, where he was the SEC’s first back-to-back Player of the Year since 1995.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder: Darius Bazley, F - The 6-9 forward took an unconventional route to the NBA, forgoing college for a $1 million internship with New Balance. But he impressed at the combine and the Thunder were willing to take a risk.
24. Phoenix Suns: Ty Jerome, G, Virginia - Jerome is tough-minded guard who can facilitate offense as a passer and shooter. He shot 39.9% on 3-pointers and averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds as a junior last season. Jerome was instrumental in helping lead the Cavaliers to the national championship.
25. Portland Trail Blazers: Nassir Little, F, North Carolina - Little — a 6-6, uber-athletic forward — has lottery-level talent, and it was surprising he fell this far. This could be the steal of the draft.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Dylan Windler, F, Belmont - One of the best 3-point shooting small forwards in the country, Windler averaged 21.3 points and shot 42.9% from beyond the arc during his senior season. He will have no problem stepping out and making shots from NBA range.
27. Los Angeles Clippers: Mfiondu Kabengele, F, Florida State - Kabengele, the nephew of Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, had some of the best measurements at the combine, and he took a big step forward during his sophomore season with the Seminoles. The No. 27 slot has been a gold mine in recent years (Kyle Kuzma, Pascal Siakam and Rudy Gobert), so Kabengele's already off to a good start.
28. Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole, G, Michigan - The Warriors need some perimeter shooting with injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, and they get that from Poole. He shot 36.9% on 3-pointers and made five or more threes in a game five times as a sophomore last season. He’s also a reliable free-throw shooter — an indication his shot will translate to the NBA.
25 Photos
Best (and worst) outfits from 2019 NBA draft
29. San Antonio Spurs: Keldon Johnson, G, Kentucky - Johnson, the third Kentucky player drafted in the first round, has the potential to be a solid 3-and-D wing in the NBA. Yet again, a smart, late-round pick from the Spurs.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Porter Jr., G, Southern California - Porter Jr. played in just 21 games and averaged just 9.5 points in his freshman season at USC, but he has great size (6-6, 213 pounds) and has potential to be a great scorer based on his ability to create shots in one-on-one action.
SECOND ROUND
31. Brooklyn Nets: Nicolas Claxton, C, Georgia
32. Miami Heat: KZ Okpala, F, Stanford
33. Boston Celtics: Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue
34. Atlanta Hawks: Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland
35. New Orleans Pelicans: Marcos Louzada Silva, F, Brazil
36. Charlotte Hornets: Cody Martin, G, Nevada
37. Detroit Pistons: Deividas Sirvydis, F, Lithuania
38. Chicago Bulls: Daniel Gafford, F, Arkansas
39. Golden State Warriors: Alen Smailagic, C, Serbia
40. Sacramento Kings: Justin James, F, Wyoming
41. Golden State Warriors: Eric Paschall, F, Villanova
42. Washington Wizards: Admiral Schofield, F, Tennessee
43. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jaylen Nowell, G, Washington
44. Denver Nuggets: Bol Bol, C, Oregon
45. Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Roby, F, Nebraska
46. Los Angeles Lakers: Talen Horton-Tucker, G, Iowa State
47. New York Knicks: Ignas Brazdeikis, F, Michigan
48. Los Angeles Clippers: Terance Mann, F, Florida State
49. San Antonio Spurs: Quinndary Weatherspoon, G, Mississippi State
50. Utah Jazz: Jarrell Brantley, F, Charleston
51. Boston Celtics: Tremont Waters, G, LSU
52. Charlotte Hornets: Jalen McDaniels, F, San Diego State
53. Utah Jazz: Justin Wright-Foreman, G, Hofstra
54. Philadelphia 76ers: Marial Shayok, F, Iowa State
55. Sacramento Kings: Kyle Guy, G, Virginia
56. Brooklyn Nets: Jaylen Hands, G, UCLA
57. Detroit Pistons: Jordan Bone, G, Tennessee
58. Utah Jazz: Miye Oni, G, Yale
59. Toronto Raptors: Dewan Hernandez, C, Miami
60. Sacramento Kings: Vanja Marinkovic, G, Serbia
0 Commentaires