2019 NBA Mock Drafts

Williamson is one of the most highly-touted prospects of the one-and-done era, perhaps second only to Anthony Davis -- who he'd be paired with in New Orleans. Williamson's an incredible athlete who packs power and force in his game, and he channeled it to put up 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game at Duke. Alongside Davis, the Pelicans could have a dynamo frontcourt that would be among the most talented and exciting in the league next season. David Griffin, the Pelicans' executive VP of basketball operations has the draft's easiest decision

Memphis' rebuilding effort has officially been expedited. After moving up the lottery and securing the No. 2 pick, they've lucked out by being in position to draft Mike Conley's successor at point guard in Morant. Morant is the best and most creative passer in this draft -- one-handed lasers, no-look zips, he's got it all in his package. Morant led the NCAA last season with a 51.9% assist rate, and he's the first player to average at least 10 assists per game since Nelson Haggerty in 1994.

Probably not the Duke star Knicks had in mind on lottery night, but Barrett is more than just a consolation -- he's a building block. Barrett is an instinctive scorer who averaged 22.6 points per game at Duke -- tied for the most on Duke's roster with Zion Williamson -- and he's got good playmaking skills to boot. Barrett at Duke was sometimes criticized for being an efficient scorer who dominated the ball, which are valid concerns. Still yet, there's reason to believe in Barrett because of his instincts and pure competitiveness. If we look up in five years and he's the best player in this draft class, it wouldn't be the most stunning development.

If the Lakers want an immediate impact player -- and based on LeBron James's championship window, most suspect they do -- Hunter fits the bill. After redshirting his first season, Hunter put together consecutive seasons in which he shot greater than 38% from 3-point range -- including 43.8% last season. To complement his deep threat ability, Hunter is a tenacious defender who can switch onto guards, a premium trait for forwards in the NBA.

Culver is a terrific all-around player who does a lot of things really well. He can defend at a high level, he can knock down open jumpers, he can handle the ball competently. The concern for Culver is that he's good at a variety of things but perhaps not great at one single thing. But he's just 20-years-old and still maturing physically, and last season he was cast in a role he'll likely never serve again as a No. 1 option. In the right system with the right surroundings, he can be an excellent 3-and-D role player.

The Suns employed more point guards last season than most franchises do in two seasons. At No. 6, they'll have a shot to draft a player at the position they can build around and do by taking Garland. Garland played just five games at Vanderbilt last season as a freshman, but he was stellar before a season ending injury: 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game while shooting 58.1% from the floor and 47.8% from 3-point range. Garland's ball-handling is among the best in this draft class, despite a negative assist-turnover ratio. And his scoring ability could perfectly complement Phoenix's young core -- namely backcourt buddy-to-be Devin Booker.

White is seen as a score-first point guard, but he is absolutely capable of creating and facilitating because of his top-end speed and elusiveness. If Chicago wants someone to solidify a position in need of an upgrade for the long-term, White can fill that void. At North Carolina he averaged 16.1 points and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 35.3% from 3-point range. Perhaps the most telling number, though, is 30.7: the percentage of points he scored in transition. He loves to push the pace and plays with poise. Decision-making and the ins-and-outs of playing as a primary creator is still where he most needs development, but in time he can be a tremendous piece for the Bulls to build with and around.

Reddish has a blue-chip background but a confounding r?sum?, having largely underwhelmed at Duke last season. Was it the situation alongside Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, two stars who commanded most touches? Or was it a red flag that Reddish simply could not put it all together? His inability to stand out does cause concern. But with a 6-foot-8 frame, a beautiful shot release and defensive capabilities that should translate immediately, Hawks GM Travis Schlenk should bite on the upside. Paired with Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, Schlenk has to be thrilled about the prospects of adding Reddish to an already promising young backcourt brimming with talent.

Why is Bol Bol, a 7-2 center who averaged 21 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and shot 57% from 3-point range, so hard to peg? Because he played just nine games before sustaining a season-ending foot injury. Injuries are always a concern, but especially for 7-footers. But Bol's talent is going to leave teams with a tough choice: bet on a healthy version, or play it safe? Washington's in position to go swing big. With John Wall out for the foreseeable future, the Wizards desperately need not squander Bradley Beal's prime. If Bol can stay healthy, a Beal-Bol pairing would be sublime.

Traded from: DAL

With John Collins in place, some could fear duplicative talents. But Hayes is likely better suited at center, which would allow Collins to play at power forward. The match here would be *chef's kiss* magnificent. Hayes is a preternatural shot-blocker with instincts well beyond his years. He's still very raw; his first start as a basketball player came as a senior in high school, in large part due to a growth spurt from 6-foot to 6-11 from high school freshman to college freshman. But the springy nature of his game and potential as a rim-running, shot-swatting specialist makes a ton of sense for the Hawks.

Clarke's 6-8.25 wingspan and 8-6 standing reach came in smaller than a number of guards and forwards at the NBA Draft Combine. That's not great news for an aspiring NBA power forward. But there's hope: he had a max vertical leap of 40.5 inches, which ranked No. 1 among players at his position. He also finished No. 1 in lane agility and No. 2 in standing vertical leap. Can he be the same physically imposing big man in the NBA, the one who led the NCAA last season in shots blocked and field goal percentage, with such a vast array of measurements and skills? If he can, Minnesota's a great fit. He could hide a lot of Karl-Anthony Towns' defensive weaknesses with his shot-blocking and ability to cover space. And for a franchise that's all-in on surrounding KAT with pieces to be successful, isn't that perhaps Clarke's best qualification?

Doumbouya is a do-it-all forward who is coming on strong as draft season heats up. He scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Limoges CSP last week, just a week before the French playoffs, and seems to have fully rebounded from a right hand injury at the end of 2018. Doumbouya's raw but promising, a forward who for his size has great ball-handling skills and figures to be a plus defender in the NBA. He'll need development and a team devoted to helping his realize his potential, and Charlotte's a great spot where he could play quality minutes and grow into the versatile forward who can space the floor the NBA now places so much value in.

Langford is a rangy wing prospect who last season at Indiana saw his stock dip a tad. In large part, his stock dropped not because of his numbers -- he averaged 16.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game -- but because of his inefficient scoring. (49% from the field, 27.2% from 3-point range.) A torn ligament in his shooting hand likely had a lot to do with that. If he can become more effective, Miami could get a former top-10 recruit and a formerly pegged top-10 prospect at a discount rate here at No. 13. With Dwyane Wade retiring, he gives the Heat a player to fill rotation minutes at the position immediately and a player with starpower to build around as time wears on.

Traded from: SAC

Marcus Morris is set to become an unrestricted free agent, which means Boston should think about addressing the power forward position with one of its many picks. So Washington fits an obvious need if Morris doesn't re-sign. While he's not the same type of player Morris is, he's an excellent 3-point shooter with length to be a multi-positional defender. At Kentucky last season he averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting a team-leading 42.3% from 3-point range. Washington is an an idyllic, modern-day stretch forward.

Questions surround Porter Jr. after he was suspended last season at Southern Cal for conduct issues, but he's so talented it's unlikely he falls far past the lottery (if he's not snatched up inside the lottery). A great creator with the ball in his hands, Porter Jr. has drawn comparisons to James Harden in part because of his left-handed release and also because of his ability to create separation to manufacture his own shot. Detroit needs shot-creators and secondary ball-handlers, and Porter Jr. could address both of those needs.

While Little underwhelmed last season at North Carolina, scoring only 9.8 points and grabbing 4.6 boards per game, context is important to consider. He played on a team that was upperclassmen-laden at his position, and couldn't quite pick things up fast enough to become a centerpiece as a freshman. But Little's an athletic freak, a former McDonald's All-American Game MVP, and a rangy forward. His size and length will be appealing to teams picking in the teens, especially for a Magic franchise that would love to buy low on a prospect of his caliber.

DeMarre Carroll is headed towards unrestricted free agency and Jared Dudley turns 34 this summer. The Nets could have some gaps to fill at forward. Hachimura fills a need having played both forward positions at Gonzaga, versatility the Nets should find alluring. For such a large frame, Hachimura can fill such a wide range of roles. From attacking off the dribble to shooting 3-pointers to versatility as a defender, Brooklyn could certainly find value in what he brings.

As the Pacers continue to add pieces to surround Victor Oladipo with talent, Herro should be a name they'll consider. An excellent scorer and shooter, Herro could alleviate some playmaking pressure off Oladipo, too, as he's capable of creating shots for himself off the dribble and an underrated passer. Wesley Matthews's imminent unrestricted free agency and Tyreke Evans's recent disqualification from the NBA makes this an all-the-more savvy selection at No. 18.

Johnson is a competitive, tough-minded forward prospect who can knock down 3-pointers and defend the perimeter at a high level. Gregg Popovich will love his aggressive spirit, and fans in San Antonio will love his high-flying dunks and athletic gifts that come with the package. As Rudy Gay hits unrestricted free agency and Marco Belinelli readies to follow in 2020, Johnson could not only be a talent grab but also fill a need.

Traded from: LAC

Bitadze remains an unknown to many having played overseas, most recently for Mega Bemax in Serbia, but he's one of the best center prospects in this draft class. Bitadze is a creative big man who is terrific in the midrange, crafty with the ball in his hands, and a strong force in the post. His offensive upside as a big man will be a huge draw for teams. Boston could look to draft and develop him with Al Horford as a long-term successor -- or as a short-term sidekick.

Johnson is one of the best, if not the best, shooters in this draft class. And guess what Oklahoma City could use? You guessed it: Shooting. Pairing Johnson, who shot 45.7% from the floor last season at UNC, along with Russell Westbrook and Paul George would be a smart move for GM Sam Presti.

Days before the NBA Draft Combine, Horton-Tucker it was reported that he was alleged to have shoplifted $15.93 worth of goods from Walmart, a topic he was asked about frequently in Chicago, raising an unwelcome red flag teams must consider. On the court, he's an intriguing guard/forward whose wingspan measured out longer than many power forwards. Danny Ainge places a lot of stock in versatility and length, particularly at forward.

Utah seems determined to add a point guard with Ricky Rubio entering unrestricted free agency and Dante Exum simply not performing at a high enough level to earn big minutes for a playoff team. Alexander-Walker is a best of both worlds player in that regard; at Virginia Tech he played both point guard and shooting guard, and showed he's a capable distributor, creator and transition player. He could complement Mitchell well in particular with floor-spacing; his 37.4% accuracy from 3-point range last season would require defenders' attention.

Philly likely won't be able to retain its entire core of Jimmy Butler, JJ Redick and Tobias Harris. So a tough decision is coming: Where can it afford to go cheap on? If Redick ends up being the odd man out, Windler makes sense as a late-first addition with his ability to make contested shots and consistency as a 3-point threat. At Belmont his last three seasons he shot 42.9, 42.6 and 39.8% from 3-point range, improving each of his four seasons as a scorer.

Portland's roster as currently constructed is Western Conference Finals good, but with a tweak or two, can it be NBA Finals good? Adding the No. 25 pick alone isn't likely enough -- but it's a solid start if Williams is on the board. He's a tough, physically imposing forward who won consecutive SEC Player of the Year honors in his final two seasons. He can play power forward or, potentially, center in small-ball lineups. Think a slightly taller, slightly heavier PJ Tucker with a splash of playmaking.

Traded from: HOU

Samanic was the clear-cut winner from the combine. He played so well on the first day he shut it down on the second day, as buzz about him improving his stock into the first round filled the gym in Chicago. He was the best player from Day One of the combine, showing off some impressive handles, a smooth shot, and range from 3-point range that is a rarity for 6-11 bigs.

Traded from: DEN

Edwards improved his stock dramatically with a mystical NCAA Tournament appearance in which he scored 139 combined points in four games, including two 42-point outbursts. His performance was a showcase of what he can be in the NBA: a microwave scorer who can handle the ball and make shots from Mars.

No team could ever prepare for a nightmare scenario like the possibility of Kevin Durant leaving in free agency. So Golden State should approach this pick by simply taking best player on the board in Luguentz Dort, a tough and tenacious defender who can become a quality role player even on a star-studded roster like Golden State's.

Traded from: TOR

The Spurs have LaMarcus Aldrige locked in under contract through 2020-2021, but this is a pick with an eye on that date. Kabengele is an impressive floor-spacing big man who last season at Florida State averaged 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds while making 36.9% of his 3-pointers. (As a freshman he made 38.5%). He's still growing into what he'll ultimately become but his stock is on the rise as he continues to get better each year.

What do you get a team with a 6-11 athletic freak in Giannis? How about another 6-11 athletic freak? Gafford's talents are vastly different than that of Antetokounmpo's, but nonetheless important. He can be an early impact rim-protector and roll-man in a Bucks ecosystem that could allow him to flourish.

Folks have been trotting out comparisons for Williamson for a while now. They say he's built like Charles Barkley. They say he dunks like Blake Griffin. And I can see those things, I guess. But here's the truth: Zion Williamson is built more like The Incredible Hulk than Charles Barkley ? and there really isn't a great basketball comp for him. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound forward averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds in 30 minutes per game as a freshman at Duke. He had a Player Efficiency Rating of 42.55 ? which was nearly five points higher than anybody else in college basketball. He was the CBS Sports National Player of the Year. I'm not saying there's never been a prospect this good. But what I can say is that there's never been a prospect this unique. Simply put, nobody on the planet Zion's size can do the things Zion does. He moves like a small man ? even though he's a massive man. He's an overwhelming physical specimen, a well-rounded and skilled basketball player. He's a franchise-changing superstar ? and a lock to go No. 1 in the 2019 NBA Draft.

NBA legend Jerry West has reportedly told friends he believes Morant is the best prospect in this NBA Draft. I respectfully disagree because of the presence of Zion Williamson. But Morant is obviously intriguing for lots of reasons ? most notably because he's incredibly difficult, bordering on impossible, for opposing guards to keep out of the lane, which is why more than half of Morant's field goal attempts came at the rim, where he finished successfully more than 61% of the time this season. The CBS Sports First Team All-American averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 36.6 minutes per game. He got a triple-double in Murray State's win over Marquette in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and the fact that he shot 87.5% from 3-point range on eight attempts in the NCAA Tournament served as evidence that he's a capable shooter. Obviously, the Grizzlies are rebuilding, and Mike Conley has made it clear, in the nicest way possible, that he'd prefer to not spend his final good years in the NBA going through a rebuild. So this is actually easy. Draft Morant, pair him with Jaren Jackson Jr., move Conley for young players/assets, and everybody gets what they want.

Barrett scored more points (860) this season than any freshman in ACC history on his way to becoming a CBS Sports First Team All-American, and he was the only player from a Power 5 conference to score at least 13 points in every contest he played. In other words, the 6-7 guard is an undeniable and relentless bucket-getter ? but his percentages, and efficiency numbers, were not great, which is why some are skeptical that Barrett will become an NBA superstar. He only made 27.8% of his 2-point jumpers and 30.8% of his 3-point attempts while helping Duke make the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. That's an obvious point of concern. But, regardless, Barrett, at this point, is still the best player available ? and if the Knicks actually do add Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving via free agency, they could put him right between them and start competing in the East immediately.

There's no guarantee the Lakers will make this pick because packaging it with other things and moving it for a veteran to help LeBron James now is a sensible option for which The King might push. But if the Lakers do pick, they should simply take the best player available ? and, in my opinion, that's Hunter. He's a 6-7 wing who A) measures similarly to OG Anunoby, B) can switch on to bigs or guards no problem, and C) shot 43.8% from 3-point range this season while leading Virginia to the national championship. It's hard, bordering on impossible, to come up with reasons why he won't be very good, if not great, at the next level. In fact, I've heard former NBA players who are now television analysts describe him as the Kawhi Leonard of this draft. I can't promise that, exactly, because it's such a high bar. But if their point is that Hunter projects as a tremendous two-way player, yeah, that's a fair assessment and why he won't slip out of the top five no matter what.

Culver projects as the second straight sub-100 high school prospect to develop into a top-20 pick within two years of enrolling at Texas Tech, which speaks volumes about the development happening inside Chris Beard's program. The 6-6 sophomore averaged 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 32.5 minutes per game this season while leading Texas Tech to the title game of the NCAA Tournament. Yes, he was outplayed by De'Andre Hunter in that title game ? but that shouldn't keep Culver from dropping too far below Hunter in this draft.

Perhaps it should be unsurprising that the leading scorer in the history of North Carolina high school basketball scored big as a freshman at UNC. But, still, I'm not sure many expected White, a sub-20 prospect in the Class of 2018, to pass Michael Jordan on the school's freshman scoring list in early March and play as big of a role as he played for a North Carolina team that earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Before the season, White was considered a 6-5 shooting guard. But he showed the ability this season to effectively play with or without the ball, which made him an even more intriguing prospect and an obvious one-and-done player.

Perhaps it should be unsurprising that the leading scorer in the history of North Carolina high school basketball scored big as a freshman at UNC. But, still, I'm not sure many expected White, a sub-20 prospect in the Class of 2018, to pass Michael Jordan on the school's freshman scoring list in early March and play as big of a role as he played for a North Carolina team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Before the season, White was considered a 6-5 shooting guard. But he showed the ability this season to effectively play with or without the ball, which is essentially what made him an obvious one-and-done prospect.

Little was the MVP of the 2018 McDonald's All-American Game and the 2018 Jordan Brand Classic. So it's reasonable to suggest most didn't expect him to average just 9.8 points in his freshman season at North Carolina. But that's exactly what he did -- at least partly because he played just 18.2 minutes per game and behind a pair of seniors in Cameron Johnson and Luke Maye. It just wasn't a good fit from a roster perspective. Regardless, scouts are still intrigued by Little's natural gifts and potential. So while he won't be picked where he would've been picked before the season started, Little will, barring a surprise, still be picked in the lottery.

Langford shot poor percentages in his one year at Indiana. Some believe it's because he had an injured hand much of the season; hopefully that's true. But, either way, the 6-6 guard still averaged 16.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game. He's an intriguing prospect big enough to play alongside Bradley Beal in Washington, which is why he's a reasonable option at this point in the draft.

Traded from: DAL

Hayes developed late and was labeled as just the third-best prospect in Texas' four-player recruiting class coming out of high school. But the 6-11 forward showed tremendous ability early in the season and established himself as a lottery talent with incredible upside. Hayes shot 72.8% from the field ? mostly because he dunked everything close to the rim. His block percentage of 10.6 rated 19th nationally. And it should also be noted that Hayes is the son of a former professional athlete, which sometimes means nothing but is definitely something more and more NBA franchises have come to value thanks to players like Stephen Curry and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Reddish projected as a top-five pick in the preseason, which suggested Duke was likely to become the first team in history to have three players selected in the top five of the same NBA Draft. But that now seems like an unlikely scenario considering the lackluster and wildly inconsistent freshmen year Reddish just played. The 6-8 forward only shot 35.6% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range ? and the fact that he missed an NCAA Tournament game for questionable reasons did nothing to eliminate the concern in some circles that Reddish's passion for the game maybe isn't where it ought to be.

Not all freshmen who return to school for their sophomore seasons to improve their stock actually, you know, improve their stock. But Washington definitely helped himself this season -- mostly because he went from a 23.8% 3-point shooter (on limited opportunities) as a freshman to somebody who made 42.3% of the 78 3-pointers he attempted as a sophomore while leading Kentucky to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The 6-8 forward led UK in both points (15.2) and rebounds (7.5). So Washington projects as a stretch-the-floor forward who can also work around the rim.

Doumbouya should be the first non-college player selected. The 6-9 forward was born in Guinea but raised in France ? and he didn't turn 18 until last December, which makes him the youngest projected first-round pick available. He's a good athlete who can run the floor and play above the rim. And though Doumbouya's high-arcing jumper has never gone in consistently enough for anybody to call him a reliable shooter, there's no obvious reason he can't develop into one and become a high-level two-way player when he moves from the top professional league in France to the NBA.

Traded from: SAC

Zion Williamson, as noted above, had the highest Player Efficiency Rating in college basketball this season. But Clarke's PER ranked second nationally; it was more than three points better than everybody else's. And the 6-8 forward was a big reason why Gonzaga finished a perfect 16-0 in the West Coast Conference while earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Clarke averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game. The San Jose State transfer is a high-energy big who is a plus-player on both ends of the court. Any franchise obsessed with advanced stats, which is most, will seriously consider him anywhere outside of the top 10.

Herro did a nice job this season proving he's way more than "just a shooter" -- which is what many labeled him coming out of high school, perhaps because of little more than stereotypes. At Kentucky, the 6-5 guard averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 32.6 minutes per game while shooting 46.2%from the field, 35.5% from 3-point range and 93.5% from the free-throw line. So he's a guard with size who can put the ball on the floor and consistently knock down shots. And that's what makes Herro a real candidate to be selected either late in the lottery or just outside of it.

Alexander-Walker made a significant jump from his freshman season to his sophomore season and averaged 16.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists for a Virginia Tech team that made the Sweet 16 for just the second time in school history. More importantly, for his NBA future at least, Alexander-Walker showed he's a 6-5 guard capable of playing on or off the ball and guarding at least three positions ? all of which is why NBA scouts have been buzzing about him since November.

Bol is probably the most polarizing prospect in this draft. On one hand, he's a 7-2 center who can put the ball on the floor, shoot 3-pointers effectively and alter and block shots like nobody else available. That's the good. On the other hand, he's a 7-2 center who struggles to guard in space and missed most of this season after suffering a foot injury in December that required surgery in January. That's the bad. Some franchises will have him in the top 10, others outside of the top 20. Exactly where Bol will land in June is one of this draft's greatest mysteries.

Hachimura has gone from somebody who averaged 4.6 minutes per game as a freshman to a consensus top-20 prospect as a junior ? one who shot 59.1% from the field, and 41.7% from 3-point range, this season for a Gonzaga team that finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. The 6-8 forward didn't start playing basketball in his native Japan until his teenage years and has improved significantly, in every way, every year in college. So there's no reason to think Hachimura won't continue to get better at all of the things he's already good at.

Kentucky should have three players selected in the top 20 of this NBA Draft ? and they really could go in any order. For what it's worth, I have Johnson the last to come off the board. But if he's actiually the first, it won't be surprising considering the 6-6 wing is a nice athlete who shot 38.1% from 3-point range on three attempts per game this season. He was a big reason why Kentucky was just a shot away from making the Final Four for the fifth time in a 10-year span under John Calipari.

Traded from: LAC

Show me a smart player with good size for his position who can play either backcourt spot, dribble, pass, shoot and be tough on the defensive end of the court, and I'll show you somebody who will have a long career playing professional basketball. Jerome is such a player. The 6-5 combo guard averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 33.9 minutes per game for a Virginia team that won the national title. The success other recent Virginia alums have had in the NBA, combined with the fact that Jerome made 39.2% of the 424 3-pointers he attempted in college, will help him with front offices looking to avoid a mistake.

From a purely basketball perspective, Porter is a lottery talent who would be a steal for the Thunder, or anybody else, this low in this draft. But he's done very little, and possibly nothing, to eliminate some of the red flags that figure to make selecting him in the lottery a non-starter for some -- not all, but definitely some -- franchises. The 6-6 wing spent part of his freshman season injured, part of it suspended and was something less than the model student-athlete while averaging just 9.5 points in 22.1 minutes per game for a USC team that finished with a losing record. None of that alone means Porter won't emerge as one of the 10 best players from this draft. But some of that is why he's unlikely to be one of the top 10 players selected in this draft.

Dort became just the third consensus top-50 high school prospect to enroll at Arizona State -- joining a list that includes James Harden and Jahii Carson -- and he was a big reason why the Sun Devils made the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year under Bobby Hurley. The 6-4 freshman from Montreal averaged 16.1 points and got to the free throw line 6.1 times per game. He has a 6-9 wingspan and real desire to guard both quicker and bigger players. His 215-pound frame is rock-solid. And although Dort is not a natural point guard, he did spend part of this season proving he can play on or off the ball, which helped him with scouts.

Schofield was just a 3-star prospect coming out of high school -- a 6-5 forward from Illinois who wasn't even considered a top-250 recruit in the Class of 2015, according to 247Sports. Now he's 6-6 with a sculpted body and reputation for being a tireless worker who is loved by his coaches, all of which helped him average 16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds this season for a Tennessee team that spent four weeks ranked No. 1. The fact that Schofield made more than 40% of 393 3-point attempts in the past three seasons suggests he'll be a real threat from the perimeter when he gets to the NBA.

Edwards' incredible performances in the NCAA Tournament ? especially his 42-point game against the Virginia team that went on to win the national championship ? helped the Purdue junior with NBA front offices, and now he's a likely first-round pick. The 6-1 guard averaged 24.3 points in 35.4 minutes per game this season while shooting 35.5% from 3-point range. At worst, I think, Edwards projects as an instant-offense contributer perfectly suited to come off of the bench.

Horton-Tucker went from a borderline top-60 recruit coming out of high school to a likely first-round pick inside of a year thanks to a nice freshman season that saw him average 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27.2 minutes per game for an Iowa State team that won the Big 12 Tournament. The 6-5 guard is still only 18 years old; so patience will likely be required. But Horton-Tucker's ability to play multiple positions makes him an interesting prospect.

Traded from: HOU

Williams is a two-time SEC Player of the Year who averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game this season. The CBS Sports First Team All-American was so consistently productive that NBA scouts who previously questioned whether what he does will translate to the next level are starting to wonder why it won't. It's true that the 6-7 forward is neither a great athlete nor a serious threat from the perimeter. But Williams really knows how to play. And, more and more often, players who are described that way are carving out roles for themselves in the NBA. Perhaps Williams can be the next.

Traded from: DEN

Okpala's production was significantly up this season. The 6-9 forward averaged 16.8 points and made 36.8% of his 3-point attempts while transforming from a borderline top-45 prospect in the Class of 2017 into a likely first-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. One of the keys to that, it should be noted, is that Okpala has gone from a 6-6 forward to a 6-9 forward in a span of two years. So now he looks like a nice combo forward for the way the NBA is currently being played.

Fernando, already blessed with an NBA-ready body, was extremely tough for Big Ten post players to deal with all season while averaging 13.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in 30.0 minutes per game. One coach even compared him to Karl Malone. And while I'm not sure the 6-10 forward projects as a future Hall of Famer like The Mailman eventually became, it's hard not to like an athlete built this way who also has a motor that allows him to work harder, and play harder, than most of the other bigs he's spent the past two seasons matched up against.

Traded from: TOR

Windler entered Belmont as a mostly unheralded prospect but is leaving as one of the nation's most productive players. The 6-8 senior averaged 21.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game this season while registering the nation's 10th-best Player Efficiency Rating and leading the Bruins to their first win in NCAA Tournament history. Beyond that, Windler shot above 42% from 3-point range in each of the past two seasons, which suggests he'll be a reliable shooter in the NBA and a space-the-floor forward.

Villanova needed Paschall to elevate his play this season to stay relevant and win a fifth Big East title in a six-year span. He did. So the Wildcats did. And, in the process, the 6-8, 260-pound senior helped himself with NBA scouts by proving he's more than just a role player on a team with four future NBA players, which is kind of what he was previously. Paschall averaged 16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 36.1 minutes per game this season. The biggest thing working against him, at this point, is that he's already 22 years old and will turn 23 in November.

A one-word explanation of Williamson going No. 1 would read like this: "Duh." Zion is a prospect like nobody we've ever seen: A supreme NBA athlete, with a developed skill set, in the body of a defensive lineman, and filled with all the intangibles like charisma, work ethic and character. He's already not just a household name but a household first name ? do you know how rare that is for a guy just entering the NBA? If there's one question about Zion, it's what kind of player he'll end up as in the NBA. His talents are so rare and varied that he could become a version of LeBron James, or a version of Draymond Green, or something else entirely. (There are other questions, too: How will his football player body hold up over an 82-game NBA season? Can his outside shot improve?) In the lottery room on Tuesday night in Chicago, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry was positively giddy. He has every right to be.

I'm here for Morant throwing lobs to Jaren Jackson, and for Jackson's floor-spacing opening things up for Morant's electric playmaking. This is the sort of hyper-athletic point guard ? the type who could win the NBA dunk contest ? who scouts also praise for his excellent feel for the game. That's so, so rare. Morant was the first Division I player to average more than 20 points and 10 assists in a season since the assist statistic became official in 1983. Mike Conley now becomes a very good trade piece for a franchise whose rebuild suddenly accelerated.

This is the last pick in the draft that feels like you're getting someone with superstar potential. Executives are somewhat divided on Barrett. Some worry about his tunnel vision; when he gets going toward the rim, he'll often see none of the rest of the floor. When one assistant general manager for a Western Conference team compared him to a Shabazz Muhammad, that caused me to take a step back. But let the record show that I think he's closer to another player that executives and scouts have said they see shades of: James Harden, a slithery and creative scorer. Barrett has told me that he studies Harden's game as much as any player in the NBA, and models himself after him. There's risk that Barrett might turn into a volume scorer in a league that's obsessed with efficient scorers. But Barrett has that star potential. If Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant come to New York, though, the fit certainly isn't optimal. The dude doesn't defer particularly well.

Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka has the toughest pick in this entire draft. We'll see if he decides to make that pick, or use this pick as trade bait. But the problem is, this draft is so shallow, I'm not sure if any pick outside the top two would really be game-changers as trade bait. If he makes the pick, will he take Darius Garland and hope Garland's shot-making works well alongside Lonzo Ball's distributing? Honestly, I have no idea. I'm going with Hunter ? even though there's some positional overlap with LeBron James ? if only because Hunter seems ready to contribute to a winning team immediately. Hunter may be the best perimeter defender in this draft. He's got a Paul George-like ceiling; he could become an excellent 3-and-D player, but if you look at the progress he made in his time at Virginia, he could become much more than that, too. Hunter helped himself with his best-player-on-the-floor performance over Texas Tech in the national title game. He was aggressive on both ends, he made shots from 3-point range and at the rim, and he played with a confidence that he didn't always have. Two things NBA teams love about him: He's got multi-positional versatility that's so important in today's NBA, and he's a product of the high-character Tony Bennett system that's produced many surprisingly good NBA players (Malcolm Brogdon, Joe Harris, Mike Scott).

Tough spot for the Cavaliers, who need a superstar. Do they try to pair Darius Garland in the backcourt with Collin Sexton and hope it works? Reddish would be the risky, swing-for-the-fences pick. The theory of Reddish makes NBA executives drool: He's basically Paul George, an elite NBA body who plays the most in-demand position of wing, who can handle it and shoot it. The reality of Reddish has at times been very different: Is he basically Andrew Wiggins, a tantalizing talent who lacks the motor and the killer instinct to become a star? Here's how one scout put it to me: "Is he going to be a 'sometime' player or a 'full-time' player?" His ceiling is clear: "He's the picture of the small forward in today's NBA," another scout told me. There's a belief out there that Reddish could be a better NBA player than he was a college player. The fit was never great for Reddish at Duke, as the clear No. 3 option who almost exclusively played off the ball. Remember: Reddish played point guard up until this season, and plenty of people believed not too long ago that he would be the top talent in this draft.

Garland is small but mighty (think Steph Curry size-wise). Scouts have said to me that Garland, a better shooter than Morant, has a really, really good shot at becoming the better NBA point guard between the two of them. He can score from everywhere. He's got a great handle and good vision. A meniscus injury he suffered in his knee ended his collegiate season early, but people close to Garland say he's 100% (of course they say that). Medicals will be important here; if Garland passes with flying colors, he ought to be a top-five pick. Garland next to Booker is intriguing; both are score-first guards. I don't know if it would work, but I know this much: I'd watch.

The Bulls need a star point guard, badly. And White certainly showed flashes of stardom in his one-and-done season at North Carolina. Can he play point guard in the NBA? Maybe. Think of him more as a lead guard than a point guard. The dude is a natural scorer who can make buckets all over the floor. He gets to the rim, and he makes shots from really deep. Scouts love that he's both fast and he's quick, with that wiggle that helps him get to the rim. He was the leading scorer ? and possibly the most talented player ? on the U18 team that won the FIBA Americas championship last summer in Canada.

Jack of all trades, master of none? That's the top concern for Culver, that he doesn't have a single elite skill, though he's pretty good at pretty much everything. He's skinny now, but he comes from a highly athletic family ? one of his brothers is training for the 2020 Olympics in the high jump ? and can certainly blossom with an NBA strength program. Culver is divisive; some I've spoken with put him as a top-five player in this draft, some believe he'll turn into a talent that didn't deserve to be selected in the lottery. I'm in the former group. He'll be one more big young talent for the Hawks.

Hayes is huge (6-foot-11 with a 7-3 wingspan) and a very good athlete whose basketball skills will take a while to develop. There aren't many college basketball players this season who have been better around the rim ? on both ends of the court ? than Hayes has been for Texas. The knee injury that ended his season will get lots of scrutiny from NBA teams. Said one scout: "Once he matures, that's Capela Junior right there." He runs, sets screens, dives, and accepts his role. The Wizards have a need at big man. But Hayes is quite raw; picking Hayes here could signal a potential rebuild. Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas Mavericks): Nassir Little, SF/PF, freshman, North Carolina. Little was a bit overhyped coming into his season at UNC, and he certainly did not live up to that hype. But he certainly has all the tools to become something special in time: He's big, long and strong, a two-way player with explosive athleticism. But he'll need time. That's something the Hawks have. Explosive wings are the most valued commodity in the NBA. You can't get enough of them.

Traded from: DAL

Little was a bit overhyped coming into his season at UNC, and he certainly did not live up to that hype. But he certainly has all the tools to become something special in time: He's big, long and strong, a two-way player with explosive athleticism. But he'll need time. That's something the Hawks have. Explosive wings are the most valued commodity in the NBA. You can't get enough of them.

Clarke has the potential to become a modern small-ball NBA big man ? an elite shot blocker who can guard on the perimeter as well. He's an incredible, springy athlete who simply doesn't miss shots close to the rim; Clarke shot 70.5% from 2-point territory this season, ninth in college basketball. While he may not yet be a 3-point shooter, it may not matter next to Timberwolves' franchise centerpiece Karl-Anthony Towns. I love the fit of these two next to each other. The defensive mindset Clarke would bring to the Wolves is huge.

Washington improved everything about his game since deciding to return to Kentucky for a sophomore season ? none more important than his shooting. Washington was suspect at best from 3-point range last season, hitting only 24% of his 3-pointers and seeming like a reluctant shooter. He turned that into a strength, making 3-pointers at a 42% rate and forcing teams to respect him from distance. His versatility is huge, he does a little bit of everything, and he plays really hard.

Hachimura is not considered an elite shooter, but he did make 41.7% of his 3-point attempts last season on a limited number of attempts. The more important thing he brings to the Heat is energy and toughness: He's a high energy, athletic four who can defend at a high level. Erik Spoelstra will love him. Also, remember: Hachimura, who will become the first Japanese lottery pick, is relatively new to basketball. He's still got tons of upside. He also has upside in the marketing world. The Heat could see the enormous marketing opportunities with Hachimura in terms of the Japanese market, and him being the star player for the Japanese team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Traded from: SAC

If the Celtics do keep this pick, one would assume they go with a low-risk talent who can contribute immediately, and be paired with their established stars. Doumbouya is a big, big fella who has already been playing regularly against grown men in Europe. He's still learning the nuances of basketball, but the optimized version of him looks a lot like O.G. Anunoby.

Langford disappointed in his one-and-done season, but he still has one of the the highest ceilings at this part of the draft. This could be a boom-or-bust type of pick. If you're confident he can become a passable 3-point shooter (like former Piston Khris Middleton, a player he's often compared to, has), Langford can reach that ceiling. There are concerns about his body language; he's utterly emotionless on the court ? but he could also be the type of player who kills it at the combine in Chicago. "Somebody's going to take a chance on him," one scout told me.

Like plenty of teams, the Magic could use more consistent shooting. Herro is one of the best pure shooters in this draft ? 35.5% from 3-point range and 93.5% from the free-throw line. Their front line is pretty full, especially if they re-sign Nikola Vucevic and especially if Mohamed Bamba takes steps in the right direction. One would assume this pick goes to the backcourt.

Would this be a reckless pick? Perhaps. Bol is one of the most volatile, boom-or-bust players in this draft. But the Nets need more help down low apart from Jarrett Allen. There is the possibility, however slight, that Bol could become a star, or something like it; that's not something that's true of many (if any) players by this point of the draft. By drafting Bol, the Nets would take a home-run swing on a divisive, high-upside player. He's 7-2 with a 7-7 wingspan who can really shoot it from deep as well as block shots. One scout I spoke with said there's plenty not to like about Bol: "If you had to pick somebody at the top who has the best chance to have a bust, it could be him." But that same scout said he has him as a top-10 pick because the reward would be so great. The best version of Bol looks like Kristaps Porzingis, a big man who can make shots from all over the floor and dominate on defense.