Triple Option

By Michael Maynard

Published 6/19/19 @ 6:45 PM CT

ROUND ONE

1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, PF, Duke

Don’t think I need to do much explaining here. Not only is he clearly the best player available but he also fits in perfectly with this new Pelicans core post AD.

2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, PG, Murray State

Also no shocker, and Memphis just traded Mike Conley to Utah to make room for the sophomore sensation. Will be interesting to see how Memphis builds around Morant. Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are the two centerpieces, so the big question is whether they consider Jackson as a 4 or 5. They have reportedly been in talks to resign Jonas Valanciunas, which would signal they want to play bigger. They should draft another wing at #23, acquired in the Conley trade.

3. New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, SG, Duke

The Knicks recently worked out Darius Garland, so I guess Barrett isn’t a lock here. But Barrett is widely considered the third best prospect, and would probably be the most appealing pick to a fan base already disgruntled about losing the Zion stakes. Once upon a time Barrett was the number one prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, so it’s not like he lacks star potential. Now the focus moves to signing a big-name free agent to play alongside Barrett.

4. New Orleans Pelicans: De’Andre Hunter, SF, Virginia

Garland is probably the best player available, but with Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday in the fold, a point guard doesn’t make much sense. This pick may be on the move for someone looking to move up for Garland, but I’m not going to predict trades. Hunter is one of the most accomplished players in this draft class, and brings elite skills on both side of the ball. He also established himself as a big moment player in the NCAA tournament, with the go-ahead shot vs Texas Tech in the championship game coming to mind. With the addition of Hunter, New Orleans could play Ball and Holiday with Hunter and Brandon Ingram as the forwards and the Zion in the middle. That team is going to get up and down the floor and be fun to watch.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Cameron Reddish, SG, Duke

Reddish played in the shadows of RJ and Zion at Duke, and he didn’t get to showcase his best abilities in his year at Duke. But still an elite sharpshooter, Reddish will be an impact player and should not slip past Atlanta. I’m guessing as for which player the Cleveland brass likes the most, but Reddish would fill a vital need alongside Collin Sexton in the backcourt.

6. Phoenix Suns: Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt

Garland got a lottery promise during the pre-draft workouts, and I’m going to guess Phoenix was the team that said they’d pick him if he was there. The Suns desperately need a point guard, and Garland has gained some hype leading up to the draft as a lead guard with superior range. Injured for most of his lone season at Vanderbilt, we still haven’t seen a ton of Garland. But that won’t stop Phoenix from filling a long-needed hole at the point

7. Chicago Bulls: Coby White, PG, North Carolina

This is a very big pick in determining the plans of the Bulls. If they draft White, who is probably the best player on the board, that signals Kris Dunn is probably on his way out. If they draft Culver, then the Bulls probably look to sign a veteran PG to keep with Dunn while adding yet another wing to fill the spot alongside Zach LaVine. Again I still support Kris Dunn as the point guard of the future, but this is my prediction of what the front office does, not what I would do. There is speculation the Bulls trade up for Garland as well. White is definitely a solid player and fun to watch, but what the Bulls really need out of their point guard of the future is what has eluded them in recent memory: Health.

8. Atlanta Hawks: Jarrett Culver, SF, Texas Tech

The Hawks take Culver here hoping he’s a upgrade over Kent Bazemore on the wing and can play alongside Kevin Huerter on the wing. Culver is very similar to Hunter as a prospect, and that parallel furthered as they met in the tournament finale. While not an elite shooter yet, Culver has potential to develop into a second or third option alongside Trae Young and John Collins. Ideally this also takes some pressure off of Young as the lone playmaker on the court.

9. Washington Wizards: Brandon Clarke, C, Gonzaga

Clarke is a prototypical modern big. He’s long and athletic, which projects him as a solid rim-runner, and he showed his shot-blocking skills on display at Gonzaga. Clarke has slowly risen up draft boards, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he sneaks into the top ten. The Wizards are a mess, and might be content with Thomas Bryant and upgrade their guard depth with John Wall’s health questions. However at this point, with the three point guards are off the board, Clarke’s upside is too big to pass on.

10. Atlanta Hawks, Jaxson Hayes, PF, Texas

Another intriguing prospect because of his makeup, Hayes would give Atlanta two athletic bigs to pair with Trae Young. If both can become decent shooters, the upside is younger Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins in New Orleans with more financial security.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves: Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee

Williams was the best college player not named Zion Williamson this past season. A tweeter that’s not at the top of draft boards, Williams’s skill set should translate to the NBA as a role player in some capacity. He is physical, has nice midrange touch, and showed at Tennessee that he’s a competitor. Minnesota is in a weird limbo state, so they may take a piece with higher upside, but with Clarke and Hayes oft the board, I got a little creative.

12. Charlotte Hornets: Sekou Doumbouya, PF, France

Clarke and Hayes are off the board, and there are no more point guards left for Kemba insurance. Bol Bol makes sense, but there’s probably too many injury questions. Doumbouya is the top foreign prospect in this draft, so Charlotte takes a flier to try to improve their frontcourt situation.

13. Miami Heat: Mfiondu Kabengele, PF, Florida State

Miami had a very down year, as Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside both regressed. Both will probably opt in and stick around, so Miami needs to keep acquiring talent in their mid-round picks to develop with Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, and Bam Adebayo.

14. Boston Celtics: Rui Hachimura, PF, Gonzaga

With Al Horford opting out and likely leaving Boston, the Celtics need depth down low. Hachimura has been projected at the top of the draft at times this season, but slipped during the pre-draft season. He may end up being the steal of this draft, especially in a situation like Boston where they may be competitive.

15. Detroit Pistons: Nassir Little, SF, North Carolina

Detroit gave up on Stanley Johnson, and Detroit needs someone to develop on the wing. Little didn’t get much of a chance to showcase his skills at UNC, but a playoff team a year ago, Detroit takes a chance on molding the athletic Little into a compliment to Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond in the frontcourt.

16. Orlando Magic: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Virginia Tech

Orlando adds some depth on the wing in case Terrance Ross leaves in free agency. Because they likely need to use most of their cap space to resign Nikola Vucevic, they may not have the ability to bring in veteran depth.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Keldon Johnson, SG, Kentucky

Another depth pick, Johnson showed flashes in his lone season at Kentucky, and ideally develops into a more complete player. Likely would battle newly acquired Allen Crabbe for rotation minutes.

18. Indiana Pacers: Romeo Langford, SG, Indiana

Almost have to project this. If Langford’s available at 18, the Pacers should bring in the hometown kid. Besides we saw this year that the Pacers don’t have much in the backcourt without Victor Oladipo.

19. San Antonio Spurs: Goga Bitazde, C, Republic of Georgia

Jakob Poeltl had a decent year coming over in the Kawhi trade, but the Spurs could use another high upside foreign product alongside LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan as well as their abundance of young guards.

20. Boston Celtics: Bol Bol, C, Oregon

If Horford leaves, the C’s have Aron Baynes, Daniel Theis, and last year’s first round pick Robert Williams. Now even with Hachimura in the fold, the Celtics can take a chance on the interesting son of Manute, who like Garland spent the majority of his lone collegiate season battling injury.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland

Best player available scenario for the Thunder. They have their superstar core, they need to continue to search for quality role players to surround Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Fernando brings size and athleticism off the bench. Think Nerlens Noel with better touch and more upside.

22. Boston Celtics: Ty Jerome, PG, Virginia

Jerome is a winner, brings plus size, and can play on or off the ball in Boston. With Kyrie leaving and Terry Rozier assumed to take the reigns for good, Jerome can be a solid backup point guard.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Matisse Thybulle, SF, Washington

The Memphis identity starts with defense, so the Grizzles bring in the Pac 12 defensive player of the year to fill a role around the young core of Morant and Jackson.

24. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Herro, SG, Kentucky

Insurance in case JJ Redick signs elsewhere for more money, or Philly uses all their cap space to bring back Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. Wouldn’t be shocked if Herro goes well before this, but Philly is a good landing spot.

25. Portland Trail Blazers: PJ Washington, PF, Kentucky

Like OKC, this is best player available territory, and Washington improved his draft stock with a sensational sophomore season. Extremely skilled big man, would be good in a contending situation like Portland.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Eric Paschall, PF, Villanova

The Cavs are a long ways from contending, so they need to continue adding young pieces. Paschall doesn’t project as a star player, but should be ready to give this young Cavs team decent minutes as they search for an identity under Beilein.

27. Brooklyn Nets: Nicolas Claxton, PF, Georgia

The seven-footer is worth a flier for a team that’s likely to sign Kyrie Irving and become title contenders.

28. Golden State Warriors: Louis King, SF, Oregon

Probably not ready to be a piece of a title contender, but the Warriors desperately need wing depth, especially with Klay and KD on the shelf. Alfonzo McKinnie and Jacob Evans should get opportunities to develop, and the Warriors likely bring in at least one veteran, but King is worth a pick as someone to eventually fill the hole that KD will leave.

29. San Antonio Spurs: KZ Okpala, SF, Stanford

This is the pick from the Kawhi trade, so fitting the Spurs use it to draft a player at his position. Probably won’t become a Leonard-type superstar, but Okpala is a solid defender that should get stronger and improve offensively.

30. Milwaukee Bucks: Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas

Brook Lopez may very well be too pricey to keep, and the Bucks moved Thon Maker and John Henson during the season, so it would be useful to bring in an upside big to develop.

ROUND TWO

31. Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Porter Jr., SF, USC

32. Phoenix Suns: Dylan Windler, SG, Belmont

33. Philadelphia 76ers: Chuma Okeke, PF, Auburn

34. Philadelphia 76ers: Carsen Edwards, PG, Purdue

35. Atlanta Hawks: Naz Reid, PF, LSU

36. Charlotte Hornets: Shamorie Ponds, PG, St. John’s

37. Dallas Mavericks: Luka Samanic, PF, Croatia

38. Chicago Bulls: Jaylen Hoard, SF, Wake Forest

39. New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Lecque, PG, USA

40. Sacramento Kings: Zach Norvell Jr., SG, Gonzaga

41. Atlanta Hawks: Deividas Sirvydis, SF, Lithuania

42. Philadelphia 76ers: Caleb Martin, PF, Nevada

43. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tremont Waters, PG, LSU

44. Miami Heat: Jaylen Hands, PG, UCLA

45. Orlando Magic: Tacko Fall, C, UCF

46. Detroit Pistons: Kyle Guy, SG, Virginia

47. Sacramento Kings: Miye Oni, SG, Yale

48. Los Angeles Clippers: Sagaba Konate, C, West Virginia

49. San Antonio Spurs: Cameron Johnson, SG, North Carolina

50. Indiana Pacers: Jalen McDaniels, PF, San Diego State

51. Boston Celtics: Max Strus, SF, DePaul

52. Charlotte Hornets: Tyler Cook, PF, Iowa

53. Utah Jazz: Jontay Porter, PF, Missouri

54. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Martin, PF, Nevada

55. New York Knicks: Admiral Schofield, SF, Tennessee

56. Los Angeles Clippers: Dedric Lawson, PF, Kansas

57. New Orleans Pelicans: Isaiah Robby, SF, Nebraska

58. Golden State Warriors: Chris Clemons, PG, Campbell

59. Toronto Raptors: Terence Davis, SG, Ole Miss

60. Sacramento Kings: Jaylen Nowell, PG, Washington

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