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Gxd333
2019 Mock Draft Review Year 1
Published at 4/14/2020
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Let's review my 2019 NBA Mock Draft. This mock draft had of 25,000 views on Walterfootball.com.

Overview "I run my mock drafts like I am the General Manager of each team. In the NBA it's all about finding superstars. You need about 2-3 of them to when a Championship. After superstars, it's about shooting and versatility."

Goals:

Picks 1-5 = Find a superstar

Picks 6-13 = Find a starter

Picks 14-30 = Find a solid contributor that could start

I will grade my picks on how well the player did that I mocked to the team verses if I guessed correctly which player they would take.

1. New Orleans Pelicans = Zion Williamson F Duke

Zion missed most of his rookie season which was understandable after having surgery. There was no reason to rush him back as this is a long term plan. Zion didn't disappoint as he played in 19 games averaging 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds,  and 2.2 assists on 58.9% shooting including 46.2% on 3's (6-13) and 64.5% on free throws. Williamson showed that he is a man among boys even as a 19 year old in the NBA.

Grade = Superstar found

2. Memphis Grizzlies = Ja Morant PG Murray State

Morant showed off his elite athleticism and playmaking skills helping the Grizzlies battle for a playoff spot. Morant started every game at point guard averaging 17.9 points, 6.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 49% overall, 37% from 3pt land and 77% on free throws. Morant is clearly a franchise caliber player.

Grade = Superstar found

3. New York Knicks = RJ Barrett SG Duke

Barrrett was the actual pick, so I nailed 3 out of 3 which everyone should have done. Barrett had a solid rookie year. He started almost every game averaging 14.3 pts, 5 rbs, and 2.6 ast per game. He had a FG%40, 3FG%32 and FT%61. The Knicks have the least amount of talent as any team in the NBA so it's hard to look down on Barrett too much for not having better numbers like the first 2 picks.

Grade = Superstar possibly found

4. New Orleans Pelicans = Jarret Culver SG Texas Tech

The actual pick was De'Andre Hunter as the Pelicans traded the #4 overall pick, #57 pick, a future 2nd round pick and Solomon Hill to the Hawks for picks 8, 17, and 35. With their being only 3 superstars at the top of the draft it was a good move for the Pelicans to trade back and get more picks. Jarret Culver was selected 6th overall and ended up having a solid season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He started 35 of 63 games played averaging 9.2 pts, 3.4 rbs, 1.7 asts while shooting 40/30/46. Solid but not great numbers. At the time of the draft the Pelicans needed more wing depth but there are better prospects that could have helped the Pelicans. Hunter had a very solid rookie season. He started in 62 of 63 games while averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He shooting line was 41/35/76.

Grade = Starter probably found with my pick but Hunter would have been a better one

5. Cleveland Cavaliers = Coby White SG North Carolina

The Cavaliers ended up taking Darius Garland PG with this pick. White was taken 7th overall by the Bulls. White had a very solid rookie year showing his scoring ability later in the season. White averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists per game while shooting 39/35/79. White as a very good 6th man for the Bulls. I liked White for the Cavs because I thought that he and Sexton could be a good backcourt together. I am not sure that would have worked as Sexton has proven to be an off guard who doesn't really create for his team mates and the same goes for White as he looks to be more of 2 guard than a point guard. White could have also played the 6th man role for the Cavs giving them a scoring bunch off the bench. Garland also had a solid season with similar numbers but he started every game played beside Sexton. In the end Garland might be the better partner. 

Grade = Future starter probably found with my pick

6. Phoenix Suns - Darius Garland PG Vanderbilt

Darius Garland ended up being the 5th overall pick to Cleveland and the Suns took Jarret Culver (who I had going 4th overall) and traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the #11 pick Cameron Johnson and F Dario Saric. We have already looked at Culver's numbers which were good but not great. Cameron Johnson played in 49 games with one start. He averaged 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists while having a 42/40/76 shooting line. I thought Johnson was a mega reach with the other players available in the draft. Had Garland been available he would have been a better pick, since he wasn't the Suns could have taken better players than Johnson.

Grade = My pick would have been a starter

7. Chicago Bulls - Da'Andre Hunter F Virginia

Hunter was already drafted in real life and the Bulls took Coby White. We have already covered both players numbers. I would say they had very similar seasons so it's a wash.

Grade = Starter would have been found with my pick

8. Atlanta Hawks - Nassir Little F North Carolina

I was very high on Little and had him filling the big hole at SF for the Hawks. In real life the Hawks traded up to get Hunter to fill that void. Little did not have a good rookie season. Little started 5 games playing in 48 while only playing 11.9 minutes per game. Little averaged 3.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists while shooting 43/23/63 line. So, there were definitely better picks than Little. Jaxson Hayes ended up being the actual pick for the New Orleans Pelicans as they traded with Atlanta.

Grade = Pretty much bombed it, starter not found

9. Washington Wizards - Jaxson Hayes C Texas

Hayes had a solid season playing for the Pelicans as he was drafted one pick above my mock draft in real life. Hayes started 12 of 56 games averaging 7.5 points, 4 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 assists while shooting 66/25/63. Hayes would have been a good pick for any team. The Wizards ended up taking Rui Huchimara. Huchimara started ever game he played and average more points so he was the better pick and he was still available in my mock.

Grade = Hayes could be a career back up, Huchimara is a starter

10. Atlanta Hawks - Cam Reddish F North Carolina

Reddish was the actual pick for Atlanta. Reddish started 34 of 58 games averaging 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 38/33/80. Reddish had an average rookie season.

Grade = Starter probably found

11. Minnesota Timberwolves - Rui Huchimara F Gonzaga

Huchimara had a very solid rookie year starting all 41 games averaging 13.4 points, 6 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 48/27/83. The Timberwolves ended up getting Culver in the trade for Cameron Johnson.

Grade = Starter found

12. Charlette Hornets - Mfiondu Kabengele C Florida State

Kabengele actually drafted 27th by the Nets and traded to the Clippers. He was not ready to be a contributor on a championship level team. Granted the Clippers are stacked and were a real Finals contender. He only appeared in 12 games averaging 5 minutes. But he did have a very solid season in the G League at one point scoring 23 points or more in 5 straight games. In real life PJ Washington was the pick for the Hornets. Washington had a very solid rookie season.

Grade = Starter possibly found

13. Miami Heat - Bruno Fernando C Maryland

Fernando was actually picked 34th by the 76ers and traded to the Hawks. The Hawks definitely needed help at center like I thought the Heat did but Fernando couldn't really fill the void as they traded for Capela. Fernando started 13 of 56 games averaging 4.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting 52/13/56. There were definitely better prospects available.

Grade = Starter not found, I bombed this pick

14. Boston Celtics - Goga Bitadze C International

Bitadze was taken 18th overall by the Pacers. He started 2 of 49 games averaging 3 points, 2 rebounds and 0.4 assists while shooting 47/17/73 from the floor. I am not doing well with my recent mock picks.

Grade = Contributor not found

15. Detroit Pistons - Sekou Doumbouya F International

This was the actual pick. Sekou started 19 of 38 games played averaging 6.4 points 3.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists while shooting 39/29/67 from the floor.

Grade = Contributor found as well as possible starter.

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

Walker was actually taken 17th by the Pelicans. Walker played in 41 games averaging 5.0 points, 2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 12.2 minutes while shooting 34/34/60. 

Grade = Contributor possibly found

17. Atlanta Hawks - PJ Washington F Kentucky

Washington was actually taken 12th by the Hornets. He had a very solid rookie season starting 57 of 58 games played. He averaged 30.3 minutes, 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 45/37/67 from the floor.

Grade = Starter found

18. Indiana Pacers - Romeo Langford G Indiana

Langford was actually the 14th overall pick for the Celtics. Langford started one game in 27 games played. He averaged 11 minutes, 2.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists while shooting 37/22/70. Langford had a hard time getting minutes on a playoff team with Tatum, Brown, Hayword, and Smart all in front of him. This was a weird pick when it happened because the Celtics needed inside players.

Grade = Contributor possibly found

19. San Antonio Spurs = Keldon Johnson G Kentucky

Johnson was actually drafted 29th overall by the Spurs. The Spurs have a deep team even though they weren't on pace to make the playoffs. Johnson only played in 9 games averaging 10 minutes. However, in his first consistent NBA minutes he put up 36 per minute averages of 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2.7 steals. 

Grade = Contributor probably found

20. Boston Celtics - Brandon Clarke F Gonzaga

Clarke was actually the 21st pick in the draft. Clarke started in 3 games of the 50 he played. He averaged 21.7 minutes, 12 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 62/40/73. Clarke was a big steal of the draft and the Celtics should have listened to me instead of trading this pick.

Grade = Contributor found, Should be an NBA GM

21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Kevin Porter Jr G UCLA

Porter was actually the 30th overall pick. Porter started 3 of 50 games played. He averaged 23 minutes played, 10 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 44/34/72. Granted Porter was putting up okay numbers on a terrible team.

Grade = Contributor found

22. Boston Celtics - Carson Edwards G Purdue

Edwards was actually the 33rd pick and traded to the Celtics. Edwards played in 35 games starting zero. He averaged 9 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, and 0.6 assists while shooting 33/32/85. Similar to Langford, Edwards had a tough time breaking though a talented line up in front of him. 

Grade = Contributor possibly found

23. Memphis Grizzlies - Bol Bol C Oregon

Bol Bol was actually taken with the 44th pick. He played in the G League for a while and then needed foot surgery. He hasn't played since. The Denver Nuggets are a pretty stacked team so it makes sense to be patient.

Grade = Waiting to find out

24. Philadelphia 76ers - Tyler Herro G Kentucky

Herro was actually drafted 13th overall by the Heat. Herro started 6 of 47 games played. He averaged 27 minutes, 12.9 points, 4 rebounds, 1.9 assists while shooting 41/39/84. I missed Herro as he definitely should have been drafted sooner. But his shooting would have been dynamite for the 76ers.

Grade = Contributor found and possible starter

25. Portland Trailblazers - Luka Saminic F International

Saminic was drafted 19th overall by the Spurs. Saminic only played in one NBA game. He spent the rest in the G League where he put up solid numbers.

Grade = Contributor possibly found

26. Cleveland Cavaliers - KZ Okpala F Stanford

Okpala was actually taken 32 overall. Okpala only played in 5 NBA games and had in okay season in the G League.

Grade = Contributor possibly found

27. Brooklyn Nets - Nicholas Claxton F Georgia

Claxton was actually the 31st pick by the Nets. Claxton played in 15 NBA games. He spend a fare portion in the G League were he played pretty well.

Grade = Contributor probably found

28. Golden State Warriors - Dylan Windler F Belmont

Windler was actually the 26th pick by the Cavs. Windler didn't play in the NBA and had to have season ending surgery several months ago.

Grade = Contributor probably not found

29. San Antonio Spurs - Naz Reid C LSU

Reid ended up going un-drafted and played for the Timberwolves. Reid started 11 of 30 games played. He averaged 16.5 minutes, 9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 41/33/70. Reid definitely should have been drafted.

Grade = Contributor found, I should be an NBA GM

30. Detroit Pistons - Matisse Thybulle F Washington

Thybulle was actually drafted 20th overall. Thybulle started 13 of 57 games played. He averaged 19.5 minutes, 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks while shooting 41/35/61. Thybulle was a very good defensive player as he was in college.

Grade = Contributor found.

Players drafted in real life but not in my mock:

#16 Overall Chuma Okeke F Auburn - The Magic pulled a weird one as Okeke missed the entire season from an ACL tear in the NCAA Tournament. The Magic didn't even sign up, as he played under a G League contract and supposedly the Magic will sign him this offseason. This is why he wasn't in my mock because he was an injury issue.

#22 Overall Grant Williams F Tennessee - Williams was average as a rookie. Starting 5 games in 62 played for the Celtics while averaging 15 minutes, 3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1 assist while shooting 42/25/73.

#23 Overall Darius Bazley F No College - Bazley was picked by the Thunder were he started 8 of 53 games played. He averaged 17 minutes, 4.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 blocks while shooting 38/30/68. Bazley didn't play college ball nor did he play overseas so it was odd that he was drafted in the 1st round but he did okay for a playoff team.

#24 Overall Ty Jerome G Virginia - Ty played in 28 games for the Suns averaging 11 minutes, 3.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 35/28/79. Okay but unspectacular numbers

#28 Overall Jordan Poole G Michigan - Poole started 14 games for the Warriors out of the 58 he played. He averaged 22 minutes, 8.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 33/28/80. Okay numbers but we'll see how much he plays when their starters are healthy.

Other Players of Note:

#41 Overal Eric Pashcall F Vilanova - Pashcall is the only 2nd round pick to really make a note about. He certainly stepped up for the injury riddled Warriors. He started 26 of 60 games played averaging 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 50/29/77. He will be interesting to see what he does next year with the stars back.



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