2019 NBA Mock Draft – Projected Top 10 Picks after the Anthony Davis Trade: The 2019 NBA Draft is this Thursday, and a lot has happened over the last week to shake things up. The Toronto Raptors won the title with a potential one-year rental in Kawhi Leonard, and the other prize of free agency, Kevin Durant, tore his Achilles’ tendon and will likely miss all of next season.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers worked a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire Anthony Davis, sending over Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and a bunch of picks, including this year’s No. 4 pick, in return.
In the wake of Durant’s injury and the Davis trade, let’s take one final look at the potential top-10 picks for the 2019 NBA Draft before the Pelicans are on the clock Thursday night.
2019 NBA Mock Draft: Projected Top 10 Picks after the Anthony Davis Trade
1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, PF, Duke
Moving Anthony Davis doesn’t change a thing at the top. Williamson is a once-in-a-generation athlete who has a chance to be something special. There are All-Stars and there are All-Stars who are franchise-changing players. Williamson has a chance to be the latter.
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
Morant could be the second coming of Russell Westbrook, and he and Jaren Jackson Jr. are poised to be the centerpiece of a rebuild in Memphis. Adding Morant also allows the Grizzlies to flip veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. to a contender for more even assets. I think this pick is as much of a lock as Zion going No. 1.
3. New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, SF, Duke
Barrett wasn’t always the most efficient scorer at Duke, but he set all kinds of freshman records and has the repertoire and all-around game to become an All-Star. After the Anthony Davis trade and Kevin Durant’s injury, I think this pick is set in stone.
4. New Orleans Pelicans: Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech
The draft really opens from here, and I suspect the Pelicans try to flip their newly acquired No. 4 pick to teams like Phoenix or Chicago who are in the point guard market. If they stay put, I think Culver represents the best combination of fit and talent. At the very least, he should be a starting-caliber wing perimeter defender, and his ability to play on or off the ball will make him a much better fit alongside Lonzo Ball.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: De’Andre Hunter, SF, Virginia
Given Cleveland’s current state, I’d roll the dice on a prospect with more upside like Cameron Reddish or Darius Garland, but the word on the street is that the Cavaliers love Hunter, who has a solid floor. His size, perimeter shooting ability and defensive versatility should allow him to make an impact on both ends of the court.
6. Phoenix Suns: Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
If the draft plays out this way, I think the Suns sprint to turn in this pick. Phoenix desperately needs a point guard, and Garland’s shooting and ball handling will open things up for a roster loaded with young talent.
7. Chicago Bulls: Coby White, PG, North Carolina
It is no secret that the Bulls want a point guard, and if Garland is off the board, I think White becomes a no-brainer selection. He has NBA size for the position, and he is a blur with the basketball. All the tools are there for White to develop in a great floor general.
8. Atlanta Hawks: Cameron Reddish, SG, Duke
Reddish is one of my favorite prospects in this draft, and I would take him at No. 4 if I was a general manager. He was completely lost in the shuffle with all the star power at Duke this year, but he has all the tools to be a potent scorer. Landing with an up-and-coming Atlanta would allow him to be a complementary piece of perimeter firepower rather than the go-to scorer on a bad roster. It’s a great fit for both parties.
9. Washington Wizards: Sekou Doumbouya, SF, Limoges
Despite plenty of success stories, there is still a stigma attached to overseas prospects. Still, Doumbouya was productive at a young age in a tough league, and he offers a combination of physical tools that you just can’t teach. The Wizards are in absolute limbo right now with John Wall injured and the front office in disarray, so they have no reason not to roll the dice on a player with tons of upside.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas
Armed with two top-10 picks, the Hawks can gamble bit on a player like Hayes with a high ceiling. He needs to bulk up, but he has the agility and athleticism to be an ideal center in today’s NBA. Hayes should be able to keep up with Trae Young in transition and protect the rim on the defensive end. This could be a home run for the Hawks.
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