2019 NBA Mock Draft: Tankers beware

With Thursday’s draft behind us, we can take a look at the interesting group of wing scorers that stands out in next year’s class. All that and more in our first 2019 NBA Mock Draft.

For the draft order, West Gate’s championship odds for next season were flipped upside down, putting the teams with the worst odds at the top of the draft order.

Perhaps the West Virginia pedigree is finally starting to earn a reputation in the NBA. After seeing Jevon Carter go at No. 32 to Memphis in Thursday’s draft, Konate has to be looking toward the 2019 class and wondering if he can do even better than his bulldog teammate.

Konate is an immoveable force at the rim. Over two years at West Virginia, the Mali native has blocked nearly 16 percent of all opponent shot attempts while he was on the court. That ridiculous rim protection likely won’t end at the college level, despite Konate standing just 6-foot-8. He is incredibly strong, is a great leaper, and has the instincts and timing to truly disrupt the flow of an offense.

In addition, Konate is a powerful finisher down low, though he will need to develop better hands and softer touch around the basket in order to succeed on offense. One area that gives cause for optimism in that area is his free throw shooting. Konate will be able to stay on the floor better than other defensive bigs, as he is a career 74 percent free throw shooter. Perhaps that will translate to his interior scoring as well.

The Warriors finally broke their three-year streak of drafting big men by selecting Jacob Evans from Cincinnati with their only pick in Thursday’s draft. That trend could continue in 2019, when the team will be facing decisions on Draymond Green and Damian Jones. Konate offers the quickness and versatility that makes Green a perfect fit on the roster.