2019 NBA Mock Draft: Tankers beware

Playing just ten miles away from the super freshman foursome at Duke, Little may fade into the background for the Tar Heels next season. He shouldn’t.

Not only is Little one of the more athletic players projected to go in the 2019 lottery, he has enough feel which, combined with a low center of gravity, make him the ultimate matchup problem when he slides up to the power forward spot. Part of a recruiting class that includes guard Coby White and forward Rechon Black, Little will likely be asked to slide into that type of role, especially if coach Roy Williams is daring enough to put senior Luke Maye at center.

With Joel Berry III and Theo Pinson gone, North Carolina not only loses the core of its championship pedigree, but also a lot of the lineup flexibility that made them so difficult to match up against for opposing teams. This will be a younger Tar Heel team.

Little will be one of the biggest positives, able at 6-8 to put the ball on the floor and leap up for electric finishes off two feet.

Dallas is working to create a roster around Dennis Smith Jr. without completely bottoming out. Little is another guy who can be exciting and effective in transition while showing potential on defense.

The Florida native is one of the better defensive prospects in the class, and he will stand out to disciplined teams like the Mavericks.