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2019 NBA Mock Draft: Could the Hawks jumpstart their rebuild in 2019?

By Brendon Kleen

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 08: Keldon Johnson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies at Rupp Arena on January 8, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 08: Keldon Johnson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies at Rupp Arena on January 8, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – DECEMBER 19: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers is seen during the game against the Central Arkansas Bears at Assembly Hall on December 19, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – DECEMBER 19: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers is seen during the game against the Central Arkansas Bears at Assembly Hall on December 19, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

G. Indiana. Romeo Langford. 6. player. 170.

Teams talk a lot about what makes a modern wing, stealing a page out of the Warriors’ book to find the next Draymond Green who can move up multiple positions and still outperform opponents. But what makes a modern guard? With most NBA teams moving toward multiple ball-handler lineups throughout the full 48 minutes of games, ideally most of the guys on the court can make a play off the dribble. Having size in the backcourt is also valuable, as bigger guards make switching easier on Green-type wings. Of course, shooting is the biggest need of all.

Check, check, check, says Langford. At 6-foot-6, Langford has the ball skills of a point guard and the shooting touch of a great scorer. He can take defenders into the post or finish over the top. He has the instincts and size to play great team defense and lock down ball-handlers in isolation. He’s not perfect, making the mistakes one would expect of any freshman guard, but he does a lot of things really well.

Charlotte just needs talent — preferably versatile, young talent. The franchise is incapable of wooing great free agent players. Its biggest acquisitions in recent memory are Jeremy Lin and Nicolas Batum. The Hornets need to build through the draft, adding two-way players next to the past two picks, Malik Monk and Miles Bridges.

Langford can slide into a variety of lineups and succeed, making him a perfect piece to add to a team with playoff dreams every year.

Check out our full scouting report on Romeo Langford.