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2019 NBA Mock Draft: There’s movement in the top 5

By Brendon Kleen

CHARLESTON, IL - JANUARY 17: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers brings the ball up court during the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Lantz Arena on January 17, 2019 in Charleston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, IL - JANUARY 17: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers brings the ball up court during the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Lantz Arena on January 17, 2019 in Charleston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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. G. Duke. R.J. Barrett. 3. player. 27

Barrett is a mystery — or, at the very least, he’s puzzling. Evaluating and dissecting talented players like Barrett is part of the fun of the NBA Draft but rarely do we have to do so within such an immensely talented roster. Duke has probably 10 players who would start on most teams in the country yet Barrett is expected to help lead this team with championship expectations. Few ever have that opportunity — or the burden — at the college level. That list would include college legends such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Chris Webber and maybe Grayson Allen.

It would also include Barrett’s teammate Zion Williamson who is taking on an equally big burden this season to pull Duke to the top as they deal with injuries. But losing point guard Tre Jones has required Barrett specifically to take on more playmaking duties and take more shots in addition to defending point guards more often and trying to push the pace to help Williamson get in a rhythm. In short, Barrett has been a point guard.

While the freshman’s stat line wasn’t as flashy this weekend against Virginia as it was against Syracuse earlier in the week, he settled in and played a more balanced game that ultimately gave the shorthanded Blue Devils a victory over their biggest competition in the ACC. Barrett got to the line 11 times Saturday compared to just four against Syracuse’s zone and traded in bad pull-up 3s for drives to the hoop.

If you draft Barrett, the player the nation watched on Saturday is the player you hope he becomes. That version would fit beautifully as a playmaker and shooter alongside Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Durant or whoever the Knicks can reel in.