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2019 NBA Mock Draft: Fallout from Zion Williamson’s injury gives others a chance to shine

By Brendon Kleen

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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4. player. 24. . PG. Murray State. Ja Morant

Chicago is rounding into from this winter. In case you missed it, here’s what 2017 first-round pick Lauri Markkanen has been up to the past 10 games: 25.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 36.1 minutes per night. Despite a point guard rotation of Ryan Arcidiacono (a perfectly fine player but someone living through his first real NBA season as a point guard who projects as a backup long-term) and Shaquille Harrison (plays hard but still cannot shoot), Markkanen is balling out. The Bulls, in turn, forgot how to tank.

Perhaps the Bulls are fine with falling to No. 4, about the lowest they’ll get as Atlanta continues to win as well. There are players, such as Morant and Jarrett Culver, who could help plug their shot creation hole long-term outside the Duke freshmen. Players who might also fit slightly better alongside Markkanen and Zach LaVine, two proven NBA scorers who are clearly at the top of Chicago’s pecking order. If the Bulls feel comfortable with this core going forward, maybe they see where this season takes them and draft whoever falls their way.

Morant ain’t bad for a consolation prize. The mid-major prodigy is putting up a wild per-40 stat line of 26.9 points, 11.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds. His 3-point shooting has improved drastically each of the past two months, and in January he flashed a sterling 2.3-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. That type of effective, efficient talent is what Chicago needs to unlock its young talent even further. There will be tribulations along the way for a young point guard but there is a clear limit on how far the Bulls can go without an elite lead playmaker. LaVine is not that guy.

Morant might be.

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