2019 NBA Mock Draft: The Lakers are finished

There are a lot of questions swirling in Phoenix about whether Morant fits with Devin Booker, particularly after a year in which Booker’s playmaking has hit yet another level. But one skill that is always going to translate in the NBA is passing, and Morant is absolutely the best passer in this class and a generational playmaker.

As you can see in the thread above, Morant has the vision and strength to whip one-handed passes around the court like few others.

In the first clip, Morant takes a dribble through the legs to reset himself and coax the blitzing big man defender toward him in the pick-and-roll before firing a frozen rope down the middle to his roller before the help defense arrives. In the second clip, Morant flashes his strong, tricky handle around the free throw line, slips around a tall tree and whips a one-handed pass to the weakside corner for an open 3. In the last clip, Morant shows off his pure strength, firing a three-quarter court pass to the same corner to get the ball past  Jacksonville State’s aggressive press defense.

The NBA will have you so long as you can pass and shoot and Morant can clearly pass. Many wonder about his shot but his nontraditional release is quick and comfortable despite the launch coming from his chest. It looks like Jaren Jackson Jr. or Collin Sexton’s shot but Morant is able to get looks off more quickly than either of those guys and the results have been better. According to Synergy, Morant is in the 85th percentile as a spot-up shooter this season, good for a 64.9 effective field goal percentage, which weighs the value of 3s.

Yes, if Morant can create good shots in transition and in the halfcourt and knock down a respectable amount of 3s, he will be able to coexist with Booker. The Suns’ owner was in Evansville, Ind., for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament this weekend as well, so don’t be surprised if the Suns look hard at Morant.