2019 NBA Mock Draft: March is here
player. 24. . F. Duke. Cam Reddish. 4
Hopefully, you’re rooting for a deep Belmont run like we are. Not only would it be a fun story and pit fringe-first-round prospect Dylan Windler against some better competition it could also potentially result in a Reddish-Windler battle in the Elite Eight. Now, 11-seeds rarely get that far and Belmont would have to beat Michigan State to get there.
However, as a thought experiment before March gets going, it’s fun to consider. Windler is a lesser athlete and theoretically someone Reddish should dominate. He’s the type of skilled combo forward Reddish will face often in the NBA, over whom Reddish has an easy physical advantage. Yet peculiarly, Reddish is often saved from the opponent’s best wing scorer in favor of R.J. Barrett, perhaps a stronger and more physical defender at this point in time than Reddish but not great himself. We’re hoping for Reddish-Windler because it would be unlike Reddish’s ACC matchups and a fun game to nerd scout.
Chicago needs a wing. If you squint, you can make out a future for this team that has enough depth at forward to allow Lauri Markkanen to spend the majority of his time at center. That would minimize the frustration of watching the Finnisher struggle to stay in a defensive stance and contain playmakers in mismatches. It would also allow one of the tallest, longest players on the team to stay around the rim.
How about this: Otto Porter Jr., Reddish and Markkanen with solid point of attack defense and a center who can spot Markkanen inside. That’s an interesting team.