2019 NBA Mock Draft: The lottery order is officially official
RJ Barrett. 2. player. 156. . G/F. Duke
We’re living in a fantasy world in today’s mock draft so let’s drop the presuppositions and dream up a world in which Collin Sexton, the controversial Cavs rookie, and Barrett can coexist and bring Cleveland back to basketball glory.
Cavs fans seem to be worried Sexton’s harrier habits — he shoots the ball too damn much — preclude their team’s front office from selecting another shoot-first ingenue like Barrett. That worries us less than those who live near the Q and live and die by such things. If guys want it badly enough, among the easiest things to fit is overeagerness.
Mostly, guys who shoot a lot do so because they are unaware of other ways they can assist their team’s quest to win games. That’s entirely fixable. Barrett talked all year about how he constantly tries to stay aggressive. We’ve documented it in this space before.
So anyone surprised when the man took over multiple big games despite the presence of his more efficient teammate Zion Williamson should read up. Barrett goes into fight mode (read: shot-chucking mode) when things get tight because, in our opinion, he doesn’t realize how much he can affect the game as a playmaker and floor-spacer for someone like Williamson.
The Cavs just need talent next to Sexton as they rebuild their roster in the wake of LeBron James’ departure. They shouldn’t be upset about anyone in this class. Everyone fits when you have nothing. But in particular, if they can find a coaching staff who can maximize Barrett and Sexton, there’s a ton of potential for the two to balance each other for the next decade.