2019 NBA Mock Draft: The lottery order is officially official
Kevin Porter Jr.. 12. player. 170. . G. USC
All year, we’ve reiterated the Hornets’ need for star talent. This is true regardless of the outcome of Kemba Walker’s free agency. So as Charlotte thinks about this summer, they should adjust to the idea of being a little more risky in the draft.
We haven’t examined the new brain trust in Charlotte much this year, but one reason Hornets fans should be optimistic about a departure from safe picks in the past is the new general manager atop the organization. Mitch Kupchak’s hire was widely panned around the NBA, but his predecessor, Rich Cho, struggled on draft night during his tenure while Kupchak helped accumulate the talent in Los Angeles that in part made it possible for that team to clear cap space for LeBron James and get into the Anthony Davis sweepstakes.
It’s not a sterling record by any means but Kupchak had few outright busts. During his last three seasons in LA, here are Kupchak’s picks:
- Julius Randle at No. 6 overall in 2014
- Acquired a first-round pick by taking on Jeremy Lin’s contract, which became Larry Nance Jr. at No. 27 in 2015
- D’Angelo Russell at No. 2 overall in 2015
- Brandon Ingram at No. 2 overall in 2016
- Ivica Zubac at No. 32 overall in 2016
He also escaped (he was fired) before the 2017 draft, meaning he avoids the heat the Lakers are now taking for drafting Lonzo Ball ahead of De’Aaron Fox that year.
That’s almost universal hits on draft night (at least in the top 35) during the final years of his Lakers tenure. The team basically traded its first-round pick every year during Kobe Bryant’s final title runs, so Kupchak never had a chance to draft helpful players.
After Bryant’s first major injury, Kupchak may not have always picked the absolute best player available in hindsight, but he picked good players every time.