Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: When trades enter the equation

By Brendon Kleen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional Final at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional Final at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

156. . G/F. Duke. RJ Barrett. 2. player

What will it take for Barrett to change his ways? There is a long line of score-first players in the NBA who didn’t pan out because they couldn’t change the way they played to better fit into a team context. Role players brought in to help them became frustrated or the coach who was supposed to tone the player down was fired and never made an impact.

Barrett doesn’t seem like the type of problematic youngster who fits this mold, but you wouldn’t be wrong if you watched him and worried he was a couple bad months in the NBA away from becoming the next guy we worried about.

A few things land Barrett’s way when we contemplate how he will look in the NBA game. It’s critical that we have already seen a willingness to shoot 3s from Barrett as well as an improvement in his efficiency over the course of the season. Barrett is also a smart and able passer, often the best pick-and-roll option for Duke on a team of playmakers. Finally, dedicated NBA coaching will do a much better job balancing Barrett’s aggressiveness and constructing a system that fits his strengths.

Cleveland doesn’t yet have a coach, but the types of guys they are looking at inspire confidence in helping a player like Barrett. The Cavs are targeting experienced assistant coaches with a background in player development to shepherd their rebuild.

Collin Sexton impressed as a rookie and Barrett is a nice partner for Sexton in that both bring positional size and a high ceiling on both ends of the floor. The next step is finding a coach who will bring the best out of both confident, inexperienced young players.

Check out our full scouting report on R.J. Barrett.

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