FanSided NBA Network 2019 Expert Mock Draft
The FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft has become a yearly tradition, with our site experts from each of our NBA blogs sharing their team-focused expertise and making draft selections for the teams they represent. This year, we’re adding a twist with the picks being announced daily leading up to the draft and experts announcing each selection in a personalized video that can be found here and FanSided’s Instagram page and Twitter accounts.
Make sure to follow FanSided on Instagram and Twitter and check back here each day from now until the draft on Thursday, June 20 to see who your favorite team picked and for expert analysis of each selection.
1. New Orleans Pelicans — Zion Williamson, Forward, Duke
Selected by Ethan Krieger of Pelican Debrief
Williamson is a no-brainer with the No. 1 pick, easily having the highest ceiling of any prospect in this class, with one of the highest floors as well. He couples explosive athleticism and outlier strength with a surprising amount of skill — even if he wasn’t allowed to dunk in the NBA he’d still be one of the best finishers in the league because of his touch. There are questions about how well his shooting and handle will translate but Williamson is the kind of two-way prospect who could transform the Pelicans as they look towards a new era.
For more analysis on the Pelicans and their upcoming offseason, visit Pelican Debrief.
2. Memphis Grizzlies — Ja Morant, Guard, Murray State
Selected by Chris Kern of Beale Street Bears
Ja Morant is an ideal fit for the Grizzlies with the second pick, a hyper-athletic point guard who averaged 24.3 points and 10.0 assists per game last season with Murray State. Morant’s explosive style and his highlight dunks will play well for a franchise looking to build a new, exciting identity. Morant has work to do on his jumper and functional finishing but he’ll have plenty of time to grow into his skill set next to Jaren Jackson Jr.
For more analysis on the Grizzlies and their upcoming offseason, visit Beale Street Bears.
3. New York Knicks — R.J. Barrett, Guard, Duke
Selected by Rob Wolkenbrod of Daily Knicks
With Zion Williamson and Ja Morant off the board, Barrett is the obvious pick for the Knicks. He gives them added depth on the wing and is a much more polished shot creator and ball-handler than any of their current wings. He can improve his decision-making and finishing and outside consistency, he has the potential to be a legit three-level scorer and primary creator. Barrett’s skill set works well if the Knicks land big free agent targets this summer because he can work as a spot-up threat and help run the second-unit offense. If the Knicks don’t land a free agent prize, Barrett can definitely fit in the starting lineup and learning on the fly.
For more analysis on the Knicks and their upcoming offseason, visit Daily Knicks.
4. Los Angeles Lakers — Jarrett Culver, Guard, Texas Tech
Selected by Nick Ziegler of Lake Show Life
The Lakers roster may change dramatically this summer as they pursue a potential trade for Anthony Davis and other top-tier free agent targets, but Culver is a perfect fit regardless of whether the Lakers are focused on competing now or continuing to build for the future. A strong, athletic wing, Culver is one of the best defensive prospects in this class and should be able to contribute right away at that end. Offensively, his jumper is still a work in progress but he’ll probably be much more reliable as an off-ball shooter than he was at Texas Tech, creating so much offense for himself. His real offensive upside is pinned to his pick-and-roll playmaking and his potential to act as a secondary playmaker and creator.
For more analysis on the Lakers and their upcoming offseason, visit Lake Show Life.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers — Cam Reddish, Wing, Duke
Selected by Dan Gilinsky of King James Gospel
Reddish had a disappointing freshman season at Duke, not getting the chance to flash the well-rounded potential that buoyed his high school rankings. Still, he showed at least two reliable skills — spot-up shooting and versatile on- and off-ball defense. Those attributes alone would make him useful to the Cavaliers, instantly becoming the team’s big wing defender and also giving them another spot-up threat to help space the floor around Collin Sexton and Kevin Love. If he’s able to improve his finishing, decision-making in the pick-and-roll and pull-up shooting, he could be a special player for the Cavs.
For more analysis on the Cavaliers and their upcoming offseason, visit King James Gospel.
6. Phoenix Suns — Sekou Doumbouya, Forward, Limoges CSP
Selected by Adam Maynes of Valley of the Suns
Doumbouya is one of the most athletic prospects available in this class, but also one of the rawest and unknown. He has the size and length to defend bigger forwards and the quickness and athleticism to defend smaller forwards in space. He’s already an excellent transition finisher and straight line-driver who has flashed a reliable outside jumper as well. All the finer parts of his game still need work though. He’s not a great passer and his ball-handling is still fairly rudimentary. If he hits his ceiling he has a chance to be one of the best players in this class but it may take a while to get there.
For more analysis on the Suns and their upcoming offseason, visit Valley of the Suns.
7. Chicago Bulls — Darius Garland, Guard, Vanderbilt
Selected by Luke Askew of Pippen Ain’t Easy
After Ja Morant, Garland may be the best point guard prospect in this draft and, despite the fact that he played just five college games before injury ended his freshman season, the Bulls should feel very confident about what will translate for Garland. He’s a great shooter, particularly off the dribble, and he could turn into the kind of three-level scorer and primary creator who anchors the rest of this young roster. There are defensive questions, particularly in a backcourt with Zach LaVine, but Garland is a great offensive value for the Bulls in the middle of the lottery.
For more analysis on the Bulls and their upcoming offseason, visit Pippen Ain’t Easy
8. Atlanta Hawks — De’Andre Hunter, Forward, Virginia
Selected by Chris Guest of Soaring Down South
The Hawks are still early in the rebuilding process but Trae Young looks like a future anchor and they can already see how the pieces around him might need to fit. On paper, Hunter is both an ideal fit now and the kind of player who could be a key contributor on a hypothetical future contender. Hunter is one of the best defensive prospects in this class and should be able to capably defend both 3s and 4s in the NBA. He’s a solid spot-up shooting threat and his floor seems to be as a versatile 3-and-D forward. There’s also some untapped potential in his offensive game and it’s possible that Hawks could wind up with even more value.
For more analysis on the Hawks and their upcoming offseason, visit Soaring Down South
9. Washington Wizards — Coby White, Guard, North Carolina
Selected by Ethan Smith of Wiz of Awes
The Wizards may be locked into John Wall’s contract on their books for the foreseeable future but there is no telling exactly when he might be ready to play again and exactly how long it could take him to return to form from his Achilles’ surgery. In Coby White, the Wizards get a dynamic point guard replacement who also has the chops to work as a third guard off the bench when Wall returns. White has good size for the point guard position and is dynamic pushing the ball in transition. He’s an excellent shooter, particularly pulling up off the dribble and he could make a lot of sense for Washington both in the present and future.
For more analysis on the Wizards and their upcoming offseason, visit Wiz of Awes
10. Atlanta Hawks — Jaxson Hayes, Center, Texas
Selected by Chris Guest of Soaring Down South
Hayes will almost certainly be the first center off the board and with neither Alex Len or Dewayne Dedmon appearing to fit the Hawks rebuilding timeline, he’s a nice fit. Hayes is definitely in the Clint Capela mold — a long, athletic rim-protector who will function primarily creating gravity as a lob threat and diving to the rim in the pick-and-roll. There are some questions about his long-term fit next to John Collins, since neither is a jump shooter, but the Hawks have the luxury of taking the best player available and worrying about fit later.
For more analysis on the Hawks and their upcoming offseason, visit Soaring Down South
11. Minnesota Timberwolves — Brandon Clarke, Forward, Gonzaga
Selected by Nick Crain of Dunking With Wolves
Clarke is one of the most interesting players in the class with a versatile skill set that should allow him to contribute in a variety of ways. He’s an especially interesting fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns and should provide immediate value for the Wolves. On offense, Clarke is a developing passer and excellent finisher around the basket who will be great as an off-ball threat and as a decision-maker on the short roll. He’s not a 3-point shooter but that won’t matter as much next to Towns. On defense, he will probably spend most of his time at the 4 but he’s an excellent rim protector and should be able to switch down and defend in space.
For more analysis on the Timberwolves and their upcoming offseason, visit Dunking With Wolves
12. Charlotte Hornets — Bol Bol, Center, Oregon
Selected by Giovanni Spillman of Swarm and Sting
Bol Bol is a high-risk pick but because of his unique combination of height and shooting, he’s one of the few players with star potential who could be available at the end of the lottery. Bol is the son of former NBA player Manute Bol, a comparison that’s hard to miss given his 7-foot-2 height and 7-foot-8 wingspan. He still needs a lot of strength and refinement to become an elite interior defender but his height alone will make him a significant obstacle to score over. On offense, he’s fairly mobile and has a soft outside touch hinting at a future as a spot-up threat. His game is fairly unique and there are plenty of questions about his height and what, exactly, will translate. But he could be the kind of player who convinces Kemba Walker to stay, or helps jumpstart a rebuild.
For more analysis on the Hornets and their upcoming offseason, visit Swarm and Sting.
13. Miami Heat — Romeo Langford, Guard, Indiana
Selected by Kenneth Wilson of All U Can Heat
Langford has high potential as a secondary creator and, if he can develop a reliable jumpshot, could develop into the kind of three-level scorer who could really lift the Heat’s offense. He has the size and athleticism to defend a variety of positions but needs a lot of work on his defensive fundamentals and awareness to really be a difference-maker at that end. However, we’ve reached the point in the draft where everything is a gamble on potential. Langford’s floor as an athletic lane-filler in transition and slasher in the halfcourt makes him worth the bet for Miami.
For more analysis on the Heat and their upcoming offseason, visit All U Can Heat.
14. Boston Celtics — Rui Hachimura, Forward, Gonzaga
Selected by Andrew Hughes of Hardwood Houdini
Opinions on Hachimura vary wildly but he’s clearly a combo forward with an NBA body and athletic tools and the potential to play. a variety of roles on offense. He’s capable of creating his own shot off the dribble and could potentially work as a secondary ball-handler tasked with creating opportunities for others as well. He also dramatically improved his 3-point percentage last season, increasing the viability of him as a useful role player even if he doesn’t hit his ceiling. The big questions about Hachimura are on defense where he struggled with fundamentals like awareness and positioning. If Brad Stevens and his staff can coach up towards even an average impact on the defensive end, he could be a real steal.
For more analysis on the Celtics and their upcoming offseason, visit Hardwood Houdini
15. Detroit Pistons — Kevin Porter Jr., Guard, USC
Selected by Martin Mansour of Piston Powered
The Pistons desperately need players who can help share the burden of offensive creation with Blake Griffin. Porter Jr. may be a few seasons away from hitting that level but he has a smooth step-back jumper and has flashed the ability to be a dynamic off-the-dribble creator. He’ll need to work on his spot-up shooting, decision-making in the lane and defensive awareness but he’s one of the few players this late in the draft who has primary scorer potential.
For more analysis on the Pistons and their upcoming offseason, visit Piston Powered
16. Orlando Magic — Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Guard, Virginia Tech
Selected by Phillip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily
The Magic need guard help in the worst way and Alexander-Walker is one of the most versatile backcourt players left on offense. He projects to be a capable catch-and-shoot threat and has the length to defend multiple positions. Alexander-Walker was an effective pick-and-roll creator at Virginia Tech but there are questions about how much his average athleticism and first step will allow him to take apart a defense at the next level. At worst, he should be a capable game-manager who can play a role, move the ball and help space the floor.
For more analysis on the Magic and their upcoming offseason, visit Orlando Magic Daily
17. Brooklyn Nets — Nassir Little, Forward, North Carolina
Selected by Phil Watson of Nothin’ But Nets
Little disappointed in his one season at North Carolina, failing to deliver on his potential as a shot creator on the wing. However, he is still a player with terrific physical tools and even if his future is more of a hybrid forward than a wing he still has upside and versatility. Little will need to develop his catch-and-shoot game and his defensive awareness but he should be a solid finisher around the basket and in transition and has the strength to play bigger in small ball lineups. For a team that is focused on depth, versatility and is still building for the future, Little should fit in well.
For more analysis on the Nets and their upcoming offseason, visit Nothin’ But Nets
18. Indiana Pacers — P.J. Washington, Forward, Kentucky
Selected by Ben Gibson of 8 points, 9 seconds
Washington is a player who should be able to see minutes at both forward positions and could really help add depth to the Pacers’ rotation. The numbers say he’s an excellent 3-point shooter but on a relatively low number of attempts, so he’ll need to sustain that to be a useful piece going forward. He doesn’t have the quickness in space to defend high-level wings or the bulk and strength to defend interior 4s but depending on the matchup he should be able to defend lesser threats at both spots, giving the Pacers a bit more lineup versatility. His ceiling may be something like Patrick Patterson but that’s certainly the kind of role player the Pacers could use as they keep building for the future.
For more analysis on the Pacers and their upcoming offseason, visit 8 points, 9 seconds
19. San Antonio Spurs — Goga Bitadze, Center, Mega Bemax
Selected by Dylan Carter of Air Alamo
Bitadze is an intriguing big man prospect who should fit well in the Spurs system. On offense, he shows potential as a pick-and-pop threat potentially stretching out to the 3-point line, with excellent touch on vision on his passes to also make a difference as a hub around the elbows to hit cutters and dribble hand-offs. On defense, he’ll struggle in space because of his footwork and lack of athleticism but he uses his enormous wingspan well and should be an effective rim protector. The combination of strengths and weaknesses may keep him from being an NBA star but the Spurs have a history of recognizing what a young player does well and putting them in a position to succeed.
For more analysis on the Spurs and their upcoming offseason, visit Air Alamo
20. Boston Celtics — Carsen Edwards, Guard, Purdue
Selected by Andrew Hughes of Hardwood Houdini
Edwards has the body of a point guard but made his mark at Purdue as a volume shooter, carrying an enormous offensive load. His statistical indicators aren’t that impressive but his usage rate was off the charts and his 3-point percentage was dragged down by the sheer volume of shot attempts, particularly pull-ups, he had to create for himself in Purdue’s system. In a more limited role he should be dangerous as a catch-and-shoot threat with the potential and to buoy a second-unit offense with his creation ability. With the possibility of both Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier leaving this summer, Edwards would offer some measure of protection as a backup point guard.
For more analysis on the Celtics and their upcoming offseason, visit Hardwood Houdini
21. Oklahoma City Thunder — Tyler Herro, Guard, Kentucky
Selected by Tailor Finney of Thunderous Intentions
The Thunder need additional perimeter shooting in the worst way and they can’t do much better than Herro at this point in the draft. The 6-foot-5 guard hit 35.5 percent of his 3s last season at Kentucky but his form and incredible free-throw percentage imply that he could be significantly more accurate in the NBA. He should be excellent as a spot-up threat and has shown some potential as a pull-up shooter. His upside depends on whether he can overcome average athleticism and limited strength to become a useful defender and whether he can supplement his spot-up game with any on-ball creation or the kind of off-screen shooting that makes a player like J.J. Redick so dangerous.
For more analysis on the Thunder and their upcoming offseason, visit Thunderous Intentions
22. Boston Celtics — Bruno Fernando, Center, Maryland
Selected by Andrew Hughes of Hardwood Houdini
As the Celtics look to add depth with their multiple draft picks, Fernando is a nice big man prospect who currently has plenty of value as a rim protector and has hinted at the ability to stretch his range out to the 3-point line. Fernando only took 13 3-point attempts in his two seasons at Maryland but his form looks strong and he hit an impressive 78 percent of his free throws last year. He’s not the athlete or rim-runner that Robert Williams might turn out to be but Fernando could give the Celtics a different look as their young core continues developing.
For more analysis on the Celtics and their upcoming offseason, visit Hardwood Houdini
23. Utah Jazz — Cam Johnson, Forward, North Carolina
Selected by Jared Woodcox of The J-Notes
Johnson is one of the best shooters in this draft class, a 6-foot-9 forward who is dangerous both as a catch-and-shoot threat and running off screens and shooting on the move. He made 45.7 percent of more than 200 3-point attempts last season and his ability to space the floor should be an enormous addition to the Jazz offense. He doesn’t offer much else on offense and doesn’t project to be an above-average defender but shooting and simply holding his own at the other end will allow Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert to be that much more effective.
For more analysis on the Jazz and their upcoming offseason, visit The J-Notes
24. Philadelphia 76ers — Ty Jerome, Guard, Virginia
Selected by Christopher Kline of The Sixer Sense
The 76ers really needed shooting depth in the backcourt on the wing and Jerome is one of the cleanest fits in the draft for their needs. He played primarily as a point guard but will be limited in that role because of his average handle and athleticism at the next level. Playing alongside ball-handlers like Ben Simmons or Jimmy Butler will work well because he can leverage his fantastic spot-up and off-screen shooting and offer a bit of secondary creation. Jerome does not have star upside but his excellent 3-point shooting gives him plenty of utility, particularly for the 76ers.
For more analysis on the 76ers and their upcoming offseason, visit The Sixer Sense
25. Portland Trail Blazers — Keldon Johnson, Wing, Kentucky
Selected by Michael Saenz of Sir Charles in Charge
Keldon Johnson is a young, raw wing prospect who comes with the Kentucky pedigree and a chance to grow into a supporting role for the Trail Blazers, adding depth next season and beyond. He is not a great shooter at this point and doesn’t possess any definable elite offensive skill but he can finish in transition and has room to grow as an off-ball threat. His upside may be higher at the defensive end of the floor but he’s still fairly raw there as well. Johnson is still a lump of clay but the Trail Blazers know how to make the most of players like him in their system and he could eventually become a replacement for Mo Harkless or Al-Farouq Aminu.
For more analysis on the Trail Blazers and their upcoming offseason, visit Rip City Project
26. Cleveland Cavaliers — Matisse Thybulle, Guard, Washington
Selected by Dan Gilinsky of King James Gospel
Matisse Thybulle is one of the best defensive prospects in this draft class, a long, experienced wing who was dynamic at creating impact plays, both blocks and steals over his four-year college career. His age and defensive skill set mean he could be ready to be a rotation player next season, helping the rebuilding Cavaliers roster begin to take shape immediately, and he’s the kind of player who could absolutely be a role player on a very good team down the road. However, his extremely limited offensive game caps his ceiling as a situational player. The other major question is whether his size and strength will hold up against bigger wings and combo forwards or whether he’ll be limited mostly to defending guards.
For more analysis on the Cavaliers and their upcoming offseason, visit King James Gospel.
27. Brooklyn Nets — Mfioundu Kabengele, Center, Florida State
Selected by Phil Watson of Nothin’ But Nets
The Nets are potentially looking at a dramatically rebuilt roster and Kabengele is an interesting piece who could provide some depth as a late-rotation big, potentially growing into something more. His floor is as a physical, high-energy big who can hit the glass, defend the rim and finish in the paint. The next level of his potential involves him developing his outside shot (he shot 37.4 percent on 3-pointers in college but on just 91 total attempts across two seasons) and leveraging his raw quickness into a stretch big who can defend in space and attack closeouts off the dribble.
For more analysis on the Nets and their upcoming offseason, visit Nothin’ But Nets
28. Golden State Warriors — Daniel Gafford, Center, Arkansas
Selected by Anthony Pesta of Blue Man Hoop
Gafford would likely have been a fringe lottery pick last season but opted to return to school and saw his draft stock depressed by unimpressive effort and a general lack of development. Still, he’s a tantalizing physical prospect with great size and athleticism for a big man. Even if he doesn’t add many ancillary skills, he can be useful as a rim protector and vertically spacing roll-man on offense, especially in the Warriors’ attack.
For more analysis on the Warriors and their upcoming offseason, visit Blue Man Hoop
29. San Antonio Spurs — Louis King, Wing, Oregon
Selected by Dylan Carter of Air Alamo
The Spurs have the luxury of staying focused on potential here at the end of the draft and King certainly represents that. He started slowly in his one season with the Ducks because of recovery from a knee injury but King showed a strong shooting stroke of flashes of potential as a secondary-creator. While he has excellent size and length and could become a solid defensive player, a lack of effort and focus at that end hampered his effectiveness. The Spurs have plenty of young depth on the wing but King makes plenty of sense as a player to be patient with, who could pay huge dividends down the road.
For more analysis on the Spurs and their upcoming offseason, visit Air Alamo
30. Milwaukee Bucks — Eric Paschall, Forward, Villanova
Selected by Adam McGee of Behind The Buck Pass
On paper, Paschall presented a valuable collegiate template, a 6-foot-7 big with mobility who hit over 35 percent of his 3s over the last two seasons. His draft stock started lower because of questions about how well his 3-point shot would translate and whether he’d be able to defend both forward positions well enough to make him a proactive mismatch instead of a reactive one. Paschall graded out incredibly well at the NBA Draft combine which has seen his stock rise into the first round. With Ersan Ilyasova and Nikola Mirotic potentially moving on this summer, Pascall is a great fit to add shooting and defense in the frontcourt.
For more analysis on the Bucks and their upcoming offseason, visit Behind the Buck Pass