2019 NBA Mock Draft: Re-evaluating the top prospects
player. 20. . G. Vanderbilt. Darius Garland. 4
Garland got a big chance to tell the public how he sees his game in a video with Shams Charania over at Stadium this week. The scoring guard has clearly been told to emphasize his playmaking ability. Here’s what he said:
“I’m a true point guard and I can shoot the ball at a high level. Shooting off the bounce is one of my best abilities probably, coming off ball screens and just pulling up and shooting.”
The other factors that could attract the Lakers to Garland are that he is a Klutch Sports client, a flashy player, and could one day fill a secondary playmaking role alongside LeBron James. However, it’s obvious that James, now in his mid-30s, would prefer a veteran who can help him compete in the playoffs for the remainder of his career over Garland.
The Lakers were most likely celebrating on lottery night not because of the opportunity to take in another project and Klutch client, but because of the implications on the trade market of swinging nearly ten picks higher in the draft despite their organizational failures on nearly every other front.
Someone, whether it’s Bradley Beal or Mike Conley, will be on the Lakers’ radar using the No. 4 pick, so while Garland makes the most sense of anyone on the board, it’s probably smarter to start thinking about who Washington or Memphis would pick here.