2019 NBA Mock Draft: Re-evaluating the top prospects

When we got our dog two years ago from a shelter, the only advice the older woman who sold him to us had was that the dog was, “like a spinning top” when get got hyper, particularly in the morning. Sure enough, the dog explodes with energy the moment the sun peeks out from behind the clouds and won’t stop until he’s taken outside, fed, and coaxed back into bed for a nap.

That experience is similar to what it’s like watching Doumbouya play basketball. He might not even be the best international prospect in this draft (many would argue that’s Goga Bitadze), but NBA teams will never let a big playmaker slip. The problem is that it’s tough to even feel certain that’s what Doumbouya is.

The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide comparisons for Doumbouya help temper expectations about the forward: Tranquilized Pascal Siakam, Al-Farouq Aminu and Trevor Booker. It feels like Doumbouya has the potential to be the best athlete of that group if that part of his skill set translates to the NBA, but again, it’s tough to know. He’s supremely young and therefore his minutes have been inconsistent in the top French league. He’s also bigger than Siakam or Aminu.

Doumbouya has the potential to be a tremendous open court finisher, a great rebounder, and can hit 3s and defend multiple positions? Sound valuable? Try pairing him with another great athlete in Miles Bridges. Charlotte could be set up on the wing for years if Doumbouya develops under young coach James Borrego.