NBA Mock Draft 2019: The chaos of this draft is only beginning
PJ Washington. 14. player. 18. . F/C. Kentucky
After weeks of rehabbing the foot injury that hobbled him during the NCAA Tournament, Washington finally began working out for teams this week. His first private workout was with the Heat, and a key part of these meetings will likely be negotiations with Washington’s agent, Roger Montgomery, over Washington’s health records.
The lower-body injury wasn’t particularly startling, but drafting a big man with foot concerns without knowing the extent of those issues would be a bad call. Washington’s game relies on mobility and physicality as well, making his level of health and fitness incredibly important.
Assuming everything checks out, Washington fills an assortment of needs for the Celtics. He is a replacement for the playmaking forwards who have played an integral role for Boston over the years, such as Kelly Olynyk, Evan Turner and Marcus Morris. He combines various attributes from all three.
In addition, Washington is a fairly solid fit as an option at center next to Zion Williamson in a package to acquire Anthony Davis from the Pelicans. If New Orleans is drafting another big man this year, they have to feel great about his fit with Williamson. Fortunately, Washington’s corner 3-point shooting ability, post playmaking and defensive versatility check a lot of the boxes you want next to Williamson.
The Celtics will know more as the draft nears on the Davis front, but their scouting process now is split in multiple directions until they know where Davis winds up.