NBA Draft 2019: Way too early Rookie of the Year rankings

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK – JUNE 19: NBA Draft Prospect, Zion Williamson poses for portraits during media availability and circuit as part of the 2019 NBA Draft on June 19, 2019 at the Grand Hyatt New York in New York City. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

Williamson just had what could go down as the most successful individual season in college basketball history. His team didn’t cut down the nets, but his numbers speak for themselves and he passes the eye test as well. Once his jump shot improves, he will, in all likelihood, be a better player than Morant, but for this season he’ll be dependent on a point guard who might be mad at the Pelicans franchise about the way things went down this year. Zion was an AAU teammate of Ja Morant’s, and so he shouldn’t be mad about the next slide for Rookie of the Year favorite.

Williamson will have fun playing with Lonzo Ball, and this might be the best thing for Ball’s career to get a little bit of distance away from the overbearing Papa bear. The Pelicans also have plenty of draft picks now thanks to their trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, and if things go south in Hollywood, then those could end up being in the lottery. In any case, New Orleans can use them as trade chips to add other quality players to the roster, and it wouldn’t be shocking if they slipped into the playoffs next year.

There was talk that the Pelicans might move their franchise elsewhere before they won the NBA Draft lottery, and it’s so cool that is off the table now. Fans in “The Big Easy” are going to love watching Zion play, and he might even win them their first championship in franchise history if he lives up to the hype.

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