NBA Draft 2019: Winners and losers

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: Ja Morant looks on after being selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 20: Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett hug after begin selects first and third overall during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Matteo Marchi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Winner No. 2: The New York Knicks

The pre-draft process for the Knicks was kind of a mess, with things somewhat being held up due to prospective trades. The third pick was a hot commodity, first in the Anthony Davis trade, and then after that deal fell through, in prospective deals with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks also worked out R.J. Barrett and were the lone team to do so — and then made things awkward there by working out Darius Garland and Coby White at the last minute.

But in the end, the Knicks got the guy they probably wanted all along, adding R.J. Barrett to be the face of their latest rebuild attempt. The Duke wing is an obvious fit as a 1A/1B option next to Dennis Smith Jr., and should get ample opportunities to grow into reaching his scoring ceiling with the Knicks. There are questions about his ability to see the floor and create optimal looks for teammates, sure, and the Smith/Barrett pairing is definitely tenuous at best on defense. But Barrett was the number two guy on our big board because he was the next best option behind Zion to become a very talented scorer at the NBA level, and the Knicks definitely need that type of guy. They can build around these two for now, even if they don’t get any stars this summer, and that’s an exciting proposition.

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