Category Archives: CLEVELAND

The 2019 NBA draft is viewed mostly as a 3 player draft. I tend to disagree. In terms of star potential, it isn’t the strongest, but could be a solid draft looking back five years from now when evaluating the best role players in the league.

Players in the mid to late first round could turn out to be strong contributors at the next level. I took the liberty of listing out my top 40 prospects of this draft. A lot of players, later on, have a good amount to be excited about. With the Cavs holding a late first round pick, this list might give some clarity on the options on the table at 26.

#1 – Zion Williamson – PF Duke   Comp: Uber athletic Julius Randle

Pros

• Check Twitter

Cons

• Jumpshot a big question mark
• Frame may be an issue (285 lbs)
• Tweener (6’7)

#2 – Ja Morant – PG Murray State     Comp: John Wall / Russell Westbrook

Pros

• Super Athlete
• Dynamic Playmaker (10apg)
• Improved Shooter (30%-37% Fr-Soph)
• Good Finisher at the rim

Cons

• Still needs to improve as a shooter
• Competition Level

#3 – RJ Barrett – SG/SF Duke    Comp: Zach Lavine / Victor Oladipo

Pros

• Good Size (6’7 202)
• Solid Playmaker (4.3apg)
• Can find his own shot
• Great athlete
• Defensive potential with athleticism and length

Cons

• Inconsistent shooter (30.8% 3pt)
• Needs to Improve decision making (Led NCAA in charges)

#4 – Jarrett Culver – SG/SF Texas Tech   Comp: Andrew Wiggins / Harrison Barnes

Pros

• Good athlete
• Strong finisher, doesn’t shy away from contact
• Solid jumpshot
• Can shoot off the dribble
• Solid defender already, with potential to be elite due to frame and athleticism

Cons

• Not an elite ball handler
• Jump shot mechanics inconsistent
• Struggled against elite collegiate competition.

#5 – Cam Reddish – SF Duke        Comp: Paul George

Pros

• Silky, repeatable jumpshot
• Smooth game, passes the eye test
• Solid ball handler
• Glides to the rim
• Great Size (6’8 7foot wingspan) / dynamic athlete
• Can pull up from anywhere
• Can handle the ball on pick and roll
• Good passer

Cons

• Jumpshot inconsistent
• Showed glimpses of brilliance, but also like he didn’t belong on court
• Disappeared at times
• Bad finishing at the rim when met with contact

#6 – Darius Garland – PG Vanderbilt     Comp: Damian Lillard

Pros

• Jitterbug quickness
• Elite Pull Up Shooter extended out to three point range(48%3pt)
• Can create own shot or play off the ball, running off screens
• Creative moves in the lane

Cons

• Not an imposing presence, does not play above rim
• Struggles at the rim against length/size
• Not an elite passer (13 assists to 15 turnovers)
• Small Sample Size

#7 DeAndre Hunter – SF Virginia    Comp: Bojan Bogdanovic / Robert Covington

Pros

• Elite Defender
• Can Defend up to 3 maybe even 4 positions
• Can move to a stretch 4 when needed
• Sweet Stroke
• 3 and D ability makes him a contributor right away

Cons

• Low Ceiling, what you see is what you get
• Good Size but not the best athlete
• Slow First step
• Not a dependable isolation scorer

#8 Bol Bol – C Oregon      Comp: Unicorn

Pros

• Ridiculous length (7’2 with 7’8 wingspan)
• Knock down shooter (52%3pt)
• Great handle for size
• Weakside shot blocker (2.7bpg)
• Quick first step
• Finishes at the rim
• Pick and Pop/roll guy

Cons

• Measured in at 208 lbs!!!
• Questions about consistent effort and commitment to the game
• Won’t be strong enough to handle legit centers at next level
• Foot injury not a good sign
• Super talented, but too risky to be taken in the lottery

#9 Coby White – PG North Carolina     Comp: Collin Sexton / Eric Bledsoe

Pros

• Bucket getter
• Great finisher around the rim
• Solid shooter, off catch and off dribble (35%3pt)
• Broke Jordans freshman scoring record
• Elite height, Great athlete
• At his best in open space

Cons

• Furthest thing from a reliable playmaker
• Not consistent scorer (42% FG)
• 19% turnover rate in fast break scenarios
• Still learning how to contribute in half court
• Lack of length and interest will limit his defensive ability
• Negative Wingspan, small hands

#10 Sekou Doumbouya – PF France    Comp: Jerami Grant / Al Farouq-Aminu

Pros

• Great Athlete / Size (6’9)
• Great in transition, can handle the ball or run on wings
• Glides around the court, can possibly defend 1-4
• Can stretch the floor with 3 pt range
• Solid Shotblocker, plays passing lanes very well

Cons

• Youngest player in the draft (18 years old)
• Wildly inconsistent with effort
• Although jumpshot has improved, still needs work
• Not a good passer. Finished with more turnovers than assists
• Not the best feel for the game, should improve with time

#11 Jaxson Hayes – C Texas    Comp: Jarrett Allen / JaVale McGee

Pros

• Long (nearly 7 foot with 7’3 wingspan)
• Crazy athlete, easily beats other bigs down court
• Bouncy, fast first jump and more importantly second jump
• Super accurate down low, shot 73 % from the field, good hands+soft touch
• Has size, length, and instinct to be a dominant defensive presence. Second best shot blocker among prospects(2.2 bpg)

Cons

• Had issues with foul trouble (6 fouls per 40 minutes)
• Needs to develop as a prolific rebounder
• Needs to add Muscle, slender frame (around 225)

#12 Nassir Little – SF North Carolina      Comp: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist / OG Annunoby

Pros

• Elite Athlete, physical specimen (6’6 220 7’1 wingspan)
• Averaged 22 points per 40 minutes despite being behind others
• Strong and agile making him able to play multiple positions
• Never found stroke from 3 but has nice touch (77%FT)
• Top high school recruit last season

Cons

• Never really found his way at UNC and never really improved since the start of freshman year
• Needs time to learn defensive schemes
• Not reliable to create for himself or others
• Defensive output didn’t match physical tools

#13 Romeo Langford – SG Indiana      Comp: Tyreke Evans

Pros

• Prototypical size/length for modern 2 (6’6 ht 6’11 ws)
• Good ball handler/shot creator
• A solid athlete who can change paces quickly
• Showed flashes of being a good defender
• Can shoulder a heavy load offensively with scoring/playmaking

Cons

• Sub 30% shooter from deep
• Has length and quickness to be good defender, needs to improve quickness and toughness

#14 PJ Washington – PF Kentucky    Comp: Marvin Williams

Pros

• Stretches floor well (42%3pt)
• Lead UK in scoring, rebounding, and 3pt shooting (Tyler Herro)
• Played through foot injury in Tournament to boost his team
• Only 6’8 but has crazy length (7’2 ws)
• Versatile scorer, pick and roll/pop, high/low post, face up
• Tough, physical grinder who developed into a good leader

Cons

• Couldn’t perform workouts for teams due to foot injury
• Lacks height of a true 4
• Negative assist to turnover ratio
• Good length but underwhelming athlete, doesn’t play above rim

#15 Brandon Clarke – PF Gonzaga    Comp: Bouncy Tristan Thompson

Pros

• Elite athlete
• Best finisher around rim in college basketball (74%)
• Quick first jump helps lack of height
• High motor
• Good offensive rebounder
• Good instincts and timing leads to a lot of blocks (4.3 per 40)
• Solid perimeter defender / active hands (1.2spg)

Cons

• Not very long, short arms small hands
• Won’t space the floor, only 25 career threes taken
• Will need to improve defensively with fundamentals / gets by on instinct and athleticism

#16 Tyler Herro – SG Kentucky Comp: Austin Rivers w/ Better Jumpshot

Pros

• Knockdown shooter
• Good shooter off the dribble, catch and shoot, coming off screens
• Good at reading screens
• Strong in pick and roll situations
• Underrated play maker
• Good size (6’6) and scrappy defender

Cons

• Short arms may limit him to defending only 1s. Little upside
• Not a great athlete and not creative around the rim
• Needs more moves around the basket
• Shot high percentage from ft line, only 3.1 attempts per 40 minutes

#17 Kevin Porter – SG/SF USC   Comp: Ben McLemore

Pros

• Specimen (6’6, 220, Strong, fast, quick, bouncy)
• A load when he gets downhill
• At his best in open space
• Solid knockdown shooter (41%3pt)
• Can create his own shot via pull up or step back
• Uses threat of jump shot to take people off the bounce

Cons

• Doesn’t do much off the ball. Seems uninterested a lot of the time
• Good pull up shooter but not as much on catch and shoot
• Sloppy shooting mechanics (52%FT)
• Poor playmaker (30 assists compared to 39 turnovers)
• Falls in love with pull up jumpers

#18 Rui Hachimura – PF Gonzaga   Comp: Longer Brandon Bass

Pros

• Experienced player (3 years at Gonzaga)
• Improved every season
• Good size and length (6’8 235, long arms, big hands)
• Strong finisher inside (Generated 8 free throws per 40)
• Can take big forwards off dribble and small in the post
• Shot career high from 3 his junior season (41.7%)

Cons

• Prone to tunnel vision. More TO than assists all three seasons
• Not a good athlete
• Struggled shooting against better competition (shot 8/19 against Texas Tech, only two makes when being checked by Culver)
• No clue how he shot so well. Poor mechanics. Low volume
• Should be a better defender given physical gifts
• Plays defense flat footed, can’t switch onto guards or fast wings limiting his versatility

#19 Cam Johnson – SG/SF North Carolina   Comp: Danny Granger

Pros

• One of my favorite players in the draft
• NBA ready due to Size,Shooting, and experience
• Best shooter in this draft (40.3% career) (45.7% Sr season)
• Always ready to shoot
• Scores on post fades, pull ups, step backs, and contested shots
• Strong leader, mature
• Comfortable on offense with and without the ball

Cons

• Super tall(6’8) but frame won’t hold up against bigger forwards
• Performed well at combine(5th best lane agility test, 30.5in standing vert, 36.5 vert) but still not an above the rim finisher
• Needs to work on his handling and playmaking ability
• Old (23yo) 5 year Senior

#20 Keldon Johnson – SG/SF Kentucky   Comp: Stanley Johnson / Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Pros

• Good size and strength for NBA wing (6’6 215)
• Good motor, scrappy on both sides of the ball
• Productive rebounder (5.9rpg)
• Has catch and shoot ability
• Has shown ability to be a pull up shooter

Cons

• Slow Release on the jumpshot
• Inconsistent this season shooting especially off the dribble
• Strong athlete but not a quick athlete
• Only an ok distributor

#21 Goga Bitadze – C Georgia (country) Comp: mix of Dwayne Dedmon and Brook Lopez

Pros

• Skilled 7 footer
• Tremendous size (7’0 250 7’3 wingspan, 9’2 standing)
• Light on his feet for his size
• Shows potential as a weakside rim protector
• Good pick and roll/pop player / good hands
• Has shown potential to be a stretch 5

Cons

• Will never be a perimeter defender
• Slow lateral movement
• Could improve as a passer
• Didn’t show a consistent post game against lack luster competition
• Seems like a fake tough guy (Kentucky)

#22 Nikeil Alexander Walker – SG Virginia Tech   Comp: less athletic Gary Harris

Pros

• Good size for a Two-Guard (6’6)
• Plays passing lanes very well(2.2 steals per 40 min)
• Has a reliable jump shot when given space (38%3pt)
• Urky jerky driver, changes speed well
• Good playmaker, can put in pick and roll scenarios (4apg)

Cons

• Depends on his left a lot. Exclusively drives, passes, and finishes with his left
• Has issues penetrating defenses, not ready to be a primary ball handler
• Not a reliable pull up jump shooter

#23 Matisse Thybulle – SG Washington Comp: Andre Roberson/Tony Allen/Marcus Smart

Pros

• PIT. BULL.
• 2x Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (3.5spg 2.3bpg)
• Great size for a wing(6’6ht 7’0 ws)
• Elite in the passing lanes
• Can easily defend 1-3 at the next level
• Has shown glimpses of a jump shot

Cons

• Inconsistent jump shot, shot over 36% first 3 years but only 30% this season
• Will never be a scorer in the league
• Not a good ball handler or passer
• Not a great finisher around the rim
• Will have to adjust from the zone played by Washington

#24 KZ Okpala – SF/PF Stanford

Pros

• Great length for a wing (6’10ht 7’2ws)
• Frame of a post player but was the main playmaker at Stanford
• Can attack from Isos or pick and roll
• Glides to the rim, looks like a gazelle on the court
• Improved 3 point shooter (37%)
• Potential to be a versatile defender

Cons

• Not a good passer / decision maker
• Doesn’t have a pull up game, primarily a spot up shooter at this point
• Lacks physicality on both ends  

#25 Darius Bazely – SF/PF Princeton High School (Cincinnati)

Pros

• Bulked up during his season off, started to fill out his frame
• Great length for the wing (6’9ht 7’0ws)
• Unknown potential
• Shows potential as a ball handler
• Shows soft touch with jump shot
• Has potential to be a multi-purpose defender

Cons

• Hasn’t played in a year
• Has soft touch but weird mechanics on shot
• MASSIVE risk based on sample size

#26 Mfioundu Kabengele – C Florida State  Comp: Serge Ibake / Dwayne Dedmon

Pros

• Physical Specimen
• Big as hell (6’10ht, 7’3ws, 9’1sr, 256lbs)
• Great agility, ability to guard perimeter
• Potential to be stretch 5 (37%3pt)
• Can score from the post

Cons

• Lack of experience playing the game
• Not a passer in the slightest (11assists in 800 minutes)
• Not a disciplined defender (over 4 fouls per 40 minutes)
• Jumps at everything

#27 Nic Claxton – PF/C Georgia

Pros

• Smooth moving athlete
• Long (near 7 foot, 7’2ws)
• Great handles for his size. Can start breaks off rebounds
• Shows signs of being a spot up shooter
• Blocks shots well from weakside
• Shown signs of being a capable perimeter defender

Cons

• Still skinny, has frame to fill out however
• Got overpowered easily at Georgia, not dominant on the glass
• Game moves fast at times, poor passing decisions
• Fell in love with the shot to often

#28 Luka Samanic – PF Croatia

Pros

• Good size (6’11)
• Moves well for a man his size
• Can be a spot up shooter
• Fast feet can allow him to cover switches on perimeter

Cons

• Averages one more TO than assist per 40 min
• Swiss army knife, doesn’t do anything at a great level
• Doesn’t respond well to physicality
• Inconsistent 3pt shot

#29 Eric Paschall – PF Villanova  Comp: athletic Anthony Tolliver / Adrien Payne

Pros

• Explosive athlete
• Great finisher at the rim
• Strength and length for post d, quick feet for perimeter d
• Solid stand still 3pt shooter (35%)

Cons

• Streaky 3pt shooter, awkward looking shot
• Struggles creating his own offense, not a good playmaker
• Undersized as a big in the NBA (6’7)

#30 Grant Williams – PF Tennessee  Comp: Patrick Patterson

Pros

• Good inside outside scoring option
• Can feed him in the post / triple threat player (4 assists per 40)
• Improved shooter from distance (31.8%3pt) (82%FT)
• High IQ player. Good instincts
• Grit and grind player. Shown glimpses of perimeter defender

Cons

• Not the tallest or longest, affects his ability as interior defender
• Not a dynamic athlete / plays below the rim
• Not laterally quick
• Improved shooter but still far from being a reliable threat

#31 Luguentz Dort – SG Arizona State   Comp: Marcus Smart

Pros

• Not tall but has good strength and length (6’4″ ht 222 6’8 wingspan)
• High motor and defensive ability makes him NBA ready
• At best offensively when in open space
• Not afraid of contact on either side of the ball
• Has the ability to defend either guard

Cons

• Defense comes from effort and intensity, needs to improve technique
• Not the best at creating his own shot
• Inconsistent 3pt shooter (31%)
• Tends to put his head down and tunnel vision on drives

#32 Carson Edwards – PG Purdue   Comp: Patty Mills

Pros

• Very quick, gets to the rim easily
• In the gym range
• Can pull up off pick and roll
• Big time players
• Saved his best for the tournament

Cons

• Inconsistent pull up jump shot (36% on pull ups)
• Size concern (6’1)
• Sub 40% from the field last season
• Not a prolific distributor

#33 Ty Jerome – PG/SG Virginia  Comp: Matthew Dellavadova

Pros

• Good size, can play 1 or 2 when needed
• Scrappy defender (1.8 steals per 40 minutes)
• Great feel for defenses. One of the best passers in draft
• Good catch and shoot guy (39.5%3pt for career)

Cons

• Negative Wingspan (6’4ws 6’6 ht)
• Bad athlete, plays well beneath the rim
• Skill set matches PG but size and lack of mobility force him at 2
• Not an elite pull up game

#34 Admiral Schofield – SF Tennessee  Comp: PJ Tucker / Jae Crowder

Pros

• Dangerous catch and shoot weapon (better than 39% since soph.)
• Has shown ability to make pull up/moving shots
• Huge frame, may be best suited as small ball 4
• Can guard multiple positions due to length and strength

Cons

• Plays power ball often but is only 6’5
• Not a great rebounder
• Doesn’t have great feel for game (.9spg .5bpg)

#35 Bruno Fernando – C Maryland  Comp: Bismack Biyombo

Pros

• Bruh (6’10ht 237lbs 7’4″ Wingspan 9’1″ Standing Reach)
• Can move too to go along with his size
• Averaged double-double at Maryland
• Strong finisher inside

Cons

• Turnover machine (21% TO rate)
• Non factor on the defensive end of the floor
• Low basketball IQ / lack of discipline

#36 Chuma Okeke – PF Auburn    Comp: Kyle Kuzma

Pros

• Good size, length and athleticism
• Elite 3pt shooter (38.7% last season)
• Versatile defender (1.2bpg 1.8spg)
• Would be a lottery pick despite injury

Cons

• Torn ACL makes him a big risk (Will miss entire next season)
• Won’t create his own shot
• Doesn’t finish above the rim despite athleticism  

#37 Daniel Gafford – C Arkansas   Comp: Larry Sanders

Pros

• Big man with great athleticism / runs floor well
• Solid offensive rebounder
• Plays above the rim / super bouncy
• Good touch inside
• Blocks shots well (3.8 blocks per 40 min)

Cons

• Not the most physical player / effects his rebounding
• Doesn’t have the defensive prowess his tools suggest
• Primarily a dump off tip in, and lob guy / no playmaking or shooting ability

#38 Dylan Windler – SF Belmont   Comp: Doug McDermott

Pros

• Shooter (43%3pt)
• Long (6’8″ht 6’10″ wingspan)
• Can score from anywhere in any way (spot up, off dribble, off screens)

Cons

• Sucked against high level competition
• Slow lateral movement
• Not known as a defender
• Not a prolific playmaker  

#39 Shamorie Ponds – PG St. John’s   Comp: Mario Chalmers / Brandon Jennings

Pros

• Elite scorer (nearly 20ppg)
• Solid playmaker (5.1apg)
• Can shoot off the dribble / catch and shoot
• Strong finisher inside
• Good rebounder (4.1apg)
• Great defender fo his size / plays passing lanes (2.6spg)

Cons

• Small guard (6’1) limits defensive versatility
• Can fall in love with jump shot
• Too confident? Might be a good thing

#40  Louis King – SF Oregon   Comp: Rodney Hood

Pros

• Excellent size and athleticism for a wing (6’8)
• Great 3 and D upside (38.6%3pt) moves well laterally
• Can score off pull ups and and dribble drive / solid handle
• Good mechanics on jump shot

Cons

• Still needs to add muscle
• Needs to improve fundamentally on defense
• Injury at beginning of season a concern