NBA Draft: Lakers Trade & 2019 Draft Preview and Predictions

The NBA may have crowned a champion last week – congrats Raptors, but the league doesn’t go to sleep. A huge trade hit this weekend, and the NBA Draft happens on Thursday night (originally listed incorrectly as Tuesday). Finally, free agency begins the start of July. Lots to discuss before the NFL dominates.

Lakes-Pelicans Trade Details

With the Kevin Durant injury, Anthony Davis, the supremely talented Power Forward from the Pelicans, became the prize this NBA off season. The Lakers decided to act fast with the void left by the Warriors’ injuries in picking up Davis. Davis at 26 years old has his prime ahead of him. Affectionately nicknames, The Brow, due to his prominent eye brows, Davis joins Lebron James who wants to add at least one more title to his career. Davis will play one more year on his current contract at $25MM+, then he can sign a long term deal with LA.

In exchange, the Lakers send away their future. The Pelicans will receive Point Guard, Lonzo Ball, who was drafted 2nd in the 2017 Draft, Small Forward, Brandon Ingram who was drafted 2nd in the 2016 Draft, plus Point Guard, Josh Hart who was drafted 30th in the 2017 Draft. Those are solid to under-performing players to date. However, the Lakers also gave up 3 first round draft picks including this year’s 4th overall selection. So, the Pelicans have the 1st Pick and the 4th Pick this year in the NBA Draft. Zion Williamson is the lock at #1, but the Pelicans can also get a really good young player at #4.

The Lakers do get to keep Kyle Kuzma who was also drafted in 2017, which is a win. Kuzma can score and really will benefit from the space given by Lebron and Davis. The Lake Show also has cap room left, so they can choose to add another big player – Kawhi, Kyrie or Kemba Walker – or they can get a deeper team around their 2 stars. Clearly a win now move, and Lebron gets his way, however Davis is injury prone, so if healthy, they can win it. They are the Vegas NBA Title favorites now in 2019-20.

The Pelicans have a very good young squad. They keep Jrue Holiday, Zion, Ball, Ingram and another good #4 pick. They could be competitive in 2019-20, but definitely in 2-3 years. The Lakers will not have another Top 5 pick most likely in the next 2 years, but additional picks can always help. The Pelicans may choose to trade the #4 Pick for another player, too. Let the fun begin!

NBA Draft Projections

Here is the Bleacher Report Mock: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2841442-nba-mock-draft-2019-predictions-for-top-prospects-with-draft-day-approaching

My comments:

1. Pelicans – Zion Williamson, PF, Duke – Zion is electric and now the center of the New Orleans team with Davis gone. Needs to work on his outside shot, but they will run and gun with Holiday, Ball and Zion.
2. Grizzlies – Ja Morant, PG, Murray State – Many of the Knicks would have loved to see this guy in the Garden (or Zion), but Ja will head to Memphis. He is dynamic. He is explosive. Terrible situation and market, but he is my pick for Rookie of the Year.
3. Knicks – RJ Barrett, SF, Duke – RJ is really good. He is an NBA-style scorer. Originally thought to be great to play alongside Kyrie and/or Durant, but that is not looking likely. RJ will get his, but may not be the real help the Knicks thought they would get this off season.
4. Pelicans – De’Andre Hunter, SF, Virginia – I would love this pick for the Pelicans. Hunter can be a defensive specialist for this team. He can score and shoot enough to be on the floor. Don’t be surprised if someone trades to this spot – Hawks?
5. Cavaliers – Jarrett Culver, SF, Texas Tech – Culver improved dramatically from Freshman to Sophomore year. If he continues to improve his offensive skills, then his athleticism and length make him a really good pro. Cleveland does not have a lot to cheer for, but Culver is a good pick.
6. Suns – Coby White, PG, UNC – Coby is a fast dude, and he can score. He is the new PG prototype of the NBA. Now, the Suns already have a ball dominant guard in Devin Booker. So, don’t love the fit, but at some point, the Suns will have the talent to compete.
7. Bulls – Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt – The Bulls will take White or Garland assuming Culver and Hunter are gone. The Bulls have tried to find a PG to fill the Derrick Rose void unsuccessfully for years. Garland was injured most of 2018-19, so let’s see how he bounces back, but dude can score.
8. Hawks – Cam Reddish, SG, Duke – The other Duke guy who was supposed to be a sharp shooter. I’m not a big fan of his ability to defend, but he should thrive shooting the ball off of Trae Young. So, a solid fit here.
9. Wizards – Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas – Yet another Texas Center who is athletic with potential, but I think he is pretty far from contributing. A pure potential player for Washington.
10. Hawks – PJ Washington, PF, Kentucky – PJ was a force in the SEC last year, but that late injury probably hurt his stock. Again, I like what the Hawks can do here. They have Young who held up very well at the NBA level. Put guys who can finish and shoot around him, and you have an exciting team.
11. Timberwolves – Keldon Johnson, SG, Kentucky – Johnson is rated pretty high here, which I don’t see it. Not a great shooter, so I think he is much lower on Draft night.
12. Hornets – Kevin Porter, Jr., SG, USC – The NBA loves guys who can shoot it. Porter would be a nice compliment to Kemba Walker, but Walker may leave in free agency.
13. Heat – Romeo Langford, SG, Indiana – A very over-rated player in college who didn’t really play for his team. Langford had his eyes set on the NBA from day one at IU. I don’t like his game, but like a Devin Booker, if you are on a team that struggles to score, then the guy who shoots the most has value. That will be Langford with Wade retiring.
14. Celtics – Bol Bol, C, Oregon – Now, I think talent-wise, Bol is Top 7. His health and ability to build his body to compete night in and night out is the question. I actually think Bol goes much earlier than 14.
15. Pistons – Sekou Doumbouya, SF, France – Sekou is 6’9″, athletic dude from Guinea. A pure upside guy who great athleticism would have been a top 5 pick in a different draft class. Pistons could get a steal at 15.
16. Magic – Rui Hachimura, PF, Gonzaga – Rui is a very skilled big man from a pro-style program with the Zags. I like him in the NBA, and the Magic will get better with this guy.
17. Hawks – Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, VA Tech – Another Hawks pick here. I wonder if they package some of these picks to move up to #4 for the Pelicans pick. Alexander-Walker is another guy who can score, so the Hawks may be a very high scoring team this year.
18. Pacers – Cameron Johnson, SF, UNC – The Heels always produce good NBA guys. Johnson is no different. A long, athletic guy who can shoot. The Pacers with Oladipo returning mid-season can use more scoring.
19. Spurs – Brandon Clarke, PF, Gonzaga – The Spurs can definitely use this athletic freak. Clarke could be one of those guys who in 2-3 years that is the “steal” of this draft. He can shoot, block shots and finish. Spurs will love this guy’s energy.
20. Celtics – Talen Horton-Tucker, SG, Iowa State – A thick freshman guard/forward who played well in his first year. Not really sure he is that guy who will be a difference maker. The Celtics did lack some depth with Smart hurt. He seems like a Smart-type body type.
21. Thunder – Tyler Herro, SG, Kentucky – Personally, I don’t think he is NBA ready. He struggled in the NCAA tournament to hit shots against lesser than NBA defenses. Maybe he can score with passes from Russ.
22. Celtics – Nassir Little, PF, UNC – An under-achiever given his hype, but Little is an athletic dude who can run with any NBA frontline. His ability to shoot will be the part of his game to improve.
23. Jazz – Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia – at 6’11” and 250 lbs, he can make an impact. I understand he has a decent jumper to stretch the floor. The Jazz already have the best rim protector in the league, but depth and versatile size never hurt.
24. 76ers – Matisse Thybulle, SF, Washington – This dude has a wingspan like Scottie Pippen. If he can get his shot going from deep, then he will be a defensive stopper on the floor late. He led the Huskies in blocked shots at guard.
25. Blazers – Admiral Schofield, PF – Tennessee – Not sure the Admiral will excel at the NBA level. He certainly has the strength, and his shot is solid, but he is under-sized for PF. So, can he be a guy who can defend athletic SFs? Maybe a good bench energy guy.
26. Cavs – Mfiondu Kabengele, PF, Florida State – An accomplished scorer for the Noles, and led the team in scoring while coming off the bench. At his size and skill, he may be able to do the same for a contender. However for the Cavs, not an impact guy.
27. Nets – Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland – Bruno is a big dude with excellent rim protecting and rebounding ability. Perhaps a Clint Capela type for the Nets.
28. Warriors – Chuma Okeke, PF, Auburn – Okeke got injured in Auburn’s Cinderella run to the Final Four. A versatile big man that can score and block shots.
29. Spurs – Eric Paschall, PF, Villanova – Paschall is more of a SF in the NBA given his size. A better shooter than a Schofield with better athleticism, but a real tweener. Spurs development is legendary, however.
30. Bucks – Carsen Edwards, PG, Purdue – Can the Bucks use a guy who can score from the parking lot? I think so. Edwards had a Steph Curry-like run in the NCAA tournament. His range and shot making ability make him like Trae Young. Can he defend enough? That’s what the Greek Freak is for.

Who have we forgotten?

Wegs