Toronto Raptors
Post by Brian Scalabrine on May 15, 2019 22:35:03 GMT -5
It's draft time for those of us not in the playoffs! For this mock, I'm not gonna speculate trades, and assume that each team keeps the firsts they currently have (which... won't happen.) In any case, here it is.
1. Zion Williamson to the Dallas Mavericks.
Congrats, Yeezy. You get to make the easy choice. Dallas must be salivating at the super-team potential of pairing Doncic with Zion, two prospects who in my opinion were in a tier of their own in their draft classes. With such an obvious choice, not much more to say here.
2. Ja Morant to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Some would argue that Barrett may be the better prospect, but in NO's spot, hoping to keep Davis around, if they keep this pick they might give the edge to the fit. New Orleans is doing okay with young role-player-at-worst wings in Kennard, Winslow, and RHJ. And, with young defensive stalwart Jarrett Allen pairing in the front-court with the Brow, Ja's potential to be a negative on the defensive end is mitigated to some extent by fit. RHJ helps here, too.
3. Darius Garland to the Chicago Bulls
With two young max guys in KAT and Booker, and no cap space, I think Chicago will look to shore up their back-court. Paul could opt to make Booker the de facto point guard (and actually I expect Paul to move this pick for established talent, cap relief, or both) but I think he'll have his eyes fixed on getting a true 1 with some star potential to fill out his young stud core. Of course, this is a reach, but Paul is also not one to follow the trend. For me, the question is if he'll find a deal that allows him to get whatever PG he'll likely target.
4. RJ Barrett to the Utah Jazz
Having Barrett fall to four in this scenario is just a godsend. I don't think that Utah thinks twice about it. Barrett is a good fit with the core of Bagley and Ingram who have proven to be promising shooters thus far, and if Ingram's health issues persist RJ becomes an insurance policy for Utah--they can still feel good about having star potential on the wing whether Ingram comes back to form or not. If pick three is Barrett, look for them to take Culver here.
5. Jarrett Culver to the Toronto Raptors
Culver looks solid. Toronto is trying to get back to competing, and Culver has a high floor as well as some star potential if he fills out and his shot continues to develop. He's a little small to start at the 3 alongside Beal, but with SGA at 6'6 and looking like a potential point of attack defender for 1-3, Toronto goes Culver here.
6. Deandre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings
This is a hard team to draft for. They are similar to the pre-Beal-era Raptors in having a lot of guys with high potential that haven't broken through yet. They have an absolute stud in JJJ, a defensive juggernaut in Robinson, and Kevin "Red Velvet Huerter". While they need a franchise PG, I see them going with the safer Hunter pick here. Hunter should be, at worst, a good defender--and a 3-5 of Hunter-JJJ-Robinson has a really high defensive ceiling. I think they lean into their defensive identity here by grabbing another guy with all-defense potential.
7. Cam Reddish to the Miami Heat
Very hard pick for Miami at the 7 spot. The safest prospects are already off the board, and Miami needs everything besides another center. I see Miami going for the highest upside pick here in Reddish. A polarizing prospect for sure, but he does have the highest potential of anyone left in the draft at this point, so I think Miami swings big.
8. Coby White to the Detroit Pistons
Last season was supposed to be Detroit's last run with the old core that stole the championship from Seattle in D720's inaugural season. Now, they're capped way out, and aren't currently rostering any high-upside players. However, they still have a decent amount of talent, and they need a one. White could be their best PG day one, and provides some upside without being a huge project like Sekou or Bol. He fits with the roster, and is not a far reach, if at all.
9-11. Bol Bol, Sekou Doumbouya, and Nassir Little to the Charlotte Hornets.
For the record, I think there is a near zero chance that Charlotte doesn't use some of their assets to move up. However, if they're stuck here, I think they just take a chance on the biggest swings available. All of these guys fit a similar mold: there are huge question marks, but huge potential. If a single one of this trio were to realize their full potential, Charlotte would have a nice core to add to coming-into-their-own guys Lavine and Collins. Those guys plus these three and Monk, Knox, Allen would leave the Hornets with a trove of young talent and endless possibilities.
12. Jaxon Hayes to the Boston Celtics
Boston is in a tough spot--they missed the playoffs with two end-of-their-prime stars on the roster, and significant contracts in Warren and Parker. Hayes could be a nice play for him if he's still on the board. He has high potential on the defensive end and as a rim runner if he fills out, and would complement Love nicely. Even if Boston decides to shake things up, Hayes could become an ideal defensive center in the modern era, so this pick is a good blend of long-term potential and current fit.
13. Romeo Langford to the Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers need... Everything. Guys with star potential are pretty much gone at this point in the draft, so LA might be smart to take a guy who despite underwhelming in college, is billed as a shooter. If he can shoot in the NBA, at least Shaq can rest easy knowing that he has one young guy who looks to stay in the league for ten years on the roster. Shooters are good bet at this spot in the draft because every team in the league needs them.
14. Rui Hachimura to the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is staring at a pivotal off-season. However, running it back might just be their best option. If so, Rui is nice as a 3&D wing who is likely to provide value from day one. If Wall comes back to form, Wall/Bridges/Hachimura/Griffin/Harrell would look to be a very balanced core on both ends of the floor. Assuming that Wall and Griffin have a few more high level seasons left, and the youngsters continue to improve, this team could be quietly very good.
1. Zion Williamson to the Dallas Mavericks.
Congrats, Yeezy. You get to make the easy choice. Dallas must be salivating at the super-team potential of pairing Doncic with Zion, two prospects who in my opinion were in a tier of their own in their draft classes. With such an obvious choice, not much more to say here.
2. Ja Morant to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Some would argue that Barrett may be the better prospect, but in NO's spot, hoping to keep Davis around, if they keep this pick they might give the edge to the fit. New Orleans is doing okay with young role-player-at-worst wings in Kennard, Winslow, and RHJ. And, with young defensive stalwart Jarrett Allen pairing in the front-court with the Brow, Ja's potential to be a negative on the defensive end is mitigated to some extent by fit. RHJ helps here, too.
3. Darius Garland to the Chicago Bulls
With two young max guys in KAT and Booker, and no cap space, I think Chicago will look to shore up their back-court. Paul could opt to make Booker the de facto point guard (and actually I expect Paul to move this pick for established talent, cap relief, or both) but I think he'll have his eyes fixed on getting a true 1 with some star potential to fill out his young stud core. Of course, this is a reach, but Paul is also not one to follow the trend. For me, the question is if he'll find a deal that allows him to get whatever PG he'll likely target.
4. RJ Barrett to the Utah Jazz
Having Barrett fall to four in this scenario is just a godsend. I don't think that Utah thinks twice about it. Barrett is a good fit with the core of Bagley and Ingram who have proven to be promising shooters thus far, and if Ingram's health issues persist RJ becomes an insurance policy for Utah--they can still feel good about having star potential on the wing whether Ingram comes back to form or not. If pick three is Barrett, look for them to take Culver here.
5. Jarrett Culver to the Toronto Raptors
Culver looks solid. Toronto is trying to get back to competing, and Culver has a high floor as well as some star potential if he fills out and his shot continues to develop. He's a little small to start at the 3 alongside Beal, but with SGA at 6'6 and looking like a potential point of attack defender for 1-3, Toronto goes Culver here.
6. Deandre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings
This is a hard team to draft for. They are similar to the pre-Beal-era Raptors in having a lot of guys with high potential that haven't broken through yet. They have an absolute stud in JJJ, a defensive juggernaut in Robinson, and Kevin "Red Velvet Huerter". While they need a franchise PG, I see them going with the safer Hunter pick here. Hunter should be, at worst, a good defender--and a 3-5 of Hunter-JJJ-Robinson has a really high defensive ceiling. I think they lean into their defensive identity here by grabbing another guy with all-defense potential.
7. Cam Reddish to the Miami Heat
Very hard pick for Miami at the 7 spot. The safest prospects are already off the board, and Miami needs everything besides another center. I see Miami going for the highest upside pick here in Reddish. A polarizing prospect for sure, but he does have the highest potential of anyone left in the draft at this point, so I think Miami swings big.
8. Coby White to the Detroit Pistons
Last season was supposed to be Detroit's last run with the old core that stole the championship from Seattle in D720's inaugural season. Now, they're capped way out, and aren't currently rostering any high-upside players. However, they still have a decent amount of talent, and they need a one. White could be their best PG day one, and provides some upside without being a huge project like Sekou or Bol. He fits with the roster, and is not a far reach, if at all.
9-11. Bol Bol, Sekou Doumbouya, and Nassir Little to the Charlotte Hornets.
For the record, I think there is a near zero chance that Charlotte doesn't use some of their assets to move up. However, if they're stuck here, I think they just take a chance on the biggest swings available. All of these guys fit a similar mold: there are huge question marks, but huge potential. If a single one of this trio were to realize their full potential, Charlotte would have a nice core to add to coming-into-their-own guys Lavine and Collins. Those guys plus these three and Monk, Knox, Allen would leave the Hornets with a trove of young talent and endless possibilities.
12. Jaxon Hayes to the Boston Celtics
Boston is in a tough spot--they missed the playoffs with two end-of-their-prime stars on the roster, and significant contracts in Warren and Parker. Hayes could be a nice play for him if he's still on the board. He has high potential on the defensive end and as a rim runner if he fills out, and would complement Love nicely. Even if Boston decides to shake things up, Hayes could become an ideal defensive center in the modern era, so this pick is a good blend of long-term potential and current fit.
13. Romeo Langford to the Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers need... Everything. Guys with star potential are pretty much gone at this point in the draft, so LA might be smart to take a guy who despite underwhelming in college, is billed as a shooter. If he can shoot in the NBA, at least Shaq can rest easy knowing that he has one young guy who looks to stay in the league for ten years on the roster. Shooters are good bet at this spot in the draft because every team in the league needs them.
14. Rui Hachimura to the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is staring at a pivotal off-season. However, running it back might just be their best option. If so, Rui is nice as a 3&D wing who is likely to provide value from day one. If Wall comes back to form, Wall/Bridges/Hachimura/Griffin/Harrell would look to be a very balanced core on both ends of the floor. Assuming that Wall and Griffin have a few more high level seasons left, and the youngsters continue to improve, this team could be quietly very good.
Philadelphia 76ers
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
LA Clippers
Chicago Bulls
Dallas Mavericks
