With the NBA draft being an amazing few days away I felt it was a great time to publish my first mock, and on the day of the draft I will come out with my official prediction mock this is simply what I would do as the GM of each team.
1. New Orleans- Zion Williamson Forward, Duke, this pick was quite obvious he is a once in a generation type of athlete. The only issue I have with this pick is his ability to grow in the next level granted he still will be a top tier athlete but where he does excel in other areas he lacks mainly being skill on offense to do something besides jump high.
2. Memphis- Ja Morant PG, Murray State, this pick again is simple because Mike Conley is on his way out and Ja is as talented a player I have seen in quite awhile and this is a player no team should have shame in naming their franchise player.
3. New York- RJ Barrett SG, Duke, in all reality the top 3 in any and every mock draft should be the same, RJ is the big name and big time player to get fans in seats and free agents in town.
4. Atlanta- Deandre Hunter SF, Virginia, after trading away Taurean Prince the Hawks are in desperate need for a wing and with Jarrett Culver on the board this was a very tough decision but after seeing this team and noticing that there is a very big possibility that the Hawks will need more defensive help than they will offensive help I chose Deandre Hunter who still has the upside to contribute on both ends however unlike Culver he is not a ball dominant player which opens things up for Trae Young.
**Trade: The hawks send picks 8 & 10 to the pelicans for pick 4**
5. Cleveland- Jarrett Culver SG, Texas Tech, with the cavs luck they get a great player to fall to them that fits perfectly to what they hope to be their franchise PG in Collin Sexton, simply the idea of having a secondary ball handler that is two way wing and has the upside to be an amazing player is too good of an idea to entice the cavs into a trade.
6. Phoenix- Darius Garland PG, Vanderbilt, Garland already got a promise from a lottery team and many believed it to be either the Lakers or the Suns and now with the Lakers out of the lottery that leaves the later of the two. There isn't too much to say here other than they got a point guard that they desperately needed.
7. Washington- Coby White PG, UNC, I understand where many believe this pick makes no sense however John Wall can't stay healthy and his level of play has only diminished after the huge contract extension, so after this year when wall is able to play again you field offers to trade him to a team that is gullible enough to take a 31 year old on a 35 million dollar contract, sorry Knicks fans your more than likely an option. As for Coby White he can learn to be more of a facilitator from John Wall and isn't under any expectations.
**Trade: The wizards send pick 9 and a 2021 first rounder to the Bulls for pick 7**
8. New Orleans- Jaxon Hayes C, Texas, after the Anthony Davis trade it is safe to say that the Pelicans are solid 1-4 and here they get a starting center. Jaxon Hayes has the potential to be a top tier rim runner however that's his potential as of right now I have serious concerns of his offensive ability but on defense is where he thrives
9. Chicago- Cam Reddish, SF/SG, Duke, now I understand the bulls need a point guard but who says they don't already have one on the roster, the player I'm talking about is Zach LaVine, not only did LaVine come into the league as a PG but last year he a substantial amount of his minutes there last year. So why not commit to that idea and have the bulls starting 5 full of speed athleticism and shooting and that is why I have cam reddish going to Chicago and as for the trade down Reddish may be seen as too much of a risk at 7 so trade down and collect assets and get the guy.
10. New Orleans- Brandon Clarke PF, Gonzaga, Again the Pelicans are sound at so many positions so here I can see them taking a safe and reliable player in Clarke he isn't flashy and really doesn't have a high ceiling but in saying that he has one of the highest floors in this draft.
11. Minnesota- Romeo Langford SG, Indiana, many people have Romeo falling out of the lottery and with good reason his team didn't make the march madness tournament his defense and turnover issues are a major concern however this is a kid that was born to score the ball. No matter where when why or how romeo can get a bucket and there is always a space for people like that in this league and I am one of the people that truly believe Romeo has the potential to be a player like Allen Iverson. Now I understand that is very high praise, but Romeos ability to score from every where reminds me so much of iverson.
12. Charlotte- Bol Bol C, Oregon, Bol is a very big risk he will have to sit out all of next year and put on weight and muscle while still getting acclimated to the NBA, in saying that the Hornets need to take a risk. The team is in threat of loosing their best player in franchise history, they have appeared to miss on numerous pick and the way they have chosen to spend their money is mind boggling and a player of Bol's talent can be a big attraction and aid for this team if they play their cards right.
13. Miami- Rui Hachimura F, Rui does everything at an average level. There is nothing he can't do and in saying that there isn't much he excels at. He plays good defense shoots the ball well and overall limits his mistakes, that sounds like an Erik Spoelstra type of guy to me.
14. Boston (from Sacramento via Philadelphia)- Nickeil Alexander-Walker PG, V-Tech, the Celtics will be in major play to trade up in this draft however I personally couldn't find a spot so here they will stay and with that they pick up a point guard that will be much needed with the departure of Kyrie and Terry Rozier as for walker he is a long lengthy guard that is scrappy and makes the right plays.
****** This would have been done a few days ago, however the pelicans had to trade Anthony Davis right as I was finishing this article, thank new Orleans. Also thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoyed, if you have any thought let me know.