Duke Basketball: What the Blue Devils will look like in 2018-19

Likely starting five for Duke for next season:

In Sports Illustrated NBA Mock Draft done at the beginning of 2018, four Blue Devils were selected in the first round: Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., Grayson Allen and Trevon Duval. I’d say there’s a 90-95% chance all win go pro at the end of the year.

That leaves Gary Trent Jr. as the only starter not listed and could be a multi-year player for Duke (unless he continues to shoot 75% from deep like he has in the past few games). So let’s say for this practice that he elects to return to Duke. That leaves a ton of wings that can play a number of positions.

The top prospects will all start

I just want to make this point clear because there will be those who might want to make the rotation make more sense by sliding someone on the bench. But the reality is that that can’t happen, as it would absolutely hurt Duke’s future chances at grabbing top-ranked recruits.

Now, of course, the coaching staff can do whatever they want at any time, as there’s always a possibility one of them becomes a bust and does not warrant so many minutes. But this projected starting lineup is what things will look like for Duke on the opening day of 2018-19.

Point guard: Tre Jones

Shooting guard: Cameron Reddish

Small forward: Gary Trent Jr.

Power forward: RJ Barrett

Center: Zion Williamson

On paper, this is a small lineup, but Williamson and Barrett should be able to hold their own even if the Blue Devils struggle on the boards. This also will be a ridiculous shooting lineup, with the perimeter players all able to hit a 3-pointer at a great rate.