NBA Draft 2019: Clear top three in pre-NCAA Tournament mock
By Brian Rauf
20) Utah Jazz – KZ Okpala, SF/PF, Stanford
Utah’s roster doesn’t necessarily have any holes that can be easily filled with a rookie taken outside the lottery, so I see them going with the upside of the 6-9 Okpala. The sophomore can play either forward position, is a quality athlete, and has a reliable three-point shot. He’s a great 3-and-D candidate.
19) Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers) – Coby White, PG, North Carolina
The Celtics have a murky situation at point guard. Is Kyrie Irving going to leave? Will they lose Terry Rozier in free agency? White is a lottery-level talent with star potential on the offensive end. He’d provide them with something resembling an insurance policy.
18) San Antonio Spurs – Jontay Porter, C, Missouri
San Antonio’s other first-round pick will be spent on another big in Porter, who has a high IQ and can pass and shoot from the perimeter. He has the kind of skill set that is perfect for LaMarcus Aldridge’s tutelage.
17) Brooklyn Nets – Rui Hachimura, PF, Gonzaga
This is Hachimura’s floor and Brooklyn would love the opportunity to pick him up. Still relatively new to the game of basketball, Hachimura is a good athlete and great offensive player – and he’s still improving. The Japanese native would be a potential long-term solution for the Nets at the four spot.
16) Detroit Pistons – Kevin Porter Jr., SG, USC
Whoever picks Porter will be betting on his upside. There are some character questions – he missed a few games this year due to suspension – but is an elite athlete with tremendous size for a combo guard at 6-6.