NBA Draft 2019: Projecting both rounds in post-NCAA Tournament mock
By Brian Rauf
6) Washington Wizards – Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas
Where to start with the Wizards. The first thing this franchise has to figure out is the direction they want to go in under new management and whether that direction includes Bradley Beal. If not, Cam Reddish makes sense. If so, at least for the time being, they could address their need for a long-term big man with the upside of the bouncy 6-11 Hayes.
7) New Orleans Pelicans – Cam Reddish, SF, Duke
When was the last time New Orleans has anything resembling firepower on the wing? Reddish would give them a badly needed new dimension when it comes to wing scoring. Can he be a No. 1 option? Can he play more efficiently? It doesn’t matter – the Pelicans simply need talent and Reddish has the most raw talent left on the board.
8) Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas Mavericks) – Bol Bol, C, Oregon
So the Hawks want to build a team that can space the floor with shooters. Where else are you going to find a 7-3 big man who can fill it up from three while being one of the league’s best shot-blockers? Expect Atlanta to gamble on him despite injury concerns.
9) Boston Celtics (via Memphis Grizzlies) – Brandon Clarke, PF, Gonzaga
Clarke improved his draft stock more than anyone this season thanks to his freakish athleticism, shot-blocking ability, and finishing around the rim. His size (6-8, 215 lbs) might be a problem considering his lack of perimeter game, but Boston could use another rim protector like him.
10) Minnesota Timberwolves – Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
Is Jeff Teague really the long-term answer at point guard for Minnesota? No, and he has a player option for the 2019-20 season that he may or may not pick up. The Timberwolves need to look for answers either way and Garland was the best point guard in his class before a meniscus injury caused him to miss almost the entire season.