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Vanderbilt Basketball: NBA Draft profile of Commodore guard Darius Garland

By Alex Weber

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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Garland is the fourth best prospect in terms of big board and mock draft survey, but I would say he’s almost certainly a top-seven pick. Basically, he’s either going to New Orleans, Cleveland, Phoenix, or Chicago, barring a trade. I actually think Garland will end up going fourth, (you’re guess is as good as mine) and before the Lakers traded their pick I was confident in that prediction since Garland is a Klutch client with LeBron James; in addition to the fact that he’s a vibrant offensive superhero.

Now, though, he could go anywhere depending on the trade market. Even without a trade, I like the fit with the Suns, Pelicans, and Bulls since all three desperately need a point guard, which is ultimately why I doubt he’ll fall past that lot. With Phoenix, he and Devin Booker would form one of the NBA’s great scoring duos in the backcourt with Ayton to do the dirty work down low. Chicago has a budding star in Lavine alongside encouraging youngsters Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter in the frontcourt. A point guard addition by way of Garland could present the key to unlocking a playoff contending team who was half-decent on offense a year ago despite a season from hell.

Of course, if Garland winds up going fourth to New Orleans, he’ll be playing in a dream scenario, with defensive hub Jrue Holiday as his backcourt running mate and Zion Williamson on tap as the guy who gets compared to LeBron. I think it’s actually the perfect situation for a rookie point guard. No playoff pressure, a defensive safety-pin next door and a young supernova surrounded by a core in their early 20’s.

If New Orleans trades Lonzo (very possible), Garland would make perfect sense. And trading Lonzo would almost signify their intentions with that fourth pick.

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Garland has all the potential in the world as a top-shelf go-to scorer and steady yet flashy game manager who already possesses a few superstar calling cards. If I’m you’re general manager, I’ll say this: Ja Morant is one hell of a player, but don’t overlook Garland as possibly the best point guard in this draft long-term.

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