NBA Draft 2019: Final predictions and analysis for all 60 selections
20. Boston Celtics – Chuma Okeke (Marks)
Some teams will shy away from the 20-year-old combo-forward out of Auburn because of the ACL tear he sustained against UNC in the NCAA Tournament just months ago, but for a team with multiple first-round picks and the potential for massive roster overhaul (Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris, etc.), the Boston Celtics have room for taking a chance on a player who could — and should — pay off immensely.
At 6-foot-8, 230 with a long 7-foot wingspan, Chuma Okeke has ideal size to play both the ‘3’ and ‘4’ at the next level with the defensive versatility to guard either position (plus more) due to his strength, length, and impressive defensive IQ and awareness. His point-of-attack defense needs a bit of work, but he’s perhaps the best team-defender in the class, posting elite stock numbers (2.8 STL% and 4.9 BLK% for his career) and disrupting opposing offenses with regularity.
With the Celtics, he’d be tasked with playing off of the team’s higher-usage players (Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown), posing as a smart passer/ball-mover and capable three-point shooter (39.6% on NBA threes this past season according to The Stepien) who can attack closeouts. Versatility is valuable in today’s game, and gives you that and more. If not for the ACL injury, he’d likely be considered a consensus top-30, perhaps even top-20 pick due to his talent level. He’d be a perfect fit in Boston, and I’ve noted as such in the past.
19. San Antonio Spurs – Goga Bitadze (Weber)
My pick for the Spurs is like every 23-year-old’s favorite mixed drink: totally exotic. Bitadze isn’t a sexy name on bustingbrackets.com–a college basketball website–because, um, he didn’t play college basketball. Nonetheless, I’m taking Bitadze for San Antonio because 1.) It’s totally a move Pop and the Spurs would make, and 2.) Bitadze has top-end upside in this draft. Goga is a 6’11 lanky center who can protect the rim, knock down spot-up threes, and score with ease around the rim. The Georgian oozes elite two-way potential at the center position. Three-pointers and shot-blocking, what more could you ask in a modern center? Most teams in the NBA are starving for big men with even one of those traits, much less a combination of both.
light. Related Story. Players most likely to overachieve their draft position
As a prospect, Bitadze reminds me of Jaren Jackson Jr. Last year, triple-J wooed draft pundits with his near seven-foot frame, elite defensive acumen, and 40% stroke from beyond the arc. Bitadze has that same combination of basketball traits, except he played an entire season against grown European men instead of American college students, so naturally, his numbers and impact on each game were a bit lower. Goga’s peak suggests the next great foreign big man in the mold of a Marc Gasol–a steady all-star who blocks shots and thrives across the board offensively: setting screens, shooting threes off spot-ups and pick-and-pops, and finishing lobs at the basket–something Gasol couldn’t even do at his zenith. Pencil me in as a major stockholder in Bitadze, especially if San Antonio gets ahold of him.
18. Indiana Pacers – Keldon Johnson (Freeman)
The biggest need for Indiana will likely be at the wing position, with leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic heading to free agency. Johnson would be a great replacement, adding different abilities at that position. The former Kentucky wing is a better rebounder and more physical defender, while still shooting the three-pointer at a proficient clip. Johnson wouldn’t be pressured to score much either with Victor Oladipo coming back for next season.
17. Atlanta Hawks – Grant Williams (Jarrett)
In Trae Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter, the Hawks have a good young nucleus to build around. What they need is a player who can do the little things and put it all together. In Grant Williams – who, in my opinion, is a lottery level talent in this draft – they’ll get just that. Williams has perhaps the highest IQ and best feel of any player in the class, and he puts it to good use on both ends of the court. On offense, he’s a terrific passer who can run the offense from the high post.
He’s more than capable of scoring inside, and his touch combined with his 81.9% mark at the free throw line suggests that he’ll develop a consistent outside shot. Defensively, Williams is capable of being a smart, multi-positional defender who thrives off-ball, and he’s also proven that he can be effective as a part-time rim protector despite his size. While he doesn’t have prototypical run-and-jump athleticism, Williams is extraordinarily strong for a basketball player, and he uses his strength very well on both offense and defense. He’s the type of player that any team could use.
16. Orlando Magic- Tyler Herro (Simberg)
With Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross heading into free agency, the Magic will need a rotation player to come in and makes threes. Enter Tyler Herro. The 6’5 freshman had a breakout year at Kentucky averaging 14 points per game. He showed the ability to be more than a three pointer shooter too by getting to the rim and displaying an efficient one dribble pull-up.
Herro gets the label of a bad defender, and his uber short 6’3 wingspan doesn’t help that argument, but he was a solid on-ball at defender who worked hard. He also only shot 35 percent from three in the regular season, which is a bit alarming, but he was a ridiculous 93.5 percent from the free throw line. Herro has similar body measurements to that of J.J. Redick, but is not nearly as good of a pure shooter. He also gets compared to Devin Booker because of their similar playing styles but that is more of a best case scenario outlook. Realistically, I see him as a Luke Kennard type. Nonetheless with a crowded front court, Orlando will need to add to their backcourt and Herro would be a realistic option.