NBA Draft 2019: Final predictions and analysis for all 60 selections
10. Atlanta Hawks – Jaxson Hayes (Benjamin)
Atlanta holds six of the first 44 picks in this year’s draft and the Hawks ultimately may not keep the No. 10 overall selection pick as they reportedly are interested in dealing the pick for a future asset. Since the Hawks still currently hold the selection, I went with Hayes despite the fact that Atlanta used the No. 8 pick on 6’10 forward Mfiondu Kabengele in our Mock draft. I really wanted to take Cam Reddish but he was snapped up while also seriously considering Brandon Clarke.
However, Hayes ultimately was the choice because he was the best player available. Plus, Atlanta needs a center with DeWayne Dedmon being an unrestricted free agent, which would leave Alex Len and Miles Plumlee as well as John Collins and Omari Spellman as players currently on the roster who can play the 5. Collins is the only one of the five players who is proven and while Len has shown flashes of being a capable NBA backup he has not shown the consistency to be a full-time starter. Not only does Hayes fill a positional need, but he also provides the Hawks with much-needed athleticism and length. The 19-year-old is an excellent rim-protector, who recorded 3.77 blocks per 40 minutes at Texas last season, and a strong defended overall. He also is a good offensive rebounder and excels in pick-n-roll situations. Atlanta ranked in the bottom half of the NBA in blocks, paint points allowed and defensive rebounding in 2019-20.
9. Washington Wizards – Cam Reddish (Rauf)
One of the more polarizing players in the NBA Draft, Reddish’s talent and measurables has remained top-10 worthy despite the glaring weaknesses he showed at Duke. The 6’8 wing has massive scoring potential and would join a Wizards team that won’t have John Wall (Torn Achilles) for next season. Grabbing Reddish at nine could also embolden the franchise to trade Bradley Beal to jumpstart a rebuild. After being a clear role player to Zion and RJ with the Blue Devils, Reddish has a path to be the go-to guy at Washington.
8. Atlanta Hawks – Mfiondu Kabengele (Anderson)
It’s an early pick at No. 8 but in a draft class full of potentials and question marks, why not? He’s a player that had a big bench role with the Florida State Seminoles this past season and led the team in scoring (13.2 ppg) and finished second in rebounds per game with 5.6 per contest. On the Atlanta Hawks, he’d potentially have John Collins in front of him in the rotation. He’s got to prove himself in the post on defense a whole lot more but he did average 1.5 blocks per contest in 2018-19, so it’s worth something at least.
7. Chicago Bulls – De’Andre Hunter (Marks)
The Bulls were originally eyeing the likes of Jarrett Culver, Darius Garland, and Coby White, prospects that could’ve been key fixtures in the Chicago backcourt next to Zach LaVine, but the draft gods didn’t allow a single one to fall past the sixth pick, putting the Bulls in a difficult position.
Although it’s possible that, under such a scenario, the front office would look to move the pick, there are still players on the board that pose as long-term role players with the potential for more. Chicago is no stranger to drafting established collegiate talent (Kris Dunn via draft-day trade, Denzel Valentine, Chandler Hutchison, etc.), so why not select De’Andre Hunter?
He excelled as a point-of-attack defender within Tony Bennett’s dominant defensive system and flashed potential as a spot-up shooter (41.9 career 3P% on low moderate volume) and floor spacer. A boosted role saw the 6-foot-7 combo-forward’s scoring average jump up from 9.2 to 15.2 points per game, as he played a pivotal role in the team’s offense.
His upside isn’t tantalizing, but he does project to at least be a multi-year rotation player, and that’s something that the Bulls front office could prioritize with this pick without a point guard available. He’d fit well next to Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. in the frontcourt, and would be a fine backup behind Otto Porter Jr. until his contract runs up.
6. Phoenix Suns – Coby White (Voynow)
The Phoenix Suns desperately need a point guard to pair with Devin Booker, and with this selection Coby White is by far the best selection. With Darius Garland already off the board, Coby White was by far the easiest and most realistic pick I could have made. Phoenix has their star wing and a very good young big in Deandre Ayton, so a point guard that can run the show is their most needed asset. White can literally run the show as well if not better than any point guard in this draft. He loves to get out and run in transition, which is heavily complimented by his vision in the open court and his ability to attack the rim at will, due to his large and long frame. White was the fastest player in NCAA basketball last season, and with a European head coach at the helm in Phoenix, his abilities won’t be wasted or compromised. The Suns need a star to pair with Booker, and White names hits that on the head.