NBA Draft 2019: Final predictions and analysis for all 60 selections

5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jarrett Culver (Stevens)

Culver is a prospect many would come out last year with fellow freshman Zhaire Smith. He stayed with the Red Raiders this year and it helped his draft stock tremendously. He is a long and athletic guard that is one of the best perimeter defenders in the class. The Cavaliers are going into this draft in a full on rebuild after taking Collin Sexton last year who is another one of those athletic guards. Sexton was not the best facilitator of the basketball last year struggling with turnovers as he was really the only option to bring the ball up the court. That is where Culver will step in and be able to take some of that pressure off of Sexton. Culver does have some work to do on the offensive side needing to shoot a little better from range than he does. But, no one can deny Culver’s size and defensive ability.

4. New Orleans Pelicans – Darius Garland (Simberg)

After finally unloading Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pelicans have a promising young core with the likes of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, and (presumably) Zion Williamson to go along with veterans like Jrue Holiday and E’twaun Moore. With no real roster holes, the Pelicans will likely look to select the best prospect left on the board, who I believe is Darius Garland. Garland is a 6’2 point guard who might be the best shooter in the draft. While his freshman year at Vanderbilt was cut short to just five games, he showed the ability to run a team with his passing and playmaking. He isn’t overly quick but he is a smart player who uses angles really well to get by his defenders. The Pelicans currently have the No. 4 pick but there is buzz around the league that they would look to unload it elsewhere. If a team needs a point guard, looking to trade up to get Garland at four would not be a bad move.

3. New York Knicks – RJ Barrett (Jarrett)

It’s no secret that the Knicks are going to try and land a marquee free agent this offseason, and they’ll likely attempt to deal this pick in a package for Anthony Davis. If that plan doesn’t work out, though, management is going to have to figure out a way to satisfy their fanbase’s craving for a star. Their best bet would be RJ Barrett, who came into the season as the projected number one overall pick but quickly fell into teammate Zion Williamson’s shadow. Barrett averaged nearly 23 points per game as a freshman for one of the best teams in the country, and has proven himself as an elite scorer at every level thus far. There’s no reason to expect that to change in the NBA. There are concerns with Barrett’s tunnel vision, outside shooting, and defense, but he has the most upside of any player that the Knicks can get at this stage. Plus, he has plenty of experience playing under the spotlight, which is something that he’ll be doing in New York.

2. Memphis – Ja Morant (Harkins)

Ja Morant has widely been rumored as the future No. 2 overall pick for the last few weeks. An elite scorer, playmaker, and athlete, Morant seriously took the nation by storm during this past year. In addition to being able to excite a crowd with his high-flying dunks, his passing vision is off the charts and he is definitely a threat from beyond the arc. There are some concerns regarding his level of competition and thin frame, but his production is impossible to ignore. Morant oozes potential and skill as the future face of the Memphis franchise.

1. New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson (Corn)

Zion is the best prospect coming out of college since Anthony Davis, and is arguably the most talked about prospect coming in since LeBron. His elite size and athleticism along with a good handle of the ball for a guy his size causes havoc wherever he is on he court, and he impacts both sides of the court extremely well. He will be perfect to build around in the dawn of the Pelicans new era with AD’s soon to be escape.