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

45. Detroit Pistons – Bruno Fernando (Anderson)

The Detroit Pistons have a backup center spot open with Zaza Pachulia becoming an unrestricted free agent. There’s a new mix of big men hitting the NBA and Maryland center Bruno Fernando is one of them. He was a walking double-double this past season for the Terrapins, averaging 13.6 points, 10.6 rebounds per game along with 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per contest. He posted 22 double-doubles after posting just three in his freshman year. He’s a player that’s an underrated playmaker and rim protector that could find his way in Detroit alongside Andre Drummond.

44. Atlanta Hawks – Jalen McDaniels (Rauf)

McDaniels didn’t have the great sophomore campaign that would’ve bolted him to the first round but the talent certainly is there. He’s a solid big man who can score both inside and out and is above average on the defensive end. This is a win-win selection, with the Hawks getting a legit potential rotation piece for the future, while the former San Diego State forward gets a real opportunity at playing time for a young team in the early stages of rebuilding.

43. Minnesota Timberwolves – Louis King (Simberg)

With their second pick of the draft Minnesota might look to take a high risk, high reward player and Lou King fits that mold. King missed the first few weeks of the season with an injury and took some time to settle into his role at Oregon. But was much better the second half of the season and showed why he was a former five-star recruit. In terms of an NBA body, King has it. He stands at 6’8 with 7 foot wingspan and good athleticism. However, King lacks a skill at this point that is translatable. He is an okay three-point shooter (38 percent) but his playmaking is way below average. His feel for the game is also not great.

But, there are few prospects in this range with King’s upside. His shot mechanics are good so if he can bump his percentage up and improve his defensive work ethic, he can be a “three and D” guy at worst. Minnesota already has Andrew Wiggins and Robert Covington on the wing, but King can add even more versatility to their squad.

42. Philadelphia 76ers – Tacko Fall (Voynow)

The Sixers need all the bench help they can get, which includes rotational big men. In fact, the Sixers rotational big men include Boban Marjanovic and Amir Johnson, but neither were good enough to get quality minutes in the postseason. Despite their bench bigs being a glaring weakness, it shows even more when Embiid is missing games. They need a center who can defend at a high level. Low-post offense isn’t a huge factor with this pick, but Tacko Fall can provide them with solid minutes off the bench when Embiid needs a breather.

At 7’6”, Fall has the Bill Russell affect when he’s on the court. The great Bill Russell said, “You don’t have to block every shot, you just have to make them think you’ll block every shot.” Tacko Fall has that shot-altering quality due to his size and defensive instincts. He made Zion Williamson think twice before driving the lane in the NCAA tournament, along with every other college player he faced off against all season long. You can’t teach height, and Fall has that quality in spades. With the Sixers lack of interior defending off the bench, it’s clear that a big man has to be one of their draft picks. Tacko Fall fits the bill.

41. Atlanta Hawks – Shamorie Ponds (Benjamin)

There is a strong possibility that the Hawks will not make this pick either. .However, if they do keep the selection, Ponds would be a strong choice as the Hawks need a backup for Trae Young. Ponds is at his best with the ball in his hands and he definitely knows how to put the ball in the hoop. He is also a fantastic decision-maker and strong passer who is active defensively. The 6’1 lead guard averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds in his three seasons at St. John’s. Ponds, who is a fantastic free throw shooter, made 45% of his shots from the field and posted a career-best 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio as a junior. Shot selection is an issue for the Brooklyn (NY) native, however, and he is not the most athletic or explosive player in the draft. Atlanta’s backup guards ranked in the bottom third of the league in point differential and turnovers per games last year.