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NBA Draft 2019: Predicting best first round picks 5 years from now

By Trenton Corn

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Rui Hachimura reacts after being drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 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 Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Rui Hachimura reacts after being drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 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 Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Zion Williamson

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Zion comes in as the best draft prospect since Anthony Davis, and has the most buzz and hype since LeBron James.

Zion’s 22.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.1 spg, and 1.8bpg on 68% shooting from the field (.338% from 3) last year at Duke is almost impressive as 6’7 285 pound frame that comes with him.

Zion’s athleticism is out of this world. No 6’7 285 pound man (Which is good for the second heaviest in the NBA) should have an 40-inch vertical and be as athletic as he is.

Zion checks all the intangibles boxes. He has size, strength, athleticism, versatility, and an underrated ball handling and passing ability for a guy his size as well.

He can do it all. On offense he can catch the ball on the wing and use his again underrated ball handling ability and athleticism to score inside, and when inside has the size, strength, and leaping ability to finish with ease as well. (.747% shooting on 2 pointers last year) He really doesn’t need a lethal three-point stroke thanks to what I said above, but when left open will knock down the three-point bombs as well. So if teams back off of him to prepare for the 285 pound man to drive, he will gladly shoot over you. When attacking he’s a willing passer as well.

So on offense he can really do it all. Score inside and out, AND is a capable contributor. But what about his defense?

He’s just as valuable on defense as he is on the offensive side of the ball. He can guard the 3-5 positions with ease, and his athleticism, strength, and size allows him to block and alter shots, as well as play the passing lanes and steal the ball, turning defense into offense as he has the ability to score in transition as well after stealing the ball. Most rookies in this draft lack size and could get pushed around on defense, but not Zion. He plans to do the bullying.

What also makes me confident about Zion is the talent around him. David Griffin has surrounded him thanks to the Anthony Davis Trade with players like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Jaxon Hayes, (8th pick) Nickeil Alexander-Walker, (17th pick)  and Marcos Louzada Silva, (35th pick) along with a bright future with future picks of a 2020 protected 1st, 2021 protected 1st, 2023 pick(Swap with Lakers) and a 2024 unprotected 1st. And don’t forget about Jrue Holiday and the possible return of Julius Randle.

The stars are aligning for Zion. He has intangibles and upside galore, along with a team surrounding him that’s on the rise. Expect Zion to be considered not only one of the best players from this draft five years from now, but watch out for him being one of the best players in the NBA five years from now.

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