The NBA Draft is Approaching Quickly
While some teams are gearing up for the 2019 Playoffs, many teams in the league are looking forward to their chance to shine – the 2019 NBA Draft. This is especially true for teams who don’t have a lot to brag about this season, such as the Knicks, Suns, and Cavaliers. However, the draft offers an opportunity for a fresh start for teams who hit a roadblock this season.
This year’s draft looks like a chance for many teams to hit the reset button in a major way, with more than enough talented, high-profile players entering the draft this year. However, the NBA’s five worst teams (Knicks, Cavaliers, Suns, Bulls, and Hawks) have to put all of their research and thought into this opportunity. Who should they take? As we count the days to the draft, this is the time to start doing major prospect research to maximize this year’s draft success.
New York Knicks: 2019 Record – 14-62
Biggest Needs: Identity, free agent magnet
Recommended draft choice: Zion Williamson, Duke
The Knicks’ season has been BAD. There’s no other way to put it, just bad. In one year, the Knicks have managed to lose their franchise player to an ACL injury and then have him request a trade, all while badmouthing New York to incoming free agents. But, now, the draft gives them an opportunity to salvage their hurt reputation and streak of seasons out of the playoffs. The solution is Zion. Zion is the only player in the draft who may be better known than a majority of NBA players and has been given comparisons to the likes of a young LeBron James. The Knicks need a Lil’ LeBron miracle if they’re going to turn the franchise around, and Zion can prove to be that jolt.
Phoenix Suns: (2019 Record – 17-60)
Biggest Needs: Leadership, Point Guard
Recommended draft choice: Ja Morant, Murray State
It’s pretty obvious that the Suns need a point guard and badly. This season, the Suns have had Isaiah Cannon, Tyler Johnson, and De’Anthony Melton running point. They’ve also simply played with a big lineup, playing without a clear cut PG at all. Because of this, a core of strong perimeter shooters have had to create their own shots or play outside of their comfort zones, leading to the disaster that the Suns have been this season.
Now, the Suns have an opportunity to have back-to-back draft successes with Ja Morant. Morant is the most explosive PG in college basketball and led a short-handed Murray State team to a NCAA tournament win vs. fifth seed Marquette and an Ohio Valley Conference Championship. Morant’s combination of explosiveness and IQ (he had 16 assists versus Marquette) should play well next to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. He’ll also be able to open the floor for guys like Ryan Anderson to shoot the ball, an offensive weapon that would give the Suns an option outside of letting Devin Booker score all of their points.
Cleveland Cavaliers: (2019 Record – 19-58)
Biggest Needs: Strong defensive presence, Shooting Guard
Recommended draft choice: R.J. Barrett, Duke
R.J. came into this season as the number one recruit in college, only to be overshadowed by high-flying teammate Zion Williamson. Barrett isn’t the only player to be overshadowed this season. Cavs’ PG Collin Sexton has had a brilliant rookie season, only to be overshadowed by Luka Doncic and Trae Young. However, at the third pick, Barrett will easily be the best on the board. Not only will he be the best player, he’ll be the best fit.
With J.R. Smith wanting out, the Cavs have a big gap at the SG position. Barrett isn’t the best shooter, but his ability to finish at the rim will compliment nicely with the multi-faceted talents of Cedi Osman and Collin Sexton. Barrett could be the next young, impressive talent out in Cleveland and would be able to spark a young team into a playoff force within his first five years as a Cavalier.
Chicago Bulls: (2019 Record – 21-56)
Biggest Needs: Point Guard, positional backups
Recommended draft choices: Coby White, North Carolina or Darius Garland, Vanderbilt
The Bulls needs are bountiful. Outside of the PG spot, Chicago has struggled to find a solid bench to support guys like Otto Porter Jr. and Zach LaVine. Those problems are free agency problems. The draft can only help with their biggest positional need at the PG spot.
With Morant off the board, the next best options are Darius Garland and Coby White. I think either player could go here, but both players have shown different strengths and weaknesses this season. For Garland, the season has been one long weakness. He suffered a season-ending injury before he touched the court. Nevertheless, he was this season’s most intriguing PG recruit and scouts may still want to take a stab on his strong shooting and high-IQ play-style.
If the Bulls want more of a guaranteed (but not as rewarding) investment, Coby White is the way to go. White has put his scoring, defense, and elite speed on display this season as the primary cog in the UNC’s guard system. He was able to set up Cam Johnson and Luke Maye all season and get on the board easily himself. If the Bulls want to have a chance to build around their strong young core, they’re going to need a leader, and Garland or White could both fit that new role.
Atlanta Hawks: (2019 Record, 28-49)
Biggest Needs: Defense, defense, defense
Recommended draft selection: Cam Reddish, Duke or Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
The Hawks have built a surprisingly strong, young core thanks to recent draft success with Trae Young, John Collins, and (surprisingly) Kevin Huerter. Although their immediate positional need may be center, held down by only Dewayne Dedmon and Alex Len, drafting a defensive wing may be more viable for a team that’s been awful on the defensive side of the ball this season.
Atlanta has a unique situation this season. They may be able to have the fifth and sixth pick in the draft if the Mavericks finish outside the bottom five teams this season (currently sixth). They could target a strong defensive center like Maryland’s Bruno Fernando or Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke with the sixth pick, but their initial concern should be on drafting one of the many high-level wings on the board at this point.
Reddish provides a good option. He’s a strong defender whose offensive talents are elite. However, they’ve been dampened by having to share touches with (arguably) two of college basketball’s players (Barrett and Williamson). Reddish may be able to blossom with a little less pressure on his game and playing alongside other growing players who don’t have expectations as high as his National Championship-hungry Duke brothers.
Another good pick here would be Jarrett Culver. Culver’s size and skill are unmatched for remaining players. He’s shown the leadership abilities that the Hawks team could use. This week, Culver led Texas Tech to their first Final Four in program history and has shown that he’s much more than a perimeter defender. Either of these picks would boost the Hawks’ expectations for success with their young, aggressive squad.
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