NBA Mock draft: How it will line up after Zion Williamson
The pingpong balls have spoken, declaring New Orleans the winner of the Zion Williamson sweepstakes. But that’s hardly all the drama that will come out of Tuesday night’s NBA Draft Lottery, or from the weeks that will follow.
Will Williamson help new Pelicans general manager David Griffin convince superstar Anthony Davis, who seems desperate to get out of New Orleans, to stick around? Will the Knicks end up with Ja Morant or RJ Barrett? And what will the rest of the lottery look like?
The Post is here to help.
1. New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson
Duke, F, 6-foot-7, 272
Williamson is the most-hyped draft prospect since Anthony Davis in 2012. Getting him despite just 6.0 percent odds will let the Pelicans either convince Davis to stay or to rebuild after his departure.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant
Murray State, PG, 6-foot-3, 175
The front office is restructured and Mike Conley is 31. Morant can play with Conley and let team brass jump-start what promises to be a long, arduous rebuilding process.
3. New York Knicks
RJ Barrett
Duke, F, 6-6, 190
Fans will be vexed to not get Zion, but there are three perceived stars in this draft. With the Knicks favored to sign Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Barrett is a perfect fit.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Darius Garland
Vanderbilt, G, 6-2, 170
Jumping from No. 11 could let the Lakers deal this pick as they chase Davis. If not, they tab Garland. He’s a shotmaker — and shares an agent with LeBron James.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
De’Andre Hunter
Virginia, F, 6-7, 222
At 21 he’s not the youngest prospect. But with 27 points and nine boards in the NCAA title game, he showed he can be productive in big spots. He’s long, can guard and is clutch.
6. Phoenix Suns
Jarrett Culver
Texas Tech, G/F, 6-7, 195
Culver isn’t a prototypical point guard, but Devin Booker is ball-dominant anyway. And with Phoenix still in talent-acquisition mode, the Big 12 Player of the Year is the best available.
7. Chicago Bulls
Coby White
North Carolina, PG, 6-5, 185
The Bulls have Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn, but point guard has still been a question mark for years. There are minutes to be had for White.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Cam Reddish
Duke, F, 6-8, 205
He wasn’t great as a freshman at Duke. But he can shoot, guard and pass. In short, he’s versatile enough to fit in with Trae Young, John Collins and the young Hawks.
9. Washington Wizards
Sekou Doumbouya
Limoges CSP, F, 6-9, 215
The Wizards are in for a long rebuild. They’ll go upside, with Doumbouya getting the nod over Bol Bol. He’s raw offensively, but his defense and athleticism are already impressive.
10. Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas Mavericks)
Bol Bol
Oregon, C, 7-2, 225
With two top-10 picks, Atlanta can afford to gamble. Getting a 3-point-shooting, shot-blocking 7-footer — one who’s clearly a top-five talent — seems like a pretty good bet.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
Nassir Little
UNC, F, 6-6, 210
Texas center Jaxson Hayes might be the best available, but with Karl-Anthony Towns on board, Minnesota banks on Little’s athleticism and upside.
12. Charlotte Hornets
Jaxson Hayes
Texas, F/C, 6-11, 220
The Hornets happily snap up Hayes, who is raw offensively, but is mobile and could end up as a pick-and-roll partner for Kemba Walker. Now, about holding onto Walker …
13. Miami Heat
Rui Hachimura
Gonzaga, F, 6-8, 225
Hachimura plays hard, can handle either small forward or power forward and has a midrange jumper. Can he extend that to 3?
14. Boston Celtics (from Sacramento Kings)
Brandon Clarke
Gonzaga, F, 6-8, 215
Back-to-back Zags. Clake is a veritable senior citizen at 23, but he can block shots, roll to the rim and seamlessly fit into the Celtics’ ethos.
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