Grading the NBA Draft's lottery picks

Date: June 22, 2019

By: Jose Balderrama

Thursday night’s draft festivities could mean a new era in the NBA, but this could be said for every year as team’s hope to select their new franchise altering superstar who could bring glory to their organization. Part of what makes the draft so special is that every pick could be the difference between a future lottery pick and a future NBA title.

But this year is different; this year we have the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, the man who many believe can change the game from the first moment he steps in an NBA arena, Zion Williamson. But that doesn’t mean there can’t be more star power in the rest of the draft. Let’s see how the rest of the lottery teams faired with their selections Thursday night.

1. New Orleans Pelicans - Zion Williamson- power forward (Duke)

A+

There is not much to say about this pick other than congratulations to the Pelicans for winning the Williamson sweepstakes.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ja Morant- point guard (Murray State)

The self-proclaimed “Point God” has a lot of upside with his insane athleticism and amazing passing skills. He could be the next true best point guard in the league.

3. New York Knicks - R.J. Barrett- shooting guard/small forward (Duke)

Some were worried the Knicks would be capable of messing this pick up, but luckily, New York made the right choice with the lefty scoring machine. I see a Paul George resemblance with the way he plays the game.

4. Atlanta Hawks - De’Andre Hunter- small forward/power forward (Virginia)

B+

I like the direction the Hawks are headed in. They seem to want to surround Trae Young with players who can defend multiple positions and shoot the three, and Hunter is the epitome of that.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Darius Garland- point guard (Vanderbilt)

B-

A risk considering, they already have Collin Sexton, but a risk worth taking if they can turn into the second coming of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jarrett Culver- shooting guard/small forward (Texas Tech)

B+

Although I believe they need a point guard more, Culver is the perfect fit with Karl Anthony Towns. An athletic wing with tremendous upside and a great personality.

7. Chicago Bulls - Coby White- point guard (North Carolina)

The Bulls sure got lucky with White falling to number seven. A guard who can push the ball in transition and shoot is just what the doctor ordered in Chicago.

8. New Orleans Pelicans - Jaxson Hayes- center (Texas)

A-

Perhaps the last player to round up the starting line-up for the new look Pelicans. Hayes and Williamson will form the most athletic frontcourt in the NBA.

9. Washington Wizards - Rui Hachimura- power forward (Gonzaga)

Hachimura seems like a great player who is willing to work hard to improve in every aspect of his game. He will have time to polish his game in Washington as it looks like they might be entering a rebuild.

10. Atlanta Hawks - Cam Reddish- shooting guard/small forward (Duke)

Despite an underwhelming freshman season at Duke, Reddish can ball and will look to prove all doubters wrong in a perfect situation in Atlanta.

11. Phoenix Suns - Cameron Johnson- small forward (North Carolina)

C-

Oh boy, I cannot say it surprised me that the Suns took a player at 11, when they probably could have taken him at 24 with their next pick. Johnson can shoot, but he is older than Devin Booker who is entering his fifth season in the NBA.

12. Charlotte Hornets - PJ Washington- power forward (Kentucky)

C+

I do not really like this pick for the Hornets. I would have preferred them to take a bigger swing at someone with more star potential given that they are probably in the worst situation in the NBA.

13. Miami Heat - Tyler Herro- shooting guard (Kentucky)

He can shoot the ball well, but he needs to show more attributes in his game, and he will have the perfect opportunity to prove everyone wrong while in Miami.

14. Boston Celtics - Romeo Langford shooting guard/small forward (Indiana)

Langford has a high ceiling; I like this pick for the Celtics as they are now looking to make up for the atrocities that have happened to them in the past few weeks.

Only time will tell how good all these kids will turn out to be. Welcome to the Williamson Era.

Jose Balderrama can be reached at jose.balderramaornelas@student.shu.edu.

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