Pelica Debrief
Fansided

2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 1.0 – Pelicans take 3-and-D wing

By Ethan Krieger

(Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 31
Next
NBA Draft New Orleans Pelicans
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

#1. New York Knicks: Zion Williamson, F

School: Duke | Class: Freshman | Height: 6’7″ | Weight: 285 | Age: 18

What can be said about Zion Williamson that hasn’t already been said? The freshman forward out of Duke is an absolute freak, the likes of which the league hasn’t seen since Giannis Antetokounmpo first burst onto the scene.

Whatever team ends up with Zion will have the most highly touted rookie in recent memory, and right now, it’s the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns that all have the best odds to win the Draft Lottery, allowing them to add Zion to their locker rooms.

However, if the New York Knicks actually do end up with the #1 overall pick, they’ll have a decision to make. Do they add a potential generational talent via the draft in Williamson, or do they instead flip this draft pick for a proven star, such as Anthony Davis? A trade package featuring the #1 overall pick is definitely one the New Orleans Pelicans would be interested in, so this could be a great route for the Knicks to go.

At the same time, passing on a player like Zion Williamson could come back to bite the Knicks. They’re a team that needs help at pretty much every position, and Zion would be an immediate and long-term solution for them.

Wherever he ends up, Zion Williamson’s ridiculous athleticism and feel for the game are sure to translate to greatness in the NBA. It’s crazy to think that Zion still has more untapped potential that we’re yet to see. This is a career that is going to be fun to watch develop no matter what team he’s on.