2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 2.0 – Pelicans take Zion; who goes next?
#3. New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, F
School: Duke | Class: Freshman | Height: 6’7″ | Weight: 202 | Age: 18
The New York Knicks entered the NBA Draft Lottery with the highest mathematical odds of winning first overall pick (14 percent). But the basketball gods were not smiling over the city of New York, as they often are not. They landed the third overall pick, which is not a bad consolation prize in the grand scheme of things (just don’t tell Knicks fans that).
So who should the team select with the third pick? They were really high on a 19-year-old kid out of Duke University, Zion Williamson. Unfortunately for them, the entire NBA was as well, thus making him the consensus number one pick entering the Draft. However, Williamson had a teammate at Duke that’s a franchise-altering talent in his own right; RJ Barrett.
The 6’7″ forward finished his freshman campaign at Duke averaging 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists on 45% from the field and 30% from three-point range, which by all accounts, is a very impressive stat line. Is Barrett a polished product? No, but that’s to be expected at this point in his career. There are weaknesses in his game.
The three-point shot has become all but mandatory for wings in today’s NBA. Barrett lacks consistency from the perimeter. His shooting form may look pretty, but the results often differ. He’s a physical specimen but lacks a strong defensive identity. Given his physical attributes, that is likely to change with more effort put forth on that end.
He can easily beat defenders off the dribble with his shiftiness and explosiveness to the hoop. However, he’s left-hand dominant. To be an elite finisher at the rim in the NBA you have to be able to use your off-hand as well.
He’s still got room to grow, but this is a very intriguing prospect. Barrett moves without the basketball well, and he can get to his spots and create for others with his playmaking abilities. He already has an NBA body and can be implemented into any roster and be ready to produce immediately.
– Nolan Jensen (@NolanJensen_)