2019 NBA Draft: Mock Draft 3.0 – Who do Pelicans take with Lakers’ pick?
16. Orlando Magic – Kevin Porter Jr., Southern California, SG
KPJ is a very exciting player with the frame and body type that just looks handmade for the NBA. His biggest question marks are about character and work ethic. Porter Jr. was having a great season at USC before getting suspended halfway through the year for undisclosed reasons. After that, he seemed very disengaged and fizzled out as the year went. It’s a risk to take him, but he’s talented. Lord knows the Magic don’t need any more frontcourt players.
17. Atlanta Hawks (Via Nets) – Nassir Little, North Carolina, SF
The Hawks really have the potential to set themselves up long-term in this draft. This is their third and final pick in Round 1, and if they snag Nassir Little this deep in the picking order, they’ll probably be very pleased. Little gives them another athletic wing to run along their other young studs.
18. Indiana Pacers – Tyler Herro, Kentucky, SG
Herro has the skills and size to play either the 2 or the 3 in the NBA, which are two positions of need off the bench for the Indiana Pacers. He’s also a great shooter and a solid defensive prospect, two things the Pacers will love. Off the bench, the Tyreke Evans shooting guard spot is open. At the 3, Doug McDermott was a disappointment last season too, so Herro could slot into either of those positions.
19. San Antonio Spurs – Goga Bitadze, Buducnost, C
This is a guy that just screams, “San Antonio Spurs.” Gregg Popovich‘s team is a little thin at the center spot, and Goga is the best remaining prospect at that position. They’ve got plenty of young talent at their guard positions, so going big here makes sense. Goga is very solid fundamentally, which is obviously an important thing for a Spurs’ big man.
20. Boston Celtics (Via Clippers) – Cameron Johnson, North Carolina, SF
The best shooter in the entire draft might actually be Cameron Johnson from North Carolina. His stats in college as far as three point percentage and catch-and-shoot percentage were very encouraging, and Boston likely won’t be able to pass up on a skillset like that this late in the first round.