New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking the guards from the 2019 NBA Draft so far

New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking guards from the 2019 NBA Draft  #4-1

#4 Nickeil Alexander Walker- New Orleans Pelicans

I think you could definitely argue this is too high for NAW, who hasn’t scored as many points per game as White or Herro and has yet to play in any meaningful games.

But NAW’s situation hasn’t been great, as he’s had two coaches in two seasons and has had an inconsistent role that probably should have been much bigger last season.

Stan Van Gundy stubbornly stayed with Eric Bledsoe instead of just embracing the youth movement, so Alexander-Walker was yanked in and out of the lineup before getting injured late in the season.

In that time he showed flashes of stardom, racking up a few 30 point games and playing much more committed defense after he was inserted back into the rotation.

I think his two-way potential is what puts him ahead of White and Herro for me, but I can totally understand arguing this is too high. I think NAW is primed for a breakout season after playing with Team Canada and hopefully being inserted into the starting lineup.

#3 Kevin Porter Jr.- Houston Rockets

Porter Jr. only played 26 games for the Rockets last season after having a rough rookie year off the court, but he showed himself to be a potential impact player.

Porter Jr. averaged 16.6 points and 6.3 assists per game including a 50 point, 11 assist, five rebound game late in the season that opened the eyes of the entire league.

Porter Jr. can get after it defensively as well and I love his two-way potential if he can put it all together for a whole season. The Rockets will be a fun team to watch and one I think will develop into one of the New Orleans Pelicans biggest rivals as divisional foes.

#2 Darius Garland- Cleveland Cavaliers

Garland had a breakout season for the Cavs after a very good rookie campaign. He averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists as part of a dynamic young backcourt with Collin Sexton. He improved his 3-point shooting to 39.5 percent on just under five attempts per game.

Don’t look now, but Cleveland might have something going with this young backcourt to go along with 3rd overall pick Evan Mobley.

#1 Ja Morant- Memphis Grizzlies

Morant has already proven himself to be a star and is the best guard from his class. The number two overall pick has not disappointed, and averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 assists leading the Grizz.

Morant also pulled down four boards per game, an underrated part of his arsenal, as he can grab it on one end and take it all the way to the other.

Morant is fun to watch and is the best of a draft class that wasn’t necessarily known for its guards.