The Knicks and their fans are very disappointed in missing out on Zion, but why?
RJ Barrett was slated to be the number one pick before the collegiate basketball season began and many believe he will be the best long-term player out of the 2019 draft class.
Barrett scored right along with Zion, averaging 22 PPG and 7 RPG while shooting 45-percent, which shows he really did not have the fall off that many hinted at.
Another thing about Barrett is that he may be the most NBA-ready player in this draft and is easily one of if not the best shooters in the draft from all around the floor.
If the Knicks plans of getting Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving come to fruition, a three-headed monster of those two including Barrett could make noise in the Eastern Conference.
Making this pick is given with the assumption that the Lakers don’t trade this pick, but the likelihood that they do is very high.
Otherwise, De’Andre Hunter out of Virginia would be a solid player to pick here at number four.
Hunter does not have the statistical back-up that the top-three prospects do, posting 15.2 PPG and 5 RPG, but Hunter can guard four positions on the floor and shoot the basketball well, something he proved in the National Title game against Texas Tech when he scored 27 points and led Virginia to victory.
He is made for how the NBA is played. He has the frame to play solid defense and shoot the basketball well and he would be a solid, young player to compliment Lebron James and his young teammates.
Culver is one of my favorite players in this draft and would be a perfect fit for Cleveland.
Many regard Culver as the most improved player from collegiate basketball this past season as he posted 18.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 3.7 APG in his sophomore season at Texas Tech as well as helping the Red Raiders to their first Championship game appearance.
The stats from his sophomore season all improved from his freshman season, showing that he can grow into a solid NBA player. He has tremendous upside and would work as a fabulous fit in the backcourt alongside Collin Sexton, who desperately needs a scorer other than Kevin Love around him.
In this draft, the Suns get lucky and get Garland at number six.
Garland is regarded as the best-player in the “second tier” of the draft behind Zion, Barrett and Morant and there is no reason to argue against it.
Garland played on a terrible team at Vanderbilt that did not win a conference game, but he still posted 16.2 PPG and will not have to worry about a lack of talent around him with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton alongside him.
This pick would be huge in terms for Phoenix because they would not have to trade for a guard, which they desperately need, and they would have a solid young core that could possibly compete for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
This would be a steal for the Suns and if it happens, Garland could compete for Rookie of the Year.