Clipperholics 2019 NBA Mock Draft: Vol. 1
By Ethan Smith
Here is a pick that makes me change things up.
The Spurs as a franchise love big men and will take a risk as he continues to fall here in Bol Bol, the son of Manute Bol.
Bol stands at 7-foot-2, has a sustainable perimeter game, can protect the rim and rebounds the ball well. His only downside? He did not get much playing time after a broken foot injury, dropping him below Jaxson Hayes as the top center prospect.
Bol Bol is a top-ten player in this draft; he just needs to recover from his injury. Pop would love to bring him in, build him behind LaMarcus Aldridge and create a 7-foot-2 monster that can cause problems for opposing defenses.
Well, since this is Clipperholics, here is our pick that Boston obtained via trade that was lottery protected.
Talen Horton-Tucker out of Iowa State becomes a Celtic and helps tremendously with guard depth as Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier could move on from Boston.
Horton-Tucker is the youngest player in the draft projected in the first round, so pushing him quickly may result in hindered development, but getting minutes would help him develop with his unique ability to shoot off the dribble and excel in transition for Brad Stevens.
Hey Oklahoma City, want to fix your three-point shooting and defensive issues? Draft Keldon Johnson and thank me later.
Johnson impressed at Kentucky in both of those facets playing well defensively and shooting 38.1-percent from beyond the arc.
He isn’t a great shooter off the dribble but having Westbrook as the primary ball handler, Johnson would have no worries shooting the ball on spot-up opportunities.
The Celtics will be dealing with the impending free agency of Kyrie Irving and more than one draft pick devoted to a guard will be necessary.
Edwards is a solid playmaker from Purdue and would grow alongside new teammate Horton-Tucker for seasons to come in the Garden.