2019 NBA Draft
Sekou doumbouya pro day workout
I had the opportunity to film the Comsport Pro Day in Frisco, TX where French prospect Sekou Doumbouya worked out in front of over 50 scouts, GM's and representatives from NBA teams. Doumbouya displayed his elite athleticism, ball handling skills and an effortless shooting stroke highlighted by making 15 three pointers in a row from NBA range.
red flag series
red flag
/' , red 'flag
noun
A red flag is used as a warning of danger.
This series will uncover the Red Flags, warning signs or glaring weaknesses of each draft prospect.
2019 NBA Draft grades
1. Zion Williamson | A+ | Easy choice for New Orleans. Gives Pelicans instant star power
2. ja morant | A |Fills immediate need at point guard now that Mike Conley is in Utah.
3. r.j. barrett | A+ | Should averaged 20 ppg as a rookie, especially since Knicks struck out in free agency.
4. de'andre Hunter | A | Compliments recent picks Trae Young and John Collins with his versatility.
5. Darius garland | B+ | Can he coexist with Sexton? Cavs now have a backcourt full of score 1st guys.
6. jarrett culver |B |Is Wiggins on the move? At the minimum Culver should push Wiggins for minutes.
7. COBY WHITE |B+ | Should be opening night starter at PG and signal the end of the Kris Dunn era in Chicago.
8. jaxson hayes |A | Zion Williamson + Jaxson Hayes = Lob city 2.0? Pelicans roster is now long and athletic.
9. Rui Hachimura |B |Rui is skilled, raw with high a upside and should see plenty to minutes early in Washington.
10. cam reddish| B+ |Low risk high reward pick for ATL. Reddish was considered a top 3 pick entering season.
11. Cam Johnson |D | Suns could have traded down and still drafted Johnson late in 1st round.
12. P.J Washington |B |Blue collar inside/outside threat for the now rebuilding Hornets.
13. tyler herro | C |Herro will provide floor spacing but will have competition in a crowded Miami backcourt.
14. romeo langford |C | I'm not a fan of this pick unless Brown, Tatum or Heyward are moved via trade.
RECENTLY ADDED PROSPECTS
TALEN HORTON-TUCKER - PG/SG - IOWA STATE
CHARLES BASSEY - C - WESTERN KENTUCKY
JALEN MCDANIELS - SF/PF - SAN DIEGO STATE
ty jerome - PG/SG - Virginia
Jontay porter - C - Missouri
brandon clarke - PF - Gonzaga
ayo dosunmu - PG - illinois
coby White - PG/SG - North carolina
Nickeil alexander-walker - pg/SG - virginia tech
De'Andre hunter - SF - Virginia
Keldon johnson - SG - Kentucky
nassir little - SF/PF - North carolina
goga bitadze - C - Buducnost (international)
jaxson hayes - C - Texas
Ja Morant - G - Murray State
offensive strengths profiles
2019 nba draft recap
1. Zion Williamson | 6'7" 275 lbs | PF | Freshman | Duke
Pelicans win the Zion sweepstakes and now have a potential generational talent and box office replacement for Anthony Davis. Losing an All NBA star like Davis is usually devastating to a franchise, but Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball provide hope.
2. ja Morant | 6'3" 175 lbs | PG| Sophomore | murray state
The Grit & Grind era is officially over in Memphis with Mike Conley being traded to Utah and Ja Morant being anointed point guard of the future. The Grizzlies now have two foundational pieces in their rebuilding plan with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr.
3. R.J Barrett | 6'7" 220 lbs | SG/SF|Freshman | duke
New York missed out on Zion, but drafting fellow Dukie R.J Barrett is not a bad consolation prize. Knicks fans are hoping he can live up to the "Canadian Mamba" nickname he earned while putting up big scoring numbers in FIBA, high school and in his lone season at Duke.
4. de'Andre hunter | 6'7" 225 lbs | SF | Sophomore | Virginia
Hawks moved up in the draft to selectHunter who is coming off a great season at Virginia that concluded with a national championship. Hunter is the ideal versatile complimentary piece for future All Stars Trae Young and John Collins.
5. darius garland | 6'2" 175 lbs | PG | Freshman | Vanderbilt
Cavs taking Garland at number 5 was the first of many picks that left me scratching my head. I'm not sure if they were looking to move the pick or not, but Garland and last years draft pick Collin Sexton play the same position and look to score first, pass second.
6. jarrett culver | 6'5" 190 lbs | Sg| sophomore | Texas Tech
Minnesota traded Dario Saric and their 11th pick to move up to the 6th spot select Culver. With Andrew Wiggins and Robert Covington on the wings, drafting Culver gives the Wolves depth, scoring and insurance in case one of them is moved in a trade this summer.
7. Coby White | 6'5" 185 lbs | PG/SG | freshman | North Carolina
Chicago's biggest need was at point guard and White will be given the keys and opportunities to replace Kris Dunn as the opening night starter. The Bulls have put together a nice young core on paper and now it's a matter of if their talent can translate to wins.
8. jaxson hayes | 6'11" 220 lbs| C | Freshman | texas
With the selection of Hayes to pair with Zion Williamson, the Pelicans may have the fastest and most athletic front court in the NBA. While Hayes is raw and a project, New Orleans has to feel good about the assets and picks they received for Anthony Davis.
9. Rui hachimura| 6'8" 225 lbs | PF | Jr| Gonzaga
Washington has a lot of uncertainty about their future due to John Wall's injury and massive contract. With Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker possibly on their way out, it made sense for the Wizards to seek front court help. Most mock drafts had Sekou Doumbouya and Jaxson Hayes over Hachimura, so this pick was considered a reach and surprise to many.
10. cam reddish | 6'8" 215 lbs | SF| Freshman | Duke
Reddish may be the most talented player in the draft but his talent and skill level did not match his production in his lone season at Duke. It will be interesting to see if he can beat out Kevin Huerter, De'Andre Hunter, Kent Bazemore and Allen Crabbe for minutes next season.
11. CAMERON JOHNSON | 6'9" 210 lbs | SF/PF | SR | NORTH CAROLINA
The Suns selecting North Carolina sharp shooter Cam Johnson at number 11 was the biggest shocker of the draft. At 23 he immediately provides veteran leadership and should be exempt from rookie duties as he's already older than Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, DeAndre Ayton. There are rumors Josh Jackson is one his way out, which helps justify this selection.
12. P.J WASHINGTON | 6'8" 225 lBS | PF |SO |KENTUCKY
Kentucky sophomore P.J Washington made great strides between his freshman and sophomore season. Washington's athleticism, shooting, motor and length could be the ideal small ball center for today's NBA. However, Charlotte's biggest concern is Kemba Walker's free agency and their lack of depth at point guard.
13. TYLER HERRO | 6'5" 195 lBS | SG |FR |KENTUCKY
I personally did not see Herro being drafted his high but he fills a need for shooting in Miami. I'm curious to see what moves Miami makes this summer as they are rumored to have interest in Jimmy Butler while they still have Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow and now Herro on the roster.
14. romeo langford| 6'6" 215 lbs | SG | fr | Indiana
What a difference a years makes. At this time last year Boston seemed to be in position to contend for a title for the next few seasons with Sacramento's lottery pick. Kyrie Irving and Al Horford seem to be on their way out and the Kings ended up being better than anyone anticipated. Romeo Langford adds wing depth to an already crowded rotation.
15. Sekou Doumbouya | 6'9" 220 lbs | PF | International|
Pistons are happy Doumboya slipped this far to them at 15. At 18, he'll be one of the youngest player in the league next season so expectations should be moderate. However, he has a high upside and could end up being one of the 5 best players from this class.
16. chuma okeke | 6'8" 235 lbs | PF | SO | auburn
Add Okeke at #16 as one of the biggest surprises from draft night. He gives Orlando another versatile switchy defender that an stretch the floor. He'll miss the majority of his rookie season due to a torn ACL he suffered in the NCAA tournament.
17. Nickeil alexander-walker |6'5" 210 lbs | pg/SG | virginia tech
Another good selection for the Pelicans. Alexander-Walker can play both backcourt spots and can play along side Lonzo Ball and True Holiday. New Orleans looks to be looking to build a team where they can play multiple big lineups.
18. goga bitadze | 6'11" 250 lBS | C |INTL |BUDUĆNOST
Bitadze to Pacers may be a sign that Indiana is looking to break up the Myles Turners/Damantas Sabonis front court. It doesn't make much sense to add center to the roster unless one of them is going to be packaged in a trade this summer.
19. Luka samanic |6'11" 230 LBS | PF|INTL | Olimpija LJubljana
What a difference a years makes. At this time last year Boston seemed to be in position to contend for a title for the next few seasons with Sacramento's lottery pick. Kyrie Irving and Al Horford seem to be on their way out and the Kings ended up being better than anyone anticipated. Romeo Langford adds wing depth to an already crowded rotation.
20. Matisse thybulle | 6'6" 200 lbs | sg/sf | washington
Thybulle was arguably the best defenders in the nation last year. If Philly can develop him into another Robert Covington then this pick is a steal.
21. Brandon clarke | 6'8" 215 lbs | PF/C | gonzaga
I don't think anyone saw Clarke slipping this far as he was projected to go in the late lottery. His fall down the draft boards was the Grizzles gain as they were able to draft their point guard of the future at #2 and now have a rim protecting inside/outside tandem in Clarke and Jaren Jackson, Jr.
22. GRANT WILLIAMS | 6'7" 240 lbs | PF | JR | TENNESSEE
With Al Horford and Marcus Morris headed for free agency and Aaron Baynes shipped off to Phoenix, Boston is a little thin in the front court. Williams should be able to come in and contribute right away as a rookie and become a fan favorite with his throwback game.
23. darius bazley |6'10" 210 lbs |N/A | N/A
The Thunder are in salary cap hell and need to find as many young and cheap contracts that can come in and play rotation minutes next season. It remains to be seen if Bazley will be able to play right away but he's a great long term project that should benefit from OKC's player development program.
24. TY JEROME | 6'5" 195 lbs | PG/SG| JR | VIRGINIA
I expected Phoenix to take a point guard at #6, but elected to trade down to grab Cameron Johnson. Jerome is crafty playmaker and shooter that can play along side Devin Booker or whatever point guard the Suns look to bring in this summer via free agency.
25. Nassir Little| 6'6" 220 lbs | SF/PF| Fr | North Carolina
Nassir Little has to wonder if going to college for a year was worth it. He was projected as a top 5 pick coming into his rookie season and ended up looking like a fish out of water in North Carolina's system. Portland has done a good job developing and bringing young players along slowly, which would be ideal for Little.
26. dylan windler | 6'8" 200 lbs | sf | sr | belmont
Earlier the the draft the Cavs selected Darius Garland and adding Windler at #26 gives the Cavs the best two shooters in the 1st round. With J.R. Smith likely on his way out, Windler has a chance to be the designated wing floor spacer for the rebuilding Cavs.
27. Mfiondu kabengele | 6'10" 255 lbs | PF/C| So | florida state
Kabengele has a great opportunity to earn playing time on a playoff team as a rookie. As of today Ivica Zubac is the likely opening day starter and Montrezl Harrell will the the closer. Kabengele is the best inside/outside player of the 3 and could serve as the 3rd big.
28. jordan poole |6'5" 190 lbs | PG/SG | So | michigan
Warriors are in need of youth and depth and Poole fills both roles. Nobody is expecting the Warriors to challenge for a title next year with 2 starters from the last 3 seasons out for the season. It's a perfect opportunity for Warriors to develop a player like Poole.
29. kelDon johnson | 6'6" 210 lbs | SG/SF | Fr | Kentucky
The Spurs rarely miss on prospects and Johnson seems to have fell in their lap. He was a projected lottery pick early in the season but saw his stock decline as Tyler Herro's increased. San Antonio has a nice young guard rotation with Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker and now Keldon Johnson.
30. kevin porter, jr. | 6'6" 215 lbs | SG | Freshman | USC
Kevin Porter, Jr.'s intel or his pre draft workouts must have been terrible for him to slip this far. Nobody has any doubts or questions about his talent, it's his maturity on and off the court that has caused some concerns. Cleveland paid 5M to move up to snag Porter so obviously they feel the risk is worth the reward.