NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Pelicans Load Up on Talent After Trade With Lakers

With the draft just days, in fact hours away, it’s time to unveil my latest mock draft. The top three is fairly secure, but David Griffin now controls the draft after the Pelicans boss traded Anthony Davis in a deal that brought over the No. 4 selection to New Orleans to supplement their No. 1 overall pick.

For the full NBA Draft order, click here.

Who does Griffin take if he keeps the pick? Here’s what we’re hearing after talking to several NBA executives.

1. New Orleans – Zion Williamson, 6-7, 285, F, Fr., Duke

A year ago at this time, most pegged R.J. Barrett as the leader in the clubhouse for the No. 1 overall pick, but it didn’t take long for Williamson to change everyone’s mind. Zion is a blend of size, athleticism and even skill that we haven’t seen before. He’ll be the No. 1 overall pick and the face of the Pelicans from Day One. The big question is whether he will become a bonafide star in the league, and how he’ll fit with newcomers Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram and holdover Jrue Holiday.

2. Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant, 6-3, 170, PG, Soph., Murray State

Morant’s stock blew up last season and now, barring something crazy happening, he’ll be the No. 2 overall pick and the reason why the Grizzlies will move veteran point guard Mike Conley. Morant has the rare blend of athleticism, quickness and explosiveness to go along with the court vision and passing ability. Think of a combo of Conley and De’Aaron Fox. Don’t be shocked if he’s the best player to come out of this draft.

3. New York Knicks – RJ Barrett, 6-7, 205, SG-SF, Fr., Duke

Barrett was ultra-productive during his freshman campaign at Duke, but was overshadowed by his teammate Zion Williamson. Sliding a couple spots from his projection a year ago could have been the best thing to happen to him: Barrett is likely to go No. 3 to New York, where he could be the focal point of the team if the Knicks can’t land big-time free agents. Barrett needs to improve his perimeter shot, but he’s a big wing who can get to the basket and finish, can handle the ball and make his teammates better, and also has the mentality to be able to handle New York.

4. New Orleans Pelicans (via LA Lakers) – De’Andre Hunter, 6-8, 225, F, RS Soph., Virginia

David Griffin’s haul for Anthony Davis included the No. 4 pick, and while there’s a drop-off after the third pick, this selection remains valuable for the Pelicans’ future. With Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday and Zion Williamson, Griffin will need a guy who can space the floor. We’re hearing Griffin will explore trading down since there’s not a huge gap between 4 and 14, but one guy who fits is Hunter, who is an elite defender who shot 42 percent in his college career.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jarrett Culver, 6-5, 190, SG, Soph., Texas Tech

This pick is extremely important for a franchise that will have to build through the draft. GM Koby Altman has more than $100 million of expiring contracts, and while there’s a chance he could go with one of the point guards on the board, it’s far more likely he takes either De’Andre Hunter or Jarrett Culver, whomever remains available. Hunter is the best shooter, but Culver is a multi-dimensional forward who was the best player on a team that got within a bucket of winning the national title. He may not be a star, but he’d be a nice piece for a rebuilding Cavs franchise.

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6. Phoenix Suns – Darius Garland, 6-2, 175, PG, Fr., Vanderbilt

No one needs a point guard as badly as the Suns, and they could have their pick between Darius Garland — who only played a handful of games in college due to a knee injury — and Coby White. Garland is a shot-maker and also a shot-creator. He’s small, but would work well alongside Devin Booker. Look for Phoenix to go with Garland over White here.

7. Chicago Bulls – Coby White, 6-4, 185, G, Fr., North Carolina

Here’s another team that could use a point guard. Kris Dunn hasn’t worked out in Chicago, and White would give the Bulls a scoring point guard who can do it in a variety of ways. He can shoot it from deep, and is also terrific in transition. He’s not a set-up guy, but would help give Jim Boylen another offensive option to go with Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter, Zach LaVine and Wendell Carter.

8. Atlanta Hawks – Jaxson Hayes, 6-11, 220, C, Fr., Texas

No one saw their stock rise as much as Hayes this past season, and that includes Ja Morant. This is a kid who barely saw the court as a junior in high school, but he’s got a ton of potential as a Clint Capela-type of big man. He’s athletic, runs the court, can rebound and block shots — and is just scratching the surface of what he can become. Hayes would be ideal alongside John Collins on Atlanta’s frontline.

9. Washington Wizards – Cam Reddish, 6-8, 210, SG-SF, Fr., Duke

Reddish is an enigma. He looks the part and often plays the part, but that didn’t happen often at Duke — whether it was due to the system, the presence of Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett or a lack of an alpha dog personality. Reddish has some Rudy Gay to him: He’s long, can make shots and is also versatile. The Wizards need to hit a home run, and Reddish could be a feast-or-famine guy.

10. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas) – Rui Hachimura, 6-8 1/2, 230, F, Jr., Gonzaga

The Hawks have the young core of John Collins, Trae Young and Kevin Huerter and could use another athletic wing. There are options here, with a pair of imports being at the front of the list: Hachimura and Sekou Doumbouya. Hachimura has made strides each season at Gonzaga, and showed he could be the go-to guy a year ago. The native of Japan has the size, skill and athleticism to be a nice addition to this young Hawks team.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves – Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 6-5 ½, 200, SG, Soph., Virginia Tech

This may seem a little high, but the T-Wolves want to add shooting and toughness, and Alexander-Walker can provide both. He is more comfortable off the ball, and could be a nice piece with Jeff Teague and Andrew Wiggins on the wing in that he can help space the court.

12. Charlotte Hornets – Sekou Doumbouya, 6-9, 215, F, France

The Hornets need to upgrade their frontcourt, and Doumbaya is oozing with talent. He moved to France when he was young, didn’t start playing basketball until he was 12 and has a huge upside. He’s got the size, skill and versatility that NBA folks love these days.

13. Miami Heat – Mfiondu Kabengele, 6-9, 235, C, Soph., Florida State

The Heat have a lot of pieces, but lack a star. I’m not sure they will get it with the No. 13 pick, but Miami could use a young frontcourt. Kabengele is multi-dimensional, plays hard and can score both in the paint and also on the perimeter.

14. Boston Celtics (via Sacramento) – Tyler Herro, 6-5, 193, SG, Fr., Kentucky

The Celtics could use a guy who can run off screens and make shots, and Herro can do that and more. He’s got good size and can really shoot it from deep, which is what the Celtics could use – especially in Brad Stevens’ 3-point-happy offense.

15. Detroit Pistons – Romeo Langford, 6-6, 200, SG, Fr., Indiana

The Pistons have Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, but they need a wing who can score. Langford was seemingly born to score, and his perimeter shot will improve with work. Langford was also playing much of last season injured. He’s a high-character guy who gives Detroit something it sorely needs: another scorer.

16. Orlando Magic – PJ Washington, 6-8, 230, PF, Soph., Kentucky

Washington is a skilled forward who improved his stock significantly this past season by showing his ability to score, rebound and also his decision-making with the ball in his hands. Washington is long, plays with a high motor and would be a nice complement to Aaron Gordon.

17. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn) – Nassir Little, 6-6, 210, SF, Fr., North Carolina

This is the Hawks’ third first-round pick, and it was acquired a couple weeks ago in a deal that also brought over Allen Crabbe and a lottery-protected 2020 first-rounder for Taurean Prince and a 2021 second-rounder. The Hawks can afford to roll the dice on Little, who struggled this past season at North Carolina, but was regarded as a high-lottery pick going into the season.

18. Indiana Pacers – Brandon Clarke, 6-8, 220, PF, RS Jr., Gonzaga

The Pacers’ two fixtures are Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner. Kevin Pritchard had success trading for former Gonzaga standout Domantas Sabonis; why not go for another Zags frontcourt player in Clarke? He’s a tremendous athlete with an improving offensive game who can also become an elite defender.

19. San Antonio Spurs – Goga Bitadze, 6-11, 251, C, Georgia

Bitadze is a skilled big man who can help the Spurs up front — which is important considering they don’t have much beyond LaMarcus Aldridge and Jakob Poeltl. Bitadze averaged 12.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in the Euroleague and has shown the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers with ease.

20. Boston Celtics (via LA Clippers) – Kevin Porter Jr., 6-5, 220, SG, Fr., USC

There are red flags — suspensions, injuries and other issues — but Porter is a talented wing who is worth the risk, especially for a team that has a trio of first-round picks. The Celtics can afford to roll the dice on the big, strong and athletic wing who didn’t do much in his lone season at USC.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Cameron Johnson, 6-9, 210, PF, Sr., North Carolina

This one just makes too much sense. Sam Presti needs to give Billy Donovan a shooter, and Johnson can make shots from all over the court. He’s also got the size and maturity to be able to come in and help immediately. Johnson shot 46 percent from 3 last season at North Carolina.

22. Boston Celtics – Nicolas Claxton, 6-11, 220, F, Soph., Georgia

It’ll take some time for Claxton, but he’s got tons of promise and potential. Claxton is long, skilled and can impact (in time) on both ends of the court. The Celtics will need some frontcourt depth and someone who can eventually help ease the departure of Al Horford.

23. Utah Jazz – Keldon Johnson, 6-6, 210, SF, Fr., Kentucky

Johnson’s biggest asset is his toughness. He’s a hard-playing wing who is an average perimeter shooter, but the Jazz could certainly add another quality rotation guy at No. 23 if Johnson falls this far.

24. Philadelphia 76ers – Bol Bol, 7-3, 235, C, Fr., Oregon

Bol is the ultimate enigma. Manute’s son is skilled and is capable of changing the game on the defensive end, but there are plenty of questions regarding his desire to play, his effectiveness on the court due to his slender frame, and also injury concerns.

25. Portland Trail Blazers – Luguentz Dort, 6-4, 220, SG, Fr., Arizona State

The hard-playing Canadian would be an ideal fit in Portland with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. He’s big, strong, can defend, and has shown the ability to make shots from the perimeter and finish around the basket. He still needs to improve his perimeter shot and decision-making, but Dort has a game similar to Celtics guard Marcus Smart.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Houston) – KZ Okpala, 6-9, 210, SF, Soph., Stanford

The Stanford product is raw, but he has a ton of upside due to his length, skill and athleticism. It’ll probably take time for Okpala to realize his potential, but the Cavs are in no rush. They want young guys with talent that will grow into NBA-caliber starters.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Denver) – Grant Williams, 6-7, 241, PF, Jr., Tennessee

He’s not the biggest guy around, but Williams is the type of player that fits in Brooklyn. He just finds a way despite being undersized. Williams will be a great second-unit player for a Nets team that overachieves due largely to chemistry and effort.

28. Golden State Warriors – Matisse Thybulle – 6-5, 195, G, Sr., Washington

He withdrew from the combine, which likely means he’s secure and has a first-round promise somewhere. Thybulle is an elite defender who has a chance to become an above-average shooter in time.

29. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto) – Ty Jerome, 6-5, 195, G, Jr., Virginia

The Spurs could use some help at the point, and Jerome is a guy who can run a team, make shots from all over the court and also bring toughness to the table. Jerome may never be a star, but will be consistent in his production and effort.

30. Milwaukee Bucks – Naz Reid, 6-10, 240, F, Fr., LSU

The Bucks could use another big man who can step out and shoot it from long range. Reid is incredibly skilled for someone his size. He needs to work on his decision-making, but he’s worth the risk for Milwaukee and Jon Horst.

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