The NBA Draft is kicking off this week and there is no question that Zion Williamson will be the first pick of the night. After Williamson gets drafted could get tricky, however, fans could be in store for plenty of surprise picks and various trades inside the top 10. With that being said, where would some of the top prospects fit the best?
Zion Williamson: New York Knicks
Williamson will fit well on any team, but especially with the New York Knicks because it is a big market city. Zion is a generational talent with outstanding athletic ability for his size. Williamson with the Knicks would bring tremendous excitement to Knicks basketball, something they have not had in a long time. Playing in New York would be great for Williamson’s marketing career and off the court ventures, too. The Knicks would also have money to sign two max contract players to pair with Williamson, such as players like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. That would give the Knicks a new big three. It is very unlikely that this is going to happen since the Knicks pick third, but this could have been a match made in heaven.
Ja Morant: Chicago Bulls
Morant with the Bulls makes sense because the Bulls need a point guard that can run the offense. While in college Morant was more of a scoring point guard, but also put up impressive assists numbers by putting up 10.0 per game his last season with Murray State. The Bulls have some excellent young talent in Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., and Otto Porter Jr. With that kind of talent around Morant, he would get his teammates involved in the offense. Along, with aggressive and offensive style Morant possesses, he has excellent passing vision and should fit with a team full of players that can finish at the basket.
R.J Barrett: Atlanta Hawks
Barrett would fit nicely with the Hawks because he’d be playing next to point guard Trae Young. He is a physical player that can take contact when driving to the basket which allows him to get to the free throw line. Barrett is a decent ball handler and has some passing skills for his size. Barrett will thrive playing next to point guard that is a willing passer and it will relieve Barrett of having the ball too much and causing a lot of turnovers. The one thing Barrett can do is score the basketball as he averaged 22.6 points per game at Duke last season.
Jarrett Culver: Memphis Grizzlies
Culver would be an excellent addition for the Grizzlies. If Conley were not to be traded, they would create a solid backcourt duo. Especially on the defensive end as Conley and Culver would give opposing teams fits on a nightly basis. Culver can create his own shot as well as run the offense, so if Conley were to be traded, Culver could potentially step into his role.
Darius Garland: Phoenix Suns
Garland might not be the pass-first point guard the Suns have been looking for, they do need a point guard badly. Garland can score the basketball with the best of them and he handles the ball well and can shoot it from deep. Although Garland makes questionable decisions with the basketball, time will be required to develop and improve his decision making. Adding Garland also could take some of the scoring load off of star guard Devin Booker.
Cam Reddish: Los Angeles Lakers
Many people are not high on Reddish and the Lakers pick at number four may be a little high for him. The Lakers need shooting, and Reddish could bring just that to the team. He has excellent size and length for the small forward position. The ability to play both ends of the floor would also help the Lakers out tremendously. With LeBron James and Lonzo Ball being the primary ball handlers, they would be able to find Reddish for open three-point shot regularly.
De’Andre Hunter: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers need a wing player to go along with Kevin Love and Collin Sexton, and Hunter would be the right wingman for the Cavs. Hunter plays excellent defense and can knock down the three ball when needed. However, he will need to develop a faster release to be able to get his shot off in the NBA. The Cavs put up to some horrible defensive numbers last season, and Hunter could get the defense going in the right direction. Hunter can be a three-and-D type player at the next level that can guard multiple positions. That in itself is critical in today’s NBA.
