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Orlando Magic 2019 NBA Draft Preview: Orlando Magic Daily’s Mock Draft

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Ja Morant speaks to the media ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 19, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Ja Morant speaks to the media ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 19, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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Zion Williamson, Duke Blue Devils
DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 27: Duke Blue Devils forward Zion Williamson (1) and forward Cam Reddish (2) walk up the court during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers on November 27, 2018 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC.. (Photo by Brian Utesch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The top of the draft

1. 69. PF. Duke. Zion Williamson. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player

There is no one else this could be. The New Orleans Pelicans get to pick the player who is far and away the best player in this draft. Even his doubters cannot deny the gravity he has about him as he shattered every expectation — outsized as they were — set for him with the Duke Blue Devils.

Williamson is an explosive leaper and vicious dunker. But his game is much more than that. He proved himself to be a solid defender and even an improving outside shooter. There is still a lot of work to his game, but his magnetism on and off the floor are undeniable. A perfect top overall pick.

PG. Murray State. 211. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 2. player. Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies have already telegraphed where they will go with this pick, moving on from long-time veteran Mike Conley in a trade with the Utah Jazz. Ja Morant burst onto the scene this year as one of the most dynamic scorers in the nation. He doubled down on his success, showing up in the NCAA Tournament as one of the few players to record a triple-double in that tournament.

Morant is a bit more than his scoring. He is a solid playmaker and should translate to the league. Especially now that the Grizzlies have entrusted him fully with the offense.

SF. player. Duke. R.J. Barrett. 3. 27. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

There was at least a small time when some thought R.J. Barrett might be the better NBA prospect than Zion Williamson. That is probably incorrect, but there is an undeniable contour to Barrett’s game that would fit the NBA better.

He is a smooth scorer who can attack the basket in a variety of ways and can hit mid-range jumpers consistently. There is a reason he ended up as Duke’s primary perimeter creator and scorer. He just has to improve his 3-point range to become a real great weapon moving forward.

. Texas Tech. 20. . G/F. Jarett Culver. 4. player

The Los Angeles Lakers have, of course, traded this pick to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade. That has not become official yet. But they should select Jarett Culver to pair with their now interesting young core featuring Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram and, of course, Zion Williamson.

Culver was one of the top defenders in the nation last year. He greatly improved his offense to take a sizable leap in his game. He has to improve his 3-point shot, but he can work between gaps and score within the flow of the offense effectively. With other scorers on the roster now, Culver gives the Pelicans some size on the wing they have sorely missed.

F. Virginia. De'Andre Hunter. 5. . . player. 156

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still rebuilding their foundation after LeBron James left. They were a poor defensive team throughout the season, but things looked up as Collin Sexton got comfortable late in the season and Kevin Love returned from injury.

Regardless with what the Cavaliers end up doing with Kevin Love, De’Andre Hunter will help give the Cavaliers a solid defensive footing on the perimeter. He was the best perimeter defender in the Virginia Cavaliers’ vaunted defense that led them to the national title last year.

player. 66. Darius Garland. 6. G. Vanderbilt. .

No team seemingly needed a point guard more desperately than the Orlando Magic last summer than the Phoenix Suns. Their failure to acquire one was cited as one reason they changed management groups so suddenly at the beginning of last season. Their clock is already ticking with Devin Booker and they have impatient ownership to begin with.

Darius Garland will take some patience, but his talent is undeniable as a 6-foot-6 point guard in this draft. He missed almost his entire freshman year with the Vanderbilt Commodores with a foot injury. But when healthy, he is an explosive finisher at the rim and someone who can play both guard spots.

Coby White. 7. . PG. North Carolina. 24. . player

The Chicago Bulls also need a point guard and find it here with North Carolina Tar Heels guard Coby White. Chicago is still in asset collection mode, looking for the best player available to fit around the core group featuring Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter.

White was one of the surprises for North Carolina last year, averaging 16.1 points and 4.1 assists per game, while shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc. His size and quickness of the dribble could make him a dynamo scorer. But the rest of his point guard skills still have to round into form.