2019 NBA Draft Grades

       

         With the 2019 NBA Draft coming to a close Beef's Beef went through all of the picks and gave you their grades for each NBA team: 

           Team                            RD (PK)                                 Grade                Analysis

Atlanta Hawks	1(4) De'Andre Hunter (UVA) 1(10) Cam Reddish (Duke) 2(4) Bruno Fernando (Maryland)	A+	Atlanta traded up to get the 4th pick and took an uber talented Hunter and grabbed knock down shooter Reddish with the 10th pick. Fernando is a great big man prospect out of Maryland. Atlanta met all of their needs. Adding this to their already young roster could make them dangerous team in the Eastern Conference especially with all of the turnover.
Brooklyn Nets	2(1) Nic Claxton (UGA) 2(26) Jaylen Hands (UCLA)	B-	Took a chance on both guys. Claxton is a big man project prospect with a slender frame. Shot is ok but will need to improve FT. Hands avg 6.1 ast but needs to improve immensly on defense and decision making as he averaged 3.2 TO per game.
Boston Celtics	1(14) Romeo Langford (IU) 1(22) Grant Williams (UT) 2(3) Carsen Edwards (Purdue) 2(21) Tremont Waters (LSU)	A	The Celtics came into the draft with questions marks at a lot of postions with Horford and Kyrie both opting for FA and not looking back. Langford brings scoring but needs to improve from the perimeter. Williams is a motor guy who is a bit undersized while Edwards is shoot first PG who you could bring off the bench for a spark.
Charlotte Hornets	1(12) PJ Washington (UK) 2(6) Cody Martin (Nevada) 2(22) Jalen McDaniels (SDSU)	A-	Washington improved his outside shot and should bring some scoring ability and natural leadership to a Hornets roster that needs help. Martin and McDaniels are solid non power 5 guys who could find a niche in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls	1(7) Coby White (UNC) 2(8) Daniel Gafford (Arkansas)	A	Colby White brings great size and playmaking to a Bulls team that needs it at the PG position with Kris Dunn not living up to expectations. Gafford is solid front court prospect that won't hurt you to take a chance on in the 2nd round
Cleveland  Cavaliers	1(5) Darius Garland (Vanderbilt) 1(26) Dylan Windler (Belmont) 1(30) Kevin Porter Jr (USC)	B+	Drafting Garland didn't make much sense after how Sexton finished the season unless you move on of them off the ball. But getting Porter Jr at 30 when he could've been a lottery pick if not for off the court issues is the steal of the draft.
Dallas Mavericks	N/A	N/A	N/A
Denver Nuggets	2(14) Bol Bol (Oregon)	A	Bol dropped farther than anyone else in the draft. Projected as a top 20 pick getting him in the 2nd round is great for a young and upcoming Nuggets team. Questions about his durability as he only played 9 games for Oregon as he needs to improve his stength and work ethic.
Detroit Pistons	1(15) Sekou Doumbouya (Guinea) 2(7) Deividas Sirvydis (Lithuania) 2(15) Isaiah Roby (Nebraska) 2(27) Jordan Bone (UT)	B	Doumbouya is the youngest player in the draft and has a lot of upside. Sirvydis is great perimeter shooter out who has great IQ. Bone is a solid leader and knows how to win while Roby is a bit of a project.
Golden St Warriors	1(28) Jordan Poole (Michigan) 2(9) Alen Smailagic (Serbia) 2(11) Eric Paschall (Villanova)	B	Poole is a good perimeter shooter who can create his own shot which is needed with Klay and KD being injured and maybe gone to FA. Smailagic is a guy that GS has had their eye on for a while while Paschall is an improving shooter with good length that could fit in well with the Warriors.
Houston Rockets	N/A	N/A	N/A
Indiana Pacers	1(18) Goga Bitadze (UGA)	B	Would've had this pick graded higher if it wasn't such a head scratcher. Already having Turner and Sabonis this pick didn't really make much sense. Talented big man with lots of upside but they had other needs that weren't met with this pick.
Los Angeles Clippers	1(27) Mfiondu Kabengele (FSU) 2(18) Terance Mann (FSU)	A	It seemed like the Clippers really liked what they saw in Florida St players. Kabengele the nephew of Dikembe Mutombo led FSU in scoring despite being the 6th man and improved his stock during the NCAA tourney. Mann is a high IQ guy who will need to improve on the offensive end.
Los Angeles Lakers	2(16) Talen Horton-Tucker (ISU)	B-	The Lakers traded back into the draft to take the youngest college player in the draft. Has a ridiculous wingspan that is almost a foot larger than his height but has question marks with his conditioning.
Memphis Grizzlies	1(2) Ja Morant (Murray St) 1(21) Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga)	A	Any other year Morant would be the #1 prospect. Let the nation in turnovers but also had the ball in his hands more than an NBA2k myplayer. Clarke is an athletic rim finisher who can protect the rim and guard multiple positions. Doesn't really have much upside because he is already almost 23 yrs old.
Miami Heat	1(13) Tyler Herro (UK) 2(2) KZ Okpala (Stanford)	A	Herro brings comes in as a knockdown shooter who can shoot off screens or with his feet set. Needs to improve finishing at the rim and on the defensive end. Okpala was virtually a steal for Miami in the 2nd round has great size for a wing at 6'10 that's a solid outside shooter who has a lot of upside.
Milwaukee Bucks	N/A	N/A	N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves	1(6) Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech) 2(13) Jaylen Nowell (Washington)	A-	Both teams involved in this trade (PHX and MIN) didn't pick who you thought they would. Minnesota desperately needs a PG with Rose and Teague entering FA. Now saying they I love what Culver brings to the table, needs to improve his outside shot but can defend. Nowell is the reigning Pac-12 POY that needs to improve his 3 pt shooting.
New Orleans Pelicans	1(1) Zion Williamson (Duke) 1(8) Jaxson Hayes (Texas) 1(17) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (VaTech) 2(5) Marcos Louzada Silva (Brazil)	A+	Williamson is a do it all motor guy who's only real weakness seemed to be a consistent outside shot. Hayes has great size at 7' can protect the rim but has trouble with rebounding and not fouling. Alexander-Walker should be able to work off of the other players around him and can finish at the rim with both hands. Silva will bring a young 3 and D guy to a young roster.
New York Knicks	1(3) RJ Barrett (Duke) 2(17) Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan)	A	Barrett is an athletic wing who can finish at the rim and handle the ball. Needs to improve his shot selection and outside shot. Brazdeikis lead Michigan in scoring and isn't a bad pick for where they got him but needs to improve on the defensive end.
Oklahoma City Thunder	1(23) Darius Bazley (USA)	B+	A slender guard who sat out instead of going to Syracuse. Is 6'9 with a 7' wingspan. Needs to improve his outside shot but being virtually unknown could end up being a steal at 23 for OKC.
Orlando Magic	1(16) Chuma Okeke (Auburn)	B	If Okeke can get back to his form before he tore his ACL in the NCAA tourney this could be a solid pick for Orlando at 16.
Philadelphia 76ers	1(20) Matisse Thybulle (Washington) 2(24) Marial Shayok (ISU)	B	Thybulle may be the best defender in the draft and shoots well from the outside but need to be a more consistent scorer. Shayok can score but his slender build may make it tough to guard NBA wings.
Phoenix Suns	1(11) Cam Johnson (UNC) 1(24) Ty Jerome (UVA)	C+	I am very high on both Johnson and Jerome so you may wonder why Phoenix's grade is so low. Drafting Johnson with the 11th pick is way too high in mu opinion. Needing a PG and being in the 6th position before their trade with Minnesota they could've taken White. Johnson is a long shooter who can fill it up and Jerome is an experienced guard who could play immediately but also could struggle guarding in the NBA.
Portland Trailblazers	1(25) Nasir Little (UNC)	B+	Nasir Little struggled bit at UNC but was ranked in the top 5 of most draft boards at the beginning of the season. Losing Harkless and Aminu to FA, Little should be able to step in and play immediately.
San Antonio Spurs	1(19) Luka Samanic (Croatia) 1(29) Keldon Johnson (UK) 2(19) Quinndary Weatherspoon (MSU)	A	The Spurs may have drafted Samanic a little too early but who am I to question their drafting of a foreign player. History shows they normally know what they're doing. Getting Johnson at 29 and a 3 and D guy in Weatherspoon give the Spurs a guy in Johnson who could garner minutes immediately and a role guy in Weatherspoon.
Sacramento Kings	2(10) Justin James (Wyoming) 2(25) Kyle Guy (UVA) 2(30) Vanja Marinkovic (Serbia)	C	James is a long lanky wing who needs to add strength and get tougher in the paint. Guy may be the best shooter in the entire draft but his size will hurt him defensively while trying to guard other SG. Marinkovic will most likely be a draft and stash guy.
Toronto Raptors	2(29) Dewan Hernandez (Miami)	C	Hernandez is a high motor guy but is undersized and missed all of season because of a NCAA ruling.
Utah Jazz	2(20) Jarrell Brantley (Charleston) 2(23) Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra) 2(28) Miye Oni (Yale)	C	Utah took chances on all 3 of these guys. Brantley is an undersized PF who wasn't listed on a lot draft boards. Wright-Foreman is a walking bucket but lacks on the defensive end and taking a raw SG in Oni doesn't make much sense either.
Washington Wizards	1(9) Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga) 2(10) Admiral Schofield (UT)	A	Hachimura is a modern scoring forward who brings great length and strength to a Wizards team that needs help on their front line. Should step in and play immediately. Schofield comes in to fill a role. Turned himself in to knockdown shooter from 3 but is lacking in rebounding despite his size.

2019 NBA Mock Draft

          Just like last season Beef's Beef did a mock draft with a couple of friends. This is our version of a mock draft without trades for picks etc. BJ would've been more involved but is pretty busy this time of the year with work. Tony started out strong but couldn't finish it out with John and Beef. Let us know what you think and where you think we messed up!

Pick:	Team:	Pick By:	Comment:
1	New Orleans- Zion Williamson 6'6 280 PF (Duke)	Beef	New Orleans with the no brainer pick with Zion. Most likely the most talked about prospect since Lebron. NBA ready body but kind of a tweener when it comes to height. High motor, with unmatched athleticism, that with a more consistent outside shot could become the next NBA superstar.
2	Memphis- Ja Morant 6'3 175 PG (Murray St)	John	Grizzlies get a high upside player who can replace an again injury prone Mike Conley. Must improve his inconsistent jumper.
3	New York- RJ Barrett 6'7 210 SG/SF (Duke)	Tony	A SG/SF who can score at the rim. Questionable shot selection and inconsistent outside shot. Measure well with a 6'9 wingspan.
4	New Orleans- Cam Reddish 6'8 210 SG/SF (Duke)	Beef	Pick will most likely be traded. But adds a needed shooter to a young lineup. Consistency was a question mark at Duke. Reddish's game seems to be a game better suited for the next level.
5	Cleveland- Jarret Culver 6'6 195 SG (Texas Tech)	BJ	Pick could possibly be Garland here but with the resurgence of Sexton at the end of the season the Cavs will trust their young PG to keep improving. Culver brings a tough minded mentality on both end of the floor to a team that needs it but does need to be a more consistent outside shooter.
6	Phoenix- Coby White 6'5 190 PG (North Carolina)	John	Suns have long coveted a PG who can pair with Booker. This pick could possibly be traded for a more proven PG, but you have to love the upside of White.
7	Chicago- DeAndre Hunter 6'7 225 SF/PF (Virginia)	Beef	Great pick for the Bulls. A consistent wing that won't lose you games. Already understands defensive principles but needs to be a more consistent scorer but with his size can play the 3 or the 4.
8	Atlanta- Nasir Little 6'6 225 SF ( North Carolina)	Tony	Highly talented player coming out of high school. Only shot 26% from 3 in college but has shown he can hit the shot in team workouts. Would be a nice athletic compliment on the wing to Trae Young
9	Washington- Sekou Doumbouya 6'9 230 SF/PF (France)	John	Very Young at just over 18 years of age. Will take time to meet potential but with the Wizards likely going into rebuild mode, they have the time.
10	Atlanta- Jaxson Hayes 6'11 220 PF/C (Texas)	Tony	A long athletic rim protector at 6'11 with a wingspan of 7'4. Has a lot of upside but needs to add muscle and isn't a good passer.
11	Minnesota- Rai Hachimura 6'8 235 SF/PF (Gonzaga)	John	Rumors have circulated that Hachimura has a promise from the Wolves if he is available at their pick. They love Doumbouya and Little as well, and ultimate goal would be to move up and take White. Athletic all around player who should help a weak defense immediately.
12	Charlotte- Tyler Herro 6'6 195 SG (Kentucky)	Beef	A knock down shooter that will feed off of Kemba's game who indicated he will most likely be back. Needs to improve ball handling, quickness, and passing, but when he gets hot from the outside watch out.
13	Miami- Darius Garland 6”2 175 PG ( Vanderbilt)	John	Hard to believe he will actually fall this far, as teams would likely move up to get him. Heat get a high upside PG, but also a lot of question marks since he played in only a handful of games on the college level. Could be the steal of the draft
14	Boston- Mfiondu Kabengele 6'10 255 PF/C (FSU)	Beef	Led FSU in scoring while also being the 6th man. Had a great NCAA tournament and measures well with a 7'3 wingspan. Is also the nephew of NBA great Dikembe Mutombo.
15	Detroit- Romeo Langford 6'6 210 SG (Indiana)	John	Pistons need a scoring wing or PG in a bad way. With no PG's worthy of this pick, Langford fills the scoring guard need.
16	Orlando- Keldon Johnson 6'6 215 SG (Kentucky)	Beef	An athletic guard with a high motor who can shoot the 3 but is reluctant to shoot it. Needs to improve his FT shooting, and decision making at the rim.
17	Atlanta- Brandon Clarke 6'8 215 PF/C (Gonzaga)	John	This pick could be traded or paired with an earlier pick to move up, as taking 3 rookies into next season isn't likely. If they keep it, Clarke is a seasoned player out of college who could get minutes off the bench behind Collins. His measurables really hurt his stock as he was projected lottery most of the season.
18	Indiana- Nickiel Alexander- Walker 6'5 205 SG (Virginia Tech)	Beef	A long but slender wing that is a sniper from the outside with a quick release. Can be a great asset to the Pacers who seek another wing scorer with the uncertainty of Oladipo aft his injury.
19	San Antonio- Goga Bitadze 6'11 250 C (Rep. Of Georgia)	John	Spurs have two aging players in the front court. Goga can stretch the floor like Aldridge, and could likely take some time and learn from the veteran.
20	Boston- PJ Washington 6'8 230 PF (Kentucky)	Beef	A great outside shooting big man who showed in his sophomore season the ability to score from inside and out. A little undersized and lacks elite level athleticism but makes it up with IQ leadership.
21	Oklahoma City- Kevin Porter 6'5 215 SG/SF (USC)	John	Porter has had off the court issues that have severly damaged his stock. As far as on the court, he's lottery worthy. Steal of the draft potential as the Thunder could finally fill a void at SG that was left after Harden was shipped out.
22	Boston- Bol Bol 7'2 210 C (Oregon)	Beef	A very good outside shooting big man who can move well in transition. Could be a great pick but has huge question marks because of injuries. Played in just 9 games at Oregon.
23	Utah- Ty Jerome 6'5 195 PG (Virginia)	Beef	A good pickup to back up Rubio with good size and a good outside shot, lacks athleticism and quickness.
24	Philadelphia- Cameron Johnson 6'8 205 SF (UNC)	John	With both Butler and Harris being free agents, the 76ers have a need on the wing. A shooter is likely preferred as well with Simmons completely ignoring the jump shot, in steps Johnson who can shoot with the best of them in the draft.
25	Portland- KZ Okpala 6'8 210 SG/SF (Stanford)	John	At 6'10 he can play multiple positions and stretch the floor with his jumpshot.
26	Cleveland- Nicolas Claxton 6'11 215 PF (Georgia)	Beef	A long athletic PF with a lot of upside. Can handle the ball and pass but is thin and needs to improve his offensive game and strength.
27	Brooklyn- Chuma Okeke 6'8 235 SF/PF (Auburn)	Beef	A great 3 and D player who could be a draft and stash because of his ACL tear in the Sweet 16.
28	Golden State- Dylan Windler 6'7 195 SG/SF (Belmont)	John	The Warriors will play most, if not all, of next season without Durant and Thompson. Windler can slide into that wing position and immediately replace some of the shooting that Thompson brought.
29	San Antonio- Matisse Thybulle 6'6 200 SG/SF (Washington)	John	After taking a big to be the replacement to Aldridge, the Spurs address a need on the wing. Derozan could be gone after this year and Thybulle brings a strong defensive game that the Spurs have been known for.
30	Milwaukee- Carsen Edwards 6'0 200 PG (Purdue)	Beef	A SG trapped in a PG body. Not a great passer but can score with anyone in the draft. Would be a great pick up to bring energy off the bench to a team that could use another scorer.