2019 NBA Draft Board “Others”
This last of 3 posts on the 2019 Draft is just going to be a list (with some brief thoughts sprinkled in) of players I like that I would target in the second round or as UDFA’s. Full disclosure: I have decided to leave out all the Europeans not named Goga because I simply didn’t have enough time this year to watch actual game footage — and I don’t want to make decisions simply based on highlights. If you’re wondering, I actually did watch Goga in some full game footage, so I felt like I had a good enough read on him. If a guy is on this list, I have watched at least a half of basketball. Consider the rankings here nominal, because essentially this is one big tier of guys. They are all “sleepers”.
31 Daniel Gafford — Arkansas — 20y8mo
I thought Gafford made a mistake coming back for his sophomore year, but I’m not sure in the end it changed his draft stock that much. He’s an athletic rim runner, and I don’t think he’s much more than that.
32 Jalen McDaniels — San Diego St. — 21y4mo
Another guy I was kind of hoping would declare last year, he didn’t really “explode” this year, and probably lost most of whatever intrigue he had going for him. Still, he’s got length, some creation skills, and a good motor.
33 Keldon Johnson — Kentucky — 19y8mo
I’m not really into Keldon at all, but there’s some chance he grows into a rotation player who can shoot and defend well enough to get a second contract.
34 Dylan Windler — Belmont — 22y8mo
May go way higher than warranted based on a good tournament showing. He’s a good shooter, but I’m not sure he’s strong enough to be a 4 or quick enough to be a 3. Also doesn’t seem like much of a playmaker. And he’s pretty old. But he is a good shooter, which always has some value.
35 Alen Smailagic — Santa Cruz Warriors — 18y10mo
Really young and talented defender the Warriors are trying to hide in the GL. Really intriguing if he can develop a consistent outside shot.
36 Ty Jerome — Virginia — 21y11mo
Very good college basketball player. I have a lot of concerns about how he translates to the NBA simply because he’s so damn unathletic.
37 Dedric Lawson — Kansas — 21y8mo
You think Ty Jerome is unathletic? Dedric Lawson says hold my beer. Yet he is a great basketball player who does a lot of things well. Personally, I hope he makes it in the league.
38 Isaiah Roby — Nebraska — 21y4mo
Kind of a versatile 4 or small ball 5 (eventually). Huge hands and a 7'1" wingspan combined with some playmaking skills. If he can shoot it, he’s a player to watch.
39 Eric Paschall — Villanova — 22y7mo
He’s old and did not look as good this year not being surrounded by as much talent, but Paschall is a solid big who knows how to play, might defend a bit, and shoot a bit. Could have some value if he is not overdrafted.
40 Carsen Edwards — Purdue — 21y3mo
A natural scorer who is super strong for his size and has a decent wingspan. He’s a combo guard but there’s no doubt he might bring some value off the bench. Again, not a guy I’d overdraft.
41 Sagaba Konate — West Virginia — 22y3mo
Another guy should have come out last year. Injuries derailed him, but he’s one of the rare guys who is a potential 3&B(lock) big. Not a lot of 3pt attempts, but great free throw shooting suggests potential there.
42 Tremont Waters — LSU — 21y5mo
One of my favorite players in the draft. He’s just a couple inches too small and maybe not quite as good a shooter as he needs to be to run a team, but I have a feeling he will stick around as a backup point guard for a while. He’s really fun to watch though.
43 Justin Robinson — Virginia Tech — 21y8mo
My favorite “find” of the year. He was the engine that made VaTech run. Jumped off the screen every time I watched him with cross-court passes and effort plays. I love him. He’s one of the top UDFA targets for me.
44 Justin Wright-Foreman — Hofstra — 21y7mo
A question I pose to you is why draft Carsen Edwards when you might be able to get JWF as a UDFA?
45 Dean Wade — Kansas St — 22y7mo
Dude can shoot. Good UDFA target.
