Late Lottery Picks and 15
11. Houston Rockets: De’Andre Hunter- Virginia; So
There is no guarantee that the Rockets will have a pick this high or even have a first-round pick by the end of the year. However, in this scenario they are slated at #11. Regardless of what happens, Houston is in dire need of a wing who can play solid defense. Hunter’s defensive ability and scoring arsenal makes him a prime candidate to play alongside the likes of James Harden and Chris Paul. There isn’t a need to play at an all-star level right away, but there is reason to believe that Hunter would succeed in a limited, but important role…at least to start out.
12. Orlando Magic: PG Darius Garland- Vanderbilt; Fr
The past two seasons the Magic have bolstered their front court by taking Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba and Garland solves Orlando’s severe need for a point guard. Despite his slim frame, Garland can score in a plethora of ways from perimeter shooting to attacking the basket. His vision, basketball IQ, and passing ability will benefit guys like Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, and others. Garland is the first step to unlocking the team’s offensive potential.
13. New Orleans: SF Kris Wilkes- UCLA; So
Solomon Hill is the only wing who won’t hit the free agent market this summer and he is not the answer for New Orleans. Coming back to UCLA for his sophomore year, Wilkes has averaged 22.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG. Wilkes doesn’t have a signature skill, but he does a lot of things very well. Attacking the basket and scoring in a slew of ways is a forte of Wilkes’ and his athleticism and competitive edge gives New Orleans some much needed youth and firepower. Although his perimeter shooting will need to continue to improve, Wilkes should be able to contribute right away.
14. Utah Jazz: PG Ja Morant- Murray State; So
Although not being a household name, Morant is one of the most underrated players in college basketball. Ricky Rubio and Alec Burks will be free agents this summer and this makes perfect sense for the Jazz. A do-it-all type of guard, Morant is averaging 26.0 PPG, 11.0 APG, and 5.0 RPG. His style of play is similar to that of Donovan Mitchell‘s, but Morant is more of a true point guard. Not only does this pick give Utah’s backcourt more firepower, but it allows them to play Mitchell off the ball.
15. Charlotte Hornets: F Rui Hachimura- Gonzaga; Jr
The Hornets’ frontcourt is filled with bad contracts and failed expectations, making this selection justified. Although his perimeter shooting and NBA fit are unclear, Hachimura does many things very well. A Draymond Green-esque player, he is strong, handles the ball well, and scores effectively around the basket. He has taken big leaps in terms of development in each season at Gonzaga; his ability to put the ball in the net has vastly improved and he is averaging a career-high 25.0 PPG in his junior season. Possessing all of the intangibles and a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Hachimura has a ton of potential.
Next Up: 16-20
