Evaluating the Top 3 Players From the Upcoming 2019 NBA Draft

The upcoming 2019 NBA draft is perceived to be a good one. The top three players, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and RJ Barrett are looking like future NBA all-stars. The worst NBA teams are yearning to draft one of these franchise players.

With the Bulls currently having the fourth best odds of getting the number one pick, I am possibly, and hopefully evaluating the next Chicago Bull.

ESPN

Zion Williamson (Forward)

Stats through 20 regular season games: 22.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG, 68.0 FG%

Zion Williamson is the most coveted player from the 2019 NBA draft. Zion scores. Zion steals. Zion dunks. Zion wins. But most importantly, he defends.

In an ESPN interview, Zion expressed his feelings about playing defense, “I do take pride in my defense…if your man scores on you, that’s just disrespectful.” The way he talks about defense should make the Bulls want him even more.

Zion is leading his team from an 18-2 start to an inevitable tourney appearance. He does everything his coach asks and more. From his box office highlights, to his maturity, he is truly the complete package.

Sports Illustrated

RJ Barrett (Guard/Forward)

Stats through 20 regular season games: 23.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 32.3 3P%

RJ came into the season with high expectations. After leading Canada to a Gold Medal against the United States team in 2017, RJ was looked at as the next great.

Maybe it was wrong to hold him up to such high expectations after one win. Now that people are seeing his imperfections, they are calling him overrated.

Despite his tendency to ball-hog, he is still a great scorer and playmaker. His playmaking skills are underrated since he has to share the ball with his other NBA-talented teammates. As the Godson of Steve Nash, he should have a lot of tips and tricks from his Godfather on how to become a superior playmaker.

Sports Illustrated

Ja Morant (Point Guard)

Stats through 20 regular season games: 24.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 10.5 APG, 51.9 FG%

An unknown in high school, Ja has worked his way up from the bottom, all the way to top 5 rankings in NBA mock drafts. His impressive numbers don’t do him justice. He has great length, athleticism, and an ability to create for others which are perfect attributes for an NBA point guard. Despite the weaker division II competition he faces, Ja Morant is still viewed as the number one point guard in college basketball.