2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 1.0, Atlanta Hawks Take Two Stars
By Chris Guest
#17. Brooklyn Nets – Grant Williams
The Brooklyn Nets were one of the best stories of the NBA this season, as they rode the brilliant coaching of Kenny Atkinson as well as a breakout campaign from erstwhile Laker D’Angelo Russell to the team’s first playoff berth since the 2014-15 season, where they faced off against the 60-win Atlanta Hawks team. How quickly the NBA changes.
With a plethora of young talent on its roster including Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Rodions Kurucs, Dzanan Musa and Russell as well as a cadre of cagey veterans such as Spencer Dinwiddie, DeMarre Carroll and Jared Dudley, this Nets team was fun to watch and they present an intriguing playoff matchup for the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
In the 2019 NBA Draft, the Nets will be likely be looking to add some defensive talent or the best player available. By selecting Grant Williams out of Tennessee, they will accomplish both goals.
Williams is a brilliant team defender, and he also represents a solid scorer through various facets of the game. As the SEC Player of the Year, Williams led the Tennessee to its best season in school history, though they were bested by the surging Purdue Boilermakers before they could leave their mark on the NCAA Tournament.
In terms of basketball IQ, Williams has savant-level feel and has a knack for drawing fouls. Despite being a junior, Williams will only be 20 years old on draft day, and his chiseled frame certainly looks NBA-ready.