New York Knicks: 2019 NBA Mock Draft, All-Star break edition
110. . F. North Carolina. Nassir Little. 11. player
Entering this season, Nassir Little was a top-five pick. He had the size, the 7-foot wingspan and raw ability to become a top-end prospect for the 2019 NBA Draft. This was even a player in contention for the New York Knicks, with their expectedly high pick all along.
However, Little’s freshman season in North Carolina has not taken off. He’s appeared in 25 games, but with zero starts and for 18.5 minutes per game.
The Per 40 Minutes numbers are thrilling. He averages 20.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in that regard. However, it’s a hypothetical and not guaranteed for what would happen if he played the majority of each game’s minutes.
If Little had a larger role beyond just 9.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while improving on these stats, it would solidify him as a top-five prospect. It might make the draft combine his best friend.
This is still a lottery pick, though, and one that should be available for the Miami Heat to add to their rotation. They have a handful of wings as is, but taking a risk on one, compared to the struggles of the others rostered, is worthwhile.
Little can be the long wing defender that slots in the middle of the lineup next to Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson. It’s not an All-Star lineup, but enough to compete in the Eastern Conference.