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2019 NBA Mock Draft: Full lottery impact on the first round

By Rob Wolkenbrod

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, Mark Tatum takes the stage at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, Mark Tatum takes the stage at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Gonzaga Brandon Clarke (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

18. . F. Gonzaga. Brandon Clarke. 14. player

Age: 23
Height, Weight: 6-foot-8, 215 pounds
Slash Line: .699/.286/.685
Season Averages: 17.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.1 BPG, 0.1 3PM

The Boston Celtics have one of the most unique set-ups for the the 2019 NBA Draft. The lottery guaranteed them three first-round picks, starting with the No. 14 selection. It became guaranteed after Philadelphia failed to attain the No. 1 pick as part of a previous trade with the Sacramento Kings.

This is a franchise, once on the cusp of greatness, in turmoil. They accumulated talented assets, but it resulted in a disappointing year after narrowly missing the 2018 NBA Finals. Whether due to Gordon Hayward‘s struggle to return from a gruesome injury, poor team chemistry or Kyrie Irving’s rollercoaster with the media, nothing went right.

Now, Irving, Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier are among the players who can leave via free agency. It might be for the best, and Boston can add even more young talent to their roster, starting with Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke.

A defensive force, Clarke blocked over three shots per game as a 6-foot-8 forward. That’s almost unheard of in basketball at either the college or pro level for a non-seven footer.

The floor is as an undersized center or backup big man, which is fine. Clarke just needs to expand his outside shot to better fit the modern-day NBA. While he had a 36-point game in the NCAA Tournament, all of it happened inside the arc. Few players can survive like that today, so it’s up to the 23 year old to improve in that area.

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