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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 Rui Hachimura (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Gonzaga Rui Hachimura (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Gonzaga. Rui Hachimura. 5. player. 156. . F

Age: 21
Height, Weight: 6-foot-8, 234 pounds
Slash Line: .591/.417/.739
Season Averages: 19.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 0.4 3PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers also faced disappointment on NBA Draft Lottery Night. From tied odds for the first pick all the way to fifth overall, they will miss on this class’s top three players, a difference from previous lotteries which saw them select Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins.

There is a long, grueling rebuild ahead for the Cavs. It would not be a surprise to see them in an identical position in 2020. Few young parts for the future are in place. They have Kevin Love, but he needs a trade to play for a contender, rather than wasting his 30s on a team years from playoff contention.

Cleveland can find Love’s frontcourt replacement here. While Larry Nance and Tristan Thompson remain on the roster, neither offer the scoring upside of someone like Rui Hachimura.

The Gonzaga product is 6-foot-8, which profiles as the typical small forward. His 234-pound body, however, can work in the paint, although 6.5 rebounds per game leave something to be desired. Still learning the game and improving by the year, that can improve with development.

Hachimura is not the stretch player of Love’s caliber, though. If anything, there is no specific position for the Japanese sensation, but he found an improved shooting stroke as the college season progressed, and the potential is there for higher than 0.4 three-point makes per contest.

Hachimura can even learn behind Love, given Cleveland has little to look forward to. This is a young scorer for the team to be excited for, and if he can learn from a former champion, there is upside for greater success.

No. 3 is too high for Hachimura to the New York Knicks, but if they moved down, he would make for an intriguing addition to Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt.

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