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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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Vanderbilt Darius Garland (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Vanderbilt Darius Garland (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Darius Garland. 7. player. 24. . PG. Vanderbilt

Age: 19
Height, Weight: 6-foot-2, 175 pounds
Slash Line: .537/.478/.750
Season Averages: 16.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 2.2 3PM

The Chicago Bulls also faced lottery disappointment. Their NBA Draft could have featured a top-four pick, but the volatile ping pong balls dropped them all the way to seventh, creating a situation of no top-tier prospects in their range.

However, the Bulls can still fill their point guard need at No. 7, as Darius Garland is still available to fill this spot.

Morant and even North Carolina’s Coby White received more attention than Garland, who missed most of the 2018-19 season with an injury. So Vanderbilt only had five games from their top recruit, which resulted in 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game and a promising slash line.

It was a small sample size, though, and not indicative of what he could or could not do in the NBA.

Still, Chicago needs a point guard to dish the ball to Zach LaVine, Otto Porter, Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. Kris Dunn is probably not that player, and while Morant would have been ideal, Garland is an upside play for them at this spot.

Of course, Garland might not slide this far. Teams ahead of the Bulls need a point guard, including the Phoenix Suns ahead of them. Few saw his abilities in college, however, so sitting on the draft board here is realistic.

The New York Knicks could use another point guard option, but reaching for Garland at No. 3 is not the wise play when he can be had lower.

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