While Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett are viewed as virtual locks to follow Zion Williamson off the board on draft night, point guard Darius Garland is still receiving serious consideration at No. 3, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony (Twitter link). A source tells Givony that Garland will be conducting a last-minute workout with the Knicks tomorrow.
According to Keith Smith of RealGM (Twitter link), there are people around the NBA who believe it’s a mistake to view this as a three-player draft, since that view discounts Garland. There are even some evaluators who consider Garland 2019’s second-best prospect, Smith adds. ESPN’s Jordan Schultz (Twitter link) has also heard rave reviews for Garland from various league sources.
A source tells Givony (Twitter link) that Garland is 100% healthy again after undergoing knee surgery in November, and should be fine to participate in Summer League play. Garland’s private pre-draft workouts have been impressive, per Givony, who names the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Bulls that have worked out the 19-year-old.
Despite his rising stock, Garland is still unlikely to crack the top three ahead of Morant or Barrett. Marc Berman of The New York Post tweets that the Knicks are doing their due diligence on the former Vanderbilt point guard.
However, Garland is also receiving plenty of interest at No. 4, Givony notes. According to Givony, the Timberwolves, Celtics, and Bulls are among the teams that have considered the possibility of trading up to No. 4, with Garland in mind. The Pelicans currently hold the fourth overall pick as a result of the Anthony Davis blockbuster with the Lakers.
The Hawks are also among the teams that have aggressively explored trading up, using the Nos. 8 and 10 overall picks, a source tells Givony (Twitter link). Givony writes that the Knicks rebuffed that package for No. 3, but the Pelicans may be considering it for No. 4. It’s not clear which player the Hawks, who have promising young point guard Trae Young under contract long-term, would be targeting.
Get it done Danny !!
Kings pick, grizzlies pick next year, and maybe another one of their 1sts this year could be enough to jump up to 4
That’s crazy never would Danny do that
If I was Atlanta I’d only trade up if the Knicks take Garland cuz he and Trae would be too small of backcourt imo but RJ would be a great fit. Think Nola would look great too if they could trade down and get Sekou and Hayes to pair with Zion, just like my dubs did u gotta build the defense first and Lonzo, Jrue, Sekou, Zion and Jaxson would be a force on D
Garland to Bulls … book it!
It’s going to be interesting on draft night for Garland. Bulls vs PHX
But Coby White is a nice back up plan IMO. Cavs will probably draft Culliver or Hunter, depending on who is between the two at #5
Memphis should draft Barrett, Morant has superstar potential but a one-two punch of Barrett and Jaren would be more potent. They could sign Rubio in free-agency to run point.
I actually felt like he would be a good fit for the Bulls, among the options theyd have at that spot.
In regards to it being a deeper draft than the perception, I do think it is weaker than it has been recently, but I also think there is value both in and out of the draft, as there generally is every year. Perception is that rotation players dont matter, but thats not true. Fit and player development are much more important than anything nowadays with these young players. Talent level isnt far off from each other in certain areas anymore, for the most part
Garland to Celtics……book it!
The Bulls don’t need to be trading any core pieces to move up. Take the 7th pick or trade down. I have zero faith in the Bulls front office to pull off a blockbuster trade prior to the draft that will actually benefit the Bulls.