Atlanta Hawks: Atl All Day Mock Draft 2.0 Full Draft Edition
15. Detroit Pistons
Romeo Langford: Wing – Indiana University
Height:6’6 Weight:202 Age:19.5
Wingspan:6’11 Standing Reach:8’7
Romeo Langford was ranked number five in the high school class by 247sports.com, prior to this past college basketball season. He chose to stay home and play for Indiana. He’s a big guard that can also play small forward. Romeo isn’t an explosive athlete but he’s creative with his dribble, which allows him to get past defenders. He possess a scorer’s mentality, but also makes plays for others. Romeo didn’t shoot the ball particularly well from three point range, but a hand injury is said to be partially responsible for that. Romeo also needs to improve defensively. The Detroit Pistons being strong up front with Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, could use another creative ball handler like Romeo Langford, so it makes sense for him to be slotted here.
ESPN offers a complete scouting video via YouTube, that gives us a great look at Langford’s game:
2018 Stats: Pts:16.5 REB:5.4 APG:2.3 STL:0.8 BLK:0.8 FG%:44.8 2P%:53.0 3P%:27.2 FT%:72.2
16. Orlando Magic
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Guard – VA Tech
Height:6’6 Weight:205 Age:20.7
Wingspan:6’10 Standing Reach:8’6
The Orlando Magic are stocked with forwards. They also have an heir apparent in place with Mo Bamba, should star center Nikola Vucevic depart in free agency. Where Orlando’s lacking is in the backcourt. Particularly the point guard position, as they badly need a floor leader to distribute the ball to all of their talented front court players. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a combo guard, but he has potential to develop into a full time lead guard. He’s a capable three point shooter as well, so if he doesn’t work out as a point guard, he could still become their shooting guard moving forward. He could possibly paired with former number one overall pick Markelle Fultz, as a backcourt of two playmaking combo guards that play off one another, both initiating offense.
Mike Schmitz of ESPN isn’t as high on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, ranking him number 22 on his list of best available players. He gives us this summary on the game of Nikeil Alexander-Walker:
"His greatly increased on-ball duties have done wonders for his draft stock, as he looks much more dynamic on the move. Most importantly, he has shown the vision and ambidextrous live-dribble passing that should allow him to play on the ball some in the NBA. He’s rarely sped up and has the physical profile NBA teams are looking for in a big guard. He’s an instinctual, competitive defender who should be able to check positions 1-3 as his impressive frame continues to fill out. Alexander-Walker is a high-floor prospect who at the very least can knock down spot 3s, think the game at a high level and defend his position."
2018 Stats: Pts:16.2 REB:4.1 APG:4.0 STL:1.9 BLK:0.5 FG%:47.4 2P%:53.7 3P%:37.4 FT%:77.8
17. Brooklyn Nets
PJ Washington: Power Forward – Kentucky
Height:6’8 Weight:230 Age:20.7
Wingspan:7’2 Standing Reach:8’11
The perimeter is the strongest part of the Brooklyn Nets team, led by Deangelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris Levert. They also found a rim protector in Jarrett Allen. The power forward position is the part of their roster that needs upgrading the most. P.J. Washington is the latest in a long line of heralded recruits, to come out of the University of Kentucky and enter the NBA Draft. Though unlike many of his contemporaries, he was not a one and done player, spending two seasons in Lexington. P.J. has all of the physical tools and athleticism, to be a modern NBA power forward. He can also make shots from long range. Washington improved his rebounding considerably from year one to year two. He needs to continue that upward trend, for him to be effective on the glass at the next level.
ESPN’s Mike Schmitz, who has P.J. Washington ranked number 12 on his big board, offered these thoughts:
"Washington compares physically to Rudy Gay, Jerami Grant, and Kawhi Leonard. Taking into account his athletic testing results brings up the name Noah Vonleh as his top comp. Washington has enviable physical tools and will almost certainly hear his name called in the first round if he can find a way to use his tremendous measurements to better perform defensively and on the glass, which didn’t happen consistently enough as a freshman."