The NBA Draft is fast approaching, and now that we have some clarity on the draft order, we can funnel our energy toward speculating wildly on which team will select which player and when and why.
The Duke alums, of course, are leading the charge, with potentially three players set to be selected in the lottery. Zion Williamson is the runaway favorite to go to New Orleans with the top overall pick, but teammates R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish are projected to be coveted prospects as well.
Our most recent mock draft has Barrett possibly going to the Knicks with the No. 3 pick (though the Knicks have hilariously considered trading down in the draft), and Reddish potentially heading to Atlanta to join a young core headlined by Trae Young and John Collins. Teams might be wary, however, after the latest report that he’ll have to undergo surgery before the draft to repair a lingering issue.
Sources: Cam Reddish will undergo a minor procedure for a core muscle injury. There is a six-week timetable that will have Reddish fully healthy. The core injury nagged him during the Duke season and will now fully heal.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 31, 2019
The good news is that Reddish reportedly won’t have any residual problems after the procedure. Reddish underwhelmed somewhat in his lone season with the Blue Devils, however, as he was overshadowed by Zion.
Prior to the lottery, the Knicks were said to have interest in Reddish as they explored several worst-case scenarios that involved them not landing the No. 1 pick. Reddish and the rest of us will just have to wait and see whether this development scares teams away when the draft kicks off on June 20 from Chicago.
