2019 NBA Mock Draft: Pre-Draft Lottery night mock

There’s not much to be said about Zion Williamson that hasn’t already been said. Williamson projects as the clear consensus number one overall pick in a relatively weak draft. He is about bust-proof as a draft prospect can get, posting a ridiculous 40.8 player efficiency rating in his one season at Duke and going on to win the 2019 Naismith College Player of the Year.

At worst, Zion projects as a better version of Julius Randle. At best, he could become an uncanny blend of Charles Barkley and Blake Griffin. This should install enough faith in whoever wins the NBA Draft Lottery this upcoming Tuesday to take him while they can, regardless of his potential fit with the current roster.

However, if the Knicks’ dreams come true and they manage to snag Zion with the top odds in the coming draft lottery, fit may never be a concern. The Knicks have made no effort to hide their pursuit of the big dogs in this summer’s impending free agency. This class of free agents is ripe with top tier point guards and wings, so Zion should have no issue sliding into the Knicks’ lineup regardless of what happens.

With only just over $15 million in guaranteed payroll heading into next season, the Knicks will have enough financial flexibility to add Zion, retain promising pieces like Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson, and still pursue two max level free agents. Zion could also prove to be essential recruiting piece, helping to allure free agents like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to the Big Apple.

If all goes according to plan (if you can trust the Knicks to ever actually have one), New York could potentially vault from NBA cellar dweller status into a legitimate title contender in just one off-season. Zion is a favorite top pick in various 2019 NBA Mock Draft postings done since the end of the 2018-19 college hoops season.