Chicago Bulls: Redrafting the 2019 NBA Draft lottery
By Luke Askew
![NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stand on the court during a NBA game at Smoothie King Center on January 31, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stand on the court during a NBA game at Smoothie King Center on January 31, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/614904ddab4b761df6f77a45738ee6740ed3030fcdce427d81bcb0ab7e57dee6.jpg)
Darius Garland. 9. player. 142. . Point guard. Washington Wizards
Darius Garland is the guy I originally wanted the Chicago Bulls to draft, and I still have high hopes for him, but his rookie year was disappointing. As mentioned when it was time for the Cavs to make their selection, Garland’s immensely underwhelming rookie season was partially a byproduct of playing next to Collin Sexton and having John Beilein as a coach, but some of the blame still has to fall on him.
Garland played and started in 59 of the Cavs’ 65 games this season, averaging slightly over 12 points per game on 40.1 percent shooting from the field and 35.5 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Even more troubling than his scoring inefficiencies and defensive limitations during those 59 games was his ugly assist-to-turnover ratio. On the season, Garland put up 3.9 assists and 2.6 turnovers per game. Again, some of that is a byproduct of playing next to Sexton and thus not playing the true point guard position, but some of it is just that he simply struggled this year.
Garland still has crazy-high upside as a three-level scoring point guard who can create in the pick-and-roll. He just needs more time to get used to the NBA game. Washington is the right spot for him. They desperately need a high-upside guy to pair with Bradley Beal.
Original pick: 5