2019 Lottery Redraft: How high does Darius Garland go?

Here we have our first major divergence from the original draft. Thus far the original draft position of the new top four was 2, 5, 1, 3. Now Jordan Poole splashes down from the 28th pick as a dynamic and impossibly fast guard with a sniper from outside and an endless motor. Somehow the Golden State Warriors took a player at 28th and in three years turned him into a near-approximation of Stephen Curry.

Poole is a year younger at 22 than Curry was in their third seasons, which for Curry was marred by ankle injuries. Yet it’s telling that while Curry shot better from deep, Poole’s per-game numbers significantly outstrip Curry, from his 2.8 3-pointers per game to his 18.5 points per contest.

The Cleveland Cavaliers can’t draft Darius Garland here, as he went second overall, but instead they get a dynamic offensive guard who can play a similar role. Poole is not the passer than Garland is, but he is probably a better defender at 6’4″ and can play easily at either guard position. His shooting is right there with Garland’s and his speed is insane. The Cavs would have to be quite satisfied with their consolation prize of a guard.