2019 NBA Draft Matchups: Will Jarrett Culver Be off the Board Before Darius Garland?

•  2019 NBA Draft picks are going head-to-head in prop betting
• Jarrett Culver and Darius Garland both see projections in the top 4
• Will teams value need over talent in Thursday night’s draft?

We’re just one sleep away from what should be an eventful Thursday night in Brooklyn for the 2019 NBA Draft.

If the lead-up has been any indication, teams are using their picks as filler for deals, the most recent being Mike Conley being shipped to Utah.

It just leads to more uncertainty, but that’s why we’re here. In the latest prop bets pit head-to-head matchups with players ranked in the same draft zone.

Let’s start with two players just outside what’s considered the top 3 of Zion, Ja and RJ.

Drafted First: Jarrett Culver or Darius Garland?

*Odds taken 06/19/19

We know Culver through his exploits as the key cog in taking Texas Tech to within a few possessions of a national title. We know Garland as the darling of draft pundits, a talented point guard that many feel is on par with the top tier of picks.

? HIGHLIGHTS SESSION : JARRETT CULVER ! ? pic.twitter.com/dvh4K08LWq

— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 14, 2019

Of course, leave it to the New York Knicks (or Knicks basketball Twitter) to stir the pot a little bit, suggesting that Garland may be their top target, and not presumptive pick RJ Barrett.

The Knicks held a private workout with Kristaps the day before the NBA Draft. Today, point guard Darius Garland had a private workout with the Knicks.

— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) June 19, 2019

I’m torn because that fourth pick now belongs to New Orleans, with Lonzo Ball in tow as the likely starting point guard. But they also have a lanky point-forward type now in Brandon Ingram. With that, lets lean in on the more dynamic scorer – though more of an unknown.

Pick: Garland (-110) 

Drafted First: Darius Garland or Cam Reddish?

File this under the tab of “Don’t Overthink”. Reddish is a lottery pick, and his case for potential greatness was that he was lost on a roster that features two of the best players in this draft class. Still, for a guy that was supposed to be a lights-out shooter, he shot just 33.3% from college-line three.

? HIGHLIGHTS SESSION : CAM REDDISH ! ? pic.twitter.com/9EJzrZ7CMB

— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 14, 2019

Also, what we failed to mention about Garland up top is he has a Kyrie Irving-lite five game collegiate resume because of a meniscus injury, so forget those freshman stats. Here’s what you should consider: he left the NBA combine early, as he was assured of being a lottery pick. If he tops Culver, he’s easily topping the third Duke wheel.

Pick: Garland (-900)

Drafted First: Cam Reddish or Sekou Doumbouya?

And yet, after all we’ve said about Reddish, he’s physically ready and potentially waiting to be unlocked at the next level, and should be off the board within the top 10. Doumbouya could be all the things that Reddish is already, with the ability to become one of the league’s premier defenders upon arrival into the Association.

Sekou Doumbouya is projected Top Ten in the Draft…he’s a problem ??#ballislife pic.twitter.com/WTRIWiGQZr

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 12, 2019

A lanky wing that can shift between both forward spots and defend multiple positions effectively is the Pascal Siakam everyone wants. Reddish is the safer pick of the two currently, and has the potential to be a really good scorer at the next level.

Pick: Reddish (-170)

Drafted First: Nassir Little or Brandon Clarke?

Leave it to the blue blood collegiate schools with five-star talent dotting their rosters to throw a wrench into people’s plans. Little did … little in his first and only year in North Carolina, but he’s got the size and length (6’6″ with 7-foot wingspan) to be an effective 3-and-D guy at the next level.

I think if would be a mistake to get too dogmatic in thinking what position Brandon Clarke is, who he plays with and doesn’t play with, how he fits, etc. He’s good at virtually everything. His Combine verticality & athleticism were also top 10% for his height range. pic.twitter.com/CXhk9CbmhG

— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) June 19, 2019

Clarke, meanwhile, has shown that he can be an effective pro, so long as his scoring prowess continues to rise. Classic potential vs production. Let’s go with the Canadian here. Did you hear they’re a big thing in this draft?

Pick: Clarke (+255)

Drafted First: Romeo Langford or Tyler Herro?

Another classic debate that will play out on draft night: do you go with the gifted college scorer that can develop his jumper, or do you take the pick that definitely has the one skill that translates into the NBA right now?

19-year-old #Indiana freshman SF prospect Romeo Langford has prototypical physical tools for a #NBA wing at over 6-6 in shoes, with a strong frame and a 6-11 wingspan

The 14th prospect in our top-100 is a smooth + fluid athlete who is at his best with the ball in his hands pic.twitter.com/gDRRxDg9Fx

— DraftExpressContent (@DXContent) June 11, 2019

Herro is the shooter, drilling 35.5% from deep at Kentucky, while Langford couldn’t crack 28% on his 125 attempts last year.  However, the premium skill of shooting takes a backseat here.

Pick: Langford (-125)

Drafted First: Tyler Herro or Keldon Johnson?

We finish it off with a couple of Wildcats duking it out in Brooklyn. Keldon Johnson actually shot it better from deep than Herro (38.1% on 51 fewer attempts), but his offensive game may be limited to spot-up duties, as the rest of his arsenal is limited.

Herro projects as a better asset, as his game has evolved to being a useful player in more than a spot-up role. Johnson does dole out more effort on defense, and that combination is worthy of the value.

Pick: Johnson (+155)