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NBA Draft: 2019 Mock 2.0: If the Dallas Mavericks land in top 4

By Kohl Rast

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels speaks with Nassir Little #5 during their game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels speaks with Nassir Little #5 during their game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. F. North Carolina. 86. Scouting Report. Nassir Little. 10

We have talked a lot about guys who have exceeded expectations in college, but this time we have to look at things the other way. Coming into this season, some projected Nassir Little to finish in the conversation of a top 5 pick in the draft. A rough year where he was not a major player for his #1 seeded Tar Heels did not help his draft stock.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a confusing team that probably needs help in a lot of areas as they have fallen from grace as of late. The most pressing need may be a point guard, but a solid forward that they can pair with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins could be very helpful for the team.

Little’s strength is in his length. He is 6’6″ but has a 7’1″ wingspan. This allows him to defend multiple positions at a near elite level. Pair this with impressive rebounding and shot blocking and you have a potential lock down defender in the making. He wasn’t asked to score a lot at UNC, but he showed that he can be dangerous attacking the rim.

Little does not have a shot that you would prefer to see from a 6’6″ wing. He has shown potential shooting the long ball, but it is far from developed into a reliable skill at this point. He is still a very raw player, relying on his athleticism more often than not, but his defensive ability will undoubtedly turn some heads.

Player Comparison: Gerald Wallace

I don’t love this comparison but I didn’t feel right comparing him to Kawhi Leonard, who’s defensive abilities and size are more similar to Little, but Gerald Wallace is a pretty good comparison too. Little is hoping to be a better defender, but his offensive game would probably be at its peak if it reached Wallace’s level.

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