The Smoking Cuban
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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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PALO ALTO, CA – FEBRUARY 28:Stanford Cardinal forward KZ Okpala (0) at the top of the key before heading to the basket during the game between the Washington State Cougars and Stanford Cardinals on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – FEBRUARY 28:Stanford Cardinal forward KZ Okpala (0) at the top of the key before heading to the basket during the game between the Washington State Cougars and Stanford Cardinals on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. Stanford. 27. 147. Scouting Report. F. KZ Okpala

Stanford was not a team that was on the national stage much this year, which is a shame because I believe many would have really fallen in love with KZ Okpala’s game if they had a chance to watch it regularly. Okpala is coming off a nice sophomore year in which he really put his name out there for those tuned in.

The Brooklyn Nets would love to add some length at the wing position and Okpala is the perfect guy to do so. The Nets didn’t have a consistent starter at the three position this year, but Okpala could fill that perfectly. At 6’8″, Okpala is the perfect size to do some damage at his position in the future.

Okpala is a very dangerous player when the ball is in his hands. He can shoot the lights out, drive to the basket with a quick first step or find a spot to pull up without time for the defender to react. He is also a solid rebounder for his position. His passing ability is good but not necessarily an elite or above average skill for him.

With his size and speed, Okpala should be a much better defender than he has proven to be. Perhaps being in an NBA system will help to solve some of those issues, but it is a little worrisome nonetheless. He is also fairly skinny for his size and may need to get used to taking some bumps while in the key on offense.

Player Comparison: Jayson Tatum

Tatum and Okpala have a similar ability to create their own shots and shoot at a high level from several different ranges. Both are serviceable defenders with the tools to be great but not quite where they want to be just yet.

Next: Golden State Warriors