2019 NBA Draft: Updated lottery Big Board for the new year

14. Jaxson Hayes, Texas

Relatively unknown as a prospect for the 2019 NBA Draft at the beginning of the year, Hayes has showcased so much raw talent and potential that most expect him to be a first round pick already.

There’s so much to like about Hayes. His hustle up and down the court is loved by coaches and fans, and explosive athleticism results in huge swats and massive dunks. He may have limited upside as an offensive weapon, but he can flourish in a defined role.

Developing Hayes to reflect a player like Clint Capela seems like the most intriguing option at the time — an athletic, rim-running, pick-and-roll player with untapped defensive potential.

13. De’Andre Hunter, Virginia

As one of the safest prospects coming into this season, Hunter showed his freshman year the role he will likely play throughout his career. This season, the hope was Hunter could show that same promise in an increased role, while showing enough promising offensively to match the defensive excitement.

He has continued to impress defensively and while he won’t likely become a lockdown defender during his career, can pick up on most switches and act as a great team defender. So far with his heavier role as an offensive piece, Hunter’s showed promise with improved play and efficiency. He is playing more minutes, taking more 2-point field goal attempts, 3-point attempts and free throws, and has a higher shooting percentage in all three.

At this stage he’s a slightly worse prospect than similar prospect Mikal Bridges, who went a few picks earlier in a better draft. Look for Hunter to stay around the mid-first round, as he lacks star upside but is solid enough all around to keep him from sliding far.

12. Darius Garland, Vanderbilt

Unfortunately Garland’s season was cut short from injury, but showed enough in his few games to intrigue scouts. A talented combo scoring guard, he should be able to add offensive firepower to a team from day one.

It’s difficult to predict his future value given his questionable playmaking, averaging less than 3.0 assists per game. If he can show the ability to run an offense and distribute the ball at the level of a point guard, his value will skyrocket. He does not have the size or strength to handle shooting guards at the pro level, so must sell his ability as a 1 or he may find himself sliding come draft day.

The excitement stems from incredible shooting, 47.8 percent 3-point shooting on 4.6 attempts per game. Garland forces defenses to stretch out and guard him anywhere on the court, opening up the entire court with the ability to attack the defense or play off-ball as a sniper on the wing.