2019 NBA Draft: 3 elite prospects for tanking teams to watch

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NBA Draft Zion Williamson Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

There is nothing like a little bit of March Madness to cure your NBA Sadness; We explore the three elite NBA Draft prospects to keep an eye on during the NCAA Tournament if you’re a fan of a tanking team

I know why you are here, why you clicked on this page. You are a fan of a tanking NBA team. Don’t worry; you are safe here. My favorite squad, the Los Angeles Lakers, has recently plunged into the depths of the NBA’s Sea of Sadness. Perhaps you’ve been drowning in these solemn, salty waters throughout the year, maybe as a fan of the Knicks, Bulls, Hawks, or any other terrible team. But let’s leave all this behind and focus on the potential positivity this upcoming NBA draft may possibly provide (shoots false hope into veins).

There are various prospects in this March Madness tournament that could seamlessly transition into the league as solid role players. Whether it be a 3-and-D stud like De’Andre Hunter or a rim-running center like Bruno Fernando, potential glue guys can be found everywhere in the tournament.

However, you aren’t here for those types of role players. You are here for the top-notch, elite of the elite prospects. Currently, there are three prospects residing at the top of the mock draft standings: R.J. Barrett, Ja Morant, and Zion Williamson.

Each of these players will have the chance to ball out in the tournament. Ja Morant and Murray State (12) are facing up against a stout Marquette (5) bunch Thursday at 4:30 PM Eastern time. As an underdog, Morant has the opportunity to upset a very good team while delighting hopeful NBA fanbases.

Duke, on the other hand, is the opposite of an underdog in the tournament. They exist as the number one seed in the Eastern bracket, and each game will be must-watch TV. Since Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett, two of the consensus top three prospects, are both on Duke, all you will need to do is turn on every one of their games to possess a good feel for each player.

While Zion certainly sits on the throne right now, some NBA writers and fans prefer either Morant or Barrett. When watching each of the three prospects in the tournament, make sure to hone in on a specific aspects of their games.