NBA: Ceilings, floors, and comparisons for the 2019 draft lottery picks
By Cole Raines
With the last lottery pick of the 2019 draft, the Celtics took Romeo Langford, the scoring wing out of Indiana.
Langford was a very highly touted prospect coming into Indiana with good reason. His length and knack for putting the ball in the basket should transition well into the NBA. Langford has the physical tools to have an immediate impact in the league. Carrying the offensive load, he displayed good ability to create his own shot, and finishing in the paint is another skill Langford showed. Defensively, he is a very quick and agile wing, and defended on the ball well.
Langford could be a multiple time All-Star throughout his career, assuming he is an average defender, and the scoring ability transitions into the NBA. There are some knocks on Langford, off ball defending and his 3 point shot struggled at Indiana, but his free throw percentage and form show he could develop that shot. If neither develop, Langford can still be an effective player for the Celtics, scoring off the bench and transition play will help him find a role.
NBA Comparison: Will Barton
Langford is about 20 pounds heavier than Barton, but the height and wingspan are similar to both. Barton is aggressive when attacking the basket, similar to what Langford showed at Indiana. Langford has quick feet and is very agile when defending the ball.
Barton is an above average on ball defender as well. Maybe Langford develops that three point shot, and shows he can be a consistent scorer at the next level, but for now, Barton seems to be the best comparison.