Man, looking back at the 2019 NBA draft results feels like a fever dream. Remember the hype? Zion Williamson was the "sure thing," the kind of athlete who comes around once a generation. Ja Morant was the electric underdog from Murray State. It was supposed to be a top-heavy draft that changed the league's hierarchy for the next decade.
It's been a few years now. Honestly, some of it panned out. Some of it... didn't.
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When the New Orleans Pelicans landed the number one pick with just a 6% chance in the lottery, it felt like destiny. They had just moved on from Anthony Davis, and here was Zion, a 285-pound tank with a 40-inch vertical. But as we see now, the story of this class isn't just about the guys at the top. It’s about the massive value found in the second round and even among the guys who didn't hear their names called at all.
The Top Three: 2019 NBA Draft Results and the Reality Check
The order was etched in stone weeks before June 20, 2019.
- Zion Williamson (Duke) to the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Ja Morant (Murray State) to the Memphis Grizzlies.
- RJ Barrett (Duke) to the New York Knicks.
Zion has been a force of nature—when he’s on the floor. That’s the catch, right? Through his first five seasons, he’s dealt with more injuries than any fan wanted to see. Yet, his efficiency is historical. He’s the only player in the class with fewer than 300 games played who still ranks top-five in total Win Shares. Basically, when he plays, he’s a superstar. When he doesn’t, Pelicans fans are left checking injury reports with a heavy heart.
Ja Morant? He took the league by storm. Rookie of the Year. All-NBA. He turned the Grizzlies from a "Grit and Grind" relic into the most exciting young team in the West. But off-court drama and suspensions have dampened the momentum recently. Still, if you’re looking at pure talent, the Grizzlies nailed that number two pick.
Then there’s RJ Barrett. He was the "savior" for the Knicks for a while before being traded to Toronto. He hasn't reached the All-Star heights of the two guys above him, but he’s been a steady 18-to-20 point-per-game scorer. Sorta the "safe" pick that actually stayed safe.
The Rest of the First Round
After the big three, things got chaotic. The Los Angeles Lakers held the fourth pick but traded it to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis blockbuster. New Orleans then flipped it to Atlanta.
The Hawks used that pick on De'Andre Hunter. He's been a solid 3&D wing, but was he worth the fourth overall? Some say yes, others argue he’s just a high-level role player.
Darius Garland went fifth to Cleveland. This was a gamble. He only played five games at Vanderbilt due to a meniscus injury. It paid off big time. Garland became an All-Star and the engine of a revitalized Cavs team.
The middle of the first round gave us some absolute gems that many teams passed on:
- Coby White (7th, Bulls) – Finally found his rhythm as a high-level starter.
- Tyler Herro (13th, Heat) – A certified bucket-getter who helped Miami reach the Finals.
- Cameron Johnson (11th, Suns) – People laughed at Phoenix for "reaching" for a senior. They aren't laughing now.
- Jordan Poole (28th, Warriors) – He helped win a ring before things got weird in Golden State.
Why the Second Round and Undrafted List Matters
If you want to talk about what people get wrong about the 2019 NBA draft results, look at the bottom of the list. This draft was secretly deep.
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Nic Claxton went 31st overall. He’s now one of the best rim protectors in the league. Daniel Gafford went 38th. He actually leads the entire class in total Win Shares (32.9). Think about that for a second. A guy taken in the second round has contributed more "winning" stats than the generational superstar taken first.
And don't even get me started on the undrafted guys.
Naz Reed didn't get drafted. He’s the Sixth Man of the Year. Luguentz Dort didn't get drafted. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the NBA. Caleb Martin, Max Strus, and Dean Wade? All undrafted. All essential rotation players on playoff teams.
2019 NBA Draft: First Round Results Table (The Big Names)
| Pick | Player | Team | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | 2x All-Star |
| 2 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | 2020 Rookie of the Year |
| 5 | Darius Garland | Cleveland Cavaliers | 2022 All-Star |
| 13 | Tyler Herro | Miami Heat | 2022 Sixth Man of the Year |
| 28 | Jordan Poole | Golden State Warriors | 2022 NBA Champion |
Lessons Learned from 2019
What can we actually take away from these results?
First, "potential" is a double-edged sword. Zion and Ja have the highest ceilings, but their paths have been anything but smooth.
Second, the draft doesn't end at pick 60. The 2019 class proved that scouting "high-floor" college players like Cam Johnson or hunting for undrafted gems like Naz Reed is just as important as winning the lottery.
Third, health is the ultimate stat. If Zion had played 80 games every year, we’d be talking about him in the MVP race. Instead, we’re talking about "what if."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Look past the PPG: Players like Matisse Thybulle (20th) or Brandon Clarke (21st) provide massive value through defense and efficiency, even if they aren't scoring 20 a night.
- Second-round picks are trade assets for a reason: Teams like the Nets (Claxton) and Bulls (Gafford) proved that a 30s-range pick can become a long-term starter.
- Monitor the "Upperclassmen" trend: This draft was a turning point where teams started valuing "ready-now" seniors (like Cam Johnson) over "raw" freshmen (like Jarrett Culver, who struggled).
If you’re tracking how your team is building today, check their history with these 2019 picks. It tells you a lot about whether they value star power or depth.
The 2019 class is still writing its story. We’re seeing these guys enter their prime right now, and the gap between the "busts" and the "sleepers" is finally becoming clear. Keep an eye on the guys like Coby White or Nic Claxton; they might end up being the ones with the longest careers when it's all said and done.
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To see how these players have aged into their current roles, you can track their updated career Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and Win Shares on sites like Basketball-Reference.