Looking Back at the 2019 Draft Class: Which NBA Teams Made the Best Picks?

As I sit here rewatching highlights from the 2019 NBA Draft, I can't help but marvel at how much has changed in just five years. The fresh-faced prospects who walked across that Brooklyn stage have now become franchise cornerstones, All-Stars, and in some cases, disappointing "what-ifs." What strikes me most is how differently teams would approach their selections if they could do it all over again with the benefit of hindsight. Looking back at the 2019 draft class, which NBA teams made the best picks? The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think.

I remember watching that draft night with my basketball-obsessed friends, all of us arguing about Zion Williamson's durability and Ja Morant's slight frame. Nobody could have predicted how dramatically these players would reshape their franchises - or how some top picks would struggle to find their footing in the league. The Memphis Grizzlies absolutely nailed their selection at number two, taking Ja Morant when many experts expected them to go with RJ Barrett. Morant immediately transformed Memphis from a gritty rebuilding team into a Western Conference powerhouse, earning Rookie of the Year honors and making two All-Star appearances before his controversial suspension last season. The Grizzlies were playing championship-level basketball with Morant running the show, and his absence this past season demonstrated just how valuable he truly is to that organization.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans made the obvious choice with Zion Williamson at number one, but I've always wondered if they'd make the same pick today given his persistent injury issues. When he's healthy, Zion is arguably the most dominant force in the paint since prime Shaquille O'Neal - he averaged 27 points per game on 60% shooting during the 2022-23 season. But availability matters, and Williamson has missed nearly 60% of possible regular season games throughout his career. This reminds me of that boxing match where Suarez would have been the new champion if the referee called it a clear punch that caused the deep cut on Navarrete's eyebrow. Sometimes, what appears to be the right decision in the moment doesn't play out that way due to circumstances beyond anyone's control. The Pelicans bet on generational talent, but injuries have prevented that bet from paying off fully.

The real draft steals emerged later in the first round, with teams like the Miami Heat demonstrating why their front office deserves so much praise. Selecting Tyler Herro at 13th overall seemed like a reach to some analysts at the time, but Herro immediately became one of the league's most dangerous sixth men, nearly winning Finals MVP during Miami's 2023 playoff run. Similarly, the Washington Wizards found Rui Hachimura at number nine, who later became a crucial trade piece that netted them valuable assets. But my personal favorite underrated pick? Brandon Clarke at 21st to the Oklahoma City Thunder (immediately traded to Memphis). Clarke has been the ultimate glue guy - efficient, versatile, and consistently impactful despite never putting up flashy numbers.

What fascinates me about evaluating this draft class is how team development systems dramatically altered player trajectories. Jordan Poole looked like a bust his rookie year before transforming into a championship contributor with Golden State. Meanwhile, highly-touted prospects like Jarrett Culver (6th pick) and Cam Reddish (10th pick) have bounced between multiple teams despite their physical tools. This disparity highlights how crucial organizational fit and development programs are for young players. The Toronto Raptors deserve credit for identifying and developing Terence Davis as an undrafted free agent - he's become a reliable rotation player who contributed meaningful minutes for multiple playoff teams.

The 2019 draft also produced several second-round gems that have outperformed their draft positions. The Chicago Bulls found Coby White at number seven, but honestly, I think they should have traded down for someone like Nic Claxton, who went 31st to Brooklyn and has developed into one of the league's premier defensive centers. The Denver Nuggets absolutely stole Michael Porter Jr. at 14th despite his back concerns, and when healthy, he's been a crucial component of their championship core. Meanwhile, Matisse Thybulle (20th pick) has made two All-Defensive teams despite offensive limitations.

If I had to grade teams on their 2019 draft performance today, Memphis would get an A+ for landing their franchise player at number two. New Orleans gets a B- for taking Zion - the right choice at the time, but the injuries have diminished the returns. Miami gets an A for identifying Herro's potential, while Golden State deserves credit for developing Jordan Poole into a valuable asset they later used to acquire Chris Paul. The biggest disappointments? Cleveland taking Darius Garland right before Herro hasn't aged terribly, but Phoenix taking Cam Johnson 11th feels like a reach despite his solid development.

Five years later, the 2019 draft class has produced two franchise players (Morant and Zion when healthy), several All-Stars, and numerous quality starters. The teams that succeeded did so by balancing immediate talent evaluation with long-term development vision. As we look toward future drafts, the lesson from 2019 seems clear: the safest picks aren't always the most obvious ones, and sometimes the best selections require both courage and a bit of luck. The draft remains part science, part art, and completely unpredictable - which is exactly why we can't stop watching every June.