I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2019 NBA Draft like it was yesterday. The energy in Barclays Center was electric, filled with that particular blend of hope and anxiety that only comes when young futures are about to be permanently altered. As someone who's followed the league's talent pipeline for over a decade, I had my own strong opinions about that class. I was firmly in the Zion Williamson camp for the first pick—how could you not be, given his historic collegiate season at Duke?—but I also had a sneaking suspicion about Ja Morant being the true franchise-altering talent. Four years on, it's fascinating, and frankly a bit humbling, to look back and see just how right, and how wrong, we all were. This draft class has become a story of meteoric rises, heartbreaking setbacks, and surprising reinventions, offering a masterclass in how unpredictable an athlete's career trajectory can be.
Zion Williamson's journey has been the most publicized, and in my view, the most frustrating. The raw power and athleticism he displayed in his 61-game rookie season was a revelation. We hadn't seen a force of nature like that since a young Shaquille O'Neal. He averaged a cool 22.5 points and 6.3 rebounds on a ludicrous 58.3% shooting from the field. The future seemed limitless. But then, the injuries started. A meniscus tear, a fractured foot—it felt like a never-ending cycle of anticipation and disappointment. Watching him now, when he's on the court, he's still a dominant force, but the "when" is the operative word. It’s a stark reminder that the most important ability for any professional athlete is availability. His saga makes me worry about the long-term sustainability of a game built so heavily on such explosive, high-impact athleticism.
Then you have Ja Morant, the second pick, who took the league by storm. I’ll admit, I loved his fearlessness from day one. He brought a swagger and a vertical game that instantly made the Memphis Grizzlies must-watch television. Winning the Rookie of the Year award was just the beginning. He led Memphis to a 56-26 record last season, firmly establishing himself as a top-15 player and a perennial All-Star. But his story has taken a troubling turn off the court. The off-court incidents and the subsequent suspensions have cast a shadow over his brilliant play. It’s a classic case of a player battling his own demons, and for the sake of the game, I truly hope he finds his way. His talent is far too special to be wasted.
The third pick, RJ Barrett, has had a more understated but steadily positive career. He was thrown into the fire with the New York Knicks, a tough environment for any young player, and he’s handled it with a maturity beyond his years. He’s not a flashy superstar, but he’s a reliable 20-point-per-game scorer who has improved his playmaking. His recent move to the Toronto Raptors feels like a homecoming and could be the fresh start that unlocks another level in his game. I’ve always appreciated his workmanlike approach; he's the kind of player who helps you win games, even if he doesn't always dominate the headlines.
But for me, the real gem of this draft, the player I’ve grown to admire most, is Darius Garland. Selected fifth by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he had a rocky start, but my goodness, has he blossomed. His handle is pure poetry, and his court vision is elite. He’s the engine of a resurgent Cavaliers team, forming one of the most dynamic young backcourts in the league with Donovan Mitchell. His All-Star selection in 2022 was completely deserved and signaled his arrival as a premier point guard. He represents the success story every team hopes for when they draft a player with clear skill but an uncertain transition to the pros.
Of course, no re-evaluation of this draft is complete without discussing its international flavor. The meteoric rise of Jordan Poole, picked 28th by the Golden State Warriors, is the stuff of legend. He went from looking lost in the G-League to being an absolute flamethrower and a crucial piece of a championship team in just a few seasons. His story is a testament to development and seizing an opportunity. On the other end of the spectrum is Luka Šamanić, the 19th pick, who has bounced around the league, struggling to find a consistent role. His journey reminds us that not every prospect, even a first-rounder, finds their footing.
This brings me to a broader point about player development, something that was crystallized for me by a quote I came across from a player outside the NBA, a guy named Carlos, discussing his own injury rehab. He said, "It was a bit complicated kasi, 'yung injury ko. We had to figure out talaga kung ano 'yung magwo-work sa'kin." That sentiment, even in another language and another league, rings so true for so many of these 2019 draftees. "It was a bit complicated because of my injury. We had to figure out what would really work for me." That’s the unglamorous reality for so many athletes. It’s not just about talent; it’s about finding the right medical staff, the right training regimen, the right system, and the right mental approach. You see this with Zion and his ongoing battle to get his body right. You see it with a player like Matisse Thybulle, who has had to reinvent himself as a defensive specialist to stay on the court. The draft is just the starting line; the real race is the grueling, complicated process of building a career.
Looking back, the 2019 NBA Draft class is a tapestry of what-ifs and success stories. It gave us undeniable superstars like Morant and Garland, solid franchise cornerstones like Barrett, and late-round steals like Poole. But it also serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of professional sports. The physical and mental toll is immense, and the path is never a straight line. As a fan and an analyst, I’ve learned to temper my immediate judgments. A player's story is written over years, not in a single draft night. This class, more than most, has taught me to appreciate the journey—the comebacks, the adjustments, and the sheer resilience required to make it at the highest level. They’re not finished products yet, and that’s what makes their ongoing stories so compelling to watch.