Looking back at the 2019 NBA Draft, I can't help but feel it was one of those transitional years that really shaped the league's current landscape. As someone who's followed basketball drafts for over a decade, I've learned that you can't truly judge a draft class until at least three or four years down the line. Now that we're here, the winners and losers have become pretty clear to me. What fascinates me most about this particular draft is how it produced both franchise-changing talents and some pretty significant misses that teams are still recovering from today.
The clear winner from that night has to be the Memphis Grizzlies landing Ja Morant with the second overall pick. I remember watching his highlights at Murray State and thinking he had that special explosive quality you can't teach. The Grizzlies took a calculated risk given his smaller school background, but my goodness did it pay off. Morant immediately transformed their franchise, winning Rookie of the Year and quickly developing into an All-Star. His athleticism is just unreal - I've never seen a player quite like him when he's attacking the rim with that fearless mentality. The Grizzlies went from being a rebuilding team to playoff contenders almost overnight because of this pick. They absolutely nailed it.
On the flip side, I can't help but feel the New York Knicks really botched their third overall selection of RJ Barrett. Now, don't get me wrong - Barrett has developed into a solid NBA player, but when you pick that high, you're looking for a franchise cornerstone. The Knicks passed on Darius Garland, who went fifth to Cleveland and has become an All-Star caliber point guard. I've always felt Garland's shooting and playmaking would have been perfect for New York's needs. Barrett's efficiency issues that were concerns coming out of Duke have persisted in the NBA, and while he's serviceable, he hasn't moved the needle for that franchise in the way you'd hope from a top-three pick.
What really stands out to me about this draft class is the incredible value found later in the first round. The Miami Heat selecting Tyler Herro at 13th overall was an absolute steal. I've always appreciated Pat Riley's eye for talent, and Herro's confident scoring ability has been crucial to Miami's recent success. Then there's Jordan Poole going 28th to Golden State - another brilliant late find. Poole developed into a key contributor for a championship team, showing that sometimes the best values aren't in the lottery at all. These picks demonstrate how important scouting and development are beyond just the top selections.
The international prospects in this draft particularly interest me, having spent time studying global basketball development. Brandon Clarke going 21st to Memphis after being traded from Oklahoma City was another smart move. His efficient, high-energy game has been perfect for the modern NBA. But the player I find most fascinating is Matisse Thybulle at 20th to Philadelphia. His defensive instincts are just extraordinary - I've rarely seen a player with his anticipation and length combination. While his offensive game remains limited, his defensive impact makes him one of the better values in this draft.
Now, when we talk about losers, I have to mention the Phoenix Suns passing on several better prospects to select Cameron Johnson 11th overall. Johnson has developed into a reliable three-point shooter, but that's awfully high for a role player when you consider who was still available. The Suns could have had Herro, Clarke, or even Thybulle - all of whom I believe would have provided more value. This pick always struck me as a reach, and while Johnson helped them reach the Finals in 2021, I wonder if they left better talent on the board.
The second round had its share of interesting developments too. The most notable being the Warriors drafting Eric Paschall 41st overall, who made the All-Rookie First Team. Paschall's strong rookie season showed that talent can be found throughout the draft. What's interesting to me is how his career has evolved since - he's become more of a rotational player, but that initial production was tremendous value for a second-round pick. This demonstrates why teams need to have strong development systems in place for their later selections.
Thinking about team building more broadly, it reminds me of situations like the one described in our knowledge base about Meralco Bolts having ready replacements in DJ Kennedy and Ange Kouame for their East Asia Super League campaign. Smart teams always plan for contingencies, much like how the best drafting teams build depth throughout their roster. The teams that succeeded in the 2019 draft didn't just hit on their first pick - they found value throughout, creating sustainable competitive advantages.
As I reflect on this draft class four years later, what strikes me is how it reinforced certain drafting principles. The most successful teams trusted their evaluation processes rather than following consensus. Memphis with Morant, Miami with Herro, Golden State with Poole - these weren't necessarily the popular choices at the time, but they fit specific team needs and organizational strengths. The teams that reached for perceived fit over clear talent tend to be the ones regretting their decisions today. This draft class serves as an excellent case study in the importance of conviction in player evaluation and the value of finding contributors throughout the draft rather than just at the top. The impacts of these decisions will continue to shape the NBA for years to come.