Who Were the Biggest Winners and Losers of the 2019 NBA Draft?

Looking back at the 2019 NBA Draft, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically some careers have diverged in just a few years. As someone who's followed basketball drafts for over a decade, I've learned that evaluating picks requires looking beyond just the lottery selections - sometimes the real value emerges from unexpected places. The draft class of 2019 has proven particularly fascinating because while we've seen some spectacular successes, we've also witnessed several promising careers derailed by injuries and circumstances beyond anyone's control.

When I first analyzed this draft class, Zion Williamson going first overall seemed like the safest bet in years. The Pelicans got exactly what they expected - when he plays. The problem, and it's a massive one, is that he's missed 194 out of a possible 308 regular season games through his first four seasons. That's an astonishing 63% of games missed. I've never seen a player with so much promise struggle so consistently with availability. Meanwhile, Ja Morant at number two has become the face of the Grizzlies franchise, averaging 27.1 points and 8.1 assists in the 2022-23 season before his suspension. The contrast between these two top picks couldn't be more stark - one battling injuries, the other battling personal demons.

The real steal of the draft, in my professional opinion, was Jordan Poole at pick 28. Watching him develop from a raw prospect into a crucial component of Golden State's 2022 championship run was one of the most satisfying developments I've witnessed. His 2022 playoff performance where he averaged 17.0 points on 50% shooting from the field and 39% from three demonstrated exactly why late-first round picks can transform franchises. On the flip side, RJ Barrett at number three has been solid but unspectacular - the kind of player who puts up decent numbers but hasn't moved the needle significantly for the Knicks.

What fascinates me most about draft analysis is how team context and development systems impact outcomes. Take Tyler Herro, selected 13th by Miami - he landed in perhaps the perfect organization for his skill set. Miami's development program has consistently maximized offensive talents, and Herro's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2022 and subsequent growth into a 20-point scorer demonstrates this perfectly. Meanwhile, Jarrett Culver, picked sixth by Minnesota, serves as a cautionary tale about how the wrong situation can stall a promising career. He's already played for three teams and averaged just 5.8 points last season.

The international prospects from this draft deserve special attention. Rui Hachimura, selected ninth by Washington, has developed into a reliable rotation player, though I'd argue he hasn't quite reached the potential many scouts projected. More interesting to me has been watching players like Ange Kouame develop outside the NBA system. While researching for this piece, I came across his situation with the Bolts in the East Asia Super League, where teams like theirs have ready replacements like DJ Kennedy and Kouame waiting in the wings when injuries strike. This kind of depth planning demonstrates how global basketball development has evolved - teams now cultivate talent across multiple leagues and continents.

Injury impacts on this draft class have been particularly brutal. Darius Garland at number five has shown all-star potential when healthy, but like Zion, his availability has been inconsistent. Meanwhile, Matisse Thybulle at 20 has become one of the league's premier defenders despite offensive limitations - proof that specialists still have tremendous value. What surprises me most is how little attention some of the second-round successes have received. Terance Mann, picked 48th, has developed into a crucial rotation piece for the Clippers, while undrafted Max Strus has become a starting-caliber player.

Reflecting on the four years since this draft, the biggest winner in my assessment has to be the Memphis Grizzlies. They not only landed their franchise player in Morant but also secured Brandon Clarke at 21, who's developed into one of the league's most efficient role players. The biggest loser? Probably the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected Darius Garland fifth overall - a fine player, but passing on Tyler Herro and Jordan Poole looks questionable in retrospect. Though to be fair, Garland did make his first All-Star team in 2023, so perhaps that assessment needs revisiting.

The evolution of this draft class tells us something important about modern NBA roster construction. Teams are increasingly valuing shooting and versatility over traditional positional fits, and the successes of players like Herro, Poole, and Cameron Johnson (picked 11th) reinforce this trend. What's become clear to me through tracking these careers is that draft success isn't just about picking the right players - it's about developing them properly and putting them in positions to succeed. The Warriors turning Jordan Poole into a champion and the Heat developing Tyler Herro into a primary scorer demonstrate how crucial organizational development systems have become.

As we look toward the future of this draft class, I'm particularly curious to see how Zion Williamson's career trajectory develops. At his best, he's one of the most dominant forces I've ever seen - his 2020-21 season where he averaged 27.0 points on 61% shooting was historically efficient. But basketball history is filled with "what if" stories about talented players derailed by injuries. The real test for these players begins now, as they approach their second contracts and the expectations that come with them. What I know for certain is that the 2019 draft will be remembered as one of the most intriguing classes in recent memory, full of spectacular highs and disappointing lows that continue to shape the NBA landscape today.