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2019 NBA draft
2019 NBA draft
2019 NBA draft
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2019 NBA draft
General information
SportBasketball
DateJune 20, 2019
LocationBarclays Center (Brooklyn, New York)
NetworksESPN, Yahoo Sports
Overview
60 total selections in 2 rounds
LeagueNBA
First selectionZion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
← 2018
2020 →

The 2019 NBA draft was held on June 20, 2019. It took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur United States college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. It was televised nationally on ESPN. State Farm was the presenting sponsor of the NBA draft for the eighth consecutive year.[1] This draft was the first to feature a new weighted lottery system in which the three worst teams each had a 14 percent chance of winning the lottery;[2] these teams were the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns. The lottery took place on May 14, during the NBA playoffs. Three of the four teams who held the top four picks of the draft this year rose up from at least six spots in the lottery, including the New Orleans Pelicans, who won the first pick with 6 percent odds.[3] The Pelicans used that pick on Duke forward Zion Williamson. After Williamson, his college teammates R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish were drafted in the top 10 as part of a talented Duke roster.[4] This draft included the first Japanese player to be selected in the first round, as well as the first Angolan player to be selected.

Draft selections

[edit]
Zion Williamson was selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. He is one of three Duke players drafted as lottery picks.
Ja Morant was selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. He went on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors for the 2019–20 season.
RJ Barrett, another Duke player, was selected third overall by the New York Knicks.
Darius Garland was selected fifth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Coby White was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls.
Tyler Herro was selected thirteenth overall by the Miami Heat.
Goga Bitadze was selected eighteenth overall by the Indiana Pacers.
Jordan Poole was selected twenty-eighth overall by the Golden State Warriors.
Nicolas Claxton was selected thirty-first overall by the Brooklyn Nets.
Terance Mann was selected forty-eighth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
PG Point guard SG Shooting guard SF Small forward PF Power forward C Center
* Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game and All-NBA Team
+ Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game
x Denotes player who has been selected for at least one All-NBA Team
# Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular-season or playoff game
~ Denotes player who has been selected as Rookie of the Year
Rnd. Pick Player Pos. Nationality[n 1] Team School / club team
1 1 Zion Williamson+ PF  United States New Orleans Pelicans Duke (Fr.)
1 2 Ja Morant*~ PG  United States Memphis Grizzlies Murray State (So.)
1 3 RJ Barrett SG/SF  Canada New York Knicks Duke (Fr.)
1 4 De'Andre Hunter SF  United States Los Angeles Lakers (traded to Atlanta via New Orleans)[i][ii] Virginia (So.)
1 5 Darius Garland+ PG  United States Cleveland Cavaliers Vanderbilt (Fr.)
1 6 Jarrett Culver SG  United States Phoenix Suns (traded to Minnesota)[iii] Texas Tech (So.)
1 7 Coby White PG  United States Chicago Bulls North Carolina (Fr.)
1 8 Jaxson Hayes C  United States Atlanta Hawks (traded to New Orleans)[ii] Texas (Fr.)
1 9 Rui Hachimura PF  Japan Washington Wizards Gonzaga (Jr.)
1 10 Cam Reddish SF  United States Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas)[A] Duke (Fr.)
1 11 Cameron Johnson SF  United States Minnesota Timberwolves (traded to Phoenix)[iii] North Carolina (Sr.)
1 12 P. J. Washington PF  United States Charlotte Hornets Kentucky (So.)
1 13 Tyler Herro+ SG  United States Miami Heat Kentucky (Fr.)
1 14 Romeo Langford SG  United States Boston Celtics (from Sacramento via Philadelphia)[B] Indiana (Fr.)
1 15 Sekou Doumbouya SF  France[n 2] Detroit Pistons Limoges CSP (France)
1 16 Chuma Okeke PF  United States Orlando Magic Auburn (So.)
1 17 Nickeil Alexander-Walker SG  Canada Brooklyn Nets (traded to New Orleans via Atlanta)[iv][ii] Virginia Tech (So.)
1 18 Goga Bitadze C  Georgia Indiana Pacers Mega Bemax (Serbia)
1 19 Luka Šamanić PF  Croatia San Antonio Spurs Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
1 20 Matisse Thybulle SF  Australia[n 3] Boston Celtics (from L.A. Clippers via Memphis;[C] traded to Philadelphia)[a] Washington (Sr.)
1 21 Brandon Clarke PF  Canada
 United States[n 4] 		Oklahoma City Thunder (traded to Memphis)[v] Gonzaga (Jr.)
1 22 Grant Williams PF  United States Boston Celtics Tennessee (Jr.)
1 23 Darius Bazley SF  United States Utah Jazz (traded to Oklahoma City via Memphis)[vi][v] Princeton HS (Sharonville, Ohio; HS Sr.)
1 24 Ty Jerome PG  United States Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Boston;[a] traded to Phoenix)[vii] Virginia (Jr.)
1 25 Nassir Little SF  United States Portland Trail Blazers North Carolina (Fr.)
1 26 Dylan Windler SF  United States Cleveland Cavaliers (from Houston)[D] Belmont (Sr.)
1 27 Mfiondu Kabengele C  Canada Brooklyn Nets (from Denver;[E] traded to L.A. Clippers)[b] Florida State (So.)
1 28 Jordan Poole SG  United States Golden State Warriors Michigan (So.)
1 29 Keldon Johnson SF  United States San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto)[F] Kentucky (Fr.)
1 30 Kevin Porter Jr. SG  United States Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Detroit;[c] later traded to Cleveland)[viii] USC (Fr.)
2 31 Nic Claxton PF  U.S. Virgin Islands Brooklyn Nets (from New York via Philadelphia)[G] Georgia (So.)
2 32 KZ Okpala SF  Nigeria[n 5] Phoenix Suns (traded to Miami)[ix] Stanford (So.)
2 33 Carsen Edwards PG  United States Philadelphia 76ers (from Cleveland via New York and Orlando;[H][I][J] traded to Boston)[a] Purdue (Jr.)
2 34 Bruno Fernando C  Angola Philadelphia 76ers (from Chicago via L.A. Lakers;[K] traded to Atlanta)[x] Maryland (So.)
2 35 Didi Louzada SF  Brazil Atlanta Hawks (traded to New Orleans)[ii] Sesi/Franca (Brazil)
2 36 Cody Martin SF  United States Charlotte Hornets (from Washington via Atlanta, Denver, and Orlando)[L] Nevada (Sr.)
2 37 Deividas Sirvydis SF  Lithuania Dallas Mavericks (traded to Detroit)[xi] Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania)
2 38 Daniel Gafford C  United States Chicago Bulls (from Memphis)[M] Arkansas (So.)
2 39 Alen Smailagić C  Serbia New Orleans Pelicans (traded to Golden State)[d] Santa Cruz Warriors (G League)
2 40 Justin James SG  United States Sacramento Kings (from Minnesota via Cleveland and Portland)[N] Wyoming (Sr.)
2 41 Eric Paschall PF  United States Golden State Warriors (from L.A. Lakers via Indiana, Cleveland and Atlanta)[O] Villanova (Sr.)
2 42 Admiral Schofield SF  United States[n 6] Philadelphia 76ers (from Sacramento via Milwaukee and Brooklyn;[P][Q] traded to Washington)[e] Tennessee (Sr.)
2 43 Jaylen Nowell SG  United States Minnesota Timberwolves (from Miami via Charlotte)[R] Washington (So.)
2 44 Bol Bol C  United States
South Sudan[n 7] 		Miami Heat (from Charlotte via Atlanta;[S] traded to Denver)[f] Oregon (Fr.)
2 45 Isaiah Roby SF  United States Detroit Pistons (from Detroit via Oklahoma City and Boston;[T] traded to Dallas)[xi] Nebraska (Jr.)
2 46 Talen Horton-Tucker SG  United States Orlando Magic (from Brooklyn via Charlotte and Memphis;[U] traded to L.A. Lakers)[g] Iowa State (Fr.)
2 47 Ignas Brazdeikis SF  Canada[n 8] Sacramento Kings (from Orlando via New York;[I][V] traded to New York)[h] Michigan (Fr.)
2 48 Terance Mann SF  United States Los Angeles Clippers Florida State (Sr.)
2 49 Quinndary Weatherspoon SG  United States San Antonio Spurs Mississippi State (Sr.)
2 50 Jarrell Brantley PF  United States Indiana Pacers (traded to Utah)[i] Charleston (Sr.)
2 51 Tremont Waters PG  Puerto Rico[n 9] Boston Celtics LSU (So.)
2 52 Jalen McDaniels PF  United States Charlotte Hornets (from Oklahoma City)[W] San Diego State (So.)
2 53 Justin Wright-Foreman PG  United States Utah Jazz Hofstra (Sr.)
2 54 Marial Shayok SG  Canada[n 10] Philadelphia 76ers Iowa State (Sr.)
2 55 Kyle Guy SG  United States New York Knicks (from Houston;[X] traded to Sacramento)[h] Virginia (Jr.)
2 56 Jaylen Hands# PG  United States Los Angeles Clippers (from Portland via Orlando and Detroit;[Y] traded to Brooklyn)[b] UCLA (So.)
2 57 Jordan Bone PG  United States New Orleans Pelicans (from Denver via Milwaukee;[Z] traded to Detroit via Atlanta and Philadelphia)[ii][x][xii] Tennessee (Jr.)
2 58 Miye Oni SG  Nigeria[89] Golden State Warriors (traded to Utah)[j] Yale (Jr.)
2 59 Dewan Hernandez PF  United States Toronto Raptors Miami (Jr.)
2 60 Vanja Marinković# SG  Serbia Sacramento Kings (from Milwaukee)[P] Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)

Draft order and selections adapted from NBA website.[91][92]

Notable undrafted players

[edit]
Further information: List of undrafted NBA players

These players were not selected in the 2019 NBA draft, but have played at least one game in the NBA.

Naz Reid went undrafted and was selected as NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2024.
Player Pos. Nationality School/club team
Kyle Alexander PF/C  Canada Tennessee (Sr.)
Keljin Blevins SG  United States Montana State (Sr.)
Marques Bolden C  United States[n 11] Duke (Jr.)
Brian Bowen SF/SG  United States Sydney Kings (Australia)
Ky Bowman PG  United States Boston College (Jr.)
Oshae Brissett SF  Canada Syracuse (So.)
Armoni Brooks SG  United States Houston (Jr.)
Charlie Brown Jr. SF  United States Saint Joseph's (So.)
Moses Brown C  United States UCLA (Fr.)
Shaq Buchanan SG  United States Murray State (Sr.)
Devontae Cacok PF  United States UNC Wilmington (Sr.)
Devin Cannady PG  United States Princeton (Sr.)
Ahmad Caver PG  United States Old Dominion (Sr.)
Zylan Cheatham SF  United States Arizona State (Sr.)
Chris Clemons PG  United States Campbell (Sr.)
Amir Coffey SG  United States Minnesota (Jr.)
Tyler Cook PF  United States Iowa (Jr.)
Terence Davis SG  United States Ole Miss (Sr.)
Luguentz Dort SG  Canada Arizona State (Fr.)
Tacko Fall C  Senegal UCF (Sr.)
Robert Franks PF  United States Washington State (Sr.)
Hassani Gravett PG  United States South Carolina (Sr.)
Donta Hall PF/C  United States[n 12] Alabama (Sr.)
Tyler Hall SG  United States Montana State (Sr.)
Jared Harper PG  United States Auburn (Jr.)
Jaylen Hoard SF  France[n 13] Wake Forest (Fr.)
DaQuan Jeffries SG/SF  United States Tulsa (Sr.)
Louis King SF  United States Oregon (Fr.)
John Konchar SG  United States Purdue Fort Wayne (Sr.)
Vic Law SF  United States Northwestern (Sr.)
Jalen Lecque PG  United States Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, New Hampshire; HS Pg.)
Caleb Martin SG/SF  United States Nevada (Sr.)
Jeremiah Martin PG  United States Memphis (Sr.)
Garrison Mathews SG  United States Lipscomb (Sr.)
Jack McVeigh PF  Australia Nebraska (Jr.)
Adam Mokoka SG  France Mega Bemax (Serbia)
Matt Mooney SG  United States Texas Tech (Sr.)
Juwan Morgan F  United States Indiana (Sr.)
Zach Norvell Jr. SG  United States Gonzaga (So.)
Tariq Owens F  United States Texas Tech (Sr.)
Shamorie Ponds PG  United States St. John's (Jr.)
Jontay Porter PF  United States Missouri (So.)
Josh Reaves SG  Bolivia[n 14] Penn State (Sr.)
Naz Reid PF/C  United States LSU (Fr.)
Justin Robinson PG  United States Virginia Tech (Sr.)
Chris Silva PF  Gabon South Carolina (Sr.)
Max Strus SG  United States DePaul (Sr.)
Rayjon Tucker SG  United States Little Rock (Jr.)
Dean Wade PF  United States Kansas State (Sr.)
Lindell Wigginton SG  Canada Iowa State (So.)

Trades involving draft picks

[edit]

Pre-draft trades

[edit]

Prior to the day of the draft, the following trades were made and resulted in exchanges of draft picks between the teams below.

  1. ^ June 21, 2018: Dallas Mavericks to Atlanta Hawks[14]
    • Atlanta acquired the draft rights to Trae Young and a protected 2019 first-round pick
    • Dallas acquired the draft rights to Luka Dončić
  2. ^ July 10, 2015: Sacramento Kings to Philadelphia 76ers[15] June 23, 2017: Philadelphia 76ers to Boston Celtics[16]
    • Boston acquired a 2017 first-round pick (No. 3 - Jayson Tatum) and a 2019 first-round pick
    • Philadelphia acquired a 2017 first-round pick (No. 1 - Markelle Fultz)
  3. ^ February 18, 2016: Los Angeles Clippers to Memphis Grizzlies[19] June 23, 2016: Memphis Grizzlies to Boston Celtics[20]
  4. ^ February 7, 2019: Houston Rockets to Cleveland Cavaliers (three-team trade with Sacramento)[27]
  5. ^ February 7, 2019: Denver Nuggets to Brooklyn Nets[28]
  6. ^ July 18, 2018: Toronto Raptors to San Antonio Spurs[30]
  7. ^ October 27, 2014: New York Knicks to Philadelphia 76ers[33] December 7, 2017: Philadelphia 76ers to Brooklyn Nets[34]
  8. ^ January 5, 2015: Cleveland Cavaliers to New York Knicks (three-team trade with Oklahoma City)[38]
  9. ^ a b July 9, 2015: New York Knicks to Orlando Magic[39]
    • Orlando acquired cash considerations and the right to swap 2019 second-round picks between New York and Orlando
    • New York Knicks acquired Kyle O'Quinn via a sign-and-trade deal
  10. ^ February 7, 2019: Orlando Magic to Philadelphia 76ers[40]
  11. ^ July 7, 2016: Chicago Bulls to Los Angeles Lakers[41]
    • Los Angeles Lakers acquired José Calderón and two future second-round picks
    • Chicago acquired the draft rights to Ater Majok
    July 6, 2018: Los Angeles Lakers to Philadelphia 76ers[42]
    • Philadelphia acquired cash considerations and a 2019 second-round pick
    • Los Angeles Lakers acquired Isaac Bonga
  12. ^ June 26, 2015: Washington Wizards to Atlanta Hawks (three-team trade with New York)[45] July 6, 2017: Atlanta Hawks to Denver Nuggets (three-team trade with L.A. Clippers)[46] July 21, 2018: Denver Nuggets to Orlando Magic[47] July 7, 2018: Orlando Magic to Charlotte Hornets (three-team trade with Chicago)[48]
  13. ^ January 3, 2019: Memphis Grizzlies to Chicago Bulls[50]
  14. ^ June 25, 2015: Minnesota Timberwolves to Cleveland Cavaliers[52] July 27, 2015: Cleveland Cavaliers to Portland Trail Blazers[53]
    • Portland acquired Brendan Haywood, Mike Miller, the more favorable 2019 second-round pick between Minnesota and L.A. Lakers, and a 2020 second-round pick
    • Cleveland acquired cash considerations
    June 21, 2018: Portland Trail Blazers to Sacramento Kings[54]
    • Sacramento acquired the more favorable 2019 second-round pick between Minnesota and L.A. Lakers, and a protected 2020 second-round pick
    • Portland acquired the draft rights to Gary Trent Jr.
  15. ^ July 8, 2015: Los Angeles Lakers to Indiana Pacers[55]
    • Indiana acquired a 2019 second-round pick
    • Los Angeles Lakers acquired Roy Hibbert
    July 23, 2015: Indiana Pacers to Cleveland Cavaliers[56] October 14, 2017: Cleveland Cavaliers to Atlanta Hawks[57] June 20, 2019 (prior to the draft): Atlanta Hawks to Golden State Warriors[58]
    • Golden State acquired a 2019 second-round pick
    • Atlanta acquired a 2024 second-round pick and cash considerations
  16. ^ a b July 12, 2013: Sacramento Kings to Milwaukee Bucks[59][60]
    • Milwaukee acquired a 2016 second-round pick and the right to swap 2019 second-round picks between Sacramento and Milwaukee
    • Sacramento acquired Luc Mbah a Moute
  17. ^ June 30, 2014: Milwaukee Bucks to Brooklyn Nets[61]
    • Brooklyn acquired a 2015 second-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick
    • Milwaukee acquired the rights to sign Jason Kidd as head coach
    October 24, 2014: Brooklyn Nets to Philadelphia 76ers[62]
  18. ^ June 27, 2014: Miami Heat to Charlotte Hornets[64] February 10, 2015: Charlotte Hornets to Minnesota Timberwolves[65]
  19. ^ June 22, 2018: Charlotte Hornets to Atlanta Hawks[66]
    • Atlanta acquired a 2019 second-round pick and a 2023 second-round pick
    • Charlotte acquired the draft rights to Devonte' Graham
    June 19, 2019: Atlanta Hawks to Miami Heat[67]
    • Miami acquired a 2019 second-round pick
    • Atlanta acquired a 2024 second-round pick and cash considerations
  20. ^ February 19, 2015: Detroit Pistons to Oklahoma City Thunder (three-team trade with Utah)[69] July 14, 2015: Oklahoma City Thunder to Boston Celtics[70]
    • Boston acquired Perry Jones III, a 2019 second-round pick, and cash considerations
    • Oklahoma City acquired a 2018 second-round pick
    July 7, 2017: Boston Celtics to Detroit Pistons[71]
  21. ^ June 26, 2015: Brooklyn Nets to Charlotte Hornets[72]
    • Charlotte acquired a 2018 second-round pick, a 2019 second-round pick, and cash considerations
    • Brooklyn acquired the draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet
    February 16, 2016: Charlotte Hornets to Memphis Grizzlies (three-team trade with Miami)[73] June 23, 2017: Memphis Grizzlies to Orlando Magic[74]
    • Orlando acquired a 2019 second-round pick
    • Memphis acquired the draft rights to Ivan Rabb
  22. ^ July 14, 2017: New York Knicks to Sacramento Kings[76]
    • Sacramento acquired a 2019 second-round pick and cash considerations
    • New York acquired the rights to hire Scott Perry as general manager
  23. ^ July 6, 2018: Oklahoma City Thunder to Charlotte Hornets[80]
    • Charlotte acquired a 2019 second-round pick and cash considerations
    • Oklahoma City acquired the draft rights to Hamidou Diallo
  24. ^ February 19, 2015: Houston Rockets to New York Knicks[81]
  25. ^ June 23, 2016: Portland Trail Blazers to Orlando Magic[82]
    • Orlando acquired a 2019 second-round pick and cash considerations
    • Portland acquired the draft rights to Jake Layman
    June 29, 2016: Orlando Magic to Detroit Pistons[83]
    • Detroit acquired a conditional 2019 second-round pick
    • Orlando acquired Jodie Meeks
    January 29, 2018: Detroit Pistons to Los Angeles Clippers[84]
  26. ^ February 23, 2017: Denver Nuggets to Milwaukee Bucks[85]
    • Milwaukee acquired a protected 2019 second-round pick
    • Denver acquired Roy Hibbert
    February 7, 2019: Milwaukee Bucks to New Orleans Pelicans (three-team trade with Detroit[86]

Draft-day trades

[edit]

Draft-day trades were made on June 20, 2019, the day of the draft.

  1. ^ a b c June 20, 2019: Boston Celtics to Philadelphia 76ers[21]
    • Philadelphia acquired Boston's first-round pick (No. 20 - Matisse Thybulle)
    • Boston acquired Philadelphia's first- and second-round picks (No. 24 - Ty Jerome and No. 33 - Carsen Edwards)
  2. ^ a b June 20, 2019: Brooklyn Nets to Los Angeles Clippers[29]
    • Los Angeles Clippers acquired Brooklyn's first-round pick (No. 27 - Mfiondu Kabengele)
    • Brooklyn acquired the Los Angeles Clippers' second-round pick (No. 56 - Jaylen Hands) and a 2020 first-round pick
  3. ^ June 20, 2019: Milwaukee Bucks to Detroit Pistons[31]
    • Detroit acquired Tony Snell, and Milwaukee's first-round pick (No. 30 - Kevin Porter Jr.)
    • Milwaukee acquired Jon Leuer
  4. ^ June 20, 2019: New Orleans Pelicans to Golden State Warriors[51]
    • Golden State acquired New Orleans' second-round pick (No. 39 - Alen Smailagić)
    • New Orleans acquired a 2021 second-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and cash considerations
  5. ^ June 20, 2019: Philadelphia 76ers to Washington Wizards[63]
    • Washington acquired Jonathon Simmons and Philadelphia's second-round pick (No. 42 - Admiral Schofield)
    • Philadelphia acquired cash considerations
  6. ^ June 20, 2019: Miami Heat to Denver Nuggets[68]
    • Denver acquired Miami's second-round pick (no. 44 - Bol Bol)
    • Miami acquired a future second round pick and cash considerations
  7. ^ June 20, 2019: Orlando Magic to Los Angeles Lakers[75]
    • Los Angeles Lakers acquired Orlando's second-round pick (No. 46 - Talen Horton-Tucker)
    • Orlando acquired a 2020 second-round pick and cash considerations
  8. ^ a b June 20, 2019: Sacramento Kings to New York Knicks[77][78]
    • New York acquired Sacramento's second-round pick (No. 47 - Ignas Brazdeikis)
    • Sacramento acquired New York's second-round pick (No. 55 - Kyle Guy) and cash considerations
  9. ^ June 20, 2019: Indiana Pacers to Utah Jazz[79]
    • Utah acquired Indiana's second-round pick (No. 50 - Jarrell Brantley)
    • Indiana acquired a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations
  10. ^ June 20, 2019: Golden State Warriors to Utah Jazz[90]
    • Utah acquired Golden State's second-round pick (No. 58 - Miye Oni)
    • Golden State acquired cash considerations

Post-draft trades

[edit]

The following trades were reportedly agreed prior to and on the day of the draft and were completed at a later date. Due to salary cap reasons, most of these trades were officially announced on July 6, after the NBA moratorium period ended.

  1. ^ July 6, 2019: Los Angeles Lakers to New Orleans Pelicans (three-team trade with Washington)[5][6][7][8]
  2. ^ a b c d e July 6, 2019: New Orleans Pelicans to Atlanta Hawks[9][10]
    • Atlanta acquired a 2019 first-round pick (No. 4 - De'Andre Hunter), a 2019 second-round pick (No. 57 - Jordan Bone), Solomon Hill, and a conditional 2023 second-round pick
    • New Orleans acquired two 2019 first-round picks (No. 8 - Jaxson Hayes and No. 17 - Nickeil Alexander-Walker), a 2019 second-round pick (No. 35 - Didi Louzada), and a protected 2020 first-round pick
  3. ^ a b July 6, 2019: Phoenix Suns to Minnesota Timberwolves[11][12][13]
    • Minnesota acquired a 2019 first-round pick (No. 6 - Jarrett Culver)
    • Phoenix acquired a 2019 first-round pick (No. 11 - Cameron Johnson) and Dario Šarić
  4. ^ July 6, 2019: Brooklyn Nets to Atlanta Hawks[17][18]
    • Atlanta acquired Allen Crabbe, a 2019 first-round pick, and a 2020 protected first-round pick
    • Brooklyn acquired Taurean Prince and a 2021 second-round pick
  5. ^ a b July 6, 2019: Oklahoma City Thunder to Memphis Grizzlies[22][23]
    • Memphis acquired a 2019 first-round pick (No. 21 - Brandon Clarke)
    • Oklahoma City acquired a 2019 first-round pick (No. 23 - Darius Bazley) and a 2024 second-round pick
  6. ^ July 6, 2019: Utah Jazz to Memphis Grizzlies[24][25]
  7. ^ July 6, 2019: Boston Celtics to Phoenix Suns[26][13]
    • Phoenix acquired a 2019 first-round pick (No. 24 - Ty Jerome) and Aron Baynes
    • Boston acquired a protected 2020 first-round pick
  8. ^ June 26, 2019: Detroit Pistons to Cleveland Cavaliers[32]
    • Cleveland acquired the draft rights to Milwaukee's first-round pick (No. 30 - Kevin Porter Jr.)
    • Detroit acquired a 2020, a 2021, a 2023 and a 2024 second-round picks
  9. ^ July 6, 2019: Phoenix Suns to Indiana Pacers (three-team trade with Miami)[35][36][13][37]
    • Miami acquired a 2019 second-round pick (No. 32 - KZ Okpala)
    • Phoenix acquired cash considerations
    • Indiana acquired T. J. Warren, a 2022, a 2025, and a 2026 second-round picks
  10. ^ a b July 6, 2019: Philadelphia 76ers to Atlanta Hawks[43][44]
    • Atlanta acquired a 2019 second-round pick (No. 34 - Bruno Fernando)
    • Philadelphia acquired a 2019 second-round pick (No. 57 - Jordan Bone) and two future second-round picks
  11. ^ a b June 27, 2019: Dallas Mavericks to Detroit Pistons[49]
    • Detroit acquired a 2019 second-round pick (No. 37 - Deividas Sirvydis)
    • Dallas acquired a 2019 second-round pick (No. 45 - Isaiah Roby) and two future-second round picks
  12. ^ July 8, 2018: Philadelphia 76ers to Detroit Pistons[87][88]
    • Detroit acquired a 2019 second-round pick (No. 57 - Jordan Bone)
    • Philadelphia acquired a 2024 second-round pick and cash considerations

Combine

[edit]
Main article: NBA Draft Combine

The invitation-only NBA Draft Combine was held in Chicago from May 15 to 19. The on-court element of the combine took place on May 17 and 18. This year, 66 players were originally invited to the combine, including top prospects Zion Williamson and Ja Morant.[93] The pool of participants also included Croatian Luka Šamanić, postgraduate Jalen Lecque, and Darius Bazley, who took a route similar to Mitchell Robinson with not playing in college or another league for a year before entering the draft. A couple of prospects also returned to the event after entering the previous year's combine, include an injury recovering Jontay Porter and Brian Bowen, a player who entered last year as a collegiate participant last year before heading off to play professionally in Australia this year. In addition, this year also introduced the NBA G League Elite Camp, which gave a certain number of draft hopefuls a chance to transfer into the NBA Draft Combine afterward.[94] This year, eleven participants from that event joined the combine, increasing the number of total invites up to 77.[95] One of the additional invites was Tacko Fall, who broke combine records for height (reaching 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) with shoes on), wingspan, and standing reach.[96]

Draft lottery

[edit]
Main article: NBA draft lottery
External videos
video icon 2019 NBA Draft Lottery Drawing, NBA's official YouTube channel. May 14, 2019.

The NBA draft lottery took place during the Playoffs on May 14, 2019. This was the first year in which the new NBA draft lottery system is applied, where the draft lottery was expanded to the top four picks (rather than the top three); and where the three teams with the worst records had equal odds. Teams with better records had an increased chance for a top-four pick when compared to the previous system, which was what happened for the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Lakers this year.[91]

Denotes the actual lottery result
Team 2018–19
record 		Lottery
chances 		Lottery probabilities
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th
New York Knicks 17–65 140 .140 .134 .127 .119 .479 — — — — — — — — —
Cleveland Cavaliers 19–63 140 .140 .134 .127 .119 .278 .200 — — — — — — — —
Phoenix Suns 19–63 140 .140 .134 .127 .119 .148 .260 .071 — — — — — — —
Chicago Bulls 22–60 125 .125 .122 .119 .114 .072 .257 .168 .022 — — — — — —
Atlanta Hawks 29–53 105 .105 .105 .105 .105 .022 .196 .267 .088 .006 — — — — —
Washington Wizards 32–50 90 .090 .092 .094 .096 — .086 .296 .206 .038 .002 — — — —
New Orleans Pelicans 33–49 60 .060 .063 .067 .072 — — .197 .372 .151 .016 .000 — — —
Memphis Grizzlies[1] 33–49 60 .060 .063 .067 .072 — — — .312 .341 .080 .005 .000 — —
Dallas Mavericks[2] 33–49 60 .060 .063 .067 .072 — — — — .464 .243 .029 .001 .000 —
Minnesota Timberwolves 36–46 30 .030 .033 .036 .040 — — — — — .659 .190 .012 .000 .000
Los Angeles Lakers 37–45 20 .020 .022 .024 .028 — — — — — — .776 .126 .004 .000
Charlotte Hornets 39–43 10 .010 .011 .012 .014 — — — — — — — .861 .090 .002
Miami Heat 39–43 10 .010 .011 .012 .014 — — — — — — — — .906 .046
Sacramento Kings[3] 39–43 10 .010 .011 .012 .014 — — — — — — — — — .952

^ 1: Since the Memphis Grizzlies drew the second pick, it was not conveyed to the Boston Celtics.
^ 2: Since the Dallas Mavericks drew outside the top 5, their pick was conveyed to the Atlanta Hawks.
^ 3: Since the Sacramento Kings drew the 14th pick, it was conveyed to the Boston Celtics (if the Kings had drawn the 1st pick, it would have been conveyed to the Philadelphia 76ers, who would have in turn conveyed their 24th overall pick to the Celtics).

Eligibility and entrants

[edit]
Main article: Eligibility for the NBA draft

The draft is conducted under the eligibility rules established in the league's 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its players' union. The previous CBA that ended the 2011 lockout instituted no immediate changes to the draft but called for a committee of owners and players to discuss future changes.

  • All drafted players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. In terms of dates, players who are eligible for the 2019 draft must be born on or before December 31, 2000.
  • Since the 2016 draft, the following rules, as implemented by the NCAA Division I council for that division, are:[97]
    • Declaration for the draft no longer results in an automatic loss of college eligibility. As long as a player does not sign a contract with a professional team outside the NBA, or sign with an agent, he will retain college eligibility as long as he makes a timely withdrawal from the draft.
    • NCAA players have until 10 days after the end of the NBA Draft Combine to withdraw from the draft. Since the combine is held in mid-May, the current deadline is about five weeks after the previous mid-April deadline.
    • NCAA players may participate in the draft combine and are allowed to attend one tryout per year with each NBA team without losing college eligibility.
    • NCAA players may enter and withdraw from the draft up to two times without loss of eligibility. Previously, the NCAA treated the second declaration of draft eligibility as a permanent loss of college eligibility.
  • Starting this year, any undrafted underclassmen in the college system will have the opportunity to return to their college or university for at least one more season, provided they terminate their prior agreements with the agent they signed up with.[98]

The NBA has since expanded the draft combine to include players with remaining college eligibility (who, like players without college eligibility, can only attend by invitation).[99]

Early entrants

[edit]

Players who are not automatically eligible have to declare their eligibility for the draft by notifying the NBA offices in writing no later than 60 days before the draft. For the 2019 draft, the date fell on April 21. After that date, "early entry" players are able to attend NBA pre-draft camps and individual team workouts to show off their skills and obtain feedback regarding their draft positions. Under the CBA a player may withdraw his name from consideration from the draft at any time before the final declaration date, which is 10 days before the draft. Under current NCAA rules, players had until May 29 (10 days after the draft combine) to withdraw from the draft and retain college eligibility.[100]

A player who has hired an agent forfeits his remaining college eligibility when he is drafted. He can be represented beginning after any basketball season, following a request for an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. From this draft on, players who declare for the NBA draft and are not selected have the opportunity to return to their school for at least another year, only after terminating all agreements with their agents.[98]

College underclassmen

[edit]

This year, 233 underclassed draft prospects (i.e., players with remaining college eligibility) had declared by the April 21 deadline, with 175 of these players being from college (including one American who went to a Canadian college) or were high school postgraduates.[101] The names left over mean they have hired an agent, or have announced that they plan to do so before the night of the draft. At the end of the deadline, 86 players declared their intentions to enter the draft with an agent while 89 announced their return to college for at least one more season.[102] By the end of the international underclassmen deadline, both Sacha Killeya-Jones and Kouat Noi removed their names from this year's draft while removing their collegiate eligibility as well, which left 84 total college underclassmen entering the draft.[103]

International players

[edit]

International players that had declared this year and did not previously declare in another prior year can drop out of the draft about 10 days before the draft begins on June 10. By the April 23 deadline, a record-high 58 international prospects, including an international Canadian university player, expressed interest in the 2019 NBA draft.[101] By the end of the international deadline on June 10, 46 of these players pulled their names out of the draft, leaving only 12 fully foreign players entering the NBA draft this year.[103] For this year's draft, the total underclassmen left were 96 players.

Automatically eligible entrants

[edit]

Players who do not meet the criteria for "international" players are automatically eligible if they meet any of the following criteria:[104]

  • They have completed four years of their college eligibility.
  • If they graduated from high school in the U.S., but did not enroll in a U.S. college or university, four years have passed since their high school class graduated.
  • They have signed a contract with a professional basketball team not in the NBA, anywhere in the world, and have played under that contract.

Players who meet the criteria for "international" players are automatically eligible if they meet any of the following criteria:[104]

  • They are at least 22 years old during the calendar year of the draft. In terms of dates, players born on or before December 31, 1997, are automatically eligible for the 2019 draft.
  • They have signed a contract with a professional basketball team not in the NBA within the United States, and have played under that contract.
Other automatically eligible players
Player Team Note Ref.
United States Darius Bazley Princeton High School (Ohio) Did not enter college or another league in 2018. [105]
United States Brian Bowen Sydney Kings (Australia) Did not attend college;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
Sweden Elijah Clarance Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany) Left Illinois State in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States Jalek Felton BC Nokia (Finland) Left North Carolina in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
Australia Harry Froling Adelaide 36ers (Australia) Left Marquette in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States Adonys Henriquez Regatas Corrientes (Argentina) Left Saint Louis in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States Shawn Lee Chicago Ballers (JBA) Left Cloud County CC in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States Marcus LoVett Sloboda Užice (Serbia) Left St. John's in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States Deon Lyle Chicago Ballers (JBA) Left UTSA in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
Australia Matur Maker Zlatorog Laško (Slovenia) Did not attend college;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States JaMicheal Morgan Seattle Ballers (JBA) Graduated from high school in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
France Darel Poirier Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League) International player;
playing in NBA G League since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States Micah Seaborn Mega Basket Georgia (Georgia) Left Monmouth in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
United States Tavarius Shine BC Luleå (Sweden) Left Oklahoma State in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
Serbia Alen Smailagić Santa Cruz Warriors (NBA G League) International player;
playing in NBA G League since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
Czech Republic Matej Svoboda Tuři Svitavy (Czech Republic) Left Dayton in 2018;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]
Canada Demba Thimbo Los Angeles Ballers (JBA) Did not attend college;
playing professionally since the 2018–19 season.		 [101]

Invited attendees

[edit]

The NBA annually invites around 15–20 players to sit in the so-called "green room", a special room set aside at the draft site for the invited players plus their families and agents. When his name is called, the player leaves the room and goes up on stage. Other players who are not invited are allowed to attend the ceremony. They sit in the stands with the fans and walk up the stage when or if they are drafted. On June 8, the NBA announced only 9 invited players to the event (all of whom played collegiately this year).[106] Four days later, the NBA invited seven more players to the event, bringing the number of invites up to 16. Two more players were invited the next day, bumping the number up to 18. On June 14, two more players were invited to this year's event, bringing up the total invites to 20.[107] Five days later, three more players received last minute invitations for this year's NBA draft, bringing the total number of invites up to 23.[108] On the night of the event, Matisse Thybulle was revealed as a last-minute invite, bumping up the final invite list to 24.[109] The following players (listed alphabetically) were confirmed as invites for the event:

Notes

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See also

[edit]


References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2019 NBA draft

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from Grokipedia
The 2019 NBA draft was the 72nd annual draft of the (NBA), in which the league's teams selected eligible players for the 2019–20 season. It took place over two days on June 20 and 21, 2019, at the in , New York. The draft consisted of 60 selections across two rounds, with the first round featuring lottery-determined picks and the second round following the inverse order of the previous season's regular-season records. The secured the first overall pick via the draft lottery and selected forward Zion Williamson, a highly touted prospect known for his explosive athleticism and scoring ability. The draft lottery, held on May 14, 2019, in , produced a notable upset when the Pelicans, who entered with just a 6% chance of landing the top selection due to their previous season's performance, won the No. 1 pick. This outcome was the second time the Pelicans had won the lottery's top spot, following their selection of in 2012. The full lottery order placed the at No. 2, the at No. 3, and the at No. 4. In the first round, standout selections included (No. 2, Grizzlies, from Murray State), (No. 3, Knicks, from Duke), (No. 4, Lakers, immediately traded to the ), (No. 5, Cavaliers, from Vanderbilt), and (No. 6, Suns, traded to the Timberwolves, from Texas Tech). The event was marked by significant trade activity, including deals involving future assets and players like , which reshaped rosters ahead of the season. Regarded as a talent-rich class at the time, the 2019 draft has since produced multiple All-Stars, including Williamson (two selections in 2021 and 2023), Morant (two selections in 2022 and 2023), and Garland (two in 2022 and 2025), as of 2025. Morant has emerged as the group's most accomplished player, earning All-NBA honors twice and leading to deep playoff runs, while Williamson's career has been hampered by injuries despite his Rookie of the Year award in 2020. Other contributors from the class include impact players like (No. 13, ), Jordan (No. 28, Warriors), and De'Andre Hunter, who have provided key support on contending teams. Overall, the class ranks among the stronger ones of the , though its ceiling has been tempered by health and consistency issues among top talents.

Background and Eligibility

Eligibility Rules

The eligibility rules for the 2019 NBA Draft were governed by the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which established criteria for player participation based on age, education, and professional experience. All players, regardless of origin, were required to be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. For players from the United States or its territories who had attended high school there, the "one-and-done" rule mandated that at least one full NBA season must have elapsed since their high school graduation (or equivalent class completion if they did not graduate), effectively barring direct entry from high school and requiring at least one year of college or equivalent experience. Automatic eligibility applied to certain players without the need for formal declaration. This included individuals who had exhausted their eligibility after graduating from a U.S. four-year , those who were undrafted in a prior , high school graduates (U.S. or equivalent) with at least four years elapsed since graduation who had not enrolled in a U.S. , or players who had completed at least four years of professional basketball in a league outside the NBA. International players—defined as those who had not completed high school in the U.S., had never enrolled in a U.S. or university, and had maintained permanent residence outside the U.S. and for at least three years prior to the draft—faced no U.S. attendance requirements but were subject to additional thresholds: they were automatically eligible if they were at least 22 years old during the draft year or had signed a professional contract before January 1 of that year and played in at least two professional seasons outside the NBA. In total, 114 players were eligible for the 2019 NBA Draft, comprising 98 who formally declared (including 86 underclassmen and 12 international players) and 16 automatically eligible players, primarily international prospects meeting the age or professional experience criteria.

Early Entrants

The 2019 NBA Draft featured 233 early entry candidates who declared their intention to enter the league ahead of the automatic eligibility age, surpassing previous years in volume due to expanded opportunities for underclassmen to test the waters without permanent commitment. Of these, 175 were U.S. college underclassmen—primarily freshmen, sophomores, and juniors—who temporarily withdrew from their institutions to pursue NBA evaluation, including high-profile prospects such as freshmen and , as well as Murray State sophomore . These declarations allowed players to participate in pre-draft events like the while retaining the option to return to college if they chose not to stay in the draft. The remaining 58 early entrants were international prospects, many of whom followed non-traditional paths outside U.S. collegiate , such as professional leagues in or direct development academies. Notable examples included French forward , who played for in France's top league, and Georgian center from Serbia's Mega Bemax, both of whom drew attention for their overseas experience and potential as lottery picks. Among the U.S. college group, international players like Japanese forward (Gonzaga sophomore) and Angolan center ( junior) exemplified unique trajectories, blending overseas backgrounds with American college development before declaring. Declarations for early entry had to be submitted by April 21, 2019, enabling participation in workouts and interviews. Underclassmen faced a withdrawal deadline of May 29, 2019, to preserve NCAA eligibility, while international early entrants could withdraw until June 10, 2019; in total, 89 candidates opted to withdraw, reducing the final pool of early entrants eligible for selection.

Automatically Eligible Players

In the 2019 NBA Draft, automatically eligible players comprised a group of 16 international prospects who qualified without submitting an early entry declaration, primarily due to reaching age 22 during the calendar year or having signed professional contracts outside prior to , 2019, as stipulated by the league's agreement. These individuals, often overlooked in favor of high-profile and younger talents, brought seasoned experience from professional circuits to the draft pool, allowing teams to evaluate mature athletes ready for immediate contributions. The majority hailed from , where they had competed against adult professionals, developing skills in high-stakes environments like the Adriatic League or German . For instance, , a 22-year-old Serbian wing from Partizan , exemplified this cohort; after averaging 12.2 in the 2018-19 Serbian and , he was selected 60th overall by the , marking one of the few late-round successes for auto-eligible prospects that year. Other representative figures included , a 20-year-old American forward who became eligible after signing with the in Australia's NBL following eligibility issues at Louisville and , providing teams with a versatile defender honed in professional play. Similarly, , a 20-year-old Swedish-American guard who left State to join Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany's , offered explosive athleticism from his pro debut season, though he went undrafted. Players like these, typically four years removed from high school and without U.S. college ties in their final eligibility phase, added niche value—such as international savvy and physical maturity—but faced challenges in a draft dominated by younger upside bets, with most remaining undrafted and pursuing free agency or overseas returns.

Pre-Draft Events

Draft Lottery

The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery took place on May 14, 2019, at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. This event marked the debut of a revised lottery format implemented by the NBA to combat tanking, where teams intentionally underperform to secure higher draft positions. Under the new system, the 14 teams that missed the playoffs participated, with odds for the No. 1 overall pick capped at 14 percent for each of the three worst regular-season records, progressively decreasing to 0.5 percent for the team with the 10th-worst record among lottery participants; picks 5 through 14 were then assigned in inverse order of regular-season records to the remaining teams. The lottery was broadcast live on ESPN starting at 8:30 p.m. ET, with the selection process involving a machine that drew four ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 14, yielding 1,001 possible combinations from which team assignments for the top four picks were determined. The format change aimed to equalize opportunities among non-playoff teams, reducing the advantage for the absolute worst performers and thereby discouraging deliberate losses late in the season. Previously, the team with the league's worst record had a 25 percent chance at the top pick; the 2019 revision limited any single team to no more than 14 percent while extending meaningful chances for top-four selections to more entrants, with all 14 teams having at least a 25 percent probability of landing in the top four. In a highly unpredictable draw, the secured the No. 1 pick despite entering with a 33–49 record and only 6 percent odds. The , also 33–49 with 6 percent odds, jumped to No. 2. The , who posted the league-worst 17–65 mark and entered with 14 percent odds, fell to No. 3. The followed at No. 4 with their 37–45 record and 1 percent odds, highlighting the lottery's volatility as three of the top four picks went to teams outside the pre-lottery top three. The complete order for picks 1–14, accounting for traded selections, was as follows:
PickTeam (Notes)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 (from )
11
12Charlotte Hornets
13
14 (from )

NBA Draft Combine

The 2019 NBA Draft Combine took place from May 15 to 20 at the Quest Multisport Complex in , , serving as a key pre-draft evaluation event for prospective players. A total of 77 invitees participated, including 66 initial selections and 11 additional players advanced from the preceding G League Elite Camp. The event featured anthropometric measurements, athletic testing, 5-on-5 scrimmages, and medical evaluations, allowing NBA teams to assess prospects' physical attributes, skills, and health beyond game film. The combine's primary purpose was to provide teams with standardized data on players' size, athleticism, and IQ in a controlled setting, including interviews and team workouts that extended through the full schedule. Anthropometric testing measured height, weight, wingspan, standing reach, hand size, and , while athletic drills evaluated speed, agility, and explosiveness through events such as the three-quarter sprint, lane agility drill, , and vertical jumps (both standing and max). Scrimmages offered insights into on-court performance, and medical exams enabled teams to review injury histories and conduct physicals. Among the participants were 10 international players, including prospects like from Georgia and Luka Samanic from , highlighting the event's global scope. Notable measurements underscored the athletic diversity of the class; for instance, forward , a top prospect, was reported at approximately 284 pounds with a 6 feet 6.5 inches from pre-draft evaluations, emphasizing his unique build; he skipped athletic testing. Similarly, Murray State guard recorded a maximum of 40.5 inches in pre-combine evaluations, contributing to his reputation for elite explosiveness. Other standouts included Tacko Fall's 7-foot-5.25-inch height without shoes and Jalen Lecque's 43-inch max vertical, which set benchmarks in size and leaping ability. Several high-profile players withdrew or limited participation due to injuries, altering the event's dynamics. Vanderbilt guard , recovering from a season-ending in his left , skipped most activities to prioritize rehabilitation ahead of the draft. Top prospects like Williamson, Morant, and also opted out of drills and scrimmages to mitigate risk, focusing instead on interviews and measurements. This cautious approach by lottery hopefuls shifted attention to mid-tier talents, who used the combine to elevate their draft stock through strong performances in testing and gameplay.

Invited Attendees

The 2019 NBA Draft Combine in featured 77 invited prospects, providing an essential platform for evaluation ahead of the draft. Initially, the league extended invitations to 66 players, selected based on their college, high school, and professional performances, with an additional 11 prospects added following standout showings at the Elite Camp held May 12-14 in . These invitees included a mix of domestic and international talents, with a particular emphasis on high-profile college stars and emerging global players such as Goga Bitadze from the Republic of Georgia, who played professionally for Budućnost VOLI in . Among the top domestic invitees were (Duke), (Murray State), (Duke), (Vanderbilt), and (Virginia), all projected as lottery selections. The event's primary purpose was to enable NBA teams to conduct private interviews—limited to 20 per team—and observe prospects in specialized drills, including strength, agility, shooting, and five-on-five scrimmages, helping scouts assess skills, character, and fit. Some invitations were influenced by requests from player agents, ensuring a broad representation of draft-eligible talent. Following the Chicago Combine (May 16-20), top prospects shifted to private team workouts, many of which occurred in from May 31 to June 11, allowing for more individualized evaluations away from the group setting. These sessions often involved tailored drills and extended interviews, with invitees like and participating in high-stakes sessions for West Coast teams such as the . Notable among combine attendees was (), who appeared but limited his involvement in certain drills to focus on interviews and preserve health for subsequent private evaluations.

The Draft

Draft Selections

The 2019 NBA Draft took place on June 20, 2019, at the in , New York. The event featured two rounds with 30 picks per round, totaling 60 selections, and was broadcast live on beginning at 8:15 p.m. ET. In the first round, the selected forward from with the top pick. The followed by choosing guard from Murray State at No. 2, while the picked guard/forward from at No. 3. The fourth selection, forward from , went to the before being traded on draft night to the . The round concluded with the selecting guard Kevin Porter Jr. from USC at No. 30. The second round began with the selecting center/forward Nicolas Claxton from Georgia at No. 31. Notable later picks included center from by the at No. 44 and guard Jaylen Nowell from Washington by the at No. 43. The draft ended with the choosing forward from the at No. 60. The selections below reflect the teams that made the picks on draft night, including any immediate trades resolved during the event for final assignments. Player details include position, , and prior or club. As of November 2025, only one draftee, forward Vanja Marinković (No. 59), has not appeared in an NBA regular-season game. Deividas Sirvydis (No. 37) has appeared in 23 games, and Justin Wright-Foreman (No. 53) has appeared in 88 games.

First Round

PickTeamPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club
1F
2GMurray State
3G/F
4 (from LAL)F
5GVanderbilt
6G/FTexas Tech
7G
8CTexas
9FJapanGonzaga
10F
11F
12Charlotte HornetsF
13G
14GIndiana
15F
16FAuburn
17 (from LAL via ATL)G
18 (from IND)CGeorgia
19 (from NYK)FCroatiaCibona Zagreb
20GWashington
21 (from UTA)FGonzaga
22 (from LAC via POR and CLE)Grant WilliamsF
23 (from OKC via CHI and NOP)FG League Ignite
24 (from BOS via MEM and NOP)G
25 (from DET via LAC and CLE)F
26 (from IND via MEM)FBelmont
27 (from GSW via UTA and NOP)F/CFlorida State
28Golden State Warriors (from BKN via ATL, NOP, and UTA)G
29 (from LAL via CHI, NOP, and UTA)F
30 (from GSW via HOU, MEM, and UTA)GUSC

Second Round

PickTeamPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club
31Nicolas ClaxtonF/CUSAGeorgia
32 (from MIA)FUSAStanford
33 (from LAC via PHI)GUSAPurdue
34 (from HOU)C
35G/FFlamengo
36Charlotte Hornets (from DET via ORL)Cody MartinG/FUSA
37FRytas Vilnius
38 (from GSW via NOP)CUSA
39 (from LAC via POR and CLE)F/C
40 (from TOR via CHI and NOP)Justin JamesGUSAWyoming
41 (from MEM)FUSAVillanova
42 (from UTA via GSW and NOP)FUSATennessee
43 (from GSW via BKN and NOP)GUSAWashington
44 (from MIA via NOP)CSudan
45 (from LAC via PHI)FUSA
46 (from LAC via DET and ORL)GUSAIowa State
47 (from HOU via CLE and BKN)FMichigan
48GUSAFlorida State
49 (from OKC via CHI and NOP)GUSAMississippi State
50 (from GSW via NOP)FUSA
51 (from DEN via NOP)GUSALSU
52Charlotte Hornets (from POR via DEN)FUSASan Diego State
53 (from WAS via NOP)GUSAHofstra
54 (from BKN)GCanadaIowa State
55 (from IND via UTA and NOP)GUSAVirginia
56 (from POR via DET and ORL)GUSAUCLA
57 (from DEN via MIL)GUSATennessee
58 (from HOU via BKN and NOP)G/FYale
59 (from TOR via BKN)FPartizan
60FUSAMiami

Notable Undrafted Players

Several undrafted players from the 2019 NBA draft class secured NBA contracts through Exhibit 10 invitations, two-way deals, or standard rookie free agent signings, often beginning in the G League before earning rotation spots. , a out of LSU, signed a with the immediately after the draft and quickly transitioned to the NBA roster, appearing in 30 games during the 2019-20 season while spending significant time with the G League's . By the 2023-24 season, Reid had evolved into a key contributor off the bench, winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award after averaging 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in 76 appearances. His development highlighted the potential for undrafted big men to become reliable scorers and rebounders in the league. Terence Davis II, a guard from Ole Miss, opted to go undrafted to pursue a guaranteed contract and signed a standard rookie deal with the on July 11, 2019. In his debut season, Davis earned a spot on the 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie Second Team, averaging 9.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game across 72 contests, contributing to the Raptors' playoff run. Though his career trajectory included stints with the and later teams amid off-court issues, Davis amassed 228 regular-season games by November 2025, showcasing scoring efficiency from beyond the arc at 36.7% career three-point shooting. Luguentz Dort, a defensive specialist from Arizona State, signed a two-way contract with the shortly after the draft, following an initial Exhibit 10 workout with the . Dort's tenacious perimeter defense propelled him to a full NBA role, where he became a staple in the , starting in the and earning All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2024. By November 2025, he had played over 350 games, averaging 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds while holding opponents to 42.1% shooting in his career. Other undrafted players like (Kansas, signed with ) and (Illinois State, signed with ) also carved out niche roles as versatile forwards, combining for hundreds of NBA appearances through strong G League performances and opportunistic NBA minutes. Overall, at least 12 undrafted players from the 2019 class had accumulated 100 or more NBA games by 2025, demonstrating the draft's depth and the value of post-draft evaluations in filling roster gaps with cost-effective talent. These players often provided depth and energy, with Reid's ascent to starter status underscoring the class's unexpected impact beyond the 60 selections.

Trades Involving Draft Picks

Pre-Draft Trades

Several significant trades involving 2019 NBA draft picks occurred prior to the draft on , 2019, reshaping the selection order and giving teams additional assets in and beyond. These transactions, often stemming from earlier deals dating back to the 2014-15 , altered ownership for approximately 15 of the 30 first-round picks, allowing franchises to consolidate or diversify their draft capital. For instance, protections on picks like the ' first-round selection—top-4 protected as part of a prior agreement with the —played a role in negotiations, though it ultimately conveyed unprotected in a blockbuster deal. One notable early trade took place on February 7, 2019, in a three-team deal among the , , and . The Cavaliers acquired guard Brandon Knight, forward , Houston's lottery-protected 2019 first-round pick (which conveyed as No. 26), and a 2022 second-round pick from the Rockets. In exchange, the Rockets received guard from the Kings, while the Cavaliers sent guard and point guard to Houston, and forward to Sacramento. This move bolstered Cleveland's draft arsenal following their poor 2018-19 season, positioning them with multiple lottery selections. Closer to the draft, on June 15, 2019, the agreed to trade star forward to the , acquiring a package that included the Lakers' 2019 first-round pick (No. 4 overall). The deal also sent guards and , along with forward , to New Orleans, while the Lakers received Davis to pair with . Although the trade could not be finalized until July 6 due to rules, it immediately shifted control of the No. 4 pick to the Pelicans, who had already secured the No. 1 pick via the draft lottery earlier that year. This transaction exemplified how player-for-picks swaps in the pre-draft window could dramatically influence lottery positioning. On June 19, 2019, the traded veteran point guard Mike Conley to the in another multiplayer deal, gaining the Jazz's No. 23 first-round pick, rookie , forward , and guard , plus a future first-rounder. The Jazz aimed to bolster their backcourt for a playoff push, while the Grizzlies added draft flexibility amid their rebuilding efforts. This swap, like others, highlighted the fluid nature of pick ownership leading into the draft, with Memphis leveraging it to acquire additional selections in a class headlined by lottery talents. Overall, more than 20 such pre-draft transactions—spanning player swaps, pick swaps, and cash considerations—occurred involving 2019 selections, including earlier deals like the acquiring a protected first-rounder from the in the 2018 Luka Dončić-Trae Young exchange. These moves not only redistributed lottery odds but also enabled teams like to consolidate assets. The cumulative effect underscored the strategic planning phase before the live event, setting the stage for further activity on draft night.

Draft-Day Trades

During the 2019 NBA draft broadcast on , a total of 23 trades were executed, involving swaps of draft picks, players, and future assets, reflecting the league's active real-time negotiations to optimize team rosters. These deals often centered on first-round selections, allowing teams to target specific prospects or acquire established talent, with second-round movements focusing on cost-effective depth additions. One of the most prominent transactions completed the framework of the pre-agreed deal, as the acquired the No. 4 pick (), the No. 57 pick, forward Solomon Hill, and a protected 2020 first-round pick from the in exchange for the Nos. 8 (), 17 (), and 35 (Marcos Louzada Silva) picks, along with a future second-round pick. This multi-pick swap enabled the Hawks to secure a high-upside in Hunter while bolstering the Pelicans' draft capital amid their rebuild. In another significant first-round maneuver, the traded the No. 11 pick and forward to the for the No. 6 pick (), allowing Minnesota to move up for a versatile wing prospect while Phoenix gained shooting depth with Cam Johnson at No. 11 and added veteran frontcourt presence. Similarly, the swapped the No. 21 pick () and a 2024 second-round pick (via ) with the for the No. 23 pick () and a 2024 second-round pick, positioning OKC to draft the athletic forward Bazley directly. The were particularly active, first trading the No. 20 pick () to the for the Nos. 24 and 33 picks ( and , respectively), then immediately dealing the No. 24 pick and center to the Suns for a 2020 first-round pick (top-20 protected, via ). These moves allowed Boston to maneuver down for value while acquiring defensive specialist Thybulle for Philadelphia's defensive needs. The also traded up, acquiring the No. 27 pick () from the in exchange for the No. 56 pick and a 2020 first-round pick (via ). Second-round activity included several pick swaps for cash and future seconds, such as the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring the No. 46 pick from the Orlando Magic for a 2020 second-round pick and $2.2 million in cash considerations, using it to select Talen Horton-Tucker. Other notable deals featured the Cleveland Cavaliers obtaining the No. 30 pick from the Detroit Pistons for four future second-round picks and $5 million, selecting Kevin Porter Jr., and the Golden State Warriors trading into the second round twice—once for the No. 41 pick (Eric Paschall) from the Hawks for $1.3 million and a 2024 second, and again for the No. 39 pick from the Pelicans for two future seconds and $1 million. These transactions underscored the draft's fluidity, with teams leveraging negotiations to balance immediate talent acquisition against long-term asset management.

Post-Draft Trades

Following the 2019 NBA draft on June 20, the league saw several trades completed in the subsequent weeks, primarily due to the free agency moratorium that delayed official signings and transactions until . These deals often finalized agreements made earlier but directly affected the distribution of draft assets and altered team rosters for the upcoming season. The most impactful post-draft trade was the completion of the blockbuster on July 6, 2019, when the sent Davis to the in exchange for guards and , forward , the Lakers' No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft (used to select ), and future first-round picks (a 2020 selection top-10 protected and the 2021 unprotected pick). This transaction, initially agreed to on June 15 but held up by league rules, reshaped both franchises' futures by providing the Pelicans with young talent and draft capital to rebuild. (Note: The trade of the No. 4 pick to the occurred on draft night, June 20, 2019, as part of the pre-arranged framework, with the Hawks receiving in exchange for Nos. 8 (), 17 (), 35 (Marcos Louzada Silva), forward Solomon Hill, and a 2020 first-round pick.) A total of eight post-draft deals involving 2019 draft picks were completed in , many flipping second-round selections for future assets or veterans to optimize cap space and roster fits. These transactions collectively resulted in numerous rookies changing teams shortly after selection, with several picks exchanged for established players or draft capital to support long-term rebuilding efforts.

Legacy and Impact

Top Performers and Awards

, selected first overall by the , emerged as one of the draft class's premier talents, earning two NBA All-Star selections in 2021 and 2023 despite persistent injury challenges that limited his availability. He finished as runner-up for the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 22.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 29 appearances, and has maintained a career scoring average exceeding 25 across 185 regular-season outings through the 2024-25 season. Williamson's explosive athleticism and scoring prowess have defined his impact, though hamstring and foot injuries have restricted him to an average of just 45 games per season. Ja Morant, the second overall pick by the , quickly established himself as a dynamic , capturing the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year Award with averages of 19.1 points and 7.4 assists in 67 games. He followed with the 2021-22 NBA Most Improved Player Award and an All-NBA Second Team honor, while earning All-Star nods in 2022 and 2023, leading the Grizzlies to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2021 to 2024. Morant's high-flying dunks and playmaking have anchored Memphis' backcourt, though off-court issues and a 2023-24 shoulder sidelined him for much of the following season. Darius Garland, selected fifth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, has developed into an elite playmaker, earning NBA All-Star selections in 2022 and 2025 after averaging 21.7 points and 8.6 assists in the 2021-22 season. His shooting efficiency and facilitation have been key to the Cavaliers' success, including multiple playoff runs, though injuries have occasionally impacted his availability. Among other drafted standouts, RJ Barrett, taken third by the New York Knicks (later traded to the Toronto Raptors), showed promise as a versatile wing but notably missed both All-Rookie teams despite averaging 14.3 points as a rookie, a snub that fueled his development into a consistent 18-plus points per game scorer. Brandon Clarke, selected 21st by the Grizzlies, earned a spot on the 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie First Team for his efficient scoring and defensive contributions, averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds as a rookie while establishing himself as a reliable energy forward with career field-goal shooting over 60 percent. For context on undrafted talent from the class, Naz Reid received the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award after providing key bench production for the Minnesota Timberwolves. By November 2025, players from the 2019 draft class had collectively earned six All-Star selections (two by Williamson, two by Morant, two by Garland), one All-NBA team placement (Morant's 2022 second team), two Rookie of the Year honors (Morant's win and Williamson's runner-up finish), and multiple All-Rookie recognitions, underscoring the class's emphasis on individual accolades amid varied team successes.

Draft Class Evaluation

The 2019 NBA draft class has been characterized as top-heavy, featuring elite guards and forwards such as Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and RJ Barrett at the top of the first round, which generated significant hype leading into the event. This class has produced three All-Star players—Williamson (selected in 2021 and 2023), Morant (selected in 2022 and 2023), and Darius Garland (selected in 2022 and 2025)—but has faced criticism for lacking depth beyond its star talents. Notable weaknesses include several busts, such as sixth overall pick Jarrett Culver, who accumulated just -0.1 Win Shares over his brief career, and injuries or off-court issues plaguing key prospects, including Williamson's ongoing durability concerns and Morant's 25-game suspension in the 2023-24 season for conduct detrimental to the league. In terms of success metrics, approximately 90% of the 30 first-round selections remained active in the NBA as of 2025, higher than the typical retention rate for drafts six years post-selection, though the class's overall impact has been uneven. The group has contributed to team success, most notably through Morant's leadership in positioning the Memphis Grizzlies as Western Conference contenders with multiple playoff appearances, including a conference semifinals run in 2022. Total career Win Shares for the class exceed 400, driven by standouts like Daniel Gafford (32.0) and Nicolas Claxton (27.4), placing it in the mid-tier among recent drafts when adjusted for time elapsed. Compared to the preceding 2018 class, which boasted deeper talent with multiple All-NBA performers like Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2019 group ranks lower in overall production and rotation players. The class's long-term impact includes elevating the value of undrafted free agents, with players like and (2023-24 of the Year) emerging as key contributors for contending teams, thereby highlighting scouting oversights in the late rounds. Critiques often point to overhyped prospects like , a talented guard whose career was derailed by off-court behavioral issues leading to his release from multiple teams. While no players from this class have yet contributed to an NBA championship, their collective output underscores a draft strong at the apex but challenged by inconsistency and health hurdles.

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