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Despite being relatively disappointing considering the hype, the 2019 NBA Draft is still a talented draft class. Just like the 2018 class before them and the 2020 class after them, the 2019 draft class produced multiple All-Stars and impressive role players. Many of these players have had a positive impact on their franchises in both the regular season and postseason. Factoring in multiple things like accolades, regular-season stats, and postseason success, let us dive into a redraft of the 2019 NBA Draft lottery.
Unquestionably, it is a tough decision to decide who deserves to be first in this draft class. All of the obvious choices for this class have their own hang-ups and points against their cases. Nevertheless, this redraft will have Ja Morant claim the top spot for this class. Specifically, Morant stands as the most accomplished player in this draft and has led his team to multiple playoff runs as the first option. In particular, Morant has made multiple All-Star appearances, received an All-NBA Second Team selection, won the Most Improved Player award, and was Rookie of the Year for his class. Despite attitude issues, poor injury luck, and off-the-court drama, Morant has electrified crowds with his dazzling athleticism and finishing abilities. To be sure, other players do have strong arguments to be placed at one. Regardless, Morant’s body of work grants him the edge in this redraft.
Despite his overall injury history, Darius Garland is one of the more dependable and available stars from this draft. In particular, he has served well as the offensive engine for the Cavaliers. His ability to score and play-make at a high level has been crucial for the resurgence of Cleveland in the Eastern Conference after the departure of LeBron James. Not only that, but he also helped his team make the playoffs for the past three years. In terms of his personal accolades, Garland has made two All-Star appearances. Undoubtedly, Garland has developed into one of the better point guards in the league and is deserving of a higher spot in this redraft.
There are arguments for and against Zion Williamson being placed at third in a redraft. His lack of availability due to injuries and poor conditioning has hampered his career, and he hasn’t turned into the “next great star” that his hype promised. However, Williamson has shown glimpses of what he can be. In those glimpses, we see an absolutely dominant interior scorer who can obliterate opposing defenses with his rim pressure. The brief excellence Williamson displayed helped him achieve two All-Star appearances. Plus, his overall potential is still the highest of his class. Unquestionably, Williamson hasn’t panned out as expected, but he is still one of the most talented players from his draft class.
One player who takes a major jump from his original draft position is Tyler Herro. He has developed into one of the most talented offensive players in his draft class. He can efficiently score on all three levels on high volume and has turned himself into a competent playmaker in his own right. His ability as a scorer has been a major boon off the bench for the Miami Heat during the early part of his career. His positive impact in that area helped him win the Sixth Man of the Year award. As he transitioned into the starting lineup and became the go-to offensive option, Herro also made an All-Star appearance last season. Additionally, he has been a key contributor to multiple playoff runs made by the Heat. Considering his success and personal accolades in the league, it’s hard to argue against Herro’s new position in this redraft.
Coby White is another player who gets to be redrafted higher than their original draft position. White has become an excellent scorer and playmaker for the Bulls, averaging double-digit points for almost every season of his career except for one. Furthermore, White has averaged at least 19 points per game for the past two seasons and is averaging 24 points this season on solid efficiency. Not only is White a great scorer, but he has also become a better playmaker for the Bulls. His improvement gives him a good argument to go in this redraft’s top five.
Lugentz Dort is the first player in this redraft who originally went undrafted, but he absolutely deserves his placement. In particular, Dort has developed into one of the best defenders in the league for an extremely successful Oklahoma City Thunder team. He is capable of guarding a wide variety of positions at a high level. For that, Dort earned All-Defensive First Team honors this past season. Dort has been a major contributor to the success that Oklahoma City has been enjoying, being a major piece in their historic defense. Not only that, but Dort has also become a far respectable shooter, forcing defenses to respect him. Dort has more than earned his new spot.
Undoubtedly, P.J. Washington has turned himself into one of the better 3-and-D wings in the league. He is highly capable at both ends of the floor, contributing to the finals runs that the Dallas Mavericks made in 2024. Offensively, Washington is a solid floor spacer who thrives next to stars. Defensively, Washington has the skill and versatility to defend multiple positions. His abilities as an excellent 3-and-D player would be a great fit for any roster.
Another undrafted player who goes in the lottery for this redraft is Naz Reid. He has developed into an impressive scorer and shooter off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reid provides them with an offensively-skilled forward who can slot in at both the four and five. His contributions off the bench helped Reid win the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024. Not only that, but his offense also contributed to Minnesota’s multiple playoff runs, including two Western Conference Finals runs.
De’Andre Hunter from four to nine in this redraft, but he is still a great player in his own right. Hunter has become a skilled scorer who can provide teams with the floor spacing they need from the three spot. In fact, Hunter has been a double-digit scorer for the entirety of his career and has averaged at least 15 points per game from 2023 onwards. He is capable of scoring on all three levels and does so efficiently. His offense has also translated into the postseason as well. Defensively, Hunter is a solid enough defender whose size allows him to defend the wings. Despite dealing with injuries, Hunter is an excellent wing from this draft class.
Another great wing from this class is Cameron Johnson, who has put together a solid career. Johnson is defined by his efficient shooting on the wings, in both the regular season and playoffs. Speaking of playoffs, he made contributions to the Phoenix Suns’ playoff run that got them to the Finals in 2021. While he had to battle injuries for much of his career, Johnson is another wing that teams would like on their roster.
As the only true big in this redraft, Nic Claxton has proven himself to be a starting-caliber center in the league. Claxton gets to jump up into the lottery from the second round due to his strong rim finishing, rebounding, and defensive impact. Despite not having a real playmaker to set him up, Claxton has been averaging double-digits in points for the better part of three full seasons. He is a strong rebounding presence in the paint. Claxton was also once in the running for Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, which highlights the kind of defensive impact he can have. Overall, Claxton has developed into a great center in the league and deserves to be redrafted in the lottery.
Rui Hachimura falls to 12 in this redraft, but he is by no means a bad player. In fact, Hachimura has carved out a starting role for himself as a highly efficient floor spacer. He has been one of the most efficient players in the league, being able to effectively score on all three levels. Hachimura is one of the better mid-range shooters in the NBA and has transformed himself into a 40+% for the past two full seasons. Not only does Hachimura score efficiently in the regular season, but he also raises his level of play in the postseason. He has contributed to multiple playoff runs, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals with the Lakers. He isn’t the best defender or rebounder, but his value on the offensive end is undeniable.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has become a skilled 3-and-D player in the NBA. He has the perfect blend of shooting and defense to provide teams with a versatile piece who can give two-way impact at a high level. He is a great defender who can cover one through three. On offense, Alexander-Walker has been a consistent 35+% three-point shooter for four straight seasons, including this current one. His contributions to the Wolves helped them make the postseason and Western Conference Finals multiple times.
One of the major fallers in this redraft is RJ Barrett, but he is still an overall talented player. He has developed into a solid scorer who can provide tertiary rebounding and passing. He is at his best as a slasher, though Barrett is capable of shooting. In terms of his scoring as a whole, Barrett has averaged at least 17+ points per game every season besides his rookie season. Barrett hasn’t panned out considering his original draft position, but he is still a solid player in his own right.
Featured Image: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
History graduate from the University of California, Riverside. In love with basketball ever since the NBA Bubble, especially the NBA Draft.
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