Looking Back at the 2019 NBA Draft Class: Where Are They Now?

2025-11-17 10:00

Looking back at the 2019 NBA Draft Class now feels like revisiting a time capsule buried right before the world turned upside down. I remember watching that draft with a mix of anticipation and skepticism—the buzz around Zion Williamson was unlike anything I’d seen since LeBron, and Ja Morant’s swagger seemed destined for primetime. Fast forward five years, and the class has delivered, though not always in the ways we expected. It’s funny how careers unfold, isn’t it? Sometimes, a single moment—a missed call, an injury, or an unexpected breakout—can reshape legacies. Take boxing, for instance. I can’t help but draw a parallel to that controversial moment when Suarez would have been the new champion if the referee called it a clear punch that caused the deep cut on Navarrete's eyebrow. In sports, officiating can tilt destinies, and in the NBA, we’ve seen similar turning points with this draft class.

Zion Williamson, the undisputed first pick, has been a whirlwind of highlights and headaches. When he’s on the court, he’s a force—averaging 26.8 points per game in the 2020-21 season and drawing comparisons to Barkley with his explosive power. But injuries have plagued him; he’s missed over 40% of possible regular-season games since his debut. I’ve spoken with trainers who whisper about conditioning issues, and as a fan, it’s frustrating to see such talent hampered by factors that feel preventable. If he’d had a cleaner bill of health, I’m convinced he’d already have multiple All-NBA selections under his belt. Instead, his story is one of “what if,” much like that boxing match where a referee’s decision—or lack thereof—altered the outcome. In Zion’s case, it’s not a punch but a series of ankle and knee tweaks that have kept him from reaching his ceiling. Still, when he plays, it’s magic. I recall a game last season where he dropped 35 points against the Lakers, and for a moment, you could see the MVP potential shining through.

Then there’s Ja Morant, the second pick, who exploded onto the scene with a Rookie of the Year award and quickly became the face of the Grizzlies’ gritty resurgence. His stats are stellar—he averaged 27.4 points and 6.7 assists in the 2022-23 season—and his flair for dramatic dunks and clutch plays makes him must-watch TV. But off-court controversies, including a 25-game suspension in 2023 for firearm-related incidents, have cast a shadow. From my perspective, Ja’s trajectory reminds me of how a single misstep can dominate narratives; it’s like that referee missing the punch in boxing—sometimes, the calls that aren’t made define a career more than the ones that are. I’ve followed his interviews, and he seems genuinely reflective, but the league is unforgiving. If he cleans up his act, I’d bet on him leading Memphis to a Finals within three years. Otherwise, we might look back and wonder how someone so gifted let distractions derail him.

Beyond the top picks, this class is stacked with gems. RJ Barrett, taken third, has been a steady scorer for the Knicks, though I’ve always felt he’s underrated—his 20.1 points per game last season don’t fully capture his two-way hustle. Darius Garland, the fifth pick, blossomed into an All-Star in 2022, dishing out 8.6 assists per game and forming a dynamic backcourt with Donovan Cleveland. And then there’s Jordan Poole, selected 28th, who went from a bench spark to a key piece in Golden State’s 2022 championship run. I remember watching him drop 30 points in a playoff game and thinking, “This is why depth in drafts matters.” It’s not just about the lottery; it’s about finding value where others overlook it. In a way, that’s similar to how a boxer like Suarez might have seized a title with one right call—underdogs can rise, and late picks can outshine early ones.

As we assess this class today, I’d argue it’s one of the strongest in recent memory, with at least eight players averaging over 15 points per game in the 2023-24 season. But it’s also a cautionary tale about potential versus longevity. Injuries, off-court issues, and plain old luck play huge roles. Personally, I’m rooting for these guys to figure it out—especially Zion and Ja, whose highs are so electrifying. Reflecting on that boxing analogy, if the referee had called that punch for Suarez, his legacy might be cemented; in the NBA, a healthy season or a smart career move could do the same. Five years in, the 2019 draft class has given us thrills and lessons, and I’m eager to see where the next five take them. Maybe we’ll look back and say this was just the prologue to something legendary.