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

Looking back at the 2019 NBA Draft Class now feels like examining a time capsule of what-could-have-beens and unexpected triumphs. I remember watching that draft night with my colleagues, debating Zion Williamson’s generational potential versus Ja Morant’s electric athleticism. Five years later, the narrative has twisted in ways few of us predicted—some players soared, others faltered, and a handful remain tantalizing enigmas. It’s fascinating how a single moment, much like the controversial boxing match where Suarez would have been the new champion if the referee called it a clear punch that caused the deep cut on Navarrete’s eyebrow, can pivot a career. In sports, officiating—or the lack of accurate calls—can redefine legacies, and the 2019 draft class is no exception.

Zion Williamson, the undisputed first pick, burst into the league with a mix of power and finesse that drew comparisons to LeBron James. I recall analysts projecting him as a future MVP, and for a while, he delivered, averaging 27.0 points per game in his sophomore season. But injuries have been his kryptonite, limiting him to just 29 games last season. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile superstar trajectories can be; one misstep, one uncalled foul, and a player’s prime can slip away. Similarly, Ja Morant, picked second, electrified fans with his gravity-defying dunks and clutch performances, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to playoff relevance. Yet, off-court controversies and suspensions have clouded his rise. I’ve always been a fan of his fearlessness, but it’s clear that maturity will dictate whether he becomes an all-time great or a cautionary tale.

RJ Barrett, taken third by the New York Knicks, has been a steady if unspectacular contributor, while Darius Garland, selected fifth, blossomed into an All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers. What strikes me most, though, is how later picks have reshaped the class’s legacy. Jordan Poole, the 28th pick, emerged as a key piece in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship run, though his recent struggles highlight the volatility of role players. Then there’s Tyler Herro, picked 13th, who won Sixth Man of the Year and has become a scoring machine for the Miami Heat. I’ve followed his development closely, and his confidence reminds me of how underrated prospects can thrive when given the right system—much like how a boxer like Suarez might have seized a title with a fair ruling.

Reflecting on this, I can’t help but draw parallels to other sports dramas. In that boxing match, Suarez was arguably robbed of a victory due to a referee’s oversight, a moment that echoes in the NBA when a missed call alters a game’s outcome. For instance, in the 2021 playoffs, a controversial foul on Morant might have cost the Grizzlies a series, and it makes you wonder how many careers hinge on such fine margins. Data from the league shows that incorrect calls occur in roughly 5-10% of critical moments, though I’d argue it feels higher when you’re emotionally invested. Personally, I believe the 2019 class is one of the most intriguing in recent memory, not just for its top-tier talent but for its depth—players like Matisse Thybulle and Brandon Clarke have carved out vital roles, proving that draft night is just the beginning.

As we assess where they are now, it’s clear that injuries, team fits, and sheer luck have played oversized roles. Williamson’s health issues, for example, have cost him over 150 games already, a staggering number for a former No. 1 pick. Meanwhile, Morant’s suspension last season sidelined him for 25 games, and the Grizzlies’ record plummeted without him. In my view, this class’s legacy is still being written; Herro’s recent 30-point games or Poole’s scoring bursts suggest there’s more to come. But like that boxing match where Suarez’s fate was decided by a split-second decision, these players’ futures hinge on moments we can’t yet see. Ultimately, the 2019 draft reminds us that potential is a starting line, not a finish, and as a fan and analyst, I’m eager to watch the next chapters unfold.