Top NBA draft picks
The 2019 NBA draft was held Thursday, June 20, as 60 new players were drafted into the league. Most notably, Zion Williamson was drafted No. 1 overall as expected by the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion Williamson spent this past year at Duke University, showing off his NBA potential, considered to be the best draft prospect scouts arguably have seen since none other than Lebron James in 2003. Zion led Duke to the ACC conference tournament championship, as well as making it to the Elite Eight before losing to Michigan State in the final seconds. Williamson stands at 6’6, 285 pounds which will make him the most significant player in the NBA now, Zion will be playing with the Pelicans and will soon be taking over as the face of the franchise with the departure of Anthony Davis traded to the Lakers three days before the draft takes place.
The second overall pick was Ja Morant, drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies and playing college basketball for the past two years for Murray State. Morant led Murray State to the regular season and tournament championship for the Ohio Valley Conference, as well as defeating Marquette in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Florida State. Morant has been compared to Russell Westbrook and James Harden for his playmaking ability and explosiveness when in space.
RJ Barrett was drafted third overall by the New York Knicks. Barrett was the No. 1 player in the country coming out of high school, also playing with Duke alongside Zion Williamson. Barrett is known for his ability to score at a high rate, whether that be three-pointers, mid rangers jumpers or driving to the basketball. The Knicks had been tanking this year for a top draft pick, presumably Zion Williamson, but after the draft lottery was announced of where each team would be picking, the Knicks had their eyes set on Barrett. Barrett is from Canada, growing up as a New York Knicks fan, he will now be living out his dream. Barrett has the potential to be the best player in the draft as many scouts have said, but only time will tell.
The top three draft picks were considered to be the best three in the draft by an overwhelming margin. Once the Atlanta Hawks were on the clock with the fourth pick, that is when things got interesting, with 17 trades coming in the draft, that is the most moves made during the draft in five years. Jaxon Hayes out of Texas was taken with the eighth overall pick, Hayes played at the University of Texas last season, and will now be playing for the New Orleans Pelicans alongside Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball.