My Winners and Losers of the 2019 NBA Draft
Start writing a post
Sports

My Winners and Losers of the 2019 NBA Draft

On June 20, 2019, sixty young men became NBA players.

10
My Winners and Losers of the 2019 NBA Draft
HoopsHype

Some teams made great moves that leaped them years ahead of their scheduled rebuilding process. Then some teams made moves so bad that their future hope for the playoffs was virtually dusted (Infinity War reference for all my fellow Marvel nerds out there). Below I'll list my biggest winners and losers of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Winner: New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson's introductory press conference (left to right): Executive VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin, Head Coach Alvin Gentry, 1st overall pick Zion Williamson, Owner Gayle Benson

NBA/New Orleans Pelicans

If you had told me after the draft lottery that Pelicans would have the best draft out of every team in the entire NBA... I probably would've believe you. They got Zion Williamson for crying out loud!! However, they made many more great moves that resulted in them mostly filling out their starting lineup and bench.

In the Anthony Davis trade to the Lakers, they acquired Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, and three first round picks, including the 4th overall in the 2019 Draft. Although they could've drafted another superstar with the 4th pick to pair with Zion, they opted to trade the pick to acquire more capital. They shipped the 4th, 57th, a future second round pick, and Solomon Hill's contract to the Atlanta Hawks (who selected Virginia's De'Andre Hunter 4th) for the 8th, 17th, and 35th picks in 2019. It's a complicated trade, but the main thing to know is that this was an incredible trade for New Orleans. They needed depth and young talent more than anything, and they did that by drafting Jaxson Hayes (8th), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17th), and Marcos Louzada Silva (35th). Hayes will most likely be the starting center to replace Anthony Davis, which fills out the starting lineup fully. New Orleans will have a young starting lineup for the time being, but they will most likely develop very well over the next few years and skyrocket their chance to contend in the immediate future.

Loser: Phoenix Suns

Phoenix's draft selection at 11th overall: North Carolina forward Cameron Johnson

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

I don't get it. With the 6th overall pick, they were in great position to make a leap in young, dynamic talent with a player like Jarret Culver, Sekou Doumbouya, or Romeo Langford, but they didn't. They traded the pick to Minnesota for Dario Saric and the 11th overall pick. It's not a terrible trade, but it wasn't one they needed to make. They needed young talent, and they drafted UNC's Cam Johnson, who is not young at all compared to the rest of their roster. In fact, when the trade is finalized, Johnson will be the second-oldest player on the Suns roster (behind veteran Jamal Crawford). He's a good player, but he was a reach at 11 and does not fit Phoenix's agenda very well.

Phoenix also made a salary dump trade of T.J. Warren to the Indiana Pacers on June 20th. This isn't related to the Draft as much, but he plays small forward, which is the same position as Cam Johnson and likely the reason they drafted him so high. The only problem I have with this move is that Warren was one of the best players on the team, and this looks terrible for a Phoenix organization that is trying to rebuild while they still have Devin Booker. If I were Phoenix, I'd be praying very hard that Saric can help Booker and Deandre Ayton shine so the organization doesn't look COMPLETELY foolish, which will already be difficult.

Winner: Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and selection, Murray State PG Ja Morant

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Let me just go ahead and say that in all my years as a Grizzlies fan, (I'm 19 and have lived in Memphis my whole life. Do the math.) I have never been more excited about the future of the franchise. We traded away Mike Conley, our point guard of the past, for Murray State superstar Ja Morant, our point guard of the future. This was made possible by Memphis having the biggest draft lottery jump in franchise history, jumping up SIX spots from eighth to second. Morant will be able to run an NBA offense from day one, and he will pair extremely well with Grizzlies superstar Jaren Jackson, Jr., who was the 4th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft.

In the Mike Conley trade, Utah traded two first-round picks to Memphis, including the 23rd overall selection in 2019. The Grizzlies traded up with Oklahoma City, who had the 21st overall pick, and selected Gonzaga forward/center Brandon Clarke. This was a VERY good value pick for Memphis, as Clarke played more center for the Bulldogs and his role off the bench will likely not interfere with Jackson, Jr. running as a power forward. He's looks a lot like a young Zach Randolph, and he'll be a fantastic addition to the Grizzlies.

Loser: Boston Celtics

Celtics draft picks Carsen Edwards (Purdue, R2, P33), Grant Williams (Tennessee, R1, P22), Romeo Langford (Indiana, R1, P14), and Tremont Waters (LSU, R2, P51), and Celtics GM Danny Ainge

Suzanne Kreiter/Boston Globe Staff

Boston really needed to make some moves if they were going to try one last time to sway Kyrie Irving's mind about leaving the Celtics. They didn't do that. Their top pick was Romeo Langford, who suffered from a thumb injury during his only season at Indiana University. He had a good season, but his injury limited his production very much and Indiana didn't even make the NCAA Tournament. In my opinion, they reached on Langford at 14th. This was a very high reach for Boston to make, and they gambled for the future when they needed to be making smart, win-now picks for the present.

With center/power forward Al Horford expressing his desire to leave the Celtics, they needed someone to fill his role who could play a lot of minutes and score efficiently. They drafted Grant Williams from Tennessee, but it just doesn't seem like the right fit for what Boston needs, as he played more forward and less center. However, he does have a high basketball IQ. They got good value picks in Edwards and Waters, but they will need developing.

Finally, to add to Boston's very (below)-average Draft night, they traded away backup center Aron Baynes and 24th overall pick Ty Jerome to Phoenix for a 2020 first-round pick. The pick does nothing for Kyrie, as he's a free agent this offseason. Now they have effectively nobody to develop their frontcourt rookies and, in Kyrie's eyes for this offseason, they got nothing in return. Boston has only gotten worse this offseason, and they're going to get much worse when Kyrie decides not to resign.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

18261
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

946790
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123399
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments