How Does the 2019 NBA Draft Class Compare to Previous Years' Top Picks?
Looking back at the 2019 NBA draft class now, several years into these players' careers, I can't help but feel we're witnessing something special unfold. As someone who's followed basketball drafts for over fifteen years, I've developed a pretty good sense for which classes have that transformative potential, and this one's showing all the signs. The comparison game is always tricky—every draft class enters the league with its own unique context and expectations—but what makes the 2019 group particularly fascinating is how quickly they've reshaped multiple franchises.
When I first started analyzing draft prospects professionally, the 2003 class featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony was considered the gold standard. Then came 2009 with Steph Curry and James Harden, and more recently, the 2018 class that gave us Luka Dončić and Trae Young. Each of these groups had something distinctive—2003 had once-in-a-generation talent, 2009 revolutionized shooting, and 2018 brought international flair to new heights. What strikes me about 2019 is how it managed to deliver both star power and remarkable depth across multiple positions.
Zion Williamson's rookie season was statistically one of the most impressive I've seen since Blake Griffin, averaging 22.5 points per game on 58% shooting. The sheer physical dominance he displayed reminded me of a young Charles Barkley, but with even more explosive athleticism. Then you have Ja Morant, who won Rookie of the Year and has since developed into one of the league's most electrifying point guards. His Memphis Grizzlies have become legitimate contenders in the Western Conference, which is rare for a team built around such young talent. What often gets overlooked in these comparisons is how these players complement each other across teams—the 2019 class didn't just produce individual stars but franchise cornerstones.
The international flavor of this class deserves special mention. RJ Barrett going third to New York brought Canadian talent into the spotlight, while Darius Garland's development in Cleveland shows how point guard evolution continues. But what really stands out to me is how many players from this draft have already made All-Star appearances—we're looking at potentially 4-5 multiple-time All-Stars when it's all said and done. That's a hit rate that challenges even the celebrated 1996 class that gave us Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
There's an interesting parallel here with the boxing reference you might recall from the Navarrete situation—sometimes the impact of an event isn't immediately apparent until later. Just as a referee's decision can change how we view a fight's outcome, time gives us perspective on draft classes. If the referee had called that punch on Navarrete differently, Suarez would have been champion. Similarly, if teams had drafted differently in 2019, we might be talking about completely different player trajectories. The Timberwolves taking Jarrett Culver over Garland, for instance—that decision looks very different now than it did then.
What I find particularly compelling about evaluating this class is how it's performing in the current NBA landscape. The game has never been faster or more spaced, and the 2019 draftees arrived perfectly suited for this era. They're versatile defenders, capable shooters, and most importantly, they're winners. Several players from this class have already led their teams deep into the playoffs, which isn't common for players so early in their careers.
The depth beyond the lottery picks is what truly separates good draft classes from great ones. I've tracked draft analytics for years, and the success rate of second-round picks from 2019 is remarkable. Terance Mann became a playoff hero for the Clippers, while guys like Daniel Gafford and Luguentz Dort have developed into crucial rotation players. Finding that level of value outside the top 20 picks is what builds sustainable contenders, and the 2019 class delivered in spades.
Comparing this to previous years, the 2017 class had Markelle Fultz going first overall amid significant uncertainty, while 2016 gave us Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram—talented players certainly, but without the collective impact we're seeing from 2019. Even 2014, which featured Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić, took several years to reveal its true quality because of injuries and developmental timelines. The 2019 group hit the ground running in a way that's rare for any draft class.
From my perspective as both an analyst and fan, what makes this class so enjoyable to watch is their competitive fire. These players genuinely seem to elevate each other through their rivalries and matchups. When Morant faces off against Williamson, or Garland competes against Tyler Herro, there's an extra intensity that reminds me of those classic 1980s rivalries. They're not just playing for stats—they're playing to prove they belong among the league's best.
As we look toward the future, I'm confident the 2019 class will be remembered as one of the most impactful in recent memory. They've already accumulated individual honors, transformed franchise fortunes, and set new standards for what young players can achieve. While it's still early in their careers, the trajectory suggests they'll challenge the legacy of legendary classes. The true test will be championships—if multiple players from this class lead their teams to titles, the historical conversation will shift significantly. Based on what I've seen so far, I wouldn't bet against them.