Looking back at the 2019 NBA draft class now, several years into these players' careers, I can't help but reflect on how uniquely this group has developed compared to previous draft classes. When I first started covering basketball professionally, I learned to temper my expectations about any draft class - some develop rapidly while others take years to find their footing, much like that Filipino saying I once heard from a coach: "Ganun talaga, sometimes slow, sometimes very fast yung umpisa, hindi natin masabi." This perfectly captures the unpredictable development trajectories we see in NBA prospects.
The 2019 class entered the league with modest expectations, especially compared to the hyped 2018 group that included Luka Dončić and Trae Young. What's fascinating about evaluating this class is how they've quietly produced several franchise cornerstones while lacking the overwhelming star power of some previous years. Zion Williamson's explosive start - averaging 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in his rookie season - created immediate excitement, but his subsequent injury struggles reminded us that early success doesn't always translate to sustained dominance. Meanwhile, Ja Morant's development into a superstar and franchise player for Memphis demonstrates how some talents accelerate their growth curve unexpectedly.
What stands out in my analysis is the remarkable depth of this class beyond the top picks. When we look at players selected outside the lottery, we find gems like Jordan Poole at pick 28, who became a crucial contributor to Golden State's 2022 championship run, and Keldon Johnson at pick 29, developing into a reliable starter for San Antonio. The class has produced approximately 12 players who have become solid NBA starters, which compares favorably to the 2016 draft that yielded around 9 quality starters by similar career points. The international flavor of this class particularly impresses me, with players like Rui Hachimura (Japan) and Brandon Clarke (Canada) adding to the global reach of the game.
The development patterns here remind me of that coaching wisdom about accumulating points gradually - "basta, as long as we get those points one point at a time, malaking bagay na yun sa'min." Several players from this class have shown exactly that kind of incremental growth. Darius Garland, for instance, improved his scoring average from 12.3 points as a rookie to 21.7 in his third season, earning his first All-Star selection. Tyler Herro's evolution from microwave scorer off the bench to complete offensive weapon mirrors this steady progression philosophy. I've always believed that sustainable development often beats flashy early success, and this class exemplifies that principle beautifully.
Comparing the 2018 and 2019 classes reveals an interesting dynamic - while 2018 produced more immediate star power with Dončić, Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2019 group might ultimately provide greater depth and more two-way players. Matisse Thybulle's defensive impact, for example, gives him a unique value that transcends traditional scoring metrics. The 2017 class, headlined by Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell, set a high bar for star production, but I'd argue the 2019 group's collective talent distribution across multiple positions creates a different kind of value for team building.
From a team construction perspective, what fascinates me about this class is how several franchises found foundational pieces outside the top five picks. The Miami Heat extracting Herro at 13, the Washington Wizards discovering Hachimura at 9, and the New Orleans Pelicans finding Herb Jones in the second round all represent tremendous value. This speaks to the improved scouting and development systems across the league, where teams increasingly recognize that talent emerges at different paces. The class has already produced three All-Stars (Morant, Garland, and Williamson) with several others like Herro and Poole knocking on the door.
When I contrast this with legendary classes like 2003 (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade) or 1984 (Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley), the 2019 group obviously lacks that historic top-end talent. However, I'd contend it compares favorably to solid but unspectacular classes like 2010 or 2013 in terms of depth and role player production. The true test will be how these players develop over the next three to four seasons, as most NBA talents hit their prime between ages 26-28.
What I particularly appreciate about this class is how they've adapted to the modern game. Players like Cameron Johnson developed into reliable three-point threats, while others like Nic Claxton evolved into versatile defensive anchors. The class's collective shooting improvement - from approximately 34% from three as rookies to nearly 37% in their third seasons - demonstrates their capacity for skill development. This adaptability might ultimately define their legacy more than their initial draft positions.
As someone who's followed NBA drafts for over fifteen years, I've learned that we often judge classes too quickly. The 2019 group continues to defy easy categorization, with players like Poole making dramatic leaps and others like Williamson facing unexpected setbacks. Their story is still being written, but what we've seen so far suggests a class with remarkable resilience and growth potential. They may not have the headline-grabbing superstars of some previous years, but their collective impact on the league could be more profound than we initially anticipated.
