Looking Back On The WILD Top Five Of The 2019 NBA Draft
The 2019 NBA draft class was one of the most hyped and highly anticipated draft classes in the past decade.
The class included high-flying Ja Morant, the former number-one player in the country RJ Barrett, and the most hyped player since LeBron (before Wembanyama) Zion Williamson. However, looking back, it has become odd in the top few selections.
Let's look at this class's top five draft picks and see how they're doing.
1st Overall Pick: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
We're well aware of Zion Williamson's issues in New Orleans, primarily the injuries.
Since entering the league, Zion has dealt with injury after injury that has kept him sidelined for the majority of his career so far.
Zion has played just 35% of possible games through his four seasons in the NBA, excluding playoffs. While he has averaged just under 26 points and seven rebounds per game when he has played, that is a minuscule amount compared to how many games he has sat out.
It also got much weirder after it was apparent that Zion Williamson, who had dealt with criticisms about his weight during college and before the draft, seemed to have packed on a few pounds.
This has also led people to believe this is a major part of why he hasn't played, just not being fit enough to do it.
It also didn't help that an adult film star named Moriah Mills claimed that Williamson paid for her to fly out, had multiple weird fetishes, and all around the time Williamson announced he and his girlfriend were expecting a daughter.
Mills has threatened to post an apparent tape of the two making love. Zion needs to lock in and focus on basketball.
2nd Overall Pick: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Speaking of focusing on basketball, no one has to do that more than Ja Morant.
The electric and high-flying guard has been awesome in his career, averaging 26 points and eight assists this past season. It isn't on the court that has been the issue for Morant; it is staying out of trouble off the court.
The first issue still being dealt with stems from an encounter at the Grizzlies' star's home. During a pickup basketball game, Morant punched a teen in the face. The teen would press the charge, and an arrest warrant would be issued for Morant. An idiot choice, but somehow not the worst.
During the season, Morant waved a gun on camera and was suspended for eight games. Morant got help to focus back in, but it wasn't enough, as when the season was over for the Grizzlies, Morant would do it again on Instagram live, getting himself a 25-game suspension to start next season.
Morant has incredible potential but is a massive idiot. Hopefully, now in that locker room, Marcus Smart can help him age up and be professional.
3rd Overall Pick: RJ Barrett, New York Knicks
Only one word truly describes the situation, disappointment. Barrett was expected to be the true saviour of the Knicks, a franchise searching for their star since trading the 7'3 Kristaps Porzingis. But Barrett just has yet to turn into that.
Barrett progressed well, but he was expected to take the leap this year and did not. Averaging just over 19 points and five assists this past season, fans are still waiting for Barrett to become the superstar he was touted and expected to be.
Jalen Brunson might have just stolen the spot of the New York youngster taking everyone's hearts.
4th Overall Pick: De'Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
Who? I'm just joking, but Hunter hasn't done that much after being drafted out of Virginia.
While dealing with injuries the past few seasons, Hunter started most of the past year and averaged around 15 points and four rebounds. Hunter should continue to develop well in a young but underwhelming Hawks system. Especially with his solid perimeter defense and Trae Young and Dejounte Murray passing him the rock, he should progress well but not as anything too special.
5th Overall Pick: Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Imagine telling someone back then this would be the best pick of the top five. Garland averaged around 22 points and eight assists with over a steal a game.
Garland helps headline an excellent and young core in Cleveland, including Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Isaac Okoro.
Garland has turned haters into believers and has excelled as the main ball handler for this Cavaliers team. With his incredible court vision, sense for the game, and young team with him, the sky is the limit for Garland and this Cavaliers team in the coming years.
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