NBA Draft 2019 Highlights and Analyses: 20 Best picks from the class of 2019

#4 Los Angeles Lakers (traded to ATL) – De'Andre Hunter, 4th overall pick (Virginia)

De’Andre Hunter walked across the stage in a Lakers hat, but as a result of the Anthony Davis trade and New Orleans trading the pick, he is heading to the Atlanta Hawks. Hunter was a member of the Virginia team that won it all in the NCAA Tournament this past March and has had the eyes of draft scouts since.

In his championship season, he averaged 15.2 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and 2 assists. Not only does he score prolifically, he also scores efficiently as he hits about 61% of his field goal shots.

Defensively, many scouts consider him the best defender in college basketball, and he has experience guarding some of the best in the NCAA as well. Standing at 222 pounds and having a good frame, Hunter uses both to protect the paint and defend against a post-up.

Some question his long term upside, as he is slightly older than most prospects, and the quality of his jump shot once he enters the NBA, but none of this seemed to bother the Hawks as they told sources he was on their draft list from day one.

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#3 New York Knicks – RJ Barrett, 3rd overall pick (Duke)

For the first time in about four years, the New York Knicks fans can finally feel happy about their team’s draft choices the day after and the draftees can fear not being booed as their name is called at MSG in October. After multiple drafts where boos filled the Barclays Center, there were nothing but cheers as the Knicks selected Duke small forward RJ Barrett with the 3rd overall pick.

RJ Barrett has been the subject of Knicks draft discussions since after the lottery when drafting Zion Williamson seemed out of the picture and he was the fans’ pick as well. Along with wanting to play in New York, Barrett’s dad played for the St. John's basketball team years ago.

Aside from being Zion’s teammate at Duke, RJ Barrett has several good qualities which he will bring to Madison Square Garden. He has the speediness to create transitional basketball up and down the court and his ball handling is simply the best at his position.

Averaging 22.6 points per game last season, Barrett uses his size to get open looks close to the arc and in the paint and knocks them down from mid-range. His size also helps him to drive into the paint and take contact for 3-point plays.

Knicks fans are hoping that drafting Barrett is the first step to having a big revamping summer, that he will give players like Kevin Durant a reason to come to the team. What is known for sure is that the Knicks at least have some talented young guys to serve as supplementary players to support a max star.

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#2 Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant, 2nd overall pick (Murray State)

As expected at No. 2, the Grizzlies selected Ja Morant from Murray State.

Morant is coming off an excellent season, in which he led his team to the NCAA Tournament and a second-round appearance, and he will need to do even more to bring Memphis back to relevance in the Western Conference.

Some of his greatest strengths are transition offense, which helped him put up 24.5 points per game this past season, passing, and pull up jumpers from inside and out of the arc.

He likes to get into the teeth of the defense and score at the rim, however, when on defense he shows signs of weakness and is prone to getting beat to the rim and when attempting steals. Passing, although a positive, can sometimes be slippery as he likes to be flashy with the ball which can lead to turnovers.

Morant has big shoes to fill in Memphis with the departure of Mike Conley, therefore he will need to be efficient player on both sides of the ball.

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#1 New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson, 1st overall pick (Duke)

With the first pick, the Pelicans drafted Duke forward phenom Zion Williamson, an expected decision after they won the first pick in the NBA lottery. Now that their star for the past several years has left for the LA Lakers in Anthony Davis, Williamson comes in with the chance to steal the stardom and make an incredible impact on both ends of the floor for New Orleans Pelicans.

While playing his college ball at Duke, Zion showed everybody his unique athleticism game in and game out. Offensively, he averaged 22.6 points per game with 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Defensively, he is an incredible defender at the glass and can destroy the rebound category every game.

On being drafted No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft, Zion said:

“It doesn’t even seem real.... I’ve been dreaming about this since I was 4.”

In the eyes of both the prognosticators and the fans, Zion Williamson has a great chance to enter the league and become an All-Star caliber player who will turn eyes towards New Orleans. Come October, we shall see.