- The 2019 NBA draft order has been decided.
- The Duke star Zion Williamson is the presumed top pick, and the 2019 draft class is considered top-heavy.
- We surveyed seven experts’ mock drafts to come up with consensus picks on how the draft may play out.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Though we’re in the midst of the NBA Finals, the NBA draft is not far away.
In recent weeks, teams have been working out prospects, hoping to gain some insight as to who is top prospect available.
This year’s draft class is headlined by Zion Williamson, the Duke superstar who is almost guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick.
After Williamson, many expect this to be a top-heavy class that could see lots of movement after the first few picks.
To get a sense of how the draft may play out, we found consensus picks among seven experts' mock drafts. Our experts: Jonathan Givony of ESPN, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated, Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, Gary Parrish of CBS, and The Ringer.
The draft is June 20. Check out what the experts are predicting for the 2019 NBA draft below:
1. New Orleans Pelicans — Zion Williamson, F
School: Duke
Age: 18
Other possibilities: none
Expert quote: From Givony: "We've never seen a prospect quite like him in terms of his combination of productivity, athleticism, competitiveness, skill and feel for the game - not to mention the sheer star power he'll bring."
2. Memphis Grizzlies — Ja Morant, G
School: Murray State
Age: 19
Other possibilities: none
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "He's an elite player off of a live dribble, due largely to his tight handle, terrific of change of pace, and ability to change direction without slowing down. It's my opinion that Morant will enter the NBA immediately as one of the top 10 passers in the league."
3. New York Knicks — R.J. Barrett, F
School: Duke
Age: 18
Other possibilities: none
Expert quote: From Givony: "Barrett emerged as Duke's full-time playmaker as the season moved on, showing impressive passing ability operating out of pick-and-rolls, something that will serve him well in the NBA once he is surrounded by better shooters."
4. Los Angeles Lakers — Jarrett Culver, F
School: Texas Tech
Age: 20
Other possibilities: Darius Garland (G, Vanderbilt), De'Andre Hunter (F, Virginia)
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "One of the breakout stars of the college basketball season, the Texas Tech wing has developed into a high-level shot creator who also plays well within a team construct."
5. Cleveland Cavaliers — De'Andre Hunter, F
School: Virginia
Age: 21
Other possibilities: Cam Reddish (G/F, Duke), Jarrett Culver
Expert quote: From O'Donnell: "If you're looking for a 3-and-D prospect with a high floor, Hunter is a safe bet in this draft."
6. Phoenix Suns — Darius Garland, G
School: Vanderbilt
Age: 19
Other possibilities: Jarrett Culver, De'Andre Hunter
Expert quote: From O'Donnell: "Garland is the mystery man of this draft, a highly touted point guard recruit whose skill set seems like a perfect fit in the modern NBA but with little tape to prove it."
7. Chicago Bulls — Coby White, G
School: UNC
Age: 19
Other possibilities: none
Expert quote: From Givony: "His impressive size, open-court quickness and shot-making ability make him an ideal fit in the modern NBA game, and he should make strides as a passer and defender as he continues to gain strength and experience."
8. Atlanta Hawks — Cam Reddish, G/F
School: Duke
Age: 19
Other possibilities: De'Andre Hunter, Jarrett Culver, Sekou Doumbouya (F, France), Nassir Little (G/F, UNC)
Expert quote: From Givony: "Reddish is one of the biggest enigmas of this draft class, as he rarely produced up to his talent level as a freshman ... Still, his combination of size, length, fluidity and perimeter shooting ability is highly intriguing in a draft that is lacking deep star power."
9. Washington Wizards — Sekou Doumbouya, F
School: n/a - Limoges/France
Age: 18
Other possibilities: Nassir Little (F, UNC), Jaxson Hayes (C, Texas), Cam Reddish
Expert quote: From The Ringer: "Unpolished physical specimen with the potential versatility at the forward spots to be a mismatch nightmare if his skills continue to develop."
10. Atlanta Hawks — Jaxson Hayes, C
School: Texas
Age: 18
Other possibilities: Brandon Clarke (F, Gonzaga), P.J. Washington (F, Kentucky), Sekou Doumbouya
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "A 6-foot-11 center with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, many evaluators around the NBA believe that Hayes has potential to be the type of low-usage, rim-running, shot-blocking center that every NBA team is looking for right now."
11. Minnesota Timberwolves — Rui Hachimura, F
School: Gonzaga
Age: 21
Other possibilities: Nassir Little (F, UNC), Brandon Clarke (F, Gonzaga), Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish, Sekou Doumbouya
Expert quote: From Woo: "NBA teams value his alpha-dog mentality, physical tools and defensive switchability, and many are of the belief that Hachimura can still take his game to another level, particularly if his shooting improves."
12. Charlotte Hornets — Romeo Langford, F
School: Indiana
Age: 19
Other possibilities: Brandon Clarke (F, Gonzaga), Kevin Porter Jr. (G, USC)
Expert quote: From The Ringer: "Natural scorer at the wing who must refine his decision-making and jumper for his effortless offensive talents to translate in the NBA."
13. Miami Heat — P.J. Washington, F
School: Kentucky
Age: 20
Other possibilities: Kevin Porter Jr. (G, USC), Nassir Little (F, UNC)
Expert quote: From Parrish: "Washington definitely helped himself this season - mostly because he went from a 23.8% 3-point shooter (on limited opportunities) as a freshman to somebody who made 42.3% of the 78 3-pointers he attempted as a sophomore ... The 6-8 forward led UK in both points (15.2) and rebounds (7.5)."
14. Boston Celtics (via Sacramento Kings) — Brandon Clarke, F
School: Gonzaga
Age: 2
Other possibilities: Goga Bitadze (C, Serbia), P.J. Washington, Jaxson Hayes
Expert quote: From Givony: "Clarke's versatility as a rim-protecting, pick-and-roll-switching lob-catcher is intriguing on this roster."
15. Detroit Pistons — Nassir Little, F
School: UNC
Age: 19
Other possibilities: Goga Bitadze (C, Serbia), Tyler Herro (G, Kentucky), Romeo Langford
Expert quote: From O'Donnell: "Little still has all the raw attributes to be a productive two-way NBA wing, blessed with long arms, broad shoulders, and a relentless motor."
16. Orlando Magic — Tyler Herro, G
School: Kentucky
Age: 19
Other possibilities: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (G, Virginia Tech), Romeo Langford
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "Herro is a tremendous shooter who can run off of screens at full speed, stop on a dime, and knock down shots. He's also got more game off of the bounce than he gets credit for, with the ability to attack closeouts and get into the midrange for pull-ups."
17. Brooklyn Nets — Bol Bol, C
School: Oregon
Age: 19
Other possibilities: Goga Bitadze (C, Serbia), Mfiondu Kabengele (C, Florida State)
Expert quote: From Wasserman: "With the ability to shoot threes and specialty jumpers, he'd give the Nets offense a different look than Jarrett Allen. If Bol can hold up physically, he could become a steal outside the lottery."
18. Indiana Pacers — Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G
School: Virginia
Age: 20
Other possibilities: Kevin Porter Jr. (G, USC), Tyler Herro, P.J. Washington, Rui Hachimura
Expert quote: From Givony: "He has the perimeter shooting ability, length, feel and versatility Indiana typically covets."
19. San Antonio Spurs — Goga Bitadze, C or Mfiondu Kabengele, C
School: n/a - Serbia, Georgia (Bitadze) or Florida State (Kabengele
Age: 19 (Bitadze) or 21 (Kabengele)
Other possibilities: Grant Williams (F, Tennessee), Keldon Johnson (G/F, Kentucky), Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Expert quote: Givony on Bitadze: "His excellent skill level offensively - including his budding ability to stretch the floor - is attractive, given his combination of size and reach, especially since he has yet to turn 20."
20. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers) — no consensus
Possibilities: Keldon Johnson (G/F, Kentucky), Grant Williams (F, Tennessee), Ty Jerome (G, Virginia), Chuma Okeke (F, Auburn), Bol Bol, Tyler Herro, P.J. Washington
Expert quote: The Ringer on Williams: "Team-first player who runs the show from the post in college but will need to expand his game to the perimeter at the next level."
21. Oklahoma City Thunder — Matisse Thybulle, G
School: Washington
Age: 22
Other possibilities: Cameron Johnson (F, UNC), Bol Bol, Tyler Herro
Expert quote: From Woo: "Thybulle's athleticism, length and elite defensive instincts make for an appealing toolkit, and if he can knock down open threes at a good clip, he could become an extremely valuable role player."
22. Boston Celtics — Kevin Porter Jr., G
School: USC
Age: 19
Other possibilities: Keldon Johnson (G/F, Kentucky), Carsen Edwards (G, Purdue), Dylan Windler (F, Auburn), Luguentz Dort (G, Arizona State), Matisse Thybulle
Expert quote: From Givony: "Porter can become another creator on the perimeter who can shoulder some of the scoring load. Porter has the size and versatility to slot into a variety of lineup configurations."
23. Utah Jazz — Keldon Johnson, G/F
School: Kentucky
Age: 19
Other possibilities: Cameron Johnson (F, UNC), Admiral Schofield (F, Tennessee), Rui Hachimura
Expert quote: From O'Donnell: "Johnson showed a well-rounded game as a freshman at Kentucky with no signature skill but few apparent weaknesses."
24. Philadelphia 76ers — Cameron Johnson, F
School: UNC
Age: 23
Other possibilities: Matisse Thybulle (G, Washington), Ty Jerome (G, Virginia), Grant Williams (F, Tennessee), Luguentz Dort (G, Arizona State)
Expert quote: From Woo: "At this point, Johnson looks one of the more NBA-ready wings available, with a potentially elite catch and shoot profile that makes him a good first-round bet despite his advanced age and history of leg injuries."
25. Portland Trail Blazers — KZ Okpala, F
School: Stanford
Age: 20
Other possibilities: Luguentz Dort (G, Arizona State), Talen Horton-Tucker (G, Iowa State), Luka Samanic (F, Croatia), Keldon Johnson, Grant Williams
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "Okpala is the kind of high-upside player the Blazers tend to value, though. Best of all, he fits a position of need as a combo forward who can create off the dribble, knock down shots, and potentially even become useful defensively one day."
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Houston Rockets) — Nicolas Claxton, F/C
School: Georgia
Age: 20
Other possibilities: Goga Bitadze (C, Georgia), Talen Horton-Tucker (G, Iowa State), Ty Jerome (G, Virginia), Rui Hachimura, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "I'm guessing that, at the end of the day, Claxton's combination of skills is too fascinating from a modern NBA perspective to pass up at the end of the first round."
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Denver Nuggets) — no consensus
Possibilities: Luguentz Dort (G, Arizona State), Luka Samanic (F, Croatia), Chuma Okeke (F, Auburn), KZ Okpala, Grant Williams, Keldon Johnson
Expert quote: Givony on Dort: "Dort's toughness, athleticism and long-term potential will be attractive to an organization that prides itself on character and work ethic."
28. Golden State Warriors — Carsen Edwards, G
School: Purdue
Age: 21
Other possibilities: Talen Horton-Tucker (G, Iowa State), Bruno Fernando (C, Maryland), Eric Paschall (F, Villanova)
Expert quote: From Parrish: "At worst, I think, Edwards projects as an instant-offense contributor perfectly suited to come off of the bench for a team filled with shooters like Golden State."
29. San Antonio Spurs — no consensus
Possibilities: Darius Bazley (F, no school), Ty Jerome (G, Virginia), Bruno Fernando (C, Maryland), Deividas Sirvydis (F, Lithuania), Dylan Windler (F, Belmont), KZ Okpala
Expert quote: Vecenie on Fernando: "He has ball skills to be able to run dribble hand-offs and short rolls offensively, can make the right reads as a passer, and has the potential to add a mid-range jumper."
30. Milwaukee Bucks — no consensus
Possibilities: Mfiondu Kabengele (C, Florida State), Neemias Queta (C, Utah State), Eric Paschall (F, Villanova), Isaiah Roby (F, Nebraska) Luka Samanic (F, Croatia), Matisse Thybulle
Expert quote: O'Donnell on Jerome: "The 6'5 guard can play either backcourt spot thanks to his elite catch-and-shoot ability and strong feel for the game. He's limited athletically but has the size, skill, and smarts to play in the league."
Now, check out what happened to one of the most famous draft classes in NBA history ...
