NBA Draft 2019 winners & losers: Pelicans, Grizzlies build bright futures; Suns, Wizards reach

Jordan Greer

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NBA Draft 2019 winners & losers: Pelicans, Grizzlies build bright futures; Suns, Wizards reach image

The 2019 NBA Draft had all the elements of a great TV drama: compelling characters, sudden twists and the feeling that it had dragged on just a little bit too long.

Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett landed at the top of the NBA Draft board as expected, but the Hawks jumped up the order to select De'Andre Hunter at No. 4. That first domino kicked off a chain of trades and forced draft watchers to play close attention to which team was actually choosing the next player.

NBA DRAFT 2019:
Grades, analysis for first-round picks | Trade rumor roundup

Now that we know the final results of the 2019 NBA Draft, it's time to declare a few early winners and losers. (Apologies in advance to all those poor Suns fans out there.)

NBA Draft 2019 winners

New Orleans Pelicans

Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin is on a hot streak.

Losing Anthony Davis was always going to be painful, but Griffin has managed to acquire perhaps the greatest return package in any superstar trade in NBA history. He added to his haul by flipping the No. 4 pick the Pelicans received from the Lakers into even more assets from the Hawks.

The main prize of the Pels' draft was obviously Williamson, but the Pelicans also snagged big man Jaxson Hayes at No. 8, forming one of the most athletic frontcourts in the league. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was a nice value pick at No. 17, the type of combo guard who could slide into the lineup with either Lonzo Ball or Jrue Holiday.

Oh, and as if that wasn't enough, New Orleans cleared a good portion of cap space after sending Solomon Hill's contract to Atlanta. With plenty of flexibility and Zion as the cornerstone, the Pelicans could be something special in the near future.

Memphis Grizzlies

"Grit'N'Grind" will always be remembered fondly in Memphis, but that era is over. It's time for the Grizz to embrace a youth movement.

It all starts with Ja Morant, who owns the best court vision and passing ability in this draft class. He will face the daunting task of replacing franchise icon Mike Conley, but the talent is there.

Morant will have some help from Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke, who was selected with the No. 21 pick, an absolute steal for Memphis. Clarke could have easily been off the board well before the 20s. A few teams might regret not betting on his considerable upside.

The last two seasons have been rough for the Grizzlies (55-109 overall record). They won't suddenly be a playoff team, but there is plenty of reason for hope with this group.

Atlanta Hawks

General manager Travis Schlenk isn't shy about targeting the prospects he likes. He did it with Trae Young in 2018 and again with Hunter and Cam Reddish in this year's draft.

Consider the young core here: Young, Hunter, Reddish, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. Young, Collins and Huerter have already displayed their on-court chemistry. Hunter could be a superb "3-and-D" guy on this team, and it's possible Atlanta unlocks Reddish's considerable potential without the pressure of playing next to Williamson and Barrett hanging over him.

The blueprint is working so far for Schlenk.

Trades: TRADES, TRADES, TRADES, TRADES, TRADES, TRADES... EVERYBODY!

NBA Draft 2019 losers

Phoenix Suns

Phoenix surprisingly salary-dumped TJ Warren before the draft, then pulled off the real stunner when it picked North Carolina's Cameron Johnson at No. 11 following a trade with the Timberwolves.

Johnson, one of the best pure shooters in this class, was projected as a late first-rounder in plenty of mock drafts. He is a solid player, but this felt like a massive reach by the Suns, especially considering Johnson (23) is older than Devin Booker (22). Phoenix would have been better off simply staying at No. 6 and choosing Jarrett Culver rather than sliding down a few picks and taking Dario Saric as part of the deal.

But hey, at least we got this... 

Washington Wizards

Another reach in the lottery. Washington went with Rui Hachimura at No. 9, and the Gonzaga forward will have to answer a few questions in order to shake off any skepticism about this pick. Can he become a better passer? Is he capable of ironing out his jump shot? How limited will he be defensively?

The bigger problem: The Wizards didn't have a general manager for the draft, and free agency is fast approaching. This lack of communication is, uh, not great? 

Bol Bol

One of the more polarizing prospects in this class, Bol tumbled down the board to No. 44 because of concerns about his health, ability to be physical with such a slender frame (measured at 7-2, 208 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine) and overall passion for the game. His offensive skill and upside didn't outweigh those concerns in the eyes of general managers.

During his interview with ESPN's Maria Taylor, Bol said he wants to "prove everybody wrong." He'll have his chance to silence any critics as a member of the Nuggets.

Fans of quick drafts

If you cracked open a Tolstoy novel right before the draft began, chances are you reached the last page before NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announced pick No. 60.

It's two rounds of picks. This timeline is insane.

Marvin Bagley

My man started one of the most random beefs in rap history with Damian Lillard and got roasted on draft night.

Tough break. Going to need a response track in the next 24-48 hours.

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.