Expect there to be many future all-stars from the 2019 NBA Draft. But which are most likely to come from outside the lottery?
There was a good amount of star power in the 2019 NBA Draft, led by Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Ja Morant at the top. These are obviously guys viewed as most likely to become future all-stars in the pros and lead their teams outside of the lottery. There are other guys picked in the lottery such as Jarrett Culver and De’Andre Hunter that have great shots at developing into all-star caliber as well.
But what about those who weren’t selected in the lottery? The odds, of course aren’t as high as those picked before them. But by no means assume that the goal for those picked 15 and after are just to become rotation players for their respective teams. Just take a look at the most recent NBA All-Star game participants and where they were drafted:
Kawhi Leonard – 15th pick
Giannis Antetokounmpo – 15th pick
Kyle Lowry – 24th pick
Khris Middleton – 39th pick
Nikola Vucevic – 16th pick
Nikola Jokic – 41st pick
Considering that two of the five best players in the NBA currently were not lottery picks and one of the best centers in the game was a second-rounder, there’s hope for teams that a hidden gem was lurking all along and hoping they fell to them.
Who are the players picked after this year’s NBA Draft lottery that are most likely to make an all-star game? It’ll have to be guys who have a pathway to eventual playing time rather than being buried on the bench and soon to be forgotten. Here’s a list of five under the radar guys I think will have a star-level impact in the future.