There won’t be much suspense in watching the Pelicans select Duke star Zion Williamson with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, but there will still be a lot to sort out Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
All 60 picks in both rounds will be announced over the course of several hours. Coverage starts at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN before the Pelicans go on the clock at 6:30 p.m.
The Pelicans will be thrilled to take Williamson, one of the most electric prospects in recent memory, then the Grizzlies seem set on Murray State point guard Ja Morant after trading Mike Conley to the Jazz. The Knicks recently worked out guards but likely won’t pass up on Duke scorer R.J. Barrett.
The real intrigue starts with the fourth overall pick, which the Pelicans acquired from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade. The team has reportedly fielded offers from other teams looking to trade up into that spot and could look to add more assets as it tries to build around Williamson.
The Bulls, one of the teams that could try to trade up, currently sit in the seventh spot after falling in the draft lottery.
They’re likely aiming to get one of the top perimeter players – Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver, Vanderbilt’s Darius Garland or UNC’s Coby White – although there’s a possibility that those players go consecutively with the fourth, fifth and sixth picks.
Other top prospects in this year’s class include Virginia forward De’Andre Hunter, Duke forward Cam Reddish and Texas big man Jaxson Hayes.
How to watch the 2019 NBA Draft
Time: Coverage starts at 6 p.m. CT, Pelicans go on clock at 6:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
