As the 2019-20 NBA season quickly approaches, we make statistical projections for the top 10 picks from the 2019 draft
The 2019 NBA Draft was the first to implement the leagues’ new draft lottery format, with the hope being that lowered odds would prevent teams from tanking. Under the new format, the bottom three teams are given the exact same chance to win the lottery, 14 percent, with most of the other lottery teams falling not too far behind.
Within its first year, this new lottery format shook up multiple draft spots, with the New Orleans Pelicans taking winning the Zion Williamson sweepstakes.
Now, this draft may have been headlined by Zion, and to a lesser degree Ja Morant, but it has a lot more to offer beyond the top two. The 2018 draft was a reminder that rookies can be instant contributors and the top players from this year’s draft have that same potential.
Often times, raw stats for rookies are heavily dependent on not only NBA readiness but also their projected roles. This is why the new lottery format will play such a big role in the early development of these rookies.
For these stat projections, I will take into account their college production, potential, NBA readiness and the roles they are projected to have with their new teams.