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2019 NBA Draft results: Zion Williamson goes 1, trades aplenty in the first round

On Thursday, the NBA will hold its 2019 Draft, where the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to make Duke forward Zion Williamson the No. 1 pick.
Credit: AP
Duke's Zion Williamson, right, poses for photographs with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected by the New Orleans Pelicans as the first pick during the NBA basketball draft Thursday, June 20, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

In what is one of the most highly anticipated selection shows in recent memory, the 2019 NBA Draft will take place on Thursday night from Brooklyn, N.Y.

After winning the league's draft lottery last month, the New Orleans Pelicans lay claim to the top pick.

With the top pick, the Pelicans are expected to draft Duke forward Zion Williamson, who is arguably the most highly touted NBA prospect since LeBron James in 2003. The Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers round out the top five of the draft, which has already had multiple picks occur in the first round. 

Follow along here for all the latest live updates throughout the draft, in what possesses the potential to be a history-making night for the NBA.

First round:

1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, F, Duke

No surprise here, the Pelicans take Williamson as expected. Williamson enters the league with arguably the most hype since LeBron James in 2003 and will join a team that also possesses point guard Jrue Holiday.

2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, PG, Murray State

Grizzlies stay chalk and take Murray State point guard Ja Morant, who was widely regarded as the No. 2 prospect in the draft. The uber-athletic Morant will replace Mike Conley in the Grizzlies lineup after Memphis agreed to trade Conley to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

3. New York Knicks: R.J. Barrett, G, Duke

After some flirtation with some of the draft's top point guard, the Knicks go with Duke's R.J. Barrett, who entered his freshman season as the nation's No. 1 player. New York possesses room to sign two max salary contracts this summer, which could put Barrett on a contender sooner rather than later.

4. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans via Lakers): De'Andre Hunter, F, Virginia

Although the Lakers officially made this selection, it will head to Atlanta (via New Orleans) as a part of the Anthony Davis trade). In Hunter, Atlanta adds arguably the nation's top defender and a new piece to a young core that includes Trae Young and John Collins.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt

For the second time in as many years, the Cavs select a point guard, this time picking Vanderbilt's Darius Garland to pair alongside Collin Sexton in their backcourt.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Suns): Jarrett Culver, G, Texas Tech

Less than two hours after trading up five spots, Minnesota drafts Texas Tech guard Jarrett Culver. The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, Culver possesses two-way potential and is coming off a season in which he led the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament national title game.

7. Chicago Bulls: Coby White, PG, North Carolina

The Bulls end their search for an impact point guard, drafting North Carolina's Coby White, who averaged 16.1 points and 4.1 assists in his lone season at Chapel Hill.

8. New Orleans Pelicans (via Hawks): Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas

The Pelicans (by way of their trade with the Hawks) draft Texas big man Jaxson Hayes, who will join Williamson in the New Orleans frontcourt. In 32 games last season, Hayes averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.

9. Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga

Washington takes Gonzaga big man and Japan native Rui Hachimura. In his junior season with the Zags, he averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds.

10. Atlanta Hawks: Cam Reddish, F, Duke

Atlanta takes a big swing on Duke forward Cam Reddish, who arrived in Durham as one of the nation's top prospects but struggled to show consistency in his freshman season.

11. Phoenix Suns (via Timberwolves): Cameron Johnson, F, North Carolina

After trading back five spots, the Phoenix Suns land Cam Johnson, 6-foot-8 forward from North Carolina who possesses no shortage of upside.

12. Charlotte Hornets: P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky

It wouldn't be an NBA Draft without a player who was coached by John Calipairi. In this case, Charlotte lands Kentucky forward P.J. Washington, who averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in his sophomore season with the Wildcats.

13. Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky

Another ex-Wildcat off the board as Pat Riley and the Heat draft Kentucky guard Tyler Herro, who could replace some of the production in the Miami backcourt following the retirement of Dwyane Wade.

14. Boston Celtics (via Kings via 76ers): Romeo Langford, G-F, Indiana

With Al Horford and Kyrie Irving expected to land elsewhere this summer, Boston continues its youth movement, drafting 19-year-old old Romeo Langford, who averaged 16.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in his freshman season in Bloomington.

15. Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya, F, France

With the first non-lottery pick, Detroit takes a swing on upside, drafting big man Sekou Doumbouya out of France. Measuring in at 6-foot-9, Doumbouya is a versatile defender with no shortage of untapped potential on both sides of the floor.

16. Orlando Magic: Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn

Coming off a playoff appearance, Orlando adds 6-foot-8 Auburn forward Chuma Okeke, who likely would have been a lottery pick if not for the torn ACL he suffered in the NCAA Tournament.

17. New Orleans Pelicans (via Hawks via Nets): Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech

With its third first-round pick (this one via the Hawks via the Nets), the Pelicans add Virginia Tech guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. In heading to New Orleans, Alexander-Walker will join a Pelicans backcourt that currently includes Jrue Holliday and Lonzo Ball.

18. Indiana Pacers: Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia

With Myles Turner reportedly on the trade block, Indiana takes Goga Bitadze, a 6-foot-11, 252-pound center out of the country of Georgia. Bitadze is renowned for his offensive ability and has been praised for his basketball IQ and passion.

19. San Antonio Spurs: Luka Šamanić, F, Croatia

The third foreign-born prospect in the past five picks, Luka Samanic is a 6-foot-11 combo forward with the ability to play both on the perimeter and above the rim.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: (via Celtics via Clippers via Grizzlies): Matise Thybulle, G-F, Washington

Philadelphia trades up from the No. 24 pick to add Washington's Matise Thybulle, a 4-year player who is known as one of the most impactful defenders in college basketball. In return, Boston will receive the No. 24 and No. 33 picks

21. Memphis Grizzlies (via Thunder): Brandon Clarke, F, Gonzaga

Memphis trades up two picks to the spot formerly owned by the Thunder to draft Brandon Clarke. A 6-foot-8 forward, Clarke possesses freakish athleticism, as well as the versatility to be an effective defender.

22. Boston Celtics: Grant Williams, F, Tennessee

With its second of three first-round picks, Boston drafts Grant Williams out of Tennessee. A 6-foot-8 forward, Williams is known as a high IQ player who possesses versatility on both ends of the floor. In his junior season, Williams averaged 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

23. Thunder (via Grizzlies via Jazz): Darius Bazley, F, Princeton (Ohio) HS

After trading back two spots, the Thunder take a flyer on former 5-star prospect Darius Bazley. Previously committed to Ohio State and Syracuse, Bazley sat this past season to focus on the NBA Draft and ultimately landed in the first round.

24. Phoenix Suns (via Celtics via 76ers): Ty Jerome, G, Virginia

Boston winds up trading its third first-rounder to the Suns, who select Virginia guard Ty Jerome. A 6-foot-5 guard, Jerome played a vital role in the Cavaliers' run to the NCAA title last season.

25. Portland Trail Blazers: Nassir Little, F, North Carolina

The Trail Blazers take former 5-star prospect Nassir Little, who struggled at times during his freshman season at North Carolina but was still thought to possess lottery potential entering the draft. In 36 games -- no starts -- he averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Rockets): Dylan Windler, F, Belmont

With their second pick of the first round, the Cavs take sharpshooting big man Dylan Windler, who averaged 42.9 percent from 3-point range in his senior season at Belmont.

27. Los Angeles Clippers (via Nets via Nuggets): Mfiondu Kabengele , C, Florida State

Trading up with the Nets for a pick previously owned by the Nuggets, the Clippers select Florida State center Mfiondu Kabengele.

28. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Poole, G, Michigan

Golden State drafts Michigan guard Jordan Poole, who could provide some much-needed depth to a suddenly depleted Warriors team.

29. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors) - Keldon Johnson, G, Kentucky

The Spurs add uber-athletic Keldon Johnson, a former 5-star prospect who showed promise.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Pistons via Bucks) - Kevin Porter Jr., G, USC

Trading four first-round picks to the Pistons, the Cavs acquire the final pick of the first round, which they use to select Kevin Porter Jr., a former 5-star prospect who struggled with injuries and suspension in his freshman season.

Second round

31. Brooklyn Nets (via Knicks) - Nicolas Claxton, C, University of Georgia

32. Miami Heat (via Pacers via Suns) - KZ Okpala, F, Stanford

33. Boston Celtics (via Sixers via Cavs) - Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue

34. Atlanta Hawks (via Sixers via Bulls) - Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland

35. New Orleans Pelicans (via Hawks) - Marcos Louzada Silva, G/F, Brazil

36. Charlotte Hornets (via Wizards) - Cody Martin, F, Nevada

37. Detroit Pistons (via Mavericks) - Deividas Sirvydis, G/F, Lithuania

38. Chicago Bulls (via Grizzlies) - Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas

39. Golden State Warriors (via Pelicans) - Alen Smailagic, F/C, Serbia

40. Sacramento Kings (via Timberwolves) - Justin James, G, Wyoming

41. Golden State Warriors (via Hawks via Lakers) - Eric Paschall, F, Villanova

42. Washington Wizards (via Sixers via Kings) - Admiral Schofield, F, Tennessee

43. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Heat) - Jaylen Nowell, G, Washington

44. Denver Nuggets (via Heat via Hawks via Hornets) - Bol Bol, C, Oregon

45. Dallas Mavericks (via Pistons) - Isaiah Roby, F, Nebraska

46. Los Angeles Lakers (via Magic via Nets) - Talen Horton-Tucker, G, Iowa State

47. New York Knicks (via Kings via Magic) - Ignas Brazdeikis, F, Michigan

48. Los Angeles Clippers - Terance Mann, G, Florida State

49. San Antonio Spurs - Quinndary Weatherspoon, G, Mississippi State

50. Utah Jazz (via Pacers) - Jarrell Brantley, F, College of Charleston

51. Boston Celtics - Tremont Waters, G, LSU

52. Charlotte Hornets (via Thunder) - Jalen McDaniels, F, San Diego State

53. Utah Jazz - Justin Wright-Foreman, G, Hofstra

54. Philadelphia 76ers - Marial Shayok, G/F, Iowa State

55. Sacramento Kings (via Knicks via Rockets) - Kyle Guy, G, Virginia

56. Brooklyn Nets (via Clippers via Trail Blazers) - Jaylen Hands, G, UCLA

57. Philadelphia 76ers (via Hawks via Pelicans via Nuggets) - Jordan Bone, G, Tennessee

58. Utah Jazz (via Warriors) - Miye Oni, G, Yale

59. Toronto Raptors - Dewan Hernandez, F/C, Miami

60. Sacramento Kings (via Bucks) Vanja Marinkovic, G, Serbia 

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