A Look Back at the 2018 and 2019 NBA Rookies: Where Are They Now?
I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2018 and 2019 NBA draft classes like it was yesterday. The buzz in those draft nights felt electric—everyone was convinced we were witnessing the arrival of future legends. As someone who's followed basketball professionally for over a decade, I've developed a particular fascination with tracking how these young prospects evolve. There's something compelling about watching raw talent either flourish or fade away in the brutal crucible of professional basketball.
When I think about the 2018 class, Luka Dončić immediately comes to mind. The Slovenian sensation wasn't just good from day one—he was historically great. I recall arguing with colleagues who thought Trae Young should have been Rookie of the Year instead. Dončić averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6 assists that first season, numbers that should have silenced all doubters. Yet here we are five years later, and he's somehow exceeded even the most optimistic projections. His transformation from promising rookie to legitimate MVP candidate has been breathtaking to witness. The Mavericks built their entire franchise around him, and honestly, can you blame them?
The 2019 class brought us Zion Williamson, whose college highlights felt like something out of a video game. I'll admit I was skeptical about whether his explosive style would translate to the NBA without causing injury concerns. His rookie season saw him play only 24 games, but when he was on the court, he averaged 22.5 points with that unique combination of power and agility we hadn't seen since prime Charles Barkley. The Pelicans have handled him with kid gloves, and frankly, I think they've been right to do so. His health remains the biggest factor in whether he becomes a superstar or just a "what could have been" story.
What fascinates me most about tracking these players is how their development often mirrors the dynamics we see in other basketball contexts. I'm reminded of a situation I observed in Philippine basketball last week—Letran coach Allen Ricardo's first words to his team in the dugout after the Knights found themselves on the wrong end of an upset against a young and feisty JRU Heavy Bombers squad. That 73-69 loss at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan represents the kind of humbling experience that either breaks a team or forges their character. Similarly, NBA rookies face these defining moments constantly—the missed game-winning shots, the defensive lapses, the nights when nothing seems to work. How they respond separates the transient talents from the lasting stars.
Take Trae Young, for instance. Many questioned whether his slight frame and flashy style would work in the NBA. I was among the skeptics, I'll confess. But watching him develop into a 25.3-points-per-game scorer who commands double teams has been a lesson in underestimating heart and skill. His partnership with John Collins created one of the league's most exciting pick-and-roll combinations, though I've always felt the Hawks haven't quite built the perfect roster around him yet.
Then there are players like Ja Morant from the 2019 class, whose athleticism immediately reminded me of a young Russell Westbrook but with better court vision. His rookie numbers—17.8 points and 7.3 assists—don't fully capture his impact on the Grizzlies' culture. He brought a swagger to Memphis that transformed them from lottery regulars to playoff contenders. Though I have concerns about his long-term durability given his fearless playing style, there's no denying he's become must-watch television.
What often gets overlooked in these discussions are the players who didn't become superstars but developed into crucial role players. Mitchell Robinson (2018) transformed from a raw prospect into one of the league's premier shot-blockers, while Jordan Poole (2019) evolved from a G-League project into a key contributor for a championship team. Their development paths demonstrate that not every success story needs to involve All-Star appearances.
As I reflect on these two draft classes, I'm struck by how their careers have already diverged so dramatically. Some have signed max contracts, others have bounced between teams, and a few have already faded from the league entirely. The journey from highly-touted rookie to established professional is never linear, filled with setbacks that test mental fortitude as much as physical talent. Just as Coach Ricardo needed to rally his Knights after an unexpected loss, NBA players constantly face moments that define their careers. The most successful ones, like Dončić and Morant, use these challenges as fuel rather than obstacles. Watching their continued evolution remains one of the most rewarding aspects of covering this beautiful game.
