2019 NBA Redraft: Zion, Ja and Garland battle for top pick
![Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/728e80ffb3cb946873870a78cb9deec3ab8f5cc60e1d3546e1e92f9888cc7863.jpg)
. Forward. New Orleans Pelicans. Keldon Johnson. 8. player. 69
Original Pick: Jaxson Hayes, Texas
The New Orleans Pelicans had three strong first-round picks in the 2019 NBA Draft, and while they got a generational superstar at No. 1 they did not do so well with the other two picks. Both would go much later in a redraft, and neither is a lock to remain in the first round.
This time around, they get to add a proven player at the league’s most valuable position. Keldon Johnson has become a solid two-way combo forward for the San Antonio Spurs, settling in as their best player at this point in their rebuild. He can score reasonably well, has developed as a passer and has shot decently well from outside.
Johnson doesn’t get higher on this list because his upside seems capped. He doesn’t have enough ball-handling juice or athleticism to gain true separation, and he isn’t an elite shooter. Defensively he can survive but isn’t making impact plays very often. He looks like a fourth or fifth starter on a good team, and as valuable as those players are, Johnson isn’t likely to make an All-Star Game in his career.
Even so, the Pelicans would have loved to come away with Johnson over Jaxson Hayes. In our newly-formed redraft roster he could start alongside Brandon Ingram at forward, settling into the perfect offensive role as Ingram and Darius Garland create offense.