NBA draft live blog: Pick-by-pick breakdown of the first round

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Follow along as KSL.com's Ryan Miller and Sean Walker recap the 2019 NBA draft.

Thursday, 10:35pm

Jazz trade up to grab 2 in second round

It turns out, the Jazz aimed to draft two players Thursday night.
Through a series of wheeling and dealing, Utah picked up the No. 50 overall pick from Indiana via a trade reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski which the Jazz then converted into College of Charleston forward Jarrell Brantley.
The 6-foot-7, 255-pound four-year player from the Colonial Athletic Association averaged double-digit scoring all four years of college, topping off with 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a senior in 2018-19.
Brantley was one of the many players the Jazz brought in to work out at the Zions Bank Basketball Facility, as well, during the last pre-draft workout on June 15.
Utah then added Hofstra's Justin Wright-Foreman at No. 53 overall. A 51-percent shooter who averaged 27.1 points per game as a senior at Hofstra, Wright-Foreman leaves college as the two-time reigning CAA player of the year. He scored in double figures in 88-straight games, among the 10-longest such streaks in Division I, and knocked down 42.5 percent of his 3-point efforts.

Thursday, 09:03pm

Wrapping up the first round

That’ll do it for the first round. We’re going to excuse Ryan to go meet with his Jazz #sources to get a feel for their second-round pick at No. 53 overall.
We may chime in from time-to-time with thoughts and analysis. But if you want to hear more of our NBA thoughts, subscribe to the Jazz Shorts podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or any other pod-catcher.
Here’s our latest episode, wherein we dissect the trade that will bring Mike Conley to Salt Lake City.

Thursday, 08:56pm

No. 30 | Kevin Porter Jr., G, Cleveland Cavaliers (from Detriot via Milwaukee)

Appropriately enough, the first round ends with another trade. Cleveland traded four second-round picks and cash to Detroit, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, to take Porter with the final pick of the first round. Injuries and a personal conduct suspension derailed his lone season at USC, but he has a lot of special abilities — shooting, feel for the game, creativity with the ball. He just has some maturity issues that will need to be solved for him to contribute at the next level.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 08:47pm

No. 29 | Keldon Johnson, G, San Antonio Spurs

Another pick, another Wildcat.
Yes, John Calipari has made a habit of sending Kentucky players to the NBA draft — even in the one-and-done era — and he’s got another in Johnson. That's three this year.
The 6-foot-6, 211-pound guard started 36 of 37 games as a freshman, and shot 49.8% from the field for 13.5 points to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game en route to SEC freshman of the year honors.
That’s almost as many assists as suits he brought to the draft; he quickly removed his blue jacket in which he arrived at the draft, revealing a shimmering white suit to walk on stage and meet NBA commisioner Adam Silver.

Scenes from the Green Room: Kentucky trio PJ Washington, Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro pic.twitter.com/S3QURpcDuE
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 20, 2019

Thursday, 08:41pm

No. 28 | Jordan Poole, G, Golden State Warriors

The Jazz worked out Poole during the pre-draft process. I’m pretty sure it was to see if they would be interested in him at No. 53. Suffice it to say, I’m a bit surprised by this one. He is a good shooter (37% from deep in college) and has some ball-handling abilities. He had consistency issues at Michigan, though, which was the reason he was viewed more as a second-round player.
—Ryan Miller

Thursday, 08:31pm

No. 27 | Mfiondu Kabengele, F, LA Clippers (via Brooklyn Nets)

Originally from Burlington, Ontario, and the nephew of former NBA hall of famer Dikembe Mutombo, Kabengele was a surprise selection to the draft’s “green room” when he received the notice in the days leading up to the draft.
But it wasn’t as big of a leap as he took between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Florida State. Kabengele averaged 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and provided a massive boost off the bench with his 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 08:26pm

No. 26 | Dylan Windler, F, Cleveland Cavaliers

An Indiana prospect that didn't get a lot of attention out of high school and ended up starring for a mid-major school? Where have I heard this before? Ladies and gentleman, welcome the left-handed Gordon Hayward to the NBA. It's not only his path that is reminiscent of Hayward, his game resembles him too. Windler is a good shooter, can score at all three levels and has good ball-handling skills. He just doesn't quite have the same athleticism as the former Jazzman.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 08:16pm

No. 25 | Nassir Little, SF, Portland Trailblazers

Perhaps the biggest draft fall of the night, Little was rated by many as among the top 15 prospects in the NBA draft class of 2019.
But the Blazers get a reliable, 6-foot-6 forward to pair with former Weber State star Damian Lillard. Little averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in his lone season at North Carolina, coming off the bench in all 36 games.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 08:13pm

No. 24 | Ty Jerome, Phoenix Suns (from Boston via Philadelphia)

Boston and Phoenix have been busy tonight. ESPN reports that Boston has traded this pick to Phoenix (after already trading with Philly for it). As for Jerome, he is good in the pick-and-roll, helped a team to a national championship and can do a lot of things really good. The knock against Jerome is his lack of elite athleticism. He was able to overcome that in college; can he do the same in the NBA?
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 08:08pm

No. 23 | Darius Bazley, F, OKC Thunder (via Memphis Grizzlies from Utah Jazz)

Yes, we know what the name on the marquee says. But this was the pick traded away in the transaction that will bring point guard Mike Conley to Utah, once the NBA approves it July 6.
So who is Darius Bazley? A versatile 6-foot-10 forward with an 8-foot-11 standing reach, Bazley was once committed to Ohio State and Syracuse before passing on college basketball in favor of a start in the NBA G League. The former McDonald’s All-American then passed on the NBA’s developmental league to sign a contract as a $1 million intern with New Balance — and he’s spent the past year training for the draft.
So congratulations, Jazz fans; you’re getting Conley in this slot (in exchange for Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder and Kyle Korver).
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 08:00pm

No. 22 | Grant Williams, PF, Boston Celtics

Concerns over his outside shooting and his size have tapered Williams’ stock even with some strong statistical numbers. He’s undersized as a big man, but his strength helped him overcome that last season at Tennessee. He’ll have to prove he can score over NBA length, especially if he can’t stretch a defense with shooting.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 07:47pm

No. 21 | Brandon Clarke, C, Memphis Grizzlies (from Oklahoma City Thunder)

One of the top bigs on the west coast during his last year at Gonzaga, Clarke joined the Zags after two seasons at San Jose State.
He started 36 of 37 games with the Zags, averaging 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game — which was actually a scoring decline from his sophomore year with the Spartans. A veritable debate often broke out over whether the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Clarke or Hachimura was the best player on coach Mark Few’s squad — and now they are both NBA first-round picks.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 07:45pm

No. 20 | Mattise Thybulle, SF, Philadelphia 76ers (from Boston via Los Angeles Clippers via Memphis)

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Boston has traded Thybulle to Philadelphia. Boston will get back No. 24 and No. 33 in this year’s draft in the deal. Thybulle is one of best defenders in the draft. He has a strong knack for causing turnovers and could have an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 07:41pm

No. 19 | Luka Samanic, PF, San Antonio Spurs

A native of Zagreb, Croatia, Samanic is a 6-foot-11 wing who has experience with playing for Barcelona B in Spain’s second division, as well as Petrol Olimpija in Slovenia.
It looks like we have our first run on European prospects at the 2019 NBA draft.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 07:40pm

No. 18 | Goga Bitadze, C, Indiana Pacers

The world was introduced to Bitadze, a Georgian center, this week when a picture of his draft media availability went viral. The picture: Bitadze sitting at a podium with no reporters talking to him looking over at Zion Williamson’s table which was completely surrounded. Bitadze scored 13.9 points in Europe last year and was the ABA League MVP. He can shoot the three and isn’t bad as a roll man. With time, he might be known by more than just a picture.

NBA draft prospect Gogo Bitazde got slotted next to @Zionwilliamson at @NBA draft media day.

Unfortunately he’s a bit overshadowed.

Gogo actually a guy I’ve heard @PelicansNBA have interest in. pic.twitter.com/mHq5g3SPxg
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) June 19, 2019

Thursday, 07:32pm

No. 17 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, New Orleans Pelicans (from Brooklyn Nets)

Another native Torontonian, Alexander-Walker took a big leap during his second season at Virginia Tech. He increased his scoring average from 10.7 to 16.2 points per game, nearly tripled his assists from 1.5 to 4.0, and the 6-foot-5 guard adds a 6-foot-9 wingspan on defense.
And he’s got moves.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (@TheReal_NAW1) shows off the ‘Kawhi Bop’ ahead of the #NBADraft on Thursday! @HokiesMBB pic.twitter.com/NsgznZu1r2
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 19, 2019

— Sean Walker

Thursday, 07:30pm

No. 16 | Chuma Okeke, F, Orlando Magic

Okeke is coming off an ACL injury that ended his season early. That injury kept him out of the pre-draft process and that’s why there wasn’t too much buzz about him coming into the draft. But he’s a big man that can space the floor, rebound and do a little of everything. Without the ACL injury, him going this high wouldn’t have felt so shocking.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 07:24pm

No. 15 | Sekou Doumbouya, PF, Detroit Pistons

The first European draft selection is from France, but the 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward’s game is well known by NBA scouts. Considered fast, fluid and with a 7-foot wingspan, he’s been compared to Toronto’s Pascal Siakam in his guard-like play in the post.
A little raw — because he’s only played basketball for six years. But he’s just 18 years old and has played with professional athletes in FIBA competition since he was 15.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 07:19pm

No. 14 | Romeo Langford, SG, Boston Celtics (from Sacramento via Philadelphia)

Langford played through a thumb injury in his lone season at Indiana which might have been to blame for some of his poor shooting numbers (27% from deep). That’s what the Celtics are hoping at least. Langford is a great athlete and a good finisher. If he can prove he can shoot, he could be one of the steals of the draft.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 07:05pm

No. 13 | Tyler Herro, G, Miami Heat

The Herro of Kentucky’s 2019 NCAA Tournament run is off the board.
The native Wisconsite played one season under John Calipari, and after averaging 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, the Wildcats have back-to-back draft picks.
Best suit in the draft, too.

The inside of Tyler Herro’s suit represents his high school and where he played college ball at. Tonight, he’ll add on a hat of the NBA team that drafts him. Stylishly repping his every step to the league. pic.twitter.com/fnvk8urJNr
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) June 20, 2019

Thursday, 07:02pm

No. 12 | PJ Washington, PF, Charlotte Hornets

I’m not sure if Washington has a very high ceiling, but he’s got a fairly high floor. He’s a good enough 3-pointer to stretch defenses and with his size (6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) that should give him a role in the league.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 06:55pm

No. 11 | Cameron Johnson, SF, Phoenix Suns (from Minnesota)

Another Tar Heel is headed to the NBA.
At 6-foot-9 with a 6-10 wingspan, Johnson averaged 16.9 points on 51% shooting as a fifth-year senior at UNC, including 45.7% from three. So yeah, he’s big, he’s can defend and he can shoot.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 06:50pm

No. 10 | Cam Reddish, SF, Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas Mavericks)

The third Blue Devil to be taken in the top 10. There’s a lot to love about Reddish. He looks the part — smooth shooting stroke, good size, decent handle. He has all the physical attributes you’d want but could disappear at times during games. That’s probably why he fell this far.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 06:46pm

No. 9 | Rui Hachimura, PF, Washington Wizards

The second-ever draft pick from the island of Japan, Hachimura’s three years at Gonzaga began with a freshman who barely knew English and ended with a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward with a small entourage of Japanese media constantly following him.
Hachimura, who averaged 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a junior with the Zags, is the first native Japanese to be drafted in the first round.

IT'S OFFICIAL! The #WCCHoops Player of the Year @rui_8mura of @ZagMBB is selected with the No. 9 pick in the #NBADraft by the @WashWizards! pic.twitter.com/LS8Sk9zPji

— WCC Basketball (@WCChoops) June 21, 2019

Thursday, 06:36pm

No. 8 | Jaxson Hayes, C, New Orleans Pelicans (from Atlanta Hawks)

This is technically the first draft asset from the Anthony Davis deal and the Pelicans used it to complete their frontcourt of the future. And that frontcourt is already one of the most athletic (not best or most skilled, mind you) frontcourts in the NBA. Hayes is 6-11, has a 7-3 wingspan and not only can jump but can control his body in midair. Hayes and Zion could be pretty fun.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 06:32pm

No. 7 | Coby White, PG, Chicago Bulls

Perhaps the fastest riser on the 2019 draft board, the 6-foot-5, 185-pound guard from UNC has international experience from the FIBA Americas U-18 championship. He also averaged 16.1 points, 3.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds in his lone season at UNC.
Good size, good speed, and a 42.3% shooter goes to former Utah coach Jim Boylen and the Bulls.
And the best hair in the draft, for my money.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 06:23pm

No. 6 | Jarrett Culver, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves (from Phoenix Suns)

This is when I think the draft starts to come down to preference more than anything. So it’s no surprise there already have been multiple trades. The Timberwolves traded up from No. 11 to get Culver, the Big-12 Player of the Year who averaged 18.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 06:20pm

No. 5 | Darius Garland, G, Cleveland Cavaliers

Perhaps the first surprise of the draft, but the first three picks were pretty self-explanatory.
Garland was hampered by a knee injury in his lone season at Vanderbilt, playing in just five games. But he shot 53% from the field, including 47.8% from 3-point range and averaged 16.2 points to go with 2.6 assists.
If you find scoring, you get scoring in today’s NBA.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 06:09pm

No. 4 | De’Andre Hunter, F, Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans Pelicans via Los Angeles Lakers)

A year after trading up to get Trae Young, the Hawks moved up again to get Hunter. The defensive-minded forward has plenty of skeptics (Is he a lockdown defender? Is his release too slow?), but so did Young and that worked out pretty well for the Hawks last season.

— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 06:01pm

No. 3 | R.J. Barrett, SG, New York Knicks

Three picks, all chalk.
It’s poetic that a year that finishes with the Toronto Raptors winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy also includes a native Torontonian in the top-three of the draft. Quite the journey for Barrett, who shot 31 percent from three and averaged a team-high 22.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, in becoming the second top-three pick from the Blue Devils.
— Sean Walker

Thursday, 05:58pm

No. 2 | Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies

The Jazz should be happy the Grizzlies landed at No. 2 in the lottery. Morant is clearly the second best prospect in the draft and the only player that looks like a sure-fire franchise point guard. The Grizzlies already wanted to trade Mike Conley, but knowing Morant was coming may have pushed them a little more.
— Ryan Miller

Thursday, 05:55pm

No. 1 | Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

No going back now.
The Pelicans took the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Duke freshman who was the consensus national player of the year and first-team All-American in his lone season at college. Williamson, who averaged 22 points and 9 rebounds per game, gives Duke the most No. 1 draft picks in the modern era, tied with Kentucky.

-- Sean Walker

Thursday, 05:46pm

Let the draft begin

The top draft prospects are in the building, including presumed No. 1 pick Zion Williamson of Duke. Will the New Orleans Pelicans do what everyone assumes they will do?
ESPN has the broadcast.