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The 2019 NBA Draft class wasn't considered among the best classes of the decade, although a number of young stars have made an impression during their first few months in the league. Additionally, previously undrafted stars such as Kendrick Nunn have appeared from seemingly nowhere to establish themselves as starters on contending teams.
While it is always difficult to predict how much a player will develop following on from their rookie year, Giannis Antetokounmpo serves as a perfect example of how a young player can quickly develop into one of the best players in the NBA. So, here we will look to the future and examine the five NBA rookies that may one day be in contention to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
#5 Rui Hachimura - Washington Wizards
At the point of writing, Rui Hachimura remains a raw 21-year-old - who still has plenty of room for development. His rookie season has been hit by injuries as he has made just 24 appearances for the Washington Wizards, and the Japanese star has at times lacked consistency.
Nevertheless, Hachimura has shown flashes of excellence - and he was particularly good throughout a six-game stretch throughout the first two weeks of December as he averaged more than 20 points per game - while dropping a career-high 30 points on the LA Clippers.
His rebounding has also been surprisingly good (5.8 per contest) and his defensive work and playmaking skills will continue to improve as he is afforded big minutes on a struggling Wizards team. At 9th overall, Washington undoubtedly picked up one of the steals of the draft, and Hachimura's development is something to keep an eye on over the next 18 months.
#4 RJ Barrett - New York Knicks
Following a year at Duke, RJ Barrett opted to forgo his remaining three years with the college in favor of entering the NBA Draft. Barrett was widely backed as one of the top three talents in the class, and there was no surprises when the New York Knicks selected him with the third overall pick. After failing to land Kevin Durant in the summer, Barrett has played a major role for New York since the opening night of the season, and the 19-year-old is currently averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
Evidently, the Knicks have big plans for the Canadian, and Barrett has done enough during the opening few months of the season to suggest that he can play a big role in the Knicks' attempts to return to prominence. However, he still needs to work on his shooting and consistency if he is to one day establish himself as one of the NBA's best.
#3 Tyler Herro - Miami Heat
Tyler Herro was widely listed as a mid-to-late first-round pick in mock drafts before the Miami Heat opted to take him with the 13th pick. Entering Summer League, it was still questionable as to how much of a role Herro would play the immediate future - although following a series of impressive performances, Erik Spoelstra immediately presented the 19-year-old with a prominent spot in his rotation.
In just his fourth NBA game, Herro dropped 29 points on the Atlanta Hawks - and the guard's shooting range has earned comparisons to Klay Thompson. Despite appearing prominently from the bench, Herro is averaging 13.4 points while averaging 38.5 points per game, and if he continues his rapid development - the teenager could soon establish himself as the NBA's most lethal shooting guard.
#2 Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant's performances during his sophomore year at Murray State were enough to convince the Memphis Grizzlies to finally move on from Mike Conley, and the point guard has been nothing short of sensational since making his NBA bow back in October. Through 35 appearances with the Grizzlies, Morant has averaged 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game - and his all-around influence has earned positive comparison to Russell Westbrook.
Morant will almost certainly take home the 2020 Rookie of the Year Award, although some areas of his game still have room for improvement - and the 20-year-old will only get better. Judged on what we have seen during his first three months in the league, it is not a stretch to predict that he will be an MVP-caliber player in five years time - although the Grizzlies will need to build a competitive roster to harness his full potential.
#1 Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson is yet to make his NBA debut due to a knee injury, although the 19-year-old entered the league as the most talked-about rookie since LeBron James. During his lone season at Duke, Williamson was the talk of college basketball as he averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest - and his freakish athleticism has seen him labeled a once-in-a-lifetime athlete.
The Pelicans showed no hesitation in taking Williamson with the first overall pick of the 2019 draft, and the North Carolina native will continue his development as part of a young roster that includes Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. The 19-year-old has all the tools to establish himself as one of the NBA's best players within the next few years - and it seems that only injuries could impact his career.
