CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Shamorie Ponds of St John’s works out during the 2019 NBA Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
There is value to be found after the draft ends. This is a list of the top five undrafted players in the 2019 NBA draft.
Every year since the 2005 expansion of the Bobcats, the NBA has drafted 60 players collectively. And every year, without fail, valuable players have been left free agents after the completion of that draft. Players like newly minted NBA champion Fred Van Vleet were pulled from this group. Just last year, undrafted Allonzo Trier broke out for the New York Knicks. Undrafted Robert Covington was a key piece in the acquisition of superstar Jimmy Butler for the Philadelphia 76ers.
In other words, even though the draft has finished, and even though this is a weak draft, there are still players of value to be had, and teams will be searching for them. In fact, it’s often argued that for the later picks of the draft, players will directly request not to be selected with the aim to go somewhere that better suits their strengths. As a result, this list, though they didn’t manage to find a home immediately, is full of talent that shouldn’t be ignored.