19 Years of No. 19 Picks: What Raptors Can Expect in NBA Draft

While a hit at No. 19 usually means a solid rotation player, these three picks shattered the ceiling for mid-first-round value:

• Tobias Harris (2011): Harris is perhaps the most productive player on this list. Harris has carved out a 15-year career as a premier secondary scoring option, averaging nearly 16 points per game for his career. He is continuing to prove his worth in the NBA Playoffs with the Detroit Pistons.
• Jeff Teague (2009): Teague is a former All-Star who became the engine of the 60-win Atlanta Hawks in 2015. His career win shares (50.8) represent the gold standard for this draft position.
• John Collins (2017): Collins is a high-flying modern power forward who averaged 20 and 10 in just his third season with the Atlanta Hawks. He remains a highly sought-after athletic interior presence nearly a decade into his career.

The 2020's

In the 2020's, the focus at the No. 19 overall pick has shifted toward perimeter shooting and defensive versatility.

Historical Context: 2007–2019

The middle decade of this sample shows the "boom or bust" nature of the No. 19 pick. For every Kevin Huerter (2018), who became a vital floor spacer for playoff teams, there are players like Javaris Crittenton (2007) or Sergey Karasev (2013), who struggled to carve out a long-term career.

• Avery Bradley (2010) and Gary Harris (2014) became two of the best perimeter defenders in the league, proving that No. 19 is a prime spot to find elite defensive "stoppers."
• J.J. Hickson (2008) and Andrew Nicholson (2012) provided reliable interior minutes, though they lacked the versatility required by keep up with the ever-changing pace of the league.

The Bottom Line

History suggests that Raptors general manager Bobby Webster should ignore big men and focus on versatile wings (Bey, Huerter, Harris) or high-IQ guards (Teague, Podziemski).

The success rate for rotation-level players at this spot is surprisingly high, but the path to stardom usually requires a player who can shoot at least 36 per cent from deep while defending multiple positions.

A player like Baylor's Cameron Carr or Texas Tech's Christian Anderson could fit the mold for what the Raptors are looking for.

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