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With the NBA Finals in the history books and free agency still 10 days away, one of the most eagerly anticipated NBA drafts in history takes center stage on Thursday.

From the moment the New Orleans Pelicans won the Draft Lottery on May 15, their sights have been set on Zion Williamson. A generational talent, the 18-year-old has generated the kind of excitement not seen around a NBA draft since LeBron James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

If Williamson does land in New Orleans, he will not find Anthony Davis to welcome him after the latter was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

While the trade will not be announced until July 6 at the earliest, it is understood that as part of the package the Pelicans have secured the rights to the Lakers' pick, the fourth overall in this year's draft.

New Orleans could potentially flip the pick in exchange for an already established star or could decide to pick twice in the top four. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the draft.

When and where is the 2019 NBA draft?
The draft will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 20. The event will be hosted at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the home of the Brooklyn Nets, where each NBA Draft has been held since 2013.

TV channel and live stream
As usual, the NBA Draft will be covered by ESPN. The network will broadcast the draft on its TV channel, while live-streaming will be available via WatchESPN.com and via the WatchESPN app.

Which team will pick first?
The New Orleans Pelicans won the draft lottery and hold the first overall pick, with which they are widely expected to select Zion Williamson. After trading Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers at the weekend, the Pelicans now also hold the Lakers' pick, the fourth overall.

The Memphis Grizzlies will pick second, followed by the New York Knicks in third. Cleveland, Phoenix, Chicago are next in line, while Washington will pick ninth.

The Atlanta Hawks, meanwhile, hold both the eighth and 10th overall pick after receiving the latter from the Dallas Mavericks last year.

Who are the top prospects?
It is hard to look past Zion Williamson. In fact, it is practically impossible. Not since LeBron James entered the draft straight after high school in 2003 has a prospect polarized attention as much as the soon-to-be-former Duke Blue Devils.

During his only season in college basketball, Williamson has emerged as a generational talent and it would be a shock of enormous proportions not to see him go with the first overall pick.

His Duke teammate RJ Barrett is also widely expected to be one of the top three picks, along with Murray State point guard Ja Morant. Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland and Virginia big man De'Andre Hunter complete the top-five of ESPN's best prospects.

Cam Reddish, the third member of Duke's star trio last season, is also expected to be a top-10 pick, along with North Carolina duo Coby White and Nassir Little.

Complete first round order

New Orleans Pelicans
Memphis Grizzlies
New York Knicks
New Orleans Pelicans (from Los Angeles Lakers)
Cleveland Cavaliers
Phoenix Suns
Chicago Bulls
Atlanta Hawks
Washington Wizards
Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas Mavericks)
Minnesota Timberwolves
Charlotte Hornets
Miami Heat
Boston Celtics (from Sacramento Kings via Philadelphia 76ers)
Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic
Brooklyn Nets
Indiana Pacers
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers via Memphis Grizzlies)
Oklahoma City Thunder
Boston Celtics
Utah Jazz
Philadelphia 76ers
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers (from Houston Rockets)
Brooklyn Nets (from Denver Nuggets)
Golden State Warriors
San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors)
Milwaukee Bucks