Phoenix Suns center DeAndre Ayton, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, called his draft class the best in NBA history earlier this week. Watching these NBA Playoffs, you can see why the Suns center would make such a bold statement. His teammate, Mikal Bridges, has also been a key playoff contributor. Fellow lottery picks Luka Doncic and Trae Young have silenced their doubters.
Trae Young:
48 points
11 assists
7 rebounds
17/34 FG
3-0 in game 1s. This is his FIRST postseason. 🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/Kb6ZtevVXM
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 24, 2021
Throw in Game 7 hero and Atlanta legend Kevin Huerter, Collin Sexton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr, Miles Bridges, and Michael Porter Jr., and you can see how the 2018 draft might end up being one of the best draft classes of all-time.
It’s too soon to say where the 2018 draft will end up in the all-time discussion, but we’re willing to throw it into one of our top 10 NBA draft classes since 1984. With Ayton’s comments in mind and the NBA Draft Lottery in the books, we decided to rank the 10 best NBA draft classes ever. Of course, this wasn’t an easy task and there will surely be debate involved. So let’s get to it.
10. 2011
Highlights: Months before the 2011 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers dumped Baron Davis’s contract to the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers, who agreed to the deal in exchange for receiving a first-round pick. It turned out to be the number one overall pick that year, and the Cavs landed point guard Kyrie Irving, who would eventually hit the biggest shot in franchise history in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. The Cavs also landed Tristan Thompson, another eventual contributor on a championship team with the fourth overall pick. Other notable lottery selections in the draft who panned out include Jonas Valanciunas, Kemba Walker, and Klay Thompson. The best player in the draft, Kawhi Leonard, went 15th overall.
Surprises: Jimmy Butler went 30th in this draft class, followed by Bojan Bogdanovic with the 31st pick. Also, shoutout to Isaiah Thomas, who was famously taken as the 60th and final selection in this draft.
Busts: A three-way tie between Derrick Williams (2nd), Jan Vesley (6th), and Jimmer Fredette (10th).