Reflecting on the basketball class of 2018 feels a bit like looking through an old yearbook. You see the faces full of promise, the predictions scrawled in the margins, and you can’t help but measure the distance between that potential and the reality of today. It was a draft class that arrived with a specific, electrifying buzz, dominated by a singular talent in Luka Dončić, but as we’ve learned over these past six seasons, its legacy is far more nuanced and spread out than any of us could have guessed at the time. My own perspective on evaluating prospects has shifted since then; I’ve come to value sustained growth and professional resilience as much as, if not more than, the explosive rookie year. This class, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, is a masterclass in that very principle.
The story, of course, begins with Luka. Selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, his trajectory has been nothing short of historic. We’re talking about a player who, by his age-24 season, had already racked up four First-Team All-NBA selections. The numbers are staggering: career averages of around 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. He plays with a preternatural calm and a chessmaster’s vision that makes the extraordinary look routine. I’ll admit, even as someone who watched his EuroLeague MVP season, I underestimated how quickly his game would translate. He didn’t just translate it; he amplified it, forcing the entire league to adapt to his methodical, step-back-heavy domination. He is the undisputed crown jewel of 2018, the franchise-altering superstar every team dreams of finding.
But to stop the conversation there would be a disservice to the depth this class has revealed. Trae Young, the polarizing fifth pick, crafted his own star path in Atlanta. While the efficiency debates will follow him, his offensive creation is undeniable—he’s averaged over 25 points and 9 assists for his career, a feat only a handful of players in history can claim. Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, taken 11th by the Charlotte Hornets and quickly moved to the LA Clippers. His evolution has been the most gratifying to watch, in my opinion. From a sleek, defensive-minded guard into the MVP-candidate engine of the Oklahoma City Thunder, SGA’s mid-range mastery and relentless rim pressure represent a perfect blend of old-school skill and new-school athleticism. His jump from All-Star to supernova this past season, leading a young Thunder squad to 57 wins, is the kind of leap scouts fantasize about.
The class’s richness is further cemented by its cornerstone big men. Deandre Ayton (1st pick) has had a complicated journey, but was instrumental in Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run. Jaren Jackson Jr. (4th pick) has become the league’s premier defensive weapon, winning a Defensive Player of the Year award. And then there’s the curious case of Michael Porter Jr. (14th pick). His injury history made him a high-risk proposition, but Denver’s patience has been rewarded with a lethal, 6’10” shooter whose gravity was crucial to their 2023 championship. Porter’s story makes me think about the intangibles of team building. It’s not just about collecting talent, but about finding environments where that talent can heal, grow, and fit. Denver provided that ecosystem for MPJ, and they reaped the ultimate reward.
This brings me to the supporting cast, the players who have carved out essential, winning roles. Mikal Bridges (traded on draft night from Philadelphia to Phoenix) emerged as the quintessential 3-and-D wing before blossoming into a primary option in Brooklyn. Miles Bridges and Collin Sexton have had their moments as explosive scorers. But a personal favorite of mine has been Jalen Brunson. The 33rd pick in the second round, Brunson’s rise to All-NBA status with the New York Knicks is a testament to work ethic, basketball IQ, and undeniable clutch gene. He’s the heart of a resurgent franchise, proving that draft position is merely a starting point.
Thinking about these players’ journeys, the snippet about the “Nitura duo” and the power of simple connection resonates deeply. The class of 2018, in a way, illustrates a similar dynamic on a grand scale. It’s not always the grand, orchestrated partnerships that define success, but the consistent, daily work—showing up, putting in the reps, and growing through both shared struggles and individual triumphs. The bond between a player and his development staff, his teammates, and the city that embraces him is built on those countless, often unseen, moments of presence. Dončić and Brunson, for instance, formed an incredible backcourt synergy in Dallas built on mutual respect and daily competition, a connection that benefited both immensely even after they parted ways.
Six years on, the 2018 draft class has profoundly shaped the NBA landscape. It gave us a generational talent in Luka Dončić, multiple franchise pillars and All-Stars, and a deep bench of high-level starters. Its success rate is remarkable. From my vantage point, its legacy is one of stunning highs and patient development, a reminder that player trajectories are rarely linear. It’s a class that rewards those who look beyond the rookie-year box score, one that continues to evolve and surprise us. As they enter their primes, their stories are far from over, and that’s perhaps the most exciting part of all.
