As I sit down to reflect on the basketball class of 2018, a wave of nostalgia hits me. It feels like just yesterday we were debating the merits of Deandre Ayton versus Luka Dončić, wondering who would truly define that draft. Six years on, the landscape has shifted dramatically, careers have been forged in the crucible of the NBA, and the narratives have diverged in ways both predictable and utterly surprising. This isn't just a cold retrospective; it’s an evaluation of how promise matures, how careers are built on more than just talent, and frankly, where some of my own predictions went gloriously right or embarrassingly wrong. The class of 2018 has given us transcendent superstars, solid role players, and cautionary tales, all wrapped into one fascinating cohort.
Let’s start with the undeniable crown jewel: Luka Dončić. Picked third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and immediately traded to Dallas, he was my personal favorite coming in, and I’ll admit to a certain smug satisfaction watching him ascend. His career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Already a four-time First-Team All-NBA selection by age 25, he’s averaging a mind-boggling 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists for his career. He’s not just playing basketball; he’s orchestrating it with a veteran’s savvy and a showman’s flair. The only thing missing from his resume is a deep playoff run, a fact that fuels both his critics and his undeniable drive. Right behind him, and in many ways defining the modern big man, is Trae Young. The other half of that fateful draft-night trade, Young has been a polarizing figure, but his impact is quantifiable: a scoring title contender and an elite playmaker who has already led the Hawks to a Conference Finals. Their parallel paths, forever linked by that trade, offer a perpetual debate for fans like us.
The top of that draft, however, shows how variable development can be. Deandre Ayton, the first overall pick, has settled into being a very good, reliable double-double center, but not the franchise-altering force Phoenix might have hoped for when they chose him over Dončić. Marvin Bagley III, picked second, has become a lesson in mismanagement and untapped potential, now on his third team. Meanwhile, players taken later have carved out indispensable roles. Jaren Jackson Jr. (4th pick) is a Defensive Player of the Year and the defensive anchor for a rising Memphis team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, traded on draft night from Charlotte to LA and then to Oklahoma City, has undergone one of the most remarkable evolutions I’ve seen. From a lanky project, he’s exploded into an MVP candidate, a testament to player development and self-belief. It’s players like him that make draft re-grades so humbling.
What fascinates me equally are the stories beyond the stats, the human elements that stats sheets ignore. This is where that idea from the reference point resonates deeply—the notion that even simple text messages and being present whenever busy schedules permit can go a long way. I think about the bonds formed within this class. You see it with the "Nitura duo" type friendships, like between Luka and Goran Dragić (an older mentor, but the principle holds) or the tight-knit group from that USA Basketball youth circuit. The NBA grind is relentless—82 games, constant travel, blistering scrutiny. In that environment, the support system isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a career sustainer. A player like Mikal Bridges (10th pick), known for his durability and positive energy, thrives not just on skill but on connection. His trade from Phoenix to Brooklyn was a seismic life shift, and navigating that change relies on those off-court anchors. Similarly, Collin Sexton’s (8th pick) fiery competitiveness in Cleveland and now Utah is bolstered by a close inner circle. These informal networks, these check-in texts and summer workouts, are the glue for mental resilience. I’ve spoken to enough player development staff to know they actively encourage these peer connections because they matter for longevity.
Of course, not every story has a happy middle chapter. Some players, like Michael Porter Jr. (14th pick), have battled through significant injuries to become crucial contributors, a triumph of perseverance. Others have found success by embracing a specific, valuable role. Robert Williams III (27th pick) became "Time Lord" in Boston, a defensive phenom when healthy. Gary Trent Jr. (37th pick) transformed himself into a premier 3-and-D wing. Then there are the international successes still blooming overseas, and the players who are already on their fourth or fifth team, fighting for a permanent roster spot. The dispersion is vast. From my perspective, the true legacy of the 2018 class might be its depth of high-level talent. We’re looking at possibly 8-10 All-Stars when it’s all said and done, which is a staggering hit rate.
So, where are they now? They are, collectively, entering their prime. They are the faces of franchises, the league’s next standard-bearers as the LeBrons and Currys eventually step aside. They are also a reminder that a draft class is a living organism. It’s not just about the lottery picks; it’s about the steals in the late first and second rounds, the trades that look lopsided in hindsight, and the personal journeys intertwined with professional ones. The class of 2018 gave us a generational talent in Luka, a slew of All-NBA players, and a masterclass in player development arcs. As someone who watches this closely, my takeaway is that their stories are far from over. The foundations are laid, and now we get to watch them build their legacies. And if history is any guide, their continued success will depend as much on their jump shots as on those simple, sustaining connections off the court. It’s a hell of a class to follow, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what they do next.
