I still remember sitting in my living room that June evening, watching the 2018 NBA Draft unfold with my notebook in hand. As someone who's analyzed basketball prospects for over a decade, draft night always feels like Christmas for people like me - that magical moment when potential meets opportunity, when franchises can transform their futures with a single decision. The 2018 class was particularly fascinating because it arrived at a time when the league was undergoing a strategic revolution, moving further toward positionless basketball and three-point shooting dominance.
The Phoenix Suns held that coveted first pick, and honestly, I had mixed feelings when they selected Deandre Ayton from Arizona. Don't get me wrong - Ayton was a phenomenal college player who averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds in his lone season at Arizona. But part of me wondered if Luka Doncic, who'd been dominating professionally in Europe since he was sixteen, might have been the smarter choice. I recall texting my colleague during the broadcast, "They're taking the conventional big man over the revolutionary playmaker." It's fascinating how these decisions look in the moment versus how they age over time. The Sacramento Kings at number two made what many considered a surprise pick by taking Marvin Bagley III, passing on Doncic in what would become one of the most debated decisions of the draft. Bagley had put up impressive numbers at Duke - 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game - but I remember thinking his skill set might struggle to translate in an NBA that was increasingly valuing floor spacing and defensive versatility.
When the Atlanta Hawks moved up to third pick and selected Luka Doncic, only to trade him to Dallas for Trae Young and a future first-rounder, the draft room erupted. I've never seen such an immediate and dramatic trade involving top-five picks. My initial reaction was that Dallas had pulled off a heist, acquiring arguably the most pro-ready prospect in the draft. Meanwhile, Memphis at four took Jaren Jackson Jr., who I believed then - and still believe now - was one of the most underrated selections of the entire first round. His ability to protect the rim while stretching the floor perfectly encapsulated where NBA big men were heading. The fifth pick brought Trae Young to Atlanta, and I'll admit I was skeptical about how his slight frame and questionable defense would translate, though his phenomenal passing vision and deep range were undeniable.
What struck me about that draft was how teams were clearly drafting for specific modern NBA roles rather than just taking the "best player available." The Orlando Magic at six took Mo Bamba, whose 7-foot-10 wingspan had scouts drooling, while the Chicago Bulls at seven selected Wendell Carter Jr., who I thought was one of the safest picks in the draft with his high basketball IQ and well-rounded game. The Cleveland Cavaliers at eight took Collin Sexton, and I remember thinking his relentless attacking style would either make him a star or limit his effectiveness - there didn't seem to be much middle ground. The New York Knicks at nine selected Kevin Knox, which surprised many analysts who had Mikal Bridges higher on their boards, while the Philadelphia 76ers traded up to ten to select Bridges, who I considered the quintessential "three-and-D" wing every contender needs.
As the draft progressed into the late lottery and mid-first round, several fascinating patterns emerged that reflected the evolving NBA. The LA Clippers at eleven and twelve took Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson, with SGA immediately striking me as a potential steal due to his crafty handle and unusual size for a point guard. Denver at fourteen took Michael Porter Jr., which I viewed as the ultimate high-risk, high-reward pick given his back issues, while Washington at fifteen took Troy Brown, who I thought might struggle to find a defined position. The athleticism of Zhaire Smith drew Philadelphia's attention at sixteen, Milwaukee at seventeen took Donte DiVincenzo fresh off his NCAA tournament heroics, and San Antonio at eighteen selected Lonnie Walker, who I believed needed significant development but had intriguing physical tools.
The back end of the first round contained several selections that have proven more significant than their draft position might suggest. Boston at twenty-seven took Robert Williams, who I thought could become a defensive force if he stayed healthy, while Golden State at twenty-eight selected Jacob Evans, who I'll be honest - I never thought would become more than a deep bench player. The draft concluded with Chicago taking Chandler Hutchison at twenty-two, Denver taking Josh Okogie at twenty-four (later traded to Minnesota), and the Lakers taking Moritz Wagner at twenty-five before dealing him to Washington.
Looking back at the 2018 draft four years later, what fascinates me most is how dramatically our initial assessments can differ from reality. While I correctly identified Doncic as a future star, I significantly underestimated Trae Young's impact and overestimated several players like Knox and Bagley. The draft produced at least five franchise cornerstones in the first ten picks, which is remarkably high by historical standards. It also demonstrated how the NBA's evolution toward skill and shooting was fully embedded in team drafting philosophies, with traditional big men becoming increasingly devalued unless they offered unique skills. The 2018 class has already reshaped multiple franchises and will likely continue to influence the league's balance of power for the next decade, proving yet again why draft night remains the most exciting and unpredictable event on the NBA calendar.
