2025-11-21 12:00
I still remember sitting in my living room on that June evening in 2018, surrounded by basketball analytics spreadsheets and cold pizza, waiting for the NBA Draft to unfold. As someone who's followed the draft process for over a decade, I've developed this love-hate relationship with the spectacle - it's equal parts promising futures and heartbreaking disappointments. That particular year felt special though, with teams positioning themselves for what many considered a deep draft class. The Phoenix Suns held the coveted first pick, and honestly, everyone and their grandmother knew they'd take Deandre Ayton from Arizona - it just made too much sense for a franchise desperately needing a dominant big man.
The comparison might seem strange, but watching the draft unfold reminded me of something I'd read about MMA fighters preparing for title defenses. There was this quote from a fighter saying "It's the birthplace of MMA, and it's also one of my favorite places in the world. I'll make sure I'm ready to face the top contenders of this division and defend the belt." That mindset perfectly captures how NBA front offices approach the draft - it's their breeding ground for future champions, their favorite annual event where they strategically position themselves against competitors. Teams weren't just selecting players; they were preparing to defend their territory in the league hierarchy. The Sacramento Kings at number two faced enormous pressure, and when they selected Marvin Bagley III over Luka Dončić, I remember thinking they were either geniuses or making a huge mistake. Personally, I thought passing on Dončić was questionable, but Bagley had shown tremendous upside at Duke.
What fascinated me most was watching the Atlanta Hawks' maneuvering. They held the third pick but traded Luka Dončić to Dallas for Trae Young and a future first-rounder - a move that generated heated debates in my group chat that night. I'll admit I was skeptical about Trae Young translating his game to the NBA, but his rookie season numbers - 19.1 points and 8.1 assists per game - quickly silenced many doubters, including myself. The Memphis Grizzlies at number four seemed to make the safest pick with Jaren Jackson Jr., a player I'd been high on since his Michigan State days. His defensive potential was obvious, though I worried about his foul trouble tendencies carrying over to the pros.
The middle of the first round contained what I consider the draft's true treasures. The Orlando Magic selecting Mo Bamba at six felt right for their system, though I've always wondered if they should've gone with Collin Sexton instead. The Chicago Bulls picking Wendell Carter Jr. at seven was one of my favorite selections - he was fundamentally sound and ready to contribute immediately. But the real steal, in my opinion, was the Los Angeles Clippers getting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at eleven. I'd watched him transform Kentucky's season and thought he had superstar potential, though even I couldn't predict he'd become an MVP candidate years later.
What many casual fans miss about the draft is how second-round selections can reshape franchises. The Dallas Mavericks selecting Jalen Brunson at thirty-three was absolute robbery - I remember texting my college basketball coach friend that Brunson would outplay his draft position. His development into an All-Star reminds me why I love the draft process; sometimes the best values come from trusting your evaluation over consensus rankings. The Denver Nuggets grabbing Jarred Vanderbilt at forty-one was another savvy move, though it took him a few seasons to find his footing in the league.
Looking back at the 2018 draft class, what strikes me is how it transformed several franchises' trajectories. The Hawks building around Trae Young, the Mavericks getting their franchise cornerstone in Dončić, the Clippers finding their future in Gilgeous-Alexander - these decisions echo that MMA fighter's preparation mentality. Teams were positioning themselves to face their division's top contenders, using the draft as their training ground for future battles. The Philadelphia 76ers selecting Landry Shamet at twenty-six seemed like a solid role player choice at the time, though he's since become a valuable journeyman across several teams.
The draft's later stages featured several players who've carved out meaningful careers against the odds. Gary Trent Jr. going to Sacramento at thirty-seven before being traded to Portland demonstrated how fluid these selections can be - I've always felt second-round picks have extra motivation to prove everyone wrong. Duncan Robinson going undrafted entirely before Miami signed him remains one of the biggest scouting oversights in recent memory; his shooting numbers at Michigan should have guaranteed him a selection somewhere.
Reflecting on that night now, with the benefit of hindsight, I'm struck by how many teams' fortunes changed based on their 2018 decisions. The Dallas-Atlanta trade will be analyzed for decades, much like the famous 1998 Dirk Nowitzki trade. Personally, I believe the Hawks got the better end long-term because of the additional pick, though Dončić's superstar status makes it debatable. The draft operates much like that MMA quote - it's where foundations are built, where contenders prepare to defend their future territory. Teams approach it with both analytical precision and gut instinct, and the 2018 class demonstrates how both approaches can yield spectacular results. What fascinates me most is tracking these players' development years later, seeing which organizations truly understood the talent available that night.
