The 2018 NBA Draft Class will be remembered as one of the best of the modern era, with two of its top players being Luka Doncic and Jaren Jackson Jr. While talking about the NBA 2K25 Ratings Reveal , Jackson Jr. discussed his first impression of Doncic before the 2018 NBA Draft and when he knew Luka would be one of the best players in the NBA.
“Sh*t, January of the first year. I didn't know he was, but when we got on the draft bus… It’s like your first time seeing this guy everyone’s talking about, like this myth… A month later, you're finding out that everything else has just been insane. He looks like he’s been in the league [for] like 100 years. I mean that.”
Doncic was drafted at No. 3 by the Hawks and traded to the Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft, while Jackson Jr. was selected at No. 4 by the Grizzlies. The Mavs couldn't wait for their original No. 5 pick to draft Doncic, necessitating a draft-day trade to move up to No. 3 , likely because the Grizzlies would've taken Doncic at No. 4 if he was available on the board.
Thankfully, the Mavs got a trade done and changed the future of the franchise. Jaren has been extremely impactful on the Grizzlies, having already won a Defensive Player of the Year award. He's averaged 17.6 points and 5.5 rebounds on the Grizzlies for his career, putting up 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks last season in an injury-riddled year for the franchise.
Doncic has been on a generational trajectory through his first six years in the NBA, averaging 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. The last season was easily his best individual campaign ever, winning the scoring title with a ridiculous season average of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists while carrying the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.
The 2018 Draft Class Is Dominating The NBA
The 2018 Class also has other incredible talents such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and more, with this class likely being remembered among the greatest in the league's history.
Unfortunately, this class will also be remembered for the two busts atop the Draft board. Deandre Ayton went No. 1 and was hailed as a generational big man, something he's not turned out to be, and has already been traded away by the team that drafted him, the Phoenix Suns.
One of the biggest Draft busts of the modern era also comes from this class, as Marvin Bagley went No. 2 and has already been on four teams in the NBA.
The 2024 NBA MVP award saw three players from the 2018 Draft Class finish in the top five, with Shai and Doncic coming second and third respectively with Brunson coming in fifth.
Trae is a multi-time All-Star while Jackson is a DPOY-winner and Bridges is a DPOY finalist. The top-end talent is incredible with plenty of solid depth pieces coming out of this draft.
Related: 2018 NBA Draft Class By Tiers: Luka Doncic Leads The Pack
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