2018 NBA Draft Order: Complete Breakdown of All 60 Picks and Selections

Let me take you back to that electric night of June 21, 2018, when the Barclays Center buzzed with anticipation that would shape the NBA landscape for years to come. As someone who's followed the draft process for over a decade, I can confidently say this was one of the most fascinating drafts in recent memory—not just for the top picks, but for the incredible depth that would later produce multiple All-Stars scattered throughout both rounds. The Phoenix Suns held that coveted first pick, and honestly, most of us in the basketball world expected them to take Deandre Ayton, the dominant big man from Arizona who seemed destined for stardom.

When Commissioner Adam Silver stepped to the podium and announced Ayton's name, it felt like the natural beginning to what would become a night full of surprises. The Sacramento Kings, picking second, went with Marvin Bagley III—a choice that raised eyebrows then and continues to be debated in NBA circles today. Personally, I thought Luka Doncic was the clear second-best prospect, but the Kings saw something special in Bagley's athleticism and potential. Then came the Atlanta Hawks at number three, who selected Doncic only to immediately trade him to the Dallas Mavericks for Trae Young and a future first-round pick. This trade, in my professional opinion, will be analyzed for decades—both franchises essentially built their future around this single decision.

As we moved through the lottery picks, the Memphis Grizzlies grabbed Jaren Jackson Jr. at number four, while the Dallas Mavericks (before the trade was officially announced) selected Trae Young at five. The Orlando Magic took Mo Bamba at six, the Chicago Bulls grabbed Wendell Carter Jr. at seven, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Collin Sexton at eight, and the New York Knicks picked Kevin Knox at nine. The Philadelphia 76ers rounded out the top ten with Mikal Bridges, though he'd soon be traded to Phoenix—a move that actually worked out beautifully for both teams in different ways.

What struck me most about this draft was how the value extended deep into the first round. At pick eleven, the Charlotte Hornets snagged Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who would later become part of the package that sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder where he's developed into a legitimate superstar. The Los Angeles Clippers took Jerome Robinson at thirteen—a pick that didn't pan out as hoped—while Michael Porter Jr. fell to Denver at fourteen due to health concerns. Porter's slide reminded me that sometimes the best value comes from taking calculated risks on talented players with question marks.

The later first round contained absolute gems that have significantly outperformed their draft positions. Donte DiVincenzo at seventeen to Milwaukee, Lonnie Walker at eighteen to San Antonio, and Kevin Huerter at nineteen to Atlanta all represented solid value picks. But the real steal, in my view, was Landry Shamet going twenty-sixth to Philadelphia—his immediate impact as a three-point specialist made him a valuable asset from day one.

When we transitioned to the second round, that's where the real draft nerds like myself get especially excited. The thirty-first pick saw the Suns take Élie Okobo, while Jalen Brunson—yes, the same Jalen Brunson who's now leading the New York Knicks—went thirty-third to Dallas. I'll admit I underestimated Brunson's potential at the time, thinking he was more of a solid backup rather than a future franchise cornerstone. Mitchell Robinson falling to the Knicks at thirty-six was another fantastic value selection, proving that teams who do their homework on prospects with unique circumstances can find real gems.

The final stretch of the draft included several players who've carved out meaningful NBA roles despite being selected in the forties and fifties. Gary Trent Jr. at thirty-seven to Sacramento, Bruce Brown at forty-two to Detroit, and Hamidou Diallo at forty-five to Brooklyn have all become reliable rotation players. What's fascinating to me is how many of these later picks have outperformed players taken in the lottery—it really speaks to the unpredictable nature of player development and the importance of finding the right situation.

Looking back at the complete sixty-pick breakdown, this draft class has already produced eight All-Stars—an impressive number by any measure. The top five picks have all shown flashes of brilliance, though their careers have taken dramatically different paths. Ayton has been solid if not spectacular, Bagley has struggled to find consistency, while Doncic and Young have become franchise centerpieces. Jackson has developed into a defensive stalwart for Memphis, and Young's offensive wizardry has made Atlanta competitive.

What I find most compelling about analyzing this draft years later is recognizing how team context and development systems dramatically impact player success. Some players selected in the twenties and thirties have outperformed lottery picks simply because they landed in organizations that knew how to utilize their skills properly. The 2018 draft reminds us that talent evaluation doesn't end when the commissioner announces the picks—it's just the beginning of each player's unique journey.

As we continue to track the careers of these sixty selections, it's clear that the 2018 NBA Draft will be remembered as one of the deepest and most impactful in recent history. The first round produced immediate contributors, while the second round yielded several players who have dramatically outperformed their draft positions. In my professional assessment, we won't be able to fully evaluate this draft class for another three to five years, as players continue to develop and find their roles in the league. But one thing's certain—the decisions made on that June night in Brooklyn have reshaped multiple franchises and will continue to influence the NBA's competitive balance for years to come.