Video: Collin Sexton Says 2018 NBA Draft Class Has ‘Most Talent’ Ever; Ranks ’03 2nd

Adam WellsJuly 17, 2024

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton is ready to declare his draft class as the best in NBA history.

Appearing on Underdog Fantasy’s It Is What It Is show, Sexton said the 2018 class had the “most talent” in draft history, and he ranked the 2003 group second. (Contains NSFW language.)

Treasure Wilson @treasurewilsxnCollin Sexton says the 2018 draft class is the BEST draft class.

What do yall think ? pic.twitter.com/3y2qNNyeFI

Sexton doubled down on his comment by saying “if you asked anyone,” they would agree that 2018 is the best draft class ever.

Perhaps the most telling sign that Sexton perhaps hasn’t thoroughly studied this topic was his reaction when asked about the 1996 draft.

There is certainly an argument that the 2018 class will end up being one of the best drafts in history. Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III as the top two picks don’t look great at the moment, but they’ve carved out solid roles in the NBA.

The next three picks were Luka Dončić, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being the other key lottery selection at No. 11. Jalen Brunson was selected with the third pick in the second round (No. 33 overall).

Those five players have combined for 12 All-Star selections and nine All-NBA selections. Other notable picks from the draft include Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., Anfernee Simons, Mitchell Robinson and Bruce Brown.

That’s certainly a great volume of depth, but the historical significance of that class can’t be compared to the likes of 2003, 1996 or 1984.

The 2003 draft was led by four current or future Hall of Famers in LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. It also had five other players who made at least one All-Star appearance (Chris Kaman, David West, Josh Howard, Mo Williams, Kyle Korver).

Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash are the headliners from the 1996 class. Other notable selections that year were Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker, Peja Stojaković, Jermaine O’Neal and Žydrūnas Ilgauskas.

If the 1984 draft had only produced Michael Jordan, it would be arguably the most historically significant because of his importance in increasing the NBA’s mainstream popularity. When you add in Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton, it’s an all-time great group.

The 1984 class also produced a Hall of Famer in sixth-round draft pick Oscar Schmidt, but he never played in the United States. He spent his entire career playing in Brazil or overseas.

Among draft classes from the past 10 years, 2018 is definitely at or near the top. Historically, though, it can’t yet be compared to some of the best classes ever because we haven’t seen the totality of their careers.