The 2018 NBA Draft class is turning out to be one of the best in recent memory. So far, five All-Stars have emerged from the class: Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Brunson. It is only a matter of time before Mikal Bridges makes it as well.
However, many NBA fans' most memorable takeaway from this draft is the Phoenix Suns selecting Deandre Ayton over Doncic. They finally get a chance to right the ship. But the question is, how far does the former No. 1 overall pick Ayton fall?
Re-drafting the 2018 NBA class
No. 1: Phoenix Suns - Luka Doncic
Original pick: Deandre Ayton
No. 2: Sacramento Kings - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Original pick: Marvin Bagley III
No. 3: Atlanta Hawks - Jalen Brunson
Original pick: Luka Doncic (traded to Dallas Mavericks)
No. 4: Memphis Grizzlies - Jaren Jackson Jr.
Original pick: Jaren Jackson Jr.
No. 5: Dallas Mavericks - Mikal Bridges
Original pick: Trae Young (traded to Atlanta Hawks)
No. 6: Orlando Magic - Trae Young
Original pick: Mo Bamba
No. 7: Chicago Bulls - Michael Porter Jr.
Original pick: Wendell Carter Jr.
No. 8: Cleveland Cavaliers - Anfernee Simons
Original pick: Collin Sexton
No. 9: New York Knicks - Donte DiVincenzo
Original pick: Kevin Knox
No. 10: Philadelphia 76ers - Collin Sexton
Original pick: Mikal Bridges (traded to Phoenix Suns)
No. 11: Charlotte Hornets - Deandre Ayton
Original pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (traded to Los Angeles Clippers)
No. 12: Los Angeles Clippers - Miles Bridges
Original pick: Miles Bridges (traded to Charlotte Hornets)
No. 13: Los Angeles Clippers - Wendell Carter Jr.
Original pick: Jerome Robinson
No. 14: Denver Nuggets - Robert Williams III
Original pick: Michael Porter Jr.
Trail Blazers picked inside re-draft lottery
All three Portland Trail Blazers players fall inside the lottery in the re-draft, with Simons making one of the biggest jumps from originally being the No. 24 pick to now being selected No. 8 overall by the Cavaliers. Cleveland didn't pick point guard Darius Garland until the 2019 NBA Draft, so that would have played a significant role in who they decided to choose the following year. Jarrett Culver went No. 6 overall in 2019 after Garland and could have been in play.
Williams III makes a giant leap as well, going from No. 27 overall to landing with the Nuggets at No. 14. He'd be an excellent fit for Denver, who recently selected DaRon Holmes II in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft in need of another big man to spell Nikola Jokic.
Ayton's productivity in the league is often underappreciated because he is constantly associated with being a "draft bust" and given a negative label since the Suns passed up on an all-time great in Doncic. But he remains a starting center in the league and goes No. 11 overall in the re-draft.