What Is The Best Draft Class From The 2010s?
Today I will be finding the best draft class from the 2010s.
Today I will be finding the best draft class from the 2010s. Some of these classes were viewed as ‘weak’ early on, but have grown into some of the best during the decade. Others have just bottomed out.
Note – There will be a disadvantage for some of the newer draft classes because these players have not been playing as long in the NBA. In a few years some of the newer draft classes will have moved up this list. So don’t overreact if a draft class is not as high as you think it should be.
#3 – 2010 NBA Draft
The first draft from this decade was a very good draft. John Wall was selected #1 overall and was one of the best point guards in the NBA for some time. Obviously injuries have derailed that quite a bit, but Wall was an All-Star for many years.
DeMarcus Cousins was selected 5th overall by the Kings and he too was one of the best big guys in the NBA for some time and a solidified All-Star. Injuries also derailed his career.
Gordon Hayward went 9th to the Jazz and he has been a border line All-Star for most of his career. Injuries also held him back quite a bit.
Paul George went 10th to the Pacers and he took a while to really turn into the All-Star that we know him now to be. George is one of the best two-way players in the NBA today.
Those are your All-Star level players. You have role players like Derrick Favors, Eric Bledsoe, Hassan Whiteside, and Avery Bradley. Evan Turner was a bust as he was selected #2 overall. Al-Farouq Aminu was effective with the Blazers. Lance Stephenson was hot and cold.
The 2010 Draft Class would be a lot better if people did not get hurt. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins could still be some of the best in the league barring injuries. Gordon Hayward and Paul George have also been held back with injuries. The 2010 Draft has a lot of what ifs, and they could very well be #1 without any injuries.
#2 – 2012 NBA Draft
The 2012 Draft is one of the best draft classes in recent memory as Anthony Davis was selected #1 overall. Davis has been one of the best big guys in the NBA and now has a chance for a ring with the LA Lakers.
Bradley Beal was selected 3rd and Beal was often in the shadow of John Wall, but since Wall has been injured Beal has turned himself into a star with Washington. Many want Beal to get traded and find himself playing meaningful basketball. But it looks like that won’t happen for some time.
Damian Lillard went 6th to Portland and is one the best point guards in the NBA with his shooting and scoring ability. Like Beal, many want him to leave the Blazers for a ring but that won’t happen.
Andre Drummond went 9th to Detroit and was a great double-double guy and is still a solid big guy in the league.
Draymond Green went 35th to the Warriors and was the heart and soul of the Warriors dynasty as they won 3 rings.
Khris Middleton took a while to come to fruition as he was selected 39th overall. Now Middleton is an All-Star and the 2nd option for a contending Bucks team.
Other than the stars, you have guys like Harrison Barnes who was solid on the Warriors teams that won him a ring in 2015, Terrence Ross is solid off the bench for the Magic, Evan Fournier is a solid scorer for the Magic, Meyers Leonard is a stretch big for the Heat, Austin Rivers can score, Jae Crowder can shoot and Will Barton is useful for the Nuggets.
Lots of the stars from the 2012 draft came in the 2nd round, and this draft would not be as high as it is without Middleton and Green. The role players are a little underwhelming, but the star talent from this draft is heavy.
#1 – 2011 NBA Draft
The 2011 Drat is still the best however. Kryie Irving was selected #1 overall by the Cavs. Say what you want about the man, he was a great scorer and ball-handler and helped the Cavs win a ring in 2016.
Kemba Walker went 9th to the Hornets and was a star for the trash Hornets, and now he is on a contending team in Boston hoping for some playoff success.
Klay Thompson went 11th to Golden State and he was an integral piece of the Warriors dynasty with his incredible shooting.
Kawhi Leonard went 15th to the Pacers. Leonard won Finals MVP in 2014 before he broke out, and then he became the two-way star we know him now to be. With DPOY’s, Finals MVPS, and 2 rings, Leonard is the best player from this draft.
Jimmy Butler went 30th to the Bulls and he is a All-Star with the Heat.
Isiah Thomas went 60th to the Kings and that one season with the Celtics in which he averaged nearly 30 points and was 5th in MVP voting is enough to name him a star. His height is largely a part of why he is not in the league anymore.
Enes Kanter, Tristan Thompson, and Jonas Valanciunas are all solid big guys who are capable of starting in the NBA. The Morris Twins were solid scorers and defenders, although Marcus is clearly better.
Nikola Vucevic is the lone All-Star with the Magic and has been quietly on the better big guys in the NBA. Tobias Harris is a solid scorer who is finally getting a chance with the 76ers.
Iman Shumpert, Kenneth Faried, Nikola Mirotic, and Norris Cole were all solid role guys at one point in their careers. All of them have fallen off since that point.
Bojan Bogdanovic scores 20+ ppg with the Jazz and is one of their best players.
There are so many star players and just great players from this draft. Lots of them have needed hindsight to take form, but now we cans see why this draft class is the best from the 2010s.
What do you think? Which 3 draft classes are on your top-3 list? Is the 2012 NBA Draft the best draft from the 2010s? Leave all of your comments down below.
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