NBA Draft: Ranking every draft class from 1996-2020

Ranking NBA Draft classes from 1995-2020: 12. 1998

Even if it was not good enough to crack the top 10 classes of the last 25 years, the 1998 draft class provided the league with some of the more eclectic personalities of the early 2000s. There was greatness at the top followed by players fans will reminisce about for generations.

First, there are three Hall of Fame players in the top 10 picks of this draft, although only one has made it there so far. Paul Pierce will go down as one of the best Boston Celtics of all time and had the legendary run to the title in 2008. Dirk Nowitzki is the model and standard-bearer for the drastic influx of European talent in the league today, won an MVP and had his only memorable title run. Vince Carter just retired last season and started the YouTube era. Known as the greatest dunker of all time to many, Carter is an absolute legend.

The other two All-Stars in this class are slightly less high profile but also had their moments. Antawn Jamison was the stabilizing force of one of the more fun teams (Washington Wizards) of the early 2000s Eastern Conference. Rashard Lewis was an All-Star with both the Orlando Magic and the Seattle Supersonics while helping push the Magic to the 2009 Finals.

Then comes the fun. Mike Bibby was a top-five pick and the Sacramento Kings of the early 2000s are a famous almost-champion. Jason Williams was another member of those teams who was a fan favorite and ended up winning a championship with the Miami Heat. Larry Hughes, Robert “Tractor” Traylor,  Bonzi Wells and Al Harrington are all memorable figures. Tyronn Lue, Matt Harpring and Sean Marks would all go on to careers inside of basketball that saw them have more individual success than their playing careers.