NBA Draft: Ranking every draft class from 1996-2020

Ranking NBA Draft classes from 1995-2020: 9. 2005

The 2005 draft was headlined by a player who would go on to be the rare star to make an All-NBA team without ever making an All-Star appearance. Five years after the individual accolade, Andrew Bogut was the backbone of a Golden State Warriors championship defense. He was one of four top 10 picks to make an All-NBA team, led by the “point God” Chris Paul who is pushing for his first championship this season.

Paul is working for the team accolades that will cement his resume as one of the best guards to ever play the game. His individual resume is already unassailable: 11-time All-Star, 10 time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defense, Rookie of the Year, four assist titles and six steals’ titles. This season looks to be his crowning achievement.

Early in their careers, a case could be made that Deron Williams and not Paul was the best point guard in the class. While his peak may have been higher, he has long since given up that fight. Andrew Bynum went along a similar trajectory, peaking early as the starter on a championship team before bizarre injuries threw him off track.

Two more players made All-Star appearances from this class. Danny Granger was an often-underrated wing for the Indiana Pacers who unfortunately suffered injuries before being able to truly pair up with Paul George. David Lee was decorated with a lowly New York Knicks team before joining the Golden State Warriors and finding his place. Add in memorable names like Gerald Green, Nate Robinson, Jarrett Jack, Channing Frye, Monte Ellis and more and this class had plenty to offer.