Looking Back at the Impactful NBA Draft Class of 2016 Five Years Later
Looking back at the 2016 NBA draft class five years later, I can't help but marvel at how this particular group has fundamentally reshaped the league's landscape in ways few could have predicted. When I first watched these young prospects walk across that Brooklyn stage in 2016, I remember thinking we were witnessing something special, though even my most optimistic projections fell short of what this class would ultimately achieve. The second overall pick, Brandon Ingram, has developed into an All-Star caliber player, while Domantas Sabonis, selected 11th, has become a walking double-double machine. But the real story, the one that still fascinates me when I analyze draft classes, is how Philadelphia's decision to select Ben Simmons first overall created ripple effects that are still being felt today.
What makes the 2016 class particularly fascinating from my analytical perspective is how it demonstrates the unpredictable nature of player development. Malcolm Brogdon, picked 36th, became the first second-round pick to win Rookie of the Year, while Pascal Siakam, selected 27th, developed into an NBA champion and All-Star. I've always believed that draft position matters less than development environment, and this class proves that thesis beautifully. The Toronto Raptors' development of Siakam represents what I consider the gold standard in player cultivation - taking a raw athlete with tremendous upside and systematically building him into a franchise cornerstone. Meanwhile, watching Jamal Murray's playoff performances has been nothing short of spectacular - his 50-point game in the 2020 bubble playoffs remains one of the most impressive scoring displays I've witnessed in recent memory.
The international flavor of this draft class particularly stands out to me, especially when considering global basketball development pathways. While the NBA draft focused on prospects from American colleges and various international leagues, I'm reminded of the parallel development happening in other competitions. The reference to Korabelka, Chinese Taipei, and the under-21 national teams of Vietnam and Thailand in the knowledge base makes me think about how basketball talent emerges through diverse channels worldwide. I've followed international basketball for over a decade, and what strikes me is how the global game continues to produce unexpected talent. Just as the 2016 NBA draft yielded gems like Croatian Dragan Bender at number four and Frenchman Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot at 24, we're seeing emerging basketball nations develop their own pipelines. The inclusion of Vietnam and Thailand's under-21 squads in competitive settings suggests the continued globalization of the sport I love.
Five years provides enough distance for proper evaluation, and what I see with the 2016 class is a group that exceeded expectations despite some high-profile disappointments. Ben Simmons' shooting limitations have been well-documented, but what often gets overlooked is his elite defensive capabilities and playmaking at 6'10". From my viewpoint, Simmons represents both the promise and peril of evaluating prospects - his physical tools were undeniable, but the incomplete skill set has limited his ceiling in ways that have frustrated even his most ardent supporters, myself included. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown, selected third, has developed into precisely the two-way wing every championship contender covets, averaging 24.7 points per game last season while providing lockdown defense.
The depth of this class continues to impress me when I review the numbers. Beyond the lottery picks, players like Caris LeVert (20th), Ivica Zubac (32nd), and Alex Caruso (undrafted) have developed into legitimate rotation players on competitive teams. Caruso's journey particularly resonates with me - going from undrafted to championship contributor with the Lakers exemplifies the work ethic and opportunity that can transform careers. In my experience covering the NBA, undrafted players who stick require both tremendous self-belief and the right organizational fit, and Caruso found both in Los Angeles before moving to Chicago.
As I reflect on these five years, the 2016 class stands as a testament to the importance of player development systems. The Oklahoma City Thunder's selection of Domantas Sabonis and subsequent trade for Paul George demonstrates how draft assets can be leveraged for both immediate and long-term gains. Meanwhile, Denver's patience with Jamal Murray through his early struggles paid dividends when he emerged as a playoff superstar. I've always advocated for teams to show more patience with young players, and Murray's development trajectory perfectly illustrates why. His regular season averages of 16.5 points and 3.7 assists through his first four seasons didn't fully capture his potential, which exploded in the playoffs where he averaged 26.5 points in Denver's 2020 bubble run.
The legacy of the 2016 draft continues to evolve as these players enter their prime years. What began as a class headlined by Simmons and Ingram has transformed into a group defined by its depth and unexpected stars. In my professional assessment, this class will be remembered not for its number one pick, but for the sheer number of impact players found throughout the draft. The emergence of Siakam, Brown, Murray, and Sabonis as franchise cornerstones, combined with the quality depth provided by players like Brogdon and LeVert, creates a draft profile that teams would kill for in any year. As these players approach their late twenties, I'm excited to see how their games mature and what additional accolades they'll accumulate before their careers conclude.