I remember sitting in my living room on June 21, 2018, watching the NBA Draft unfold with particular interest. The Phoenix Suns held that coveted first pick, and the basketball world held its collective breath. When Commissioner Adam Silver announced "Deandre Ayton from the University of Arizona," it felt both predictable and monumental. Standing at 7'1" with a wingspan stretching nearly 7'6", Ayton represented the classic center prototype reimagined for the modern era. What fascinated me most wasn't just his physical gifts but how his selection would ripple through the league in ways we're still understanding today.
Looking back, that 2018 draft class has proven remarkably transformative. Behind Ayton went Marvin Bagley III to Sacramento at number two, followed by Luka Dončić to Atlanta (though he'd be traded to Dallas that night). The fourth pick saw Jaren Jackson Jr. head to Memphis, while Trae Young rounded out the top five. I've always found it compelling how these five players have reshaped their franchises in completely different ways. Ayton's impact in Phoenix has been particularly intriguing to track. His rookie season saw him average 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds - solid numbers, though the Suns won just 19 games. The transformation really began when Monty Williams took over as head coach and implemented a system where Ayton's role evolved dramatically. I recall Williams emphasizing during that first season, "So I asked the team na sacrifice and let's do our job," a philosophy that perfectly captured the cultural shift Phoenix needed. Ayton bought in completely, transforming from a pure low-post scorer to a defensive anchor and pick-and-roll specialist.
The 2021 NBA Finals run perfectly illustrated Ayton's value. Against the Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers, he showcased remarkable versatility - switching onto guards, protecting the rim, and finishing with incredible efficiency. His 22-point, 19-rebound performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals particularly stands out in my memory. What impressed me wasn't just the stat line but how he dominated without needing plays called for him. This evolution reflects a broader league trend where centers must now defend in space while remaining efficient offensive weapons without monopolizing possessions. Ayton's development accelerated this positional revolution, forcing other teams to reconsider what they needed from their big men.
When I analyze how that 2018 first pick changed the league, two aspects stand out. First, Ayton's presence enabled Phoenix's "bridge the gap" timeline, allowing them to develop while remaining competitive enough to eventually acquire Chris Paul. Second, his success reinforced the value of the traditional big man who could adapt to modern demands rather than being replaced by them. The narrative around building championship teams has shifted - now we see more franchises willing to invest max contracts in centers who might not be primary scorers but provide crucial defensive versatility and offensive efficiency. Ayton's 62.6% true shooting percentage over his first four seasons demonstrated this value proposition perfectly. Looking around the league today, you can see his influence in how teams evaluate and utilize traditional big men, blending old-school size with new-school skills in a way that has genuinely changed roster construction philosophy across the NBA.
