Who Were the Top 5 NBA Rookies in 2016 and Where Are They Now?

I remember sitting in a Madison Square Garden press box during the 2016-17 NBA season, watching a lanky forward from Latvia launch three-pointers with the casual confidence of a ten-year veteran. That was Kristaps Porzingis, who would finish his debut season averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds—numbers that barely captured his transformative impact on the New York Knicks franchise. What struck me most wasn't just his statistical production, but how he handled the immense pressure of being the fourth overall pick in a city that devours basketball talent. Fast forward to today, and Porzingis has evolved into an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, completing a journey that saw him overcome a torn ACL and multiple team changes to finally reach the pinnacle. His story, like many from that remarkable 2016 rookie class, demonstrates how unpredictable NBA careers can be—a theme that resonates when I consider Manny Pacquiao's recent comments about being open to another fight with Floyd Mayweather. Both athletes understand that legacy isn't about staying in one place, but about adapting and proving yourself repeatedly across different chapters of your career.

The 2016 NBA draft class produced several players who immediately looked like future stars, though their paths have diverged dramatically since then. Karl-Anthony Towns, the first overall pick, delivered one of the most impressive rookie campaigns in recent memory, putting up 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting an incredible 54% from the field and 34% from three-point range for a big man. Watching Towns then versus now reveals both consistency and evolution—he's remained with the Minnesota Timberwolves his entire career, developing into one of the most skilled scoring centers in league history while adding a three-point shot that defenses must respect. Yet despite his individual brilliance, team success eluded him until recently, when the Timberwolves finally became playoff contenders. His journey reminds me that statistical dominance doesn't always translate immediately to winning, something I've observed across multiple sports where individual talent needs the right system and teammates to achieve collective greatness.

Devin Booker, selected 13th by the Phoenix Suns, represents perhaps the most dramatic career ascent from that class. His rookie numbers—13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists—hardly predicted the scoring explosions to come. I recall skepticism about whether he was just another volume shooter on bad teams, but Booker worked relentlessly on his game, adding playmaking and mid-range mastery to become the complete offensive weapon we see today. His 70-point game in his second season was a warning shot across the NBA's bow, and his journey to the NBA Finals in 2021 validated his transformation from empty-calories scorer to franchise cornerstone. Booker's development mirrors what Pacquiao described about being ready to fight again—the mentality of a true competitor who keeps evolving and seeking new challenges regardless of past accomplishments.

The Rookie of the Year that season, Malcolm Brogdon, achieved something no second-round pick had done before—winning the award after being selected 36th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. His mature, efficient game—10.2 points, 4.2 assists, and shooting percentages of 45% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the line—immediately made him a rotation player on a playoff team. Brogdon's career has been about steady progression and adaptability, moving from Milwaukee to Indiana to Boston and now to Portland, always providing reliable two-way play and leadership. In many ways, his journeyman path reflects the reality for most NBA players—even highly accomplished ones—who must continually prove their value in different contexts, much like Pacquiao's willingness to return to the ring regardless of his legendary status.

Rounding out my top five is Domantas Sabonis, who began his career in Oklahoma City after being drafted 11th overall but truly blossomed after being traded to Indiana. His rookie numbers were modest—5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in limited minutes—but watching him then, I noticed his incredible basketball IQ and passing vision for a big man. Today, Sabonis has become a walking triple-double threat, making multiple All-Star teams and establishing himself as one of the league's premier offensive hubs in Sacramento. His game isn't built on athletic explosiveness but on skill, timing, and intelligence—qualities that often age well in the NBA. Sabonis represents the patient development path, where initial modest production can blossom into stardom given the right opportunity and continued refinement.

Looking back at these five players eight years later, what stands out isn't just their individual achievements but how their careers exemplify different NBA trajectories. Porzingis represents the high-profile prospect who overcame injuries and expectations to find his place. Towns embodies statistical excellence finally translating to team success. Booker illustrates the dramatic ascension from good to great. Brogdon demonstrates the value of professionalism and adaptability across multiple teams. Sabonis shows how patience and skill development can lead to unexpected stardom. Their collective stories remind me that NBA success isn't a straight line—it's filled with trades, injuries, reinventions, and perseverance. When Manny Pacquiao says he's ready to fight Mayweather again, he's expressing that champion's mentality of never being satisfied, always seeking new challenges regardless of past accomplishments. These 2016 rookies, now veterans, embody that same competitive spirit in their own journeys through the unpredictable landscape of professional basketball.