What Happened to 2000 NBA Draft?

The 2000 NBA Draft, held at the Target Center in Minneapolis on June 28, 2000, is frequently cited as one of the least impactful draft classes in National Basketball Association history, often receiving an 'F' grade from analysts. Unlike other drafts that yielded multiple Hall of Famers or perennial All-Stars, the 2000 class produced only three players who ever made an All-Star team (Kenyon Martin, Jamaal Magloire, and Michael Redd), each for a single appearance in 2004.

The primary reason for its weak reputation was a general lack of elite talent and many top-10 picks failing to live up to expectations. Sports Illustrated even named the entire draft class the sixth biggest 'draft bust' of the modern era. The collective 'wins above replacement player' (WARP) metric for the class indicated it left the league's talent pool worse than it had been before.

Despite the overall disappointment, a few players managed to carve out respectable and even distinguished careers. Kenyon Martin, the first overall pick by the New Jersey Nets, was an athletic power forward who made one All-Star team and helped the Nets reach two NBA Finals. Mike Miller, selected fifth, won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2001 and the Sixth Man of the Year in 2006, later securing two NBA championships with the Miami Heat. Hedo Turkoglu, drafted 16th, had a breakout career with the Orlando Magic, earning the Most Improved Player award in 2008 and playing in the 2009 NBA Finals.

Perhaps the most successful player from the class in terms of longevity and individual accolades was Jamal Crawford, the eighth pick. He played 20 seasons in the NBA, the longest of any player from the draft, and uniquely won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award three times. Michael Redd, a second-round gem (43rd pick), developed into an All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selection, known for his prolific scoring before injuries curtailed his prime.

In the years following their playing careers, many of these notable draftees have remained involved in basketball. As of August 2026, Hedo Turkoglu has served as the President of the Turkish Basketball Federation since October 2016 and was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in April 2026. Jamal Crawford transitioned into broadcasting, joining NBC Sports as a lead game analyst in January 2025 for their 2025-26 NBA coverage, and was nominated for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026. He was also reportedly considering an assistant coaching position at the University of Kentucky in June 2026. Mike Miller joined the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach in May 2025. Kenyon Martin has become a vocal commentator on NBA affairs, notably addressing the issue of tanking in February 2026. Michael Redd, an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, hosts a popular podcast and recently offered his perspective on the significant Giannis Antetokounmpo trade from the Milwaukee Bucks in June 2026. These post-playing career developments highlight the enduring connection many from the 2000 NBA Draft maintain with the sport, despite the draft's initial underwhelming reputation.