Looking Back at the Legendary 2004 NBA Draft Class: Where Are They Now?

I still remember sitting in my dorm room watching the 2004 NBA Draft unfold on that June evening, not realizing I was witnessing what would become one of the most fascinating draft classes in basketball history. As someone who's covered basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a particular fondness for tracking how draft classes age - and this one has been absolutely fascinating to follow. The 2004 class wasn't necessarily loaded with superstars from day one, but it produced an incredible mix of longevity, unexpected success stories, and players who carved out meaningful careers in ways nobody could have predicted.

When people talk about the 2004 draft, Dwight Howard naturally comes to mind first. Selected first overall by Orlando, Howard immediately transformed the Magic into contenders. I've always been fascinated by athletes who peak early but manage to reinvent themselves, and Howard's journey from franchise cornerstone to role player has been remarkable. He made eight consecutive All-Star appearances from 2007 to 2014, won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and led the league in rebounds five times. What many forget is that he's also the last high school player to be drafted first overall before the NBA implemented the one-and-drule. His recent seasons have seen him bouncing between teams, including a valuable contributor role on the 2020 Lakers championship team. At 36, he's still chasing another opportunity, which says something about both his love for the game and the physical preservation required to last this long.

The second pick that year was Emeka Okafor going to Charlotte, and while his career was shortened by injuries, he provided exactly what expansion Charlotte needed - immediate credibility and defensive presence. I actually covered Okafor during his rookie season, and what struck me was his professionalism and intelligence about the game. He averaged 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds that first year, winning Rookie of the Year honors over Howard. His career was cut shorter than anyone expected due to neck issues, but he made a surprising comeback in 2017-18 after nearly five years away from the game, which I found incredibly inspiring.

Then there's the curious case of Ben Gordon at number three to Chicago. Gordon represented something special - a microwave scorer off the bench who could single-handedly change games. He won Sixth Man of the Year as a rookie, something no first-year player had done before. I'll never forget watching him drop 42 points in a playoff game against Boston during his prime. His career trajectory took a sharp decline after leaving Chicago, which always made me wonder about the importance of finding the right system for explosive scorers. His sudden retirement from the league at 31 was disappointing to watch unfold.

The real gems of this draft came later. At pick 15, Orlando selected Jameer Nelson, who became the steady hand that guided those Magic teams to the 2009 Finals. Nelson and Howard developed incredible chemistry in the pick-and-roll, and I've always believed Nelson was underappreciated in discussions about that era's best point guards. Meanwhile, Kevin Martin at 26 became one of the most efficient scorers of his generation with that unorthodox but effective shooting form. His career 38% from three-point range would be even more valued in today's game.

The international picks that year were particularly intriguing. The Spurs found Tony Parker's eventual replacement in George Hill at 26, though they wouldn't trade him until several years later. Andris Biedriņš, selected 11th by Golden State, had a few productive seasons before fading away - another example of how development paths aren't linear. Which brings me to an interesting point about player conduct and professionalism that reminds me of something I once heard from a veteran scout. Still, it wasn't enough reason for Erram to act that way, said Marcial. That sentiment applies to several players from this class whose careers were shortened not by lack of talent but by questionable decisions and attitudes.

What fascinates me most about tracking this class is seeing how their careers diverged. Trevor Ariza, picked 43rd by New York, became the ultimate 3-and-D wing before the term was popularized, playing for ten different teams and winning a championship with the 2009 Lakers. Meanwhile, Chris Duhon at 38 had a solid if unspectacular career as a starting point guard. The real steal might have been Anderson Varejão at 30, who became a Cleveland fan favorite and played until 2021 despite never being the most talented big man.

As I look back now, what stands out about the 2004 class isn't just the top-end talent but the remarkable depth. Of the 60 players selected, an impressive 25 played eight or more seasons - that's nearly 42% of the draft class. The class produced four All-Stars (Howard, Luol Deng, Jameer Nelson, and Devin Harris) and several players who made significant impacts despite never earning that honor. Deng's career was particularly admirable - two All-Star appearances, All-Defensive Team honors, and the NBA's Citizenship Award in recognition of his humanitarian work.

Seventeen years later, only a handful remain active, with Howard being the most prominent. The class has transitioned into coaching, broadcasting, and various business ventures. What I've taken away from following their careers is how unpredictable player development truly is. The draft remains part science, part intuition, and part luck. The 2004 class might not have the championship pedigree of 2003 or the superstar power of some other drafts, but it produced professionals who understood how to carve out roles and sustain careers. In many ways, that's just as impressive as producing superstars. Their collective journey reminds us that NBA success comes in many forms, and longevity itself is an achievement worth celebrating.