You’ve probably heard the term "cursed" thrown around in sports, but the 1986 NBA draft class actually lives up to the billing. It’s a bizarre, tragic, and ultimately legendary group of players that shifted the league's history in ways we are still feeling today. If you ask a fan who was around in the mid-80s, they won't talk about the stats first. They'll talk about the phone call on June 19, 1986—the one that changed everything.
Len Bias was supposed to be the bridge to the next Celtics dynasty. Instead, he became the face of a tragedy that defined an era. But the story of this class isn’t just about what was lost. It’s about the Hall of Famers who came out of nowhere, the European pioneers who broke the mold, and the strange reality that more All-Stars came from the second round than the top of the first.
The Len Bias Tragedy and the First Round "Curse"
The Boston Celtics were fresh off a championship and somehow held the No. 2 overall pick. They took Len Bias, a phenom from Maryland who many believed was the only player capable of challenging Michael Jordan’s coming supremacy. Less than 48 hours later, Bias died of a cocaine overdose in his dorm room.
It was a gut punch to the sport. Honestly, the league never really recovered from the "what ifs." But for the 1986 NBA draft class, the darkness didn't stop with Bias.
Looking back, the top of that draft was a minefield of substance abuse and wasted potential. Chris Washburn (No. 3) was a mountain of a man who played only 72 games before drugs ended his career. William Bedford (No. 6) and Roy Tarpley (No. 7) followed similar, heartbreaking paths. Tarpley, specifically, was a 7-foot beast for the Dallas Mavericks who won Sixth Man of the Year but was eventually banned for life from the NBA due to multiple substance abuse violations.
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It wasn't just bad luck. It was a systemic failure. The NBA was struggling with a massive cocaine problem in the 80s, and this specific group of young men was right at the center of the storm.
The Second Round Steals That Saved the Legacy
If the first round was a disaster, the second round was a gold mine. It’s kinda weird to think about now, but the 1986 NBA draft class produced some of the greatest "sneaky" picks in history.
Dennis Rodman was sitting there at pick No. 27. Nobody knew a kid from Southeastern Oklahoma State—a small NAIA school—would become the greatest rebounder of the modern era and a five-time champion. He wasn't even the only one. Mark Price, a guy who would go on to be a 50-40-90 club member and a four-time All-Star, went at No. 25.
Check out how the talent was distributed:
- Brad Daugherty (No. 1): A rock-solid center for Cleveland. Five All-Star appearances. Career cut short by back issues.
- Mark Price (No. 25): The engine of those great Cavs teams.
- Dennis Rodman (No. 27): Two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Total legend.
- Kevin Duckworth (No. 33): A two-time All-Star for the Blazers.
- Jeff Hornacek (No. 46): He ended his career with over 15,000 points and was a key piece of the Stockton-Malone Jazz.
Basically, if you were a scout in '86, your best work happened after the first round ended. Cleveland, in particular, absolutely nailed this draft by grabbing Daugherty, Ron Harper (No. 8), and Price. They built a contender overnight.
The International Pioneers: Sabonis and Petrovic
We often talk about the "European Invasion" as a 2000s thing, but the 1986 NBA draft class actually planted those seeds. It just took a decade for them to sprout.
Arvydas Sabonis was taken 24th overall by Portland. If he had come over in '86, the league might look different. He was 7'3" with the passing skills of a point guard. But the Soviet Union wouldn't let him leave. By the time he actually suited up for the Blazers in 1995, he was 31 and his knees were basically made of gravel. Still, he was incredible.
Then there was Drazen Petrovic. Taken in the third round at No. 60. Most people at the time didn't think a guard from Croatia could hack it. He proved everyone wrong, averaging 22.3 points for the Nets in '93 before his life was tragically cut short in a car accident.
Why the 1986 NBA Draft Class Matters Now
This class changed how the NBA does business. After the death of Len Bias, the league implemented much stricter drug policies. They started focusing on rookie transition programs. The "clean" image of the 90s was built on the wreckage of the 1986 class.
It also taught teams that talent isn't just in the blue-chip schools. When Dennis Rodman and Jeff Hornacek become stars while the top picks wash out, you start looking at the NAIA and the small conferences differently.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you want to truly understand the depth of this class, stop looking at the draft order and start looking at the impact:
- Study the "What If" of the Cavs: The 1986 Cleveland haul of Daugherty, Harper, and Price is one of the greatest single-day acquisitions in history. Watch highlights of their late-80s runs to see a "modern" style of play decades early.
- Re-evaluate the "Bust" Label: While Washburn and Bedford are called busts, their stories are more about the lack of support systems for mental health and addiction in the 80s.
- Respect the Second Round: Whenever people say a draft is "weak," remember 1986. The superstars were there; the scouts just hadn't found them yet.
The 1986 NBA draft class remains a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration. It’s a reminder that greatness can come from the 46th pick, and that even the most "sure thing" in the world can vanish in a single night.
To dig deeper into the legacy of these players, look for the 1987-88 Dallas Mavericks season—specifically Roy Tarpley's dominance—to see the peak of a talent that the league ultimately lost. You should also watch the 30 for 30 documentary Without Bias to understand the cultural shift that followed that fateful June night.