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The NBA Draft plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of each franchise. Amidst the plethora of selections made over the years, there are standout picks that have become cornerstones of success for their respective teams. Every NBA franchise has experienced the thrill of landing a marquee draft pick — a player who not only meets but exceeds expectations, leaving an indelible mark on the team’s history. In this article, we’ll celebrate the most significant draft picks in the history of each NBA team, starting with the Nets:
Brooklyn/New Jersey Nets — Buck Williams (3rd, 1981)
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The draft hasn’t been kind to the Nets over the years. Brooklyn (previously New Jersey) has mostly acquired its star players through free agency (Kevin Durant, Julius Irving, Kyrie Irving) or via trade (Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, James Harden). Their two No. 1 overall picks wound up having solid, yet unspectacular careers (Derrick Coleman and Kenyon Martin). The best player they’ve ever drafted is perhaps Bernard King, who played for the Nets for just two years before going on to become a New York Knicks legend. In terms of drafted players who contributed most to the Nets, Buck Williams is head and shoulders above the rest. Williams was a three-time All-Star in New Jersey and missed just one game in his first six seasons.
Toronto Raptors — DeMar DeRozan (9th, 2009)
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Toronto started off strong in the draft after entering the league in 1995. The team’s initial first-round picks were Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby, and Tracy McGrady. Its fourth first-rounder was Antawn Jamison, who was quickly shipped off to Golden State in exchange for multi-time All-Star Vince Carter. Carter, of course, is arguably the most impactful Raptor of all-time given his overall popularity. However, this spot belongs to DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan gave everything to the organization and brought the team back from the depths with multiple playoff appearances. The skilled shooting guard led Toronto to its most wins in franchise history (59) in his final season with the team.
Charlotte Hornets — Alonzo Mourning (2nd, 1992)
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The Hornets’ past draft results can be a bit confusing, as the team reclaimed its history after changing its name from the Bobcats in 2014. Luckily for this exercise, the Bobcats didn’t do a terribly good job of drafting quality talent (aside from Kemba Walker). When examining Charlotte’s draft history, three names stand out: Larry Johnson, Baron Davis, and Alonzo Mourning. Johnson and Davis became recognized for their thunderous slams and impressive athleticism, but Mourning was arguably the most impactful of the bunch. In three seasons in Charlotte, Mourning averaged 21 PPG, 10 RPG, and 3 BPG.
Indiana Pacers — Reggie Miller (11th, 1987)
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One of the greatest clutch shooters in NBA history, Reggie Miller is easily the best draft pick in Pacers lore (sorry, Paul George). Miller spent the entirety of his 18-year NBA career with the Pacers. Indiana missed the playoffs just once from 1990 to 2005 (Miller’s final season), and made five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2000, Indiana reached the Finals for the first time since the team joined the NBA in 1976. He missed just 55 games over his entire career and was a stalwart within the organization and the city for nearly two decades.
Los Angeles Clippers — Bob McAdoo (2nd, 1972)
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The Clippers/Braves have had a tumultuous run since moving from Buffalo in 1978. Over the years, the Clippers have been a lightning rod for draft busts and disappointing players. Blake Griffin (No. 1, 2009) offered the Clippers some hope, though the team never won anything substantial during his tenure. McAdoo is considered to be the top Clipper/Brave in team history. McAdoo left for the Knicks before the Braves moved to San Diego and re-branded, but he was an excellent player for the Buffalo Braves. The bruising big man had three straight seasons averaging 30-plus PPG. He was also named league MVP in the third year of his career.
Memphis Grizzlies — Ja Morant (2nd, 2019)
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While players like Mike Conley Jr., Shane Battier, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim were all quality players, none boasted the superstar upside of Ja Morant. After being selected No. 2 overall in 2019, Morant injected a sense of excitement within the fanbase which simply cannot be measured. He represents the future of a team still awaiting its first NBA Finals appearance. For Morant, it’s all about staying on the floor. He missed nearly the entire ’24 season with a suspension plus an injury and had missed at least 15 games in each season prior. When he’s on the floor, there’s no doubting Morant’s game-changing ability.
New Orleans Pelicans — Chris Paul (4th, 2005)
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While Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson are more impressive athletes, there’s no question who is the best draft pick in Pelicans history. Chris Paul was selected when the team was still going by the “Hornets”, spending most of his first two seasons playing in Oklahoma City. It quickly became apparent that Paul was going to become one of the top point guards in the league. He turned New Orleans into an instant competitor and remains one of the league’s most cerebral guards at age-38.
New York Knicks — Patrick Ewing (1st, 1985)
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The prize of the famed “Frozen Envelope” fiasco from the 1985 Draft Lottery, Patrick Ewing is the best draft pick in New York Knicks history. Though, it’s not by a wide margin. Walt Frazier and Willis Reed helped deliver New York’s two title wins back in the 70s. A championship eluded Ewing’s grasp, but his impact cannot be understated. An 11-time All-Star and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Ewing was one of the league’s most dominant centers during a time when the position was stacked with elite talent.
Portland Trail Blazers — Damian Lillard (6th, 2012)
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Since being drafted in 2012, Lillard has carried himself with the swagger and bravado of an elite talent. The Oakland native lived up to those expectations while becoming one of the league’s most potent offensive players. Up until his departure in the ’23 offseason, Lillard had been one of the few constants for a franchise that has made considerable mistakes at every turn. Lillard kept the team afloat and consistently in the hunt. Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in ’21, Lillard deserves all the praise.
Miami Heat — Dwyane Wade (5th, 2003)
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Miami got a whole lot more than a consolation prize with the No. 5 pick in 2003. With LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh off the board, the Heat “settled” for an explosive guard out of Chicago. Wade confirmed the team’s faith in him by delivering the city an NBA title in his third season. A few years later, Wade convinced James and Bosh to join forces in South Florida, and the three-headed monster led the Heat to four-straight NBA Finals appearances and a pair of titles. After bouncing around to Chicago and Cleveland, Wade returned to the Heat in 2017 and retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, points, assists, and steals.
Milwaukee Bucks — Giannis Antetokounmpo (15th, 2013)
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Now, we aren’t saying Giannis Antetokounmpo is a better player than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — who was drafted first overall by the Bucks back in 1969. Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and it will take another decade for Giannis to even come close to matching his accomplishments. That being said, it can be argued that Antetokounmpo was the more valuable draft pick. The Bucks managed to draft a multi-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA Finals MVP outside of the lottery. Both players won a title for the franchise. And, it doesn’t look like Antetokounmpo is going to be skipping town for one of the marquee cities anytime soon.
Minnesota Timberwolves — Kevin Garnett (5th, 1995)
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Kevin Garnett is the best pick in Minnesota Timberwolves history. After foregoing college, Garnett entered the NBA Draft and was selected fifth overall. Up until then, the Timberwolves had never even won 30-plus games in a season. Garnett led Minnesota to a playoff berth in Year 2 — the first of eight-straight playoff appearances. In 2004, Garnett and the T’Wolves finally broke through as the energetic power forward was awarded MVP honors en route to a Western Conference Finals appearance.
Phoenix Suns — Steve Nash (15th, 1996)
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Back-to-back MVPs solidified Steve Nash as the greatest Phoenix draft pick of all-time. Nash was taken 15th overall by Phoenix in 1996 and spent the first portion of his career backing up Jason Kidd. Nash eventually made the move to Dallas where he blossomed into an All-Star. After 2004, Nash returned to Phoenix with a new sense of confidence and experience. In his first year back, the Suns won 62 games (won 29 the year prior) and Nash earned MVP honors. He was named MVP yet again in 2006 after leading the team to 54 wins with co-star Amare Stoudamire on the mend. Nash’s vision and shooting ability endeared him to the fanbase and made him a nightmare to defend for opposing guards.
Dallas Mavericks — Jason Kidd (2nd, 1994)
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If the Mavericks originally owned the pick that was used on Dirk Nowitzki, the German big man would easily be the name included on this list. However, Nowitzki was originally a Milwaukee Bucks selection before being traded on draft day for Robert “Tractor” Traylor. Instead, we’ll need to look at another member of Dallas’ 2011 title-winning club. Jason Kidd began his career with the Mavericks where he shared Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill. After memorable stints in Phoenix and New Jersey, Kidd made his way back to Dallas as a seasoned veteran in Year 14. The Hall of Fame point guard started all 21 postseason games for the Mavericks during their miraculous run to a championship.
Atlanta Hawks — Bob Pettit (2nd, 1954)
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Kicking it off with a two-time MVP and 11-time All-Star, Bob Pettit was one of the best players the game has ever seen. Pettit was selected second overall out of LSU, and made an instant impact for the Hawks. After spending one season in Milwaukee, the Hawks moved to St. Louis where Pettit became an even bigger star. Pettit played his entire career with the Hawks (11 seasons) and is tied with Kobe Bryant for the most All-Star Game MVPs ever (4).
Utah Jazz — Karl Malone (13th, 1985)
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The league’s No. 3 all-time leading scorer slightly edges out the league’s No. 1 assist and steal leader. Malone and John Stockton were an electric pairing who carried the Jazz for nearly two decades. While Stockton is considered one of the game’s greatest point guards, Malone was the engine of Utah’s attack. During his prime, Malone scored nearly 30 points per game while hauling double-digit rebounds on a nightly basis. Though Malone doesn’t represent the current NBA power forward, he was the archetype during his era.
Washington Wizards — Wes Unseld (2nd, 1968)
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Washington hasn’t had the greatest string of draft picks. However, it did get it right in 2010 and 2012 with its selections of John Wall and Bradley Beal. The Wizards had won just two playoff series from 1980-2009 — the year before Wall was drafted. The backcourt duo led Washington to three series wins in four seasons (from 2014-17) and was just one game away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. That being said, neither All-Star guard can hold a candle to Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld. After being selected second overall in 1968, Unseld went on to win the NBA MVP as a rookie. A decade later, Unseld led Washington to its first and only NBA Championship — earning Finals MVP honors for his efforts.
Philadelphia 76ers — Allen Iverson (1st, 1996)
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Iverson is one of the most unique players the NBA has ever seen. Generously listed at 6 feet tall, the diminutive guard had a relentless demeanor that allowed him to overcome his vertical deficiencies. He was able to wiggle his way to the rim whenever he wanted. Iverson scored over bigger players with ease and shook them with his patented crossover dribble. Though the 76ers have a rich history of Hall of Fame talent, none had the impact culturally that Iverson did. The 2001 MVP is one of the all-time greats.
Denver Nuggets — Nikola Jokić (41st, 2014)
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In terms of raw value, it’s difficult to do much better than selecting an MVP with the No. 41 overall selection. The Nuggets uncovered a gem in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. The Serbian savant wasn’t even the first center acquired by Denver that night — the Nuggets executed a deal with the Bulls to acquire the rights of Jusuf Nurkic. It was clear early on that Jokić was the better of the two bigs, and Nurkic was promptly shipped off to Portland. Jokić has now developed into one of the league’s top talents and arguably the greatest passing big man of all-time.
Detroit Pistons — Isiah Thomas (2nd, 1981)
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The Pistons weren’t dubbed the “Bad Boys” until the late 80s when they began winning titles, but the memorable era began with the selection of Isiah Thomas in 1981. Thomas quickly became one of the top point guards in the league thanks to his lighting-quick handle and fearless approach. Leading the way for two title-winning teams, Thomas was named a 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and was named the 1990 NBA Finals MVP. He is widely regarded as one of the five best point guards to ever play.
Oklahoma City Thunder — Kevin Durant (2nd, 2007)
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The Thunder (previously Sonics) have a star-studded set of options to choose from. When the team was still in Seattle, they wound up with Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton in back-to-back drafts. The pair led the Sonics to an NBA Finals appearance and provided plenty of highlights along the way. Fast-forward two decades later and the team went on possibly the greatest run of first-round picks in NBA history — selecting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden in consecutive drafts. Durant is the best of the bunch. He played nine years with the club, earning seven All-Star nods and MVP honors in 2014.
Golden State Warriors — Stephen Curry (7th, 2009)
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Stephen Curry falling to the No. 7 pick was puzzling then and looks even worse now. The two-time MVP has blossomed into the game’s greatest shooter ever and delivered countless moments for the franchise he has stuck with throughout his entire career. The last part of that is what separates Curry from Wilt Chamberlain — Golden State’s second-greatest draft pick. Chamberlain played for three teams in his career and lasted just five years with the Warriors. As it currently stands, it doesn’t seem like Curry will ever be wearing another team’s uniform throughout his playing career.
Orlando Magic — Shaquille O’Neal (1st, 1992)
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Shaquille O’Neal brought legitimacy to a young Magic franchise. He lived up to the hype, and then some. In his first year with the team, Orlando increased its win total by 20 games from the previous season. By Year 3, O’Neal had led the Magic to the NBA Finals — which included knocking off Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The enigmatic big man lasted just four seasons with the Magic, but his imprint was greatly felt. Dwight Howard also received consideration for this spot, though O’Neal was the far superior player who made a bigger impact for the franchise on and off the floor.
Houston Rockets — Hakeem Olajuwon (1st, 1984)
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Hakeem Olajuwon was such an extraordinary player that he was drafted before Michael Jordan and there isn’t a soul who would blame the Rockets for making that decision. Olajuwon was the original unicorn. He could dribble the ball and move his feet like a guard while battling down low. Hakeem captured glory with back-to-back championships in Houston, blocked the most shots in NBA history (3,830), and his patented “Dream Shake” move is still used by players today.
Sacramento Kings — Oscar Robertson (1st, 1960)
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Though many remember Robertson playing alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a member of the Bucks, the versatile guard made a name for himself on the Cincinnati Royals. In his second year with the club, Robertson became the first player to average a triple-double for a full season. He was a gifted player in all facets of the game, utilizing his size (6-foot-5) and skill to overwhelm opponents. Since moving to Sacramento, the Kings haven’t been fortunate with their draft selections. Their best pick? Take your pick between sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic or 2023 Clutch Player of the Year De’Aaron Fox.
Boston Celtics — Larry Bird (6th, 1978)
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The “Hick from French Lick” slid in the draft despite being regarded as one of the top collegiate players in the nation. Seizing the opportunity, the Celtics scooped up Bird sixth overall and wound up with one of the greatest players of all-time. Bird led Boston to three NBA titles while collecting three regular-season MVP trophies. While Bird’s value to the franchise is virtually unmatched (by anybody not named Bill Russell), the selections of Paul Pierce (No. 10, 1998) and Jayson Tatum (No. 3, 2017) have helped usher in new eras of Celtics basketball in their own right.
Los Angeles Lakers — Magic Johnson (2nd, 1979)
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How could we pick against the man who brought “Showtime” to Los Angeles? The Lakers have a lengthy history of great centers — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain — all of whom were drafted by other teams before making their way out West. Kobe Bryant, while arguably the greatest Laker of all-time, was originally a Hornets selection — though he was dealt on draft day for Vlade Divac. Johnson, on the other hand, was a Lakers selection and is considered by many to be the greatest point guard in NBA history. A five-time NBA Champion and three-time MVP, Magic truly revolutionized the sport.
San Antonio Spurs — Tim Duncan (1st, 1997)
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With all due respect to the great David Robinson, it’s Tim Duncan who is the greatest Spurs draft pick of all time — without question. The Wake Forest product solidified himself as the greatest power forward the game has ever seen. Though fellow draftees Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili certainly aided in the effort, the Spurs’ dynasty was built around Duncan’s brilliance. The consistent contributor was one of the league’s top players for nearly two decades and helped deliver five championships to the famed franchise.
Chicago Bulls — Michael Jordan (3rd, 1984)
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Is there really anything to say here? The Chicago Bulls drafted arguably the greatest player of all-time with the No. 3 overall pick. Jordan instantly dominated the league from a scoring perspective, eventually capturing 10 Scoring titles throughout his career. As he matured, he became more of a team player who would do whatever it took to win games. Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA titles and one of the greatest runs for a club in sports history.
Cleveland Cavaliers — LeBron James (1st, 2003)
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We feel the need to include “arguably” when mentioning Jordan as the greatest player of all-time. That is because Akron’s own LeBron James certainly has a case of his own. There was no question who the Cavaliers were taking No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft. As soon as Cleveland won the Draft Lottery, the writing was on the wall. James went with the first pick in what ended up being one of the greatest draft classes ever. The four-time NBA MVP won two titles in Miami before returning to Cleveland and delivering one of the most iconic Finals performances of all-time. Facing a 3-1 deficit to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors, James led the Cavs to an improbable comeback victory for the franchise’s first NBA title.
