The NBA draft is almost upon us and will play a big part in shaping the direction of several franchises. New Orleans was the obvious winner of the Draft Lottery, especially in a year in which there is a clear-cut #1 choice and potential franchise player. Besides #1, what other spots have yielded the best draft picks the past 32 years? What about the worst? I have put together my list of the top 5 picks over that time by draft position. There are a couple spots that might surprise.
Observations
1. A pick in the Top 5 is a chance for gold, as many of these 25 names are on the list of greatest players ever. But if there is a pick in the Top 5 that you don't want, it would appear to be #4.
2. #6 is by far the worst value pick on the entire board. Portland can thank New Jersey for this black hole of a spot in the upcoming draft. The good news for the player drafted--the bar is not set overly high to even become the best player drafted #6 since 1980 (and I know you can't wait to scroll down and see who currently holds that spot).
3. If you are out of the top 5, then #9 appears to be your best bet for a franchise player. The Pistons hold that pick this year, but I am not sure a player with franchise potential will be available this year.
4. The 12th pick rivals #6 in stinkage even if the list is headed by one of my favorite players (and names) of all-time. The Milwaukee Bucks will try to reverse that trend this year.
5. Picks 13 through 18 prove that great players can be found at the end or outside the lottery. Pick 13 produced two of the all-time greats, but #14 and #17 have had a deeper pool of success.
6. After pick 18, the chances of landing a perennial all-star are slim. There have been a few good hits and if you are picking back here, point guard might be your best position choice. #22 joins 6 and 12 on my list of worst picks.
28th Pick or Later
1. Tony Parker, 2001, San Antonio Spurs
2. Manu Ginobili, 1999, San Antonio Spurs
3. Jeff Hornacek, 1986, Phoenix Suns
4. Toni Kukoc, 1990, Chicago Bulls
5. Gilbert Arenas, 2001, Golden State Warriors
27th Pick
1. Dennis Rodman, 1986, Detroit Pistons
2. Elden Campbell, 1990, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Jamaal Tinsley, 2001, Memphis Grizzlies
4. Kendrick Perkins, 2003, Memphis Grizzlies
5. Arron Afflalo, 2007, Detroit Pistons
26th Pick
1. Vlade Divac, 1989, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Kevin Martin, 2004, Sacramento Kings
3. John Salmons, 2002, San Antonio Spurs
4. Samuel Dalembert, 2001, Philadelphia 76ers
5. Charlie Ward, 1994, New York Knicks
25th Pick
1. Mark Price, 1986, Dallas Mavericks
2. Gerald Wallace, 2001, Sacramento Kings
3. Al Harrington, 1998, Indiana Pacers
4. Carlos Delfino, 2003, Detroit Pistons
5. Tony Allen, 2004, Boston Celtics
24th Pick
1. Sam Cassell, 1993, Houston Rockets
2. Terry Porter, 1985, Portland TrailBlazers
3. Latrell Sprewell, 1992, Golden State Warriors
4. Andrei Kirilenko, 1999, Utah Jazz
5. Arvidas Sabonis, 1986, Portland TrailBlazers
23rd Pick
1. A.C. Green, 1985, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Tayshaun Prince, 2002, Detroit Pistons
3. Bobby Jackson, 1997, Seattle SuperSonics
4. Travis Best, 1995, Indiana Pacers
5. Greg Anderson, 1987, San Antonio Spurs
22nd Pick
1. Reggie Lewis, 1987, Boston Celtics
2. Scott Skiles, 1986, Milwaukee Bucks
3. Jarrett Jack, 2005, Denver Nuggets
4. Jared Dudley, 2007, Charlotte Bobcats
5. Oliver Miller, 1992, Phoenix Suns
21st Pick
1. Rajon Rondo, 2006, Phoenix Suns
2. Michael Finley, 1995, Phoenix Suns
3. Boris Diaw, 2003, Atlanta Hawks
4. Blue Edwards, 1989, Utah Jazz
5. Eric Murdock, 1991, Utah Jazz
20th Pick
1. Larry Nance, 1981, Phoenix Suns
2. Zyldrunas Ilgauskus, 1996, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Paul Pressey, 1982, Milwaukee Bucks
4. Jameer Nelson, 2004 Denver Nuggets
5. Roy Hinson, 1983, Cleveland Cavaliers
19th Pick
1. Zach Randolph, 2001, Portland TrailBlazers
2. Rod Strickland, 1988, New York Knicks
3. John Paxson, 1983, San Antonio Spurs
4. Jamaal Magloire, 2000, Charlotte Hornets
5. Dee Brown, 1990, Boston Celtics
18th Pick
1. Joe Dumars, 1985, Detroit Pistons
2. Mark Jackson, 1987, New York Knicks
3. David West, 2003, New Orleans Hornets
4. Ricky Pierce, 1982, Detroit Pistons
5. Theo Ratliff, 1995, Detroit Pistons
17th Pick
1. Shawn Kemp, 1989, Seattle SuperSonics
2. Josh Smith, 2004, Atlanta Hawks
3. Jermaine O’Neal, 1996, Portland TrailBlazers
4. Danny Granger, 2005, Indiana Pacers
5. Doug Christie, 1992, Seattle SuperSonics
16th Pick
1. John Stockton, 1984, Utah Jazz
2. Hedo Turkoglu, 2000, Sacramento Kings
3. Ron Artest, 1999, Chicago Bulls
4. Dana Barros, 1989, Seattle SuperSonics
5. Brevin Knight, 1997, Cleveland Cavaliers
15th Pick
1. Steve Nash, 1996, Phoenix Suns
2. Al Jefferson, 2004, Boston Celtics
3. Brent Barry, 1995, Denver Nuggets
4. Dell Curry, 1986, Utah Jazz
5. Gary Grant, 1988, Seattle SuperSonics
14th Pick
1. Clyde Drexler, 1983, Portland TrailBlazers
2. Tim Hardaway, 1989, Golden State Warriors
3. Peja Stojakovic, 1996, Sacramento Kings
4. Dan Majerle, 1988, Phoenix Suns
5. Michael Cage, 1984, Los Angeles Clippers
13th Pick
1. Kobe Bryant, 1996, Charlotte Hornets
2. Karl Malone, 1985, Utah Jazz
3. Dale Davis, 1991, Indiana Pacers
4. Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, 1982, New Jersey Nets
5. Jalen Rose, 1994, Denver Nuggets
12th Pick
1. Mookie Blaylock, 1989, New Jersey Nets
2. Kelly Tripucka, 1981, Detroit Pistons
3. Muggsy Bogues, 1987, Washington Bullets
4. George Lynch, 1993, Los Angeles Lakers
5. Darrell Walker, 1983, New York Knicks
11th Pick
1. Reggie Miller, 1987, Indiana Pacers
2. Kiki Vandeweghe, 1980, Dallas Mavericks
3. Robert Horry, 1992, Houston Rockets
4. Kevin Willis, 1984, Atlanta Hawks
5. Lafayette “Fat” Lever, 1982, Portland TrailBlazers
10th Pick
1. Paul Pierce, 1998, Boston Celtics
2. Horace Grant, 1987, Chicago Bulls
3. Joe Johnson, 2001, Boston Celtics
4. Jason Terry, 1999, Atlanta Hawks
5. Eddie Jones, 1994, Los Angeles Lakers
9th Pick
1. Dirk Nowitzki, 1998, Milwaukee Bucks
2. Tracy McGrady, 1997, Toronto Raptors
3. Amare Stoudemire, 2002, Phoenix Suns
4. Shawn Marion, 1999, Phoenix Suns
5. Charles Oakley, 1985, Cleveland Cavaliers
8th Pick
1. Tom Chambers, 1981, San Diego Clippers
2. Detlef Schrempf, 1985, Washington Bullets
3. Andre Miller, 1999, Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Ron Harper, 1986, Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Rudy Gay, 2006, Houston Rockets
7th Pick
1. Chris Mullin, 1985, Golden State Warriors
2. Kevin Johnson, 1987, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Richard Hamilton, 1999, Washington Wizards
4. Alvin Robertson, 1984, San Antonio Spurs
5. Damon Stoudamire, 1995, Toronto Raptors
6th Pick
1. Antoine Walker, 1996, Boston Celtics
2. Kenny Smith, 1987, Sacramento Kings
3. Hersey Hawkins, 1988, Los Angeles Clippers
4. Orlando Woolridge, 1981, Chicago Bulls
5. Tom Gugliotta, 1992, Washington Bullets
5th Pick
1. Charles Barkley, 1984, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Kevin Garnett, 1995, Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Scottie Pippen, 1987, Seattle SuperSonics
4. Dwyane Wade, 2003, Miami Heat
5. Ray Allen, 1996, Minnesota Timberwolves
4th Pick
1. Dikembe Mutombo, 1991, Denver Nuggets
2. Chris Paul, 2005, New Orleans Hornets
3. Glen Rice, 1989, Miami Heat
4. Rasheed Wallace, 1995, Washington Wizards
5. Chris Bosh, 2003, Toronto Raptors
3rd Pick
1. Michael Jordan, 1984, Chicago Bulls
2. Dominique Wilkins, 1982, Atlanta Hawks
3. Kevin McHale, 1980, Boston Celtics
4. Grant Hill, 1994, Detroit Pistons
5. Pau Gasol, 2001, Atlanta Hawks
2nd Pick
1. Isiah Thomas, 1981, Detroit Pistons
2. Gary Payton, 1980, Seattle SuperSonics
3. Jason Kidd, 1994, Dallas Mavericks
4. Kevin Durant, 2007, Seattle SuperSonics
5. Alonzo Mourning, 1992, Charlotte Hornets
1st Pick
1. Tim Duncan, 1997, San Antonio Spurs
2. Hakeem Olajuwon, 1984, Houston Rockets
3. Shaquille O’Neal, 1992, Orlando Magic (3rd because pick turned out better for Lakers than Magic)
4. LeBron James, 2003, Cleveland Cavaliers
5. David Robinson, 1987, San Antonio Spurs
