The 25 Best NBA Draft Picks of All Time

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Pick/Year: No. 7/2009
School: Davidson
Team: Warriors
Accolades: 2010 All-Rookie

Although he took little known school Davidson to the Elite 8, a couple teams still fronted on Steph. We bet they regret that now. Ankle problems aside, Curry is probably the best shooter in the game not named Kevin Durant. Under the guidance of point guard extraordinaire Mark Jackson, Curry carried the Warriors to 47 wins and the sixth seed in a competitive Western Conference. Six teams passed on him and he makes them pay the hard way.

Pick/Year: No. 10/2010
School: Fresno State
Team: Pacers
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense, 1x Most Improved Player, 2011 All-Rookie

Everyone slept. Everyone. Who watches Fresno State games? Apparently the Pacer front office does. No one knew who Paul George was but they know now. After a couple seasons being overshadowed by Danny Granger, George has stepped out of the darkness and is Indiana's best player. He proved over the course of the 2013 season with an emphasis on his playoff run. It's like one day he's a guy with potential and the next he's Scottie Pippen. Indiana may have one of the game's 10 best players in the future.

Pick/Year: No. 4/2008
School: UCLA
Team: SuperSonics
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 2009 All-Rookie

Already with Kevin Durant on the roster, the Sonics took Russell Westbrook to compliment their future star with another future star. They knew he wasn't a pure point, but they also knew that he was a beast. Westbrook has never missed a game in his basketball career until this year's playoffs and has always played with that fire people confuse with selfishness. Kevin Love is cool and all, but he ain't Russell Westbrook. The Thunder aren't contenders without him. The Oklahoma City front office is one of the best in sports.

Pick/Year: No. 24/1992
School: Alabama
Team: Warriors
Accolades: 4x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense, 1993 All-Rookie

While he will always be remembered as the crazy guy who nearly choked his coach to death, Sprewell was also hugely promising young player who led the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals where he averaged 26 points per game. Spree slipped all the way down to 24 in the draft behind a number of totally forgettable players like Adam Keefe and Tracy Murray, and was only one of five guys from his class to make an All-Star team at any point during his NBA career.

Pick/Year: No. 17/1989
School: Trinity Valley CC
Team: SuperSonics
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA

After getting into a little bit of trouble at Kentucky before he stepped on the court, Kemp transferred to Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, but didn't play. He declared himself eligble and the Sonics took a chance on him with the 17th pick in the 1989 Draft. That decision worked out as the team drafted Gary Payton the very next year and the two young players turned into superstars. Payton and Kemp were the cool version of Stockon and Malone, always at the top of the Western standings and losing to Jordan's Bulls in the '96 Finals.

Pick/Year: No. 5/2003
School: Marquette
Team: Heat
Accolades: 9x All-Star, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, 2004 All-Rookie

Out of all the perrenial All-Stars drafted in the heralded 2003 Draft, Wade was the one to win a championship first. And if it weren't for his recruiting efforts Chris Bosh and LeBron James could still very well be ringless. Flash was the oldest of the top five taken in that draft, leaving Marquette after his junior season and a trip to the Final Four. Three years later, with the aid of a declining Shaquille O'Neal, Wade dominated the 2006 Finals, winning Finals MVP in one of the greatest playoff performances ever. Fast forward to 2013 and Wade added two rings to his collection and is looking to add a few more before he retires.

Pick/Year: No. 19/1970
School: UTEP
Team: Royals
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA

Maybe it was because he was small or maybe it was because no one saw him catch wreck on the streets of New York, but there's no reason why Tiny was taken so late (although there were several Hall of Famers taken before him). Already a legend, Archibald took little time establishing himself as one of the L's best players. He was a one-man wrecking crew that was able dish as much as he was able to score—think Isiah Thomas. Archibald is still the only player to lead the NBA in points (34) and assists (11.4) in a single season.

Pick/Year: No. 14/1989
School: UTEP
Team: Warriors
Accolades: 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 1990 All-Rookie

The Warriors already had young shooters in Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond and needed someone to run the show. Other than Shawn Kemp, Golden State snatched up the best player. Guys like DANNY FERRY, Sean Elliott, Glen Rice, and Mookie Blaylock were taken before him. Some of those picks you can't argue with, especially if a team's specific needs are involved. But did any of them watch film of that crossover and his scoring ability? Probably not.

Pick/Year: No. 11/1987
School: UCLA
Team: Pacers
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Third Team

Even though he never won an individual award beyond being named to the All-NBA third team, Miller was always right at the center of huge moments and always seemed to end up on the winning side. Just ask the poor Knicks, who were on the receiving end of his 25-point fourth quarter one year followed by his eight points in 8.9 seconds the next. He never got the title that eluded him so, running first into Jordan's Bulls and then Shaq and Kobe's Lakers, but Miller nevertheless will always be remembered as one of the greatest shooters in league history.

Pick/Year: No. 10/1998
School: University of Kansas
Team: Celtics
Accolades: 10x All-Star, 1x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 4x All-NBA, 1999 All-Rookie

While everyone in the 1998 Draft salivated over Michael Olowokandi, Antwan Jamison, and Vince Carter, they forgot about a couple franchise players. One of which goes by "The Truth" in these streets. Paul Pierce went with the 10th pick to the Celtics and hasn't looked back since. He went through bad years to promising years alongside Antione Walker to winning a championship and being a contender. Although, he might have to wear a new uniform when the 2014 season begins everyone knows he's a Celtic at heart for life.

Pick/Year: No. 14/1983
School: Houston
Team: Blazers
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 10x All-Star, 1x Champion, 5x All-NBA

It's kind of amazing that, considering how much hype Phi Slama Jama got, Drexler slid down to the 14th spot in the NBA Draft. Faced with the choice of taking Drexler or the more experienced Howard Carter of LSU, the Trailblazers decided to go with the lean, athletic shooting guard out of Houston. Ten All-Star selections later, we're going to say they made the right call on that one. Drexler would reunite with former college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon to finally get his ring, completing the final piece of his stellar career.

Pick/Year: No. 8/1964
School: Grambling State
Team: Knicks
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 1x MVP, 2x Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense, 1965 Rookie of the Year, 1965 All-Rookie

By far the best player in the draft, Reed fell in the Knicks lap at No. 8. He came out of Grambling State, a historically black college, which kind of explains why he wasn't on many teams' radars. For many years he banged with the likes of Russell, Chamberlain, and Abdul-Jabbar for big man supremacy, even winning two championships of his own. He was one of the game's toughest players and one of it's greatest leader. For evidence check out Game 7 of the 1970 Finals.

Pick/Year: No. 7/1962
School: Ohio State
Team: Celtics
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 13x All-Star, 8x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 11x All-NBA, 8x NBA All-Defense, 1963 All-Rookie

Once again Red Auerbach drafts the best player. The Pistons took Dave DeBusschere and Jerry Lucas went to Royals as territorial picks, leaving Hondo up for grabs. For whatever reason, six teams felt like he wasn't the right fit for them. Boston took him and the decision immediately paid dividends. Havlicek came off the bench (as the NBA's first sixth man) to help Boston with the first of eight titles including three straight.

Pick/Year: No. 8/1957
School: North Carolina Central
Team: Celtics
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 5x All-Star, 10x Champion, 3x All-NBA

Sam was Mr. Clutch before Jerry West. He also was one of the first guards to perfect the bank shot, using it whenever possible. Jones led the Celtics in scoring for most of their dynasty years, scoring points when they needed him most, hence the "Mr. Clutch" nickname. Red Auerbach snatched "The Shooter" with the 8th pick, outsmarting everyone once again. None of the seven players taken before Jones averaged more than 8.9 points in their respective careers.

Pick/Year: No. 28/2001
School: Played overseas for Paris Basket Racing (France)
Team: Spurs
Accolades: 5x All-Star, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 3x All-NBA

Two years after taking Manu Ginobili with the second to last pick in the 1999 Draft, the Spurs do it again. This time taking a 19-year-old French kid named Tony Parker. He definitely had skills but was a bit raw. Luckily for the Spurs, Parker wasn't hyped before the draft and they were fortunate to have him fall in their lap with the 28th pick in the first round. Finally, Coach Pop had the last piece to the dynasty puzzle.

Pick/Year: No. 57/1999
School: Played overseas for Kinder Bologna (Italy)
Team: Spurs
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 3x Champion, 2x All-NBA, 1x Sixth Man of the Year, 2003 All-Rookie

Greg Poppovich, you sly son of a bitch. The Spurs drafted a veteran star in the second round, straight up making everyone look like fools. Out of all the players drafted, Manu is the only one that could look forward to a Hall of Fame induction (given his international career coupled with his NBA one), And to do it with the second to last pick in the draft? Brilliant. After already winning a championship with Tim Duncan and David Robinson, the Spurs added another piece to help San Antonio capture three more titles.

Pick/Year: No. 29/1976
School: Pepperdine
Team: Sonics
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 3x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 12x NBA All-Defense

DJ was really the forgotten man of the Celtics' dynasty of the mid-80s, always quietly staying in the large shadow of the Celtics' big three. But don't let his calm demeanor fool you; Johnson could play. Already a Finals MVP before he even got to Boston, he was a defensive stopper on one end who was the Celtics' Magic Johnson kryptonite while becoming a reliable option on offense as well. Considering how little-heralded he was coming out of college, he enjoyed one of the more remarkable careers in league history.

Pick/Year: No. 3/1980
School: Minnesota
Team: Celtics
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 3x Champion, 7x All-Star, 2x Sixth Man of the Year, 1x All-NBA, 6x NBA All-Defense, 1981 All-Rookie

The affable McHale wasn't even supposed to be a Celtic; Boston held the No. 1 pick in the Draft, but Red Auerbach saw something he liked in the goofy, gangly Minnesota native and swapped the top selection for No. 3 and some center named Robert Parish. McHale's career was ultimately derailed by injuries to his feet, as the ridiculously long-armed power forward struggled to stay on the floor as he got older. He nevertheless played an essential role on three championship teams, providing reliable low post scoring to complement Larry Bird.

Pick/Year: No. 9/1998
School: Played overseas for DJK Wurzburg (Germany)
Team: Mavericks (via draft day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks)
Accolades: 1x MVP, 1x Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 11x All-Star, 12x All-NBA

Don Nelson saw something in Dirk Nowitzki and worked out a draft day trade with the Bucks to take him with the No. 9 pick. In that same deal, Nelson also added a young Steve Nash from the Suns. After a rough rookie year, Dirk came into his own and turned into the one-of-a-kind player we know today. Nowitzki turned the Mavs into a relevant franchise, leading them to two Finals appearances and a championship. Who knew that the 7'0" German was going to turn into one of the greatest shooters to ever play? Don Nelson and then-Celtics coach Rick Pitino who said Dirk reminded him of Larry Bird after watching Nowitzki work out.

Pick/Year: No. 18/1985
School: McNeese State
Team: Pistons
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 2x Champion, 6x All-Star, 1x Finals MVP, 3x All-NBA, 5x NBA All-Defense, 1986 All-Rookie

With Isiah Thomas in tow, the Pistons took Joe D to complete their backcourt. Three seasons later they found themselves in the Finals; the first of three straight appearances, winning two back-to-back titles in that stretch. Dumars was the perfect compliment to Detroit's band of misfits with his cool, calm demeanor. He was a fierce defender that was able to guard players bigger than him because of his savvy and toughness. He got buckets when he had to as well, winning the 1989 Finals MVP by averaging 27.3 points in a four game sweep of the Lakers.

Pick/Year: No. 5/1995
School: Farragut Academy (HS) (IL)
Team: Timberwolves
Accolades: 1x MVP, 1x Champion, 15x All-Star, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 9x All-NBA, 12x All-Defense, 1996 All-Rookie

The Big Ticket started the straight to the pros fad that led to the "one and done" rule. Garnett was a once-in-a-lifetime type player in his prime. However, he was drafted by the Timberwolves instead of the Spurs like his counterpart Tim Duncan. Minnesota failed to build a team around KG after they gave him the contract that drove Stephon Marbury out of town. Still, Garnett remained loyal, never requesting a trade until both parties mutually agreed to part ways in 2007 when the Celtics came knocking. Along with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, Garnett won his first championship in their first season together.

Pick/Year: No. 3/1984
School: University of North Carolina
Team: Bulls
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 5x MVP, 6x Champion, 6x Finals MVP, 14x All-Star, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 11x All-NBA, 9x All-Defense, 1985 Rookie of the Year, 1985 All-Rookie

And with the third pick, the Bulls made the Earth sick. Can't argue with Hakeem Olajuwon going No. 1, but Sam Bowie over the reigning NCAA Player of the Year because you already had Clyde Drexler is idiotic. Air at the two and the Glide at the three? Dangerous combination. Drexler and the Blazers made two Finals appearances without Jordan, so it's safe to assume that they could've won a couple rings together. The Bulls swooped in and were fortunate to grab the greatest player in NBA history. They can thank Sam Bowie lying about his leg for that.

Pick/Year: No. 6/1978
School: Indiana State
Team: Celtics
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 3x Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, 1980 Rookie of the Year, 1980 All-Rookie

Crazy, right? The second best college player (Magic was the other) went at No. 6. Boston took him in 1978, but Bird decided to stay for his senior year at Indiana St. for one more showdown with Magic Johnson. The Celtics were able to retain his rights until the 1979 Draft. Leave it to Red Auerbach to grab Bird after five other teams passed. The rest, as they say, is history. Larry Legend and Magic Johnson continued their rivalry for a decade, became the best of buds, and saved the NBA in the process.

Pick/Year: No. 13/1985
School: Jazz
Team: Louisiana Tech
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 14x All-Star, 14x All-NBA, 4x NBA All-Defense, 1986 All-Rookie

Malone enjoyed a remarkable run after sliding to No. 13 in the draft, even though he was so sure the Mavericks were going to take him at No. 8 that he rented an apartment in Dallas before the draft. Things turned out just fine for Karl in Utah; paired with John Stockton, he rattled off one of the best stretches of winning the league had ever seen, perennially contending for the top spot in the Western Conference. Modern fans will probably best remember him for his shortcomings against Michael Jordan's Bulls in the 1997 and 1998 Finals, but Malone also dominated with an incredible level of finesse and strength that had never been seen before down in the paint.

Pick/Year: No. 13/1996
School: Lower Merion (HS) (PA)
Team: Lakers (via draft day trade with the Charlotte Hornets)
Accolades: 1x NBA MVP, 5x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 15x All-Star, 15x All-NBA, 12x NBA All-Defense,1997 All-Rookie

Other than Red Auerbach, Jerry West is quite possibly the greatest GM in NBA history. The man knows talent. And when he saw Kobe Bryant take a recently retired Michael Cooper to school in a game of one-on-one he was sold. West worked out a deal with the Hornets to draft Kobe with the 13th pick in exchange for Vlade Divac. After the deal was agreed upon, West said to owner Jerry Buss: 'We might've got the No. 1 player in the draft [at No. 13].' He is a player for the decades." He was right and the Hornets were wrong. Can you imagine Kobe in a Charlotte Hornets jersey teamed up with Muggsy Bogues and Glen Rice? Can you say dynasty?