While some of the league’s most talented players were lottery picks, there have been stars who have been taken later in the first round, in the second round, or went undrafted at all. We’re going to attempt to identify the best player taken at each of the first 30 picks of the draft, at least since the turn of the century. We’re going to show that while those highly talented players go earlier in the draft, that some of these lower picks tend to develop into elite basketball players.
Just because your team doesn’t have a top 10 pick doesn’t mean you can’t land a future star. We’ve narrowed this down to one player for each of those first 30 picks, but it wasn’t a simple process. The players were selected based off how their career has progress in the NBA, though accolades and longevity were used to make some of the choices. There hasn’t been an All-Star taken at all 30 picks, but there’s certainly been talent available late in the first round.
One final thing to note is that these selections were not purposely made based on who was available at the time in the draft, or taken directly after them. These selections are mentioned on the specific pages, but these are solely the most talented NBA players taken at each first round pick. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
30. Jimmy Butler (2011)
After three solid years at Marquette, Butler was taken by the Bulls with the last pick of the first round. He quickly became a star for the Bulls, and has averaged greater than 20 points in four of the last five seasons. Butler has twice since requested trades, bouncing to the Timberwolves and 76ers and is currently part of a young core that could have the Sixers as playoff contenders for years to come. A four-time All-Star, he stands out as the Bulls best draft pick of the decade, even if his time with the franchise came to a sudden end.
Nearly every player drafted after Butler hasn’t amounted to much in the NBA, with Isaiah Thomas the only later pick that has made an All Star team. The Bulls grabbed Butler over names like Kyle Singler, Shelvin Mack, and Justin Harper, who all went within the next few picks. There were some solid players taken early in 2011, but the Bulls decision to grab and develop Butler into a star athlete is one of the franchise’s few bright spots in the last ten years.
Honorable mentions: David Lee (NYK – 2005), Anderson Varejao (ORL – 2004)
29. Josh Howard (2003)
There haven’t been an overwhelming amount of success stories with the 29th pick, but the Mavericks selection of Howard in 2003 is the real standout. Howard was an All-Star in 2007 and was a solid scorer during this six and a half seasons in Dallas. He averaged a career high 19.9 ppg during the 2007-08 season. The former Wake Forest standout ended his NBA career with brief stints with the Wizards, Jazz, and Timberwolves. He wasn’t a double-double machine and he didn’t hit a lot of outside shots, but he was a very serviceable scorer for the Mavericks, though he wasn’t still around for their title run in 2011.
Current Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton was taken just three picks after Howard, but it’s clear that the Mavericks made a wise selection. Names like Maciej Lampe, Jason Kapono, and Jerome Beasley never amounted to as much success in the NBA. He was the last forward taken in the 2003 Draft that made an All-Star team.
Honorable mentions: Derrick White (SAS – 2017), Cory Joseph (SAS – 2011)
28. Tony Parker (2001)
When the Spurs took a point guard from France, they didn’t know that Parker would develop into an All-NBA player who would help lead the franchise to four more titles in the coming years. A six-time All-Star, Parker became part of the Spurs’ big three. He was a force immediately, shining as one of the league’s best rookies in 2002. Parker would be named 2007 NBA Finals MVP. Between 2005 and 2013 he averaged more than 18 ppg while also creating offense for Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and the rest of the Spurs team. Few words need to be said about the impact Parker had on this franchise, though many teams regret letting him fall to the 28th pick.
Gilbert Arenas was taken three picks later, but I’m sure the Spurs are satisfied with their selection. When you consider names like Trenton Hassell, Omar Cook, and Will Solomon were taken just a few picks later, the Spurs were right to trust an international prospect like Parker. His development was outstanding and he truly shined in San Antonio.
Honorable mentions: Tiago Splitter (SAS – 2007), Leandro Barbosa (SAS – 2003)
27. Kyle Kuzma (2017)
There have been some intriguing players taken with the 27th pick over the years, though none of these players have had the immediate impact as former Utah forward Kyle Kuzma. He was taken by the Nets before heading to the Lakers on a draft-day trade. Kuzma was one of the best rookies in 2018 and averaged more than 18 ppg in his sophomore season last year. His long-range shooting slumped this season, though he’s started to develop into a better all-around power forward. The Lakers’ future is in doubt, but wherever Kuzma ends up he’ll be a great option at forward.
It’s hard to judge the players taken just two seasons ago in the draft, though few players taken late in the first round have developed as quickly as Kuzma. Tony Bradley, Derrick White, and Josh Hart were the three picks taken after him. Donovan Mitchell is the only 2017 draft pick averaging more points per game than Kuzma.
Honorable mentions: Pascal Siakim (TOR – 2016), Rudy Gobert (DEN – 2013)
26. Kevin Martin (2004)
Martin starred at unheralded Western Carolina before the Kings took him with the 26th pick in the Draft. Martin would develop into a high-profile scorer for the Kings, with six seasons averaging 20 ppg in his career. The shooting guard would never make an All-Star team, but stood out with both the Kings and the Rockets before spending time with the Thunder, Timberwolves, and Spurs at the end of his career. Martin was a remarkable free throw shooter who saw time at small forward near the end of his playing days.
There wasn’t any player taken after him in the draft who had a better career; the Kings grabbed a solid guard late in the first round. The next two picks were international guards Sasha Vujacic and Beno Udrih, but Martin clearly outshined both of them despite their long careers. Martin was part of some very unimpressive Kings teams, but he still was a great shooter who turned in a solid 12-year career.
Honorable mentions: Taj Gibson (2009 – CHI), George Hill (2008 – SAS)
Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parker_khomar.JPG
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