The NBA Draft began in 1947, and has become one of the most anticipated events on the NBA calendar. The following list features the best player ever drafted by each NBA organization.
Russell was selected second overall by the St. Louis Hawks in 1956 but never set foot on the court for the team. Boston traded Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan to the Hawks for Russell. He went on to win five MVP Awards and average 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds in a Hall of Fame career. Russell also won an astounding 11 NBA Championships.
Bird had a Hall of Fame career in Boston after being selected sixth overall in 1978. He averaged 24.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, winning three MVPs and three NBA Championships.
Williams went third overall in the 1982 draft after playing his college ball at Maryland. He went on to have a long and productive career with the Nets, Portland, and Knicks, making three All-Star Game appearances and winning the 1981-82 Rookie of the Year award.
The Hornets selected Bryant 13th overall in 1996, making him the first guard to ever be taken out of high school. He was promptly traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac and had an incredible 20-year career in LA. The 18-time All-Star won five NBA Championships, averaging 25.0 points for his career.
Up until LeBron James, there was rarely debate about the greatest player in NBA history after Jordan completed his career. The five-time MVP went third overall to the Bulls in 1984 and won six NBA Championships in Chicago. He averaged 30.1 points per game for his career and finished his playing days with two seasons in Washington.
James remains arguably the best player in the NBA and has a chance to win his fourth NBA Title in 2017. The four-time MVP has averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks through his age 32 season. He went first overall to the Cavs in 2003.
Arguably the best point guard of his era, Kidd averaged 12.6 points and 8.7 assists during his 19-year career. He was selected second overall by the Mavs in 1994.
Anthony has had a long and productive career as a scorer with the Nuggets and Knicks. He was taken third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft after winning a National Championship at Syracuse and has averaged 24.8 points and 6.6 rebounds through his age 32 season.
Over 14 NBA seasons, Lanier made eight All-Star appearances, averaging 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He was selected first overall in 1970 by the Pistons.
One of the greatest NBA players of all-time, Chamberlain was selected by the Philadelphia Warriors as a territorial selection in 1959. He led the league in points per game in each of his first seven seasons and rebounds per game in 11 of his 14 NBA seasons. The four-time MVP won two NBA titles.
Olajuwon went first overall in 1984, two picks ahead of Michael Jordan. It's hard to imagine the Rockets regret the pick after Olajuwon won one MVP and two NBA titles, along with 12 All-Star appearances. He averaged 21.8 points and 11.1 rebounds over his 18-year career.
Miller spent his entire 18-year career with the Pacers after being selected 11th overall in 1987. He averaged 18.2 points per game, shooting nearly 40 percent from three, and made five All-Star appearances.
Taken sixth overall by the Buffalo Braves (now Los Angeles Clippers) in 1976, Dantley was traded to the Pacers and then the Lakers over the next year. Dantley played for seven different teams during his career, averaging 24.3 points per game.
West made a huge impact for the Lakers both as a player and in the front office. He averaged 27.0 points and 6.7 asissts during his 14-year career in LA, making the All-Star team in all 14 seasons and winning the 1972 NBA Championship.
Battier was taken sixth overall in 2001 and had a much better NBA career than many give him credit. He was a two-time All-Defensive player and won two NBA Championships.
Now with the Bulls, Wade remains productive in his mid-30's. He won three NBA Championships with the Heat and has made 12 All-Star appearances. He went fifth overall in the incredibly talented 2003 Draft.
While Abdul-Jabbar played most of his career with the Lakers, his first six seasons were in Milwaukee. Drafted first overall out of UCLA in 1969, he went on to make 19 All-Star appearances and win six NBA Championships.
The fifth overall pick in the 1995 Draft out of high school, Garnett is a surefire Hall of Famer after 15 All-Star appearances and 12 All-Defensive designations. He averaged a double-double for his career.
CP3 played his first six seasons in New Orleans before going to the Clippers. He's averaged 18.7 points and 9.9 assists per game for his career.
An NBA Hall of Famer after 11 All-Star appearances, Ewing averaged 21.0 points, 2.4 blocks, and 9.8 total rebounds for his career. He went first overall in the 1985 NBA Draft.
Durant has been an elite NBA player since the SuperSonics drafted him second overall in 2007 behind Greg Oden. After playing nine seasons in the Seattle/Oklahoma City organization, Durant signed with Golden State last offseason. He is a seven-time All-NBA and won the 2013-14 MVP.
Shaq needs no introduction as arguably the most dominant center in NBA history. He's a four-time NBA Champion, though none of that success occurred until he left Orlando. He was also the 1999-00 MVP and a 15-time All-Star. The Magic selected O'Neal first overall out of LSU in 1992.
Barkley has made just as big of a name for himself as a studio commentator as he did during his Hall of Fame career. He was the 1992-93 MVP and made 11 All-Star appearances between Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Houston. Sir Charles averaged 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game for his career.
Nash turned into a spectacular NBA point guard after the Suns selected him 15th overall in 1996. He averaged 14.3 points and 8.5 assists for his career along with two league MVPs.
Drexler developed into a star after being selected 14th overall in 1983 by the Blazers. He made 10 All-Star appearances and averaged 20.4 points per game for his career.
Selected first overall in 1960 by the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings), Robertson was a 12-team All-Star and the 1960-61 Rookie of the Year. He averaged 25.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game during his career.
Duncan surpassed former teammate David Robinson as the best Spurs draft pick of all time as a 15-time All-Star and two-time MVP. He won five NBA Championships with the Spurs, averaging 19.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game during his career.
The Raptors took Bosh fourth overall in 2003, and he's had a great career between Toronto and Miami. Bosh has averaged 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during his career.
A 14-time All-Star and two-time MVP, Malone was a prolific scorer alongside John Stockton in Utah. He averaged 25.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game during his career. Utah drafted Malone 13th overall in 1985.
Bellamy was the first overall pick of the Chicago Packers (now Washington Wizards) in 1961. He averaged 20.1 points and 13.7 rebounds for his career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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