10 Best NBA Draft Picks of All Time

10 Best NBA Draft Picks of All Time

When it comes to NBA Draft picks, it's easy to suggest how the top picks were the best NBA Draft picks of all time.

But I look at this article title and think value. Who found a gem in the latter portion of the NBA Draft. That's where the best NBA draft picks of all time are.

Let's break down the top 10 NBA draft picks of all time.

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10. Tony Parker (28th in 2001)

The San Antonio Spurs were a legendary franchise. They selected Parker with the 28th pick in the NBA Draft and he helped lead the Spurs to three championships, averaging 15.5 points per game. He also helped make Tim Duncan one of the best forwards in our generation.

9. Steve Nash (15th in 1996)

It's pretty rare to draft a two-time MVP with the 15th overall selection. Nash was drafted by the Suns but traded to Dallas instantly. Ultimately, the Suns realized their mistake and signed Nash back to their roster a half-decade later.

8. Karl Malone (13th in 1985)

Some would say Karl Malone is a top 10 or top 20 NBA player of all time. He wasn't even selected in the top 10 in the 1985 NBA Draft. Malone earned 13 all-star game appearances, won two MVP awards, and scored 25 points per game along with 10.1 rebounds per game in his career. The man averaged a 25-point double-double regularly.

7. John Stockton (16th in 1984)

A year before Malone, the Jazz drafted John Stockton with the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft. He played 19 seasons with the Jazz and became a Hall of Famer with 10.5 assists per game, also averaging a double-double along with Malone. The Jazz built that Utah team in the middle portion of the first round and brought in two of the game's best all-time players. Insane.

6. Julius Erving (12th in 1972)

Even if you were born in 2000, you know who Dr. J is. Erving changed basketball as Steph Curry did for the game in this era. He won three ABA MVPs and brought home an NBA MVP while averaging over 24 points per game.

5. Manu Ginobili (57th in 1999)

I didn't want to bring up Ginobili until now. He was paired with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and was drafted 57th overall. With the Spurs, he would come off the bench and basically do whatever was asked of him. He fit in perfectly and helped the Spurs earn three titles.

4. Michael Jordan (3rd in 1984)

I can't leave Michael Jordan off this list, even though he was drafted third overall. Just knowing that he wasn't first overall is astonishing, looking at the career that he has. He won six championships, scored over 30 points per game and is now considered the best basketball player to ever play the game.

3. Reggie Miller (11th in 1987)

Reggie Miller was iconic with his shot. I know he didn't win an NBA Championship, but he was drafted 11th overall by the Pacers, and it feels like he could've been first overall in many draft classes. Oh and Miller is now a Hall of Famer.

2. Nikola Jokic (41st in 2014) / Giannis Antetokounmpo (15th in 2013) / Steph Curry (7th in 2009)

I'm not a fan of grading players before their careers are over. But Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetkounmpo, and Steph Curry are all three iconic players that will ultimately make the Hall of Fame when their careers are over. Jokic won two straight MVPs after being drafted 41st overall. Antetokounmpo already won a championship for the Bucks and Steph Curry is now considered a top 10 player after winning another NBA Title. They all deserve this honor.

1. Kobe Bryant (13th in 1996)

Kobe Bryant is a top-five player to ever step foot on the basketball court. And he's certainly the best player to ever be drafted below the top 10 in an NBA draft. Bryant averaged 25 points per game in his entire career and played 1,346 games all with the Lakers. What a career.

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