Best Players in Each Draft Over The Last 30 years

Being a number one pick doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll succeed in the NBA, or turn out to be the best player in your draft class. Here are the best players in each draft in the last 30 years
2017 – Donovan Mitchell (13th)

Alternative: Jayson Tatum (3rd)
2016 – Ben Simmons (1st)

Alternative: Jaylen Brown (3rd)
2015 – Karl-Anthony Towns (1st)

Alternative: Kristaps Porzingis (4th)
2014 – Joel Embiid (1st)

Alternatives: Nikola Jokic (41th)
2013 – Giannis Antetokounmpo (15th)

Alternative: Victor Oladipo (2nd)
2012 – Anthony Davis (1st)

Alternative: Draymond Green (35th)
2011 – Kawhi Leonard (15th)

Alternative: Kyrie Irving (1st)
2010 – DeMarcus Cousins (5th)

Alternative: Paul George (10th)
2009 – Steph Curry (7th)

Alternative: James Harden (3rd)
2008 – Russell Westbrook (4th)

Alternative: Kevin Love (5th)
2007 – Kevin Durant (2nd)

Alternative: Marc Gasol (48th)
2006 – LaMarcus Aldrige (2nd)

Alternative: Rajon Rondo (21th)
2005 – Chris Paul (4th)

Alternative: Deron Williams (3rd)
2004 – Dwight Howard (1st)

Alternative: Andre Iguodale (9th)
2003 – LeBron James (1st)

Alternative: Dwyane Wade (5th)
2002 – Yao Ming (1st)

Alternative: Amar’e Stoudemire (9th)
2001 – Tony Parker (28th)

Alternative: Pau Gasol (3rd)
2000 – Jamal Crawford (8th)

Alternative: Hedo Türkoğlu
1999 – Shawn Marion (9th)

Alternative: Manu Ginobili (57th)
1998 – Dirk Nowitzki (9th)

Alternative: Paul Pierce (10th)
1997 – Tim Duncan (1st)

Alternative: Tracy McGrady (9th)
1996 – Kobe Bryant (13th)

Alternative: Steve Nash (15th)
1995 – Kevin Garnett (5th)

Alternative: Rasheed Wallace (4th)
1994 – Jason Kidd (2nd)
Alternative: Grant Hill (3rd)
1993 – Chris Webber (1st)

Alternative: Penny Hardaway (3rd)
1992 – Shaquille O’Neal (1st)

Alternative: Alonzo Mourning (2nd)
1991 – Dikembo Mutombo (4th)

Alternative: Larry Johnson (1st)
1990 – Gary Payton (2nd)

Alternative: Derrick Coleman (1st)
1989 – Tim Hardaway (14th)

Alternative: Shawn Kemp (17th)
1988 – Rik Smits (2nd)

Alternative: Mitch Richmond (5th)