San Antonio Spurs: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history
By Simon Shortt
With some of the best players in league history, tremendous scouting and bold decision-making, the San Antonio Spurs have one of the best draft records in the league. But who are their top 10 draft picks in franchise history?
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, which makes their draft success all the more impressive. For a team to constantly be in the playoffs and near the top of the league, yet find franchise players and tremendous role players seemingly every year is extraordinary.
Not to say the Spurs haven’t had good opportunities with high picks. Over half of the players on this list were top-10 selections in their respective drafts. But we’ve seen high picks not work out in the league before, and for San Antonio to hit the mark on so many occasions is impressive.
Perhaps the most remarkable part of their success is their ability to take advantage of their higher picks in team history. Since joining the NBA in 1976-77, the San Antonio Spurs have missed the playoffs just four times. The four first round draft picks from the subsequent summers are all on this list, and each of those players was key in helping the team never miss the playoffs in consecutive years.
San Antonio’s championship teams have been built from draft picks. From David Robinson to Tim Duncan and now Kawhi Leonard, the team has relied on its draftees to develop into championship players. So which players will join them as the draft day selections that have made the San Antonio Spurs who they are today? Who are the top draft picks in franchise history?