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Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

By Christopher Jeter

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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40. 2000: Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets

Kenyon Martin represented one of the few bright spots in what is still considered one of the worst drafts in NBA history. He was one of only three players in this draft pool to make an All-Star appearance — the others were Jamaal Magloire and Michael Redd.

Martin experienced his greatest team and individual success with the New Jersey Nets playing alongside passing savant Jason Kidd, scoring 15.1 points and reaching the NBA Finals twice during his time there. He was also on some good Denver Nuggets teams with some combination of Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and/or Allen Iverson, where he averaged a respectable 12.3 points per game.

39. 1966: Cazzie Russell, New York Knicks

This was the Knicks’ third time picking first overall in four seasons between 1963-66. They used the selection on Russell, a man that averaged 27.1 points on 50.5 percent shooting while at Michigan.

Sure, New York passed up on Lou Hudson and Dave Bing in the first round, but a quick career comparison shows that the Knicks ultimately chose well.

Russell spent his first five seasons with the Knicks — where he averaged 13.3 points per game — but his most productive run came with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 19.2 points with a 50.4 true shooting percentage.

38. 1978: Mychal Thompson, Portland Trail Blazers

Thompson is probably best known for being the father of Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson, but he put up some solid numbers during his playing career, especially when he played for the Trail Blazers.

Thompson averaged 16.7 points per game in seven seasons with the Blazers before they traded him to the San Antonio Spurs. He lasted 49 games there before the team traded him to the Lakers, where he served primarily as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s backup.

37. 1971: Austin Carr, Cleveland Cavaliers

Known as “Mr. Cavalier”, Carr is one of the greatest players in the franchise’s history; as of 2018, he ranks 11th in win shares with the team.

Carr carried the scoring load for several bad Cavs teams early in his career, averaging over 20 points per game in each of his first three seasons. Injuries would diminish his role over time, but he was still a solid scorer, posting double-digit scoring averages in all but one season.

Nowadays, Carr is the color analyst for the Cavs on television and radio, further living up to his nickname.