Nba Draft History: Best Players Ever Selected At Picks 20 Through 11

One thing I’ve realized since the offseason began for the Phoenix Suns is that when they’re not playing, and I’m not writing nightly articles or recording postgame podcasts, I have a lot of time on my hands. Maybe too much time.

Thankfully, I have this outlet to help fill some of that time, and this project of identifying the best player drafted at every draft position has done a stellar job of keeping me occupied. It’s also been a fun reminder of how much NBA history is tucked away in the draft, especially when you start digging into the careers of players selected outside the lottery.

Now we move into the top 20 draft positions. And that’s where things start to get really interesting.

The deeper we’ve gone into this series, the more we’ve encountered quality role players, unexpected success stories, and the occasional Hall of Famer. But once you enter the top 20, the conversations become much tougher. Hall of Famers become commonplace. Franchise cornerstones begin appearing everywhere. And some of the debates become genuinely difficult because you’re no longer comparing good players to great players. You’re comparing great players to all-time great players.

Before we begin working through the top 20 selections, let’s take a look at where we currently stand after identifying the best player drafted at each position from 60 through 21.

And now, into the top 20 we go…

20. Larry Nance (1981)

Honorable Mentions:

• Gus Williams (1975)
• Zydrunas Ilgauskas (1996)
• Jameer Nelson (2004)
• Paul Pressey (1982)

Suns Taken at 20:

• Larry Nance (1981)

You have some solid names drafted 20th overall, and this ultimately came down to a debate between Gus Williams and Larry Nance.

Gus Williams is one of those players who has largely been lost to history. As we just watched Jalen Brunson lead a team to a championship despite being undersized, that’s somewhat reminiscent of what Gus Williams accomplished in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a two-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, and won a championship with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979. For many people, that résumé would be enough to earn him this spot.

But I’m going with Larry Nance. Part of that is admittedly hometown bias. Nance was drafted by the Phoenix Suns out of Clemson in 1981, and Suns fans know exactly how impactful he was during his time in the Valley.

Beyond that, his impact on the game extended beyond the box score. Nance became one of the league’s premier high flyers and won the inaugural Slam Dunk Contest in 1984, helping popularize an event that would become one of the NBA’s signature attractions as the league continued its rise in popularity.

He was much more than a dunker, however. During the 1986-87 season, Nance averaged 22.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, showcasing the complete skill set that made him one of the league’s better forwards. For his career, he averaged 17.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game across 13 NBA seasons.

His greatest impact may have come on the defensive end. Nance earned three All-Defensive Team selections, including one First Team honor, using his length, athleticism, and timing to become one of the better shot-blocking forwards of his era. He also earned three All-Star selections during his career.

Interestingly, two of those All-Star appearances came after the Suns traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. That deal became one of the most important transactions in franchise history, bringing Kevin Johnson, Mark West, the draft pick that became Dan Majerle, and additional assets back to Phoenix.For Cleveland, they received an All-Star-caliber forward. For Phoenix, they received pieces that helped build a contender. 

Either way, Larry Nance proved to be a hell of a player.

19. Tiny Archibald (1970)

Honorable Mentions:

• Zach Randolph (2001)
• Jerry Sloan (1964)
• John Paxson (1983)
• Rod Strickland (1988)

Suns Taken at 19:

• Marty Byrnes (1978)

If you want to talk about undersized players who made a massive impact on the game, look no further than the best player ever selected 19th overall: Tiny Archibald. At 6’1”, Archibald proved that size wasn’t a prerequisite for greatness.

Drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in 1970, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players. By his third season, he was doing something that remains one of the most impressive accomplishments in NBA history: He led the league in both scoring and assists. During the 1972-73 season, Archibald averaged 34.0 points and 11.4 assists per game, becoming the first player ever to lead the NBA in both categories in the same season. It was also the first of his six All-Star appearances.

What made Tiny so difficult to defend was his ability to get downhill. He constantly attacked the basket, put pressure on defenses, and found ways to get to the free throw line. Three times early in his career, he led the league in free throws made, a testament to how relentlessly he pressured opponents.

Unfortunately, injuries interrupted what could have been an even greater career. In 1978, while playing for the Buffalo Braves, Archibald suffered a torn Achilles tendon. It was a devastating injury at a time when medical advancements weren’t what they are today. His recovery took time, and shortly thereafter, he was traded to the Boston Celtics. That’s where the final chapter of his career became complete.

In 1981, at 32 years old, Archibald helped lead the Celtics to an NBA championship. While he was no longer the scoring machine he had been in his prime, he still contributed 10.3 points and 5.5 assists per game during that title run and provided veteran leadership for one of the great teams of that era.

When you step back and look at the résumé, it’s incredibly impressive. Archibald was a six-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection, the 1973 scoring champion, a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, and a Hall of Famer. That’s a remarkable career for any player, let alone one selected 19th overall.

And there’s even a connection to Arizona. Before transferring to the University of Texas at El Paso, Archibald played at Arizona Western College in Yuma, making him yet another great player with ties to the Grand Canyon State.

18. Joe Dumars (1985)

Honorable Mentions:

• Mark Jackson (1987)
• Calvin Murphy (1970)
• David West (2003)
• Quentin Richardson (2000)
• JR Smith (2004)

Suns Taken at 18:

• Tyler Ennis (2014)

As we arrive at draft slot No. 18, the honorable mention list starts getting a little longer. There are some quality names here. Mark Jackson deserves recognition for the way he orchestrated offenses throughout his career and for being one of the better pure facilitators of his era. But when it comes to the best player ever selected 18th overall, it’s Joe Dumars, and it’s really not that close.

The Detroit Pistons drafted Dumars out of McNeese State in 1985, and what they got was a foundational piece for one of the toughest teams in NBA history. Joe Dumars was a catalyst for two championship teams, and he’s also one of those players who probably doesn’t get enough credit for spending his entire career with one organization.

That’s right. All 14 years. Dumars played every season of his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons. No player in franchise history appeared in more games. He even outlasted Isiah Thomas, who spent 13 seasons in Detroit.

And while the longevity is impressive, the production was as well. From 1990 through 1993, Dumars was selected to four consecutive All-Star teams. He added two more appearances in 1995 and 1997, giving him six total All-Star selections. He earned three All-NBA honors, one Second Team selection, and two Third Team selections, while also being named to five All-Defensive Teams.

Then there’s his greatest accomplishment. In 1989, as the Pistons swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, Dumars was named Finals MVP. He averaged 27.3 points on 57.6% shooting while adding 6.0 assists per game, helping Detroit secure the first championship in franchise history.

That’s an impressive résumé. Six-time All-Star. Three-time All-NBA player. Five-time All-Defensive Team selection. Two-time NBA champion. NBA Finals MVP. Hall of Famer.

They don’t make them like Joe Dumars anymore.

17. Shawn Kemp (1989)

Honorable Mentions:

• Jrue Holiday (2009)
• Jermaine O’Neal (1996)
• Doug Christie (1992)
• Roy Hibbert (2008)
• Josh Smith (2004)

Suns Taken at 17:

• Zarko Cabarkapa (2003)

There have been some excellent players drafted 17th overall, and part of me wanted to give this spot to Jrue Holiday. And who knows? By the time his career is over, he may very well be the answer. The résumé certainly supports the argument. Multiple championships, multiple All-Star appearances, and a reputation as one of the best two-way guards of his generation make Holiday a worthy candidate.

But I’m going with the Reign Man, Shawn Kemp.

Maybe it’s because I grew up watching basketball in the 1990s. Maybe it’s because some players simply leave an imprint on your basketball soul. Whatever the reason, Shawn Kemp is one of those guys I can’t separate from that era. Heck, I used to wear a pair of black and red Kamikazes to school in middle school.

If you were around in the 90s, you understand. Shawn Kemp was the man.

Before Vince Carter. Before Blake Griffin. Before all of the modern high flyers, there was Kemp. He attacked the rim with a level of violence and athleticism that made him must-see television. Every night felt like it could produce a highlight that would live forever.

And the production matched the highlights. Kemp was a six-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA selection. More importantly, he was the perfect running mate for Gary Payton. While The Glove was locking people down and orchestrating the offense, Kemp was finishing at the rim and terrorizing opposing frontcourts.

Those Seattle teams were fun. They never won a championship, but they were one of the defining teams of the decade, and Kemp was a huge reason why.

What’s always fascinated me about his career is how abruptly it declined. One minute, he was one of the most dominant and explosive forwards in basketball, a player receiving MVP consideration and averaging more than 20 points per game. The next, he was bouncing around the league and eventually averaging only 6.3 points per game during his final season in Portland.

It was a sharp fall for a player who once felt unstoppable. That’s why I can understand the argument for Holiday. Longevity matters. Championships matter. Consistency matters. But when I think about the 17th overall pick, I think about Shawn Kemp. I think about the dunks. I think about the Sonics. I think about those Kamikazes. So for now, the Rain Man gets the nod.

16. John Stockton (1984)

Honorable Mentions:

• Ron Artest (1999)
• Hedo Turkoglu (2000)
• Dana Barros (1989)
• Alperen Sengun (2021)

Suns Taken at 16:

• Ricky Sobers (1975)
• Zhaire Smith (2018)*

*traded on draft day for rights to Mikal Bridges

The next stop on our journey is another player who never won a championship, and I think that’s an important reminder as we work through this exercise. Championships matter. They absolutely matter. But they aren’t the sole determining factor when evaluating who the best player drafted at a particular slot was. If they were, this process would be much easier.

There are some interesting names selected 16th overall throughout NBA history, but nobody tops John Stockton.

The Gonzaga product was selected by the Utah Jazz in 1984 and, much like Joe Dumars, spent his entire career with one franchise. The difference is that Stockton did it for 19 seasons. He played until he was 40, long before that became commonplace in the NBA. And even fewer players were doing it at the point guard position.

John Stockton was simply built differently. He played all 82 games in 16 of his 19 NBA seasons, including his final year in the league. Think about that for a second. A 40-year-old point guard playing every game of an 82-game season. In today’s NBA, that almost feels impossible.

Had it not been for Michael Jordan, Stockton probably has a championship on his résumé. Instead, he became one of the greatest players to never win one. And what a player he was.

Stockton was the definition of tough, physical, and cerebral. When people say they don’t make players like him anymore, they’re right. The John Stockton archetype is dead. It doesn’t exist in today’s NBA. The game has changed too much. From 1984 to 2003, he put together one of the most remarkable careers the league has ever seen. He was a 10-time All-Star. He led the NBA in assists nine times. He was a two-time steals champion. He earned 11 All-NBA selections and five All-Defensive Team honors. He was the 1993 All-Star Game MVP and, of course, a Hall of Famer.

The numbers are staggering. The longevity is staggering. The consistency is staggering. And while I grew up watching Stockton and couldn’t stand him, mostly because of how skilled he was and how often he seemed to make life miserable for Kevin Johnson and the Suns, there comes a point where you simply have to respect greatness. John Stockton was greatness.

15. Giannis Antetokounmpo (2013)

Honorable Mentions:

• Steve Nash (1996)
• Kawhi Leonard (2011)
• Dell Curry (1986)
• Brent Barry (1995)
• Al Jefferson (2004)

Suns Taken at 15:

• David Thirdkill (1982)
• Steve Nash (1996)
• Robin Lopez (2008)

Oh, this was a hard one. The 15th overall pick might be the toughest decision I’ve had to make so far. Because in my personal Phoenix Suns pyramid, Steve Nash sits at the very top. He’s the pinnacle of what the organization represents. He’s the beacon. He’s the player I most associate with Suns basketball. And yet, much like the 2021 NBA Finals and that infamous coin flip in 1969, the Suns come up short to Milwaukee once again. Because Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player ever drafted 15th overall.

You could even make an argument that Kawhi Leonard deserves consideration for the No. 2 spot. That’s how loaded this draft position is. But when it comes to the top spot, I have to give it to the Greek Freak.

The comparison to Nash is fascinating. Both players are two time MVPs. Both transformed franchises. Both became faces of the league. But Giannis has something Nash never got. The championship. He also has more All-Star selections, which is partially a product of how early his ascent began. Nash didn’t become Steve Nash until later in his career. Giannis was a superstar before he turned 25.

And the résumé is absurd. Through 13 seasons, he’s averaged 24.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He’s a nine-time All-Star, an NBA champion, a Finals MVP, and the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year. That’s what ultimately separates him from Nash. Giannis impacts the game on both ends of the floor.

As much as I love Nash, and as much as those MVP seasons meant to Phoenix, there was always an understanding that the league still belonged to other players. During Nash’s peak years, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were still viewed by many as the league’s dominant figures. Eventually, that baton passed to LeBron James. Nash was brilliant. Nash was unique. Nash changed the way basketball was played. But you never felt like the league belonged to him.

For a stretch, it belonged to Giannis. For two or three seasons, you could make a legitimate argument that he was the best player in the world. Not the most valuable. The best. And while this exercise isn’t solely about peak performance, Giannis checks every other box as well. He has the longevity. He has the accolades. He has the dominance. He has the championship.

Unfortunately for Suns fans, he earned that championship at Phoenix’s expense. Which makes this choice hurt a little more. But it doesn’t make it any less true. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player ever selected 15th overall. Right?

14. Clyde Drexler (1983)

Honorable Mentions:

• Tim Hardaway (1989)
• Peja Stojakovic (1996)
• Bam Adebayo (2017)
• Dan Majerle (1988)
• Maurice Lucas (1974)

Suns Taken at 14:

• John Roche (1971)
• Dan Majerle (1988)
• Earl Clark (2009)
• TJ Warren (2014)

*opted to stay in the ABA

Do you know why the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Sam Bowie instead of Michael Jordan in 1984? It’s because they had already drafted Clyde Drexler the year before and believed they didn’t need another shooting guard.

History has turned that decision into one of the most criticized draft choices of all time, but it’s important to remember there was logic behind it. Portland wasn’t passing on Jordan because they didn’t think talent mattered. They were passing on him because they already had a young player they believed could become a star. And they weren’t wrong about Clyde Drexler. They were wrong about Michael Jordan. There’s a difference.

When you look at the honorable mentions at No. 14 overall, there are some excellent players. But Clyde stands above the rest. He was smooth. He was effortless. They called him Clyde the Glide for a reason.

Drexler entered the league out of Houston in 1983 and quickly developed into one of the most dynamic players of his generation. His athleticism was elite, his ability to finish in transition was spectacular, and he could impact every aspect of the game.

Unfortunately for him, he played in the same era as Michael Jordan. That’s something many great players had to deal with.

The defining moment came in the 1992 NBA Finals when Drexler’s Trail Blazers faced Jordan’s Bulls. At the time, there were legitimate debates about who the better player was. Drexler had finished second in MVP voting that season, and some wondered whether the gap between the two stars was as wide as many believed. Jordan took that personally. What followed was one of the most memorable Finals performances in NBA history, highlighted by Jordan’s famous shrug game. By the end of the series, the debate was over.

But that shouldn’t diminish what Drexler accomplished. He eventually got his championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995, joining forces with Hakeem Olajuwon to capture the one title that had eluded him in Portland. By the time his career was over, Drexler had put together an incredible résumé. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, spending 12 with Portland and four with Houston. He was a 10-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection, an NBA champion, and a Hall of Famer.

Most importantly, he was one of the defining players of his era. The problem for Clyde is that his era happened to include Michael Jordan. For almost anyone else, finishing second to Jordan would be viewed as an accomplishment. For Clyde Drexler, it became part of his legacy.

And despite that, he’s still the best player ever selected 14th overall.

13. Kobe Bryant (1996)

Honorable Mentions:

• Karl Malone (1996)
• Devin Booker (2015)
• Hal Greer (1958)
• Donovan Mitchell (2017)
• Richard Jefferson (2001)

Suns Taken at 13:

• Jay Humphries (1984)
• Markieff Morris (2011)
• Kendall Marshall (2012)
• Devin Booker (2015)

Kobe Bryant is one of those players I could never stand. Part of that is because I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan. To me, Jordan was the standard. And when Kobe entered the league, it always felt like he was doing a Kirkland Signature version of Jordan’s game. The footwork, the fadeaways, the mannerisms, the competitive fire. Everything reminded me of Jordan, and younger me wasn’t interested in accepting an imitation of the original.

I didn’t like that he dominated the ball. I didn’t like how egocentric he could be. And I certainly didn’t like how often he tormented teams I rooted for. Most of all, I didn’t like how good he was. But respect and like are two different things. I may not have liked Kobe Bryant, but I respected him immensely. The guy was a killer.

When the Charlotte Hornets selected him 13th overall in 1996 and immediately shipped his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers, nobody could have imagined what would follow. Twenty years later, Bryant retired as one of the most decorated players in league history, spending every season of his career in Los Angeles.

The résumé is staggering. Eighteen All-Star appearances. Two scoring titles. Five NBA championships. Fifteen All-NBA selections. Twelve All-Defensive Team selections. Two Finals MVPs. Twenty years with one franchise. That’s sustained greatness.

Now, I’ll admit something that often gets people fired up. I think Kobe is one of the most overrated players in NBA history.

Not because he wasn’t great. Because he was. The issue comes when people place him in their top five players of all time. That’s where I disagree. For me, he’s not in that conversation. I don’t think he’s a top five player ever. I don’t even think he’s top 10. But top 20? Absolutely.

Kobe Bryant was a phenomenal basketball player. He was relentless. He was fearless. He was one of the defining stars of his generation. And while Suns fans will always remember moments when Phoenix got the better of him, with Raja Bell clotheslining him and those mid-2000s Suns teams knocking the Lakers around a bit, those moments are memorable precisely because beating Kobe Bryant was so difficult. He demanded that level of respect.

So while he may never be one of my favorite players, and while I’ll continue to argue against some of the more exaggerated claims about his all-time ranking, there’s no debate when it comes to the 13th overall pick. Kobe Bryant is easily the best player ever selected at that draft position.

12. Julius Erving (1972)

Honorable Mentions:

• Tyrese Haliburton (2020)
• Cedric Maxwell (1977)
• Steven Adams (2013)
• Mookie Blaylock (1989)
• Muggsy Bogues (1987)

Suns Taken at 12:

• Phoenix has never drafted from this position 

You have some quality players drafted 12th overall throughout NBA history, and then you have Julius Erving.

Before Michael Jordan changed the trajectory of the NBA. Before Larry Bird and Magic Johnson turned the league into must-watch television. Before the modern superstar era existed, there was Dr. J. Julius Erving, who was basketball’s first truly marketable superstar.

The Milwaukee Bucks selected him 12th overall in the 1972 NBA Draft, but he never played for them. Instead, he remained in the ABA, beginning his professional career with the Virginia Squires before eventually being traded to the New York Nets. And what a career he had there. In five ABA seasons, Erving averaged 28.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. He won two championships, captured three MVP awards, earned five All-Star selections, and was named to the All-ABA First Team every year he played in the league.

Honestly, that résumé alone would probably be enough to make him the best player ever drafted 12th overall. The only problem is that it happened in the ABA. When the ABA and NBA merged in 1976, the Nets sold Erving’s rights to the Philadelphia 76ers, and that’s where the NBA chapter of his career truly began.

Fortunately for his legacy, he was just as spectacular there. Erving became the face of the 76ers for more than a decade, earning 11 NBA All-Star selections and seven All-NBA honors. In 1981, he won the NBA MVP award, and in 1983 he finally captured an NBA championship alongside Moses Malone, delivering what remains the most recent title in Philadelphia 76ers history.

His impact, however, goes far beyond the accolades. Dr. J changed the way basketball was played. He brought creativity to the game. He brought flair to the game. He made above-the-rim basketball cool. Many of the things we associate with modern stars originated with Julius Erving. He was a pioneer.

When you combine his ABA accomplishments with his NBA accomplishments, the résumé becomes overwhelming. Championships. MVPs. All-Star appearances. Scoring titles. Hall of Fame honors. Cultural significance. Very few players in basketball history can match that combination.

So while his path to greatness was unconventional, and while much of his early dominance occurred outside the NBA, the conclusion is easy. Julius Erving is the best player ever drafted 12th overall.

11. Reggie Miller (1987)

Honorable Mentions:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2018)
• Jamaal Wilkes (1974)
• Klay Thompson (2011)
• Robert Horry (1992)
• Domantas Sabonis (2016)

Suns Taken at 11:

• Cameron Johnson (2019)*

*draft rights acquired on draft night

The 11th overall pick is an interesting one because recency bias can absolutely creep into the conversation. You have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who already owns two MVP awards and an NBA championship. You have Jamaal Wilkes, a Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion. You have Klay Thompson, one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, and another four-time champion.

There are plenty of worthy candidates. But I’m going with Reggie Miller.

Drafted by the Indiana Pacers out of UCLA in 1987, Miller spent all 18 seasons of his NBA career with one franchise. In an era when stars rarely changed teams, Reggie became synonymous with Indiana basketball. And what a player he was.

Miller earned five All-Star selections and three All-NBA honors, but his impact extends far beyond the awards. He was one of the greatest shooters the game has ever seen and one of the most feared clutch performers in NBA history. Long before the modern three-point revolution, Reggie understood the value of the shot.

During the 1996-97 season, he attempted 6.6 threes per game and connected on 42.7% of them. Those numbers may not seem outrageous today, but in the context of the era, they were revolutionary. Miller was stretching defenses before most teams fully understood the value of floor spacing.

He was ahead of his time. Of course, statistics only tell part of the story. For many basketball fans of my generation, Reggie Miller wasn’t defined by percentages or advanced metrics. He was defined by moments. The battles with the Knicks. The trash talk. The impossible shots. The ability to completely silence an arena with one jumper. He had a flair for the dramatic that few players have ever possessed.

Yes, he’s near the top of every list of great players who never won a championship. That’s the unfortunate reality of playing in an era dominated by Michael Jordan and later the Shaq and Kobe Lakers. But championships aren’t the only measure of greatness. Reggie’s influence on the game, particularly as a shooter, helped pave the way for future generations. Players like Stephen Curry transformed the sport, but players like Reggie Miller laid the groundwork.

Could someone reasonably choose Shai here? Absolutely. If Gilgeous-Alexander continues on his current trajectory, he may eventually claim this spot. Could someone argue for Klay Thompson or Jamal Wilkes? Sure.

But when I think about the 11th overall pick, I think about one of the greatest shooters, one of the greatest clutch performers, and one of the most memorable players the league has ever seen. I’m giving the nod to Reggie Miller.

That was difficult.

There were plenty of strong arguments for other players throughout this section of the draft, and I completely understand if someone reaches a different conclusion on a few of these picks. That’s the challenge when you’re evaluating draft positions from 20 through 11. You’re no longer sorting through role players and hidden gems. You’re debating Hall of Famers, franchise cornerstones, and players who defined eras.

It’s a good problem to have. It’s also a reminder of why lottery picks are so valuable.

When you’re drafting in this range, you’re not simply hoping to find a rotational player. You’re looking for someone who can become an impact player, an All-Star, or even the face of your franchise. That’s why organizations covet these selections. The upside is immense.

What’s interesting is that many of the players selected in this portion of the draft landed in ideal situations. They joined teams that already had some level of infrastructure in place. They weren’t always asked to carry the weight of an entire franchise from day one. Instead, they had the opportunity to develop, contribute, and eventually grow into starring roles. That’s often the sweet spot in the draft.

The players selected at the very top don’t always have that luxury. Those are the players expected to change franchises overnight. Those are the players handed the keys immediately. Those are the players burdened with the expectations that come with being a top 10 selection. And that’s exactly where we’re headed next.

Tomorrow, we close out this series with the final installment, identifying the best players ever drafted at each position from 10 all the way to No. 1. The stars. The superstars. The players who were expected to carry the weight of a franchise the moment their names were called.