NBA Draft 2019: Best draft picks from No. 1-30 since 2000

By Joey Loose | Jun 4, 2019

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 09: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat reacts after a three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at American Airlines Arena on April 09, 2019 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

6. Damian Lillard (2012)

After emerging as a star at little-known Weber State, Lillard was taken by the Trailblazers with the 6th pick and has never looked back. He’s become their star without hesitation, winning Rookie of the Year and making four All-Star teams. Lillard has put up more than 25 ppg in each of the last four seasons and has the Trailblazers trending in a great direction. The point guard puts up a lot of shots and works well as a ball distributor.

Spending a lottery pick on a Big Sky player may have seemed risky, but Lillard has greatly rewarded the Trailblazers. Even while he was ignored by the power conference schools, Lillard still developed into a star. There haven’t been too many busts in 2012’s early draft selections, though Lillard is still miles above the production that players like Terrence Ross, Austin Rivers, and Kendall Marshall produced. Clearly, going to a power 5 school doesn’t mean everything.

Honorable mentions: Danilo Gallinari (NYK – 2008), Brandon Roy (MIN – 2006), Shane Battier (MEM – 2001)

5. Dwyane Wade (2003)

The Miami Heat had the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and wound up with their franchise’s best player. They watched LeBron, Carmelo, and Chris Bosh off the board, but after leading Marquette to the Final Four, Wade was no consolation prize. He’s a 13-time All-Star who helped lead the Heat to three NBA titles. He has led the league in scoring (2008-09) and been on multiple All-Defensive teams. He also spent brief time with the Bulls and Cavaliers, but the Chicago native clearly made his mark on the NBA with the Heat.

Wade was clearly a top talent out of college, though he certainly developed into much more of a star than many of the players taken after him. If the Heat had gone with Chris Kaman, Kirk Hinrich or T. J. Ford (the next three picks), they might not have won any of those titles, even the ones with LeBron and Bosh aboard. The player taken with the 5th pick is expected to blossom into a star, but none of them can quite compare to what Wade has meant in the NBA.

Honorable mentions: DeMarcus Cousins (SAC – 2010), Kevin Love (MEM – 2008), Mike Miller (ORL – 2000)

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