The Best Non-Lottery Pick Every Year – Part 2
Every year, sixty men are selected to play for the NBA. Fourteen of these men are lottery picks. The supposed best of the best, despite some not panning out. These players are held in high regard, and some teams purposefully tank just for the chance to select one of these lottery players.
We already found the best non-lottery pick every year from 1985 to 2003 (be sure to check it out if you haven’t yet). These picks included MVPs, All Stars, all time great defenders, and solid role players. But obviously there’s been a lot of history since 2003, 21 years of rookies that have played in the NBA and some who are still playing today. So today, we dive into more recent history, finding the best non-lottery pick every year from 2004 to 2024.
2004 to 2008
In the past, the number of picks that were considered lottery had moved around and changed, going from seven to eleven to thirteen. But before the 2004 draft, the NBA introduced the format we all know and have conflicted feelings about, the 14 team lottery. Worse teams were weighted with better odds for the first pick, but the 14 teams remained in the top 14 no matter what. Our goal today is to recognize the players outside of that top 14.
2004 – Tony Allen
The 2004 draft is one of the most difficult to decide, as there are multiple players who made a great career after falling out of the lottery. Allen, though, is the only one of those players who is one of the greatest defensive guards of all time, and as a six time All Defensive member, he definitely has a resume to back it up. Any of the honorable mentions could’ve made this spot, but I gave the slight edge to Allen, who was taken at the 25th pick.
Honorable Mentions: Al Jefferson (15), Josh Smith (17), Jameer Nelson (20)
2005 – Danny Granger
Granger had one of earliest players to fit the archetype of bigger players that could shoot, and it was certainly effective. Indiana took the Bradley alumni with the 17th overall pick, and it wasn’t too long before he was averaging over twenty and shooting around 40% from three, good enough to get an All Star appearance and the Most Improved Player award in 2009. He unfortunately suffered with injuries as he approached his 30s, but during his peak he was an offensive threat.
Honorable Mentions: David Lee (30), Monta Ellis (40), Lou Williams (45)
2006 – Rajon Rondo
One of the greatest two way playmakers of all time, Rondo was taken by Phoenix at 21, but was traded away to Boston, where he would have some incredible years. Throughout his career, he would end up being a four time All Star, one time All-NBA member, and one time All Defensive member. He would lead the league in steals in 2010, and he led the league in assists in three separate seasons. All of this, and Rondo was also a two time champion, with Boston and LA.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Lowry (24), PJ Tucker (35), Paul Millsap (47)
2007 – Marc Gasol
Gasol entered the league with weight issues and problems with athleticism causing him to fall all the way to 48, but he would make a great career despite these early concerns. He was a three time All Star, made two All-NBA teams, and won an NBA championship in 2019, playing a big role as a center for Toronto.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Young (16), Marco Belinelli (18), Arron Afflalo (27)
2008 – DeAndre Jordan
The 2008 draft certainly had some great players taken outside the lottery, but Jordan had a slightly more impressive career than some of the other guys. He made just one All Star team, but was an All-NBA member three teams and was one of the best rebounders and lob threats of the 2010s, being one of the leading members of the Lob City Clippers after having fallen all the way to 35th in the draft.
Honorable Mentions: Roy Hibbert (17), Serge Ibaka (24), Goran Dragic (45)2009-2013
2009 to 2013
2009 – Jrue Holiday
Holiday was taken 17th overall by Philly, and since then he’s carved out a very solid role for himself in the league. So far in his career, he’s been a two time champion, two time All Star, and has consistently been one of the best defensive guards in the league during his time. He’s made six All Defensive teams, and for any contending team, Holiday would be a great piece. Just ask Milwaukee and Boston.
Honorable Mentions: Ty Lawson (18), Jeff Teague (19), Danny Green (46)
2010 – Hassan Whiteside
Whiteside was drafted by Sacramento at the time, taken with the 33rd overall pick, but would get injured in his very first game, and through his first two seasons of his career he struggled so much he had to go play two years in another pro league. But then, he came back to the NBA, joining the Heat, and immediately made headlines as one of the best shot blockers and rebounders in the NBA. He didn’t play for very long, but he was consistently one of the best rim protectors in the NBA.
Honorable Mentions: Eric Bledsoe (18), Avery Bradley (19), Lance Stephenson (40)
2011 – Kawhi Leonard
There were some incredible draft picks this season, and the 2011 draft is easily one of the greatest of all time, but Kawhi is head and shoulders above the rest. He was taken just one pick outside of the lottery by the Pacers, and immediately traded to San Antonio, where he was a champion and two time DPOY. He made a brief stop in Toronto, leading them to a championship. Since then, he’s struggled with availability, but the peak level is undeniably one of the best we’ve seen.
Honorable Mentions: Nikola Vucevic (16), Tobias Harris (19), Jimmy Butler (30)
2012 – Draymond Green
Draymond may have earned a reputation as a hot head, but he’s also earned a reputation as one of the greatest defenders of all time and a certified winner. His scoring game may lack in some ways, but he more than makes up for it as one of the most intelligent defenders of all time and a great playmaker for a big man. A four time All Star, four time champ, and nine time All Defensive player, Draymond has nothing more to prove after being taken 35th overall.
Honorable Mentions: Jae Crowder (34), Khris Middleton (39), Will Barton (40)
2013 – Giannis Antetokounmpo
If you look at him now, it seems insane that 14 players could be picked over the Greek Freak. But as a rookie, Giannis was a skinny kid who still needed a lot of work, but he put in that work, winning Most Improved Player in 2017, and only going up since then. He’s become a two time MVP, a DPOY, a champion, and one of the most dominant two way players the game has ever seen. He’s still going today, and could certainly add even more accolades to the already impressive resume.
Honorable Mentions: Dennis Schroder (17), Tim Hardaway Jr (24), Rudy Gobert (27)2014-2018
2014 to 2018
2014 – Nikola Jokic
Who else but Joker? He was drafted 41st overall, during a Taco Bell commercial, and now has shown the world some of the best basketball anybody has ever seen. The three time MVP and champion is easily one of the greatest offensive big men, and big men in general, ever. His mix of touch, playmaking, size, and creativity tortures defenses on a nightly basis, and he’s dominated the 2020s.
Honorable Mentions: Clint Capela (25), Spencer Dinwiddie (38), Jerami Grant (39)
2015 – Norman Powell
Powell is one of the strange cases where he experienced a late career surge. Just last year, in 2025, he jumped up to over 20 points per game, going from a great sixth man to an All Star candidate. But don’t let that late resurgence distract us from the vital role he played on that 2019 Raptors championship run.
Honorable Mentions: Kelly Oubre Jr (15), Terry Rozier (16), Bobby Portis (22)
2016 – Pascal Siakam
Pascal didn’t play much of a role in his first two seasons, but he made his jump just in time for the Raptors to contend, winning Most Improved Player in 2019, and jumping up to over 16 points per game. He also played a vital role in the Finals series, and since then he has consistently been in All Star debates. He played a vital role in the Pacers going to the Finals as well, and is certainly a winning presence that any team would appreciate.
Honorable Mentions: Dejounte Murray (29), Ivica Zubac (32), Malcolm Brogdon (36)
2017 – Jarrett Allen
The Fro has been consistent through his career so far, providing great defensive presence and rebounding every year, as well as being one of the most consistent and efficient interior scorers in the league, combining great vertical ability with a solid touch around the rim. All of these factors made him an All Star and one of the more valuable big men in the league, after being picked at 22nd.
Honorable Mentions: OG Anunoby (23), Derrick White (29), Josh Hart (30)
2018 – Jalen Brunson
Brunson fell all the way to 33rd in the draft, but he’s certainly made many of those teams regret it. He may be an undersized point guard, but he’s one of the most unique offensive players in the league, and he steps it up in the big moment every single time. He played a solid role in Dallas, but he has truly blossomed in New York, and is hoping to finally get them back to the NBA Finals.
Honorable Mentions: Donte DiVinchenzo (17), Anfernee Simons (24), Mitchell Robinson (36)
2019 to 2023
2019 – Jordan Poole
The Poole Party made an instant splash in the league after being drafted 28th by Golden State. He quickly became known as one of the most fun and impactful bench scorers in the league, and he played a huge role in the 2022 championship team. For the past couple years, he’s been stuck in Washington purgatory, but we’ll see what he can do in New Orleans.
Honorable Mentions: Ty Jerome (24), Nic Claxton (31), Daniel Gafford (38)
2020 – Tyrese Maxey
It took Maxey a bit to find his role after being drafted 21st, but he continuously improved, getting the Most Improved Player award in 2024 and becoming an All Star for the first time in that year as well. The Sixers had troubling season last year despite Maxey’s contributions, but they’ll be looking to bounce back helped by their young star.
Honorable Mentions: Payton Pritchard (26), Jaden McDaniels (28), Desmond Bane (30)
2021 – Alperen Sengun
Sengun has an extremely intriguing set of skills, a great playmaking big man with a rapidly advancing game in other areas, and it was enough for him to be taken 16th overall. The Turkish big man took a bit to find his footing, but he’s certainly in stride now, becoming an All Star last season and helping the Rockets to the 2 seed.
Honorable Mentions: Trey Murphy III (17), Jalen Johnson (20), Cam Thomas (27)
2022 – Christian Braun
Braun was taken 21st overall fresh off of winning a national championship at Kansas. After his rookie season, he was an NBA champion as well. He played a strong role off the bench, cementing himself as a solid glue guy, but last season he exploded our of that role, becoming a starter and a very quality player who fit very well in the Nuggets’ Jokic centered system.
Honorable Mentions: Tari Eason (17), Walker Kessler (22), Andrew Nembhard (31)
2023 – Brandin Podziemski
It’s obviously way too early to judge the careers of guys drafted just two years ago, and we only have a small sample size, but Podz has already stood out. He’s shown that he can be a starter on a winning team, as he has played big minutes for Golden State and was helpful to them this season in securing a playoff berth.
Honorable Mentions: Cam Whitmore (20), Brice Sensabaugh (28), GG Jackson II (45)
2024 and Beyond…
It is way too early to judge the careers of these younger guys. Really, until someone’s career is completely over, we can’t judge their success or failures on an all time perspective, because we haven’t seen the whole picture. Many of these rankings could change, especially the more recent years. Although we have seen the 2024 draft class play, I’m not giving them a pick like the other years (although the picture that goes along with this selection is there for a reason), and obviously I can’t make a pick for 2025 yet, as all we’ve seen of them is their summer league debuts.
There will be great players who fall out of the lottery in each of these years, and every year for the future of the NBA draft. Great players will be overlooked, or mediocre players will develop to be great. There will be great role players, All Stars, and maybe even MVPs taken outside of the top 14 guys, and in retrospect we will look back and wonder how they fell so far. After all, hindsight is 20/20.
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