10 Best Non-Lottery Picks in NBA Draft History

By Derek McVay

Best Non-Lottery Picks in NBA Draft History

NBA Draft Lottery — The NBA Draft Lottery has doubled in size since it made its controversial debut with just seven teams in 1985. There's a thought process that exists that if a team doesn't seem like a championship favorite, their best bet would be to "tank" and improve their team with a lottery pick. However, this list proves that teams outside the lottery can find talented players as well.

10. Mark Jackson - 18th Overall in 1987 Draft

Mark Jackson

10. Mark Jackson - 18th Overall in 1987 Draft

Mark Jackson — The Rookie of the Year in 1988, Jackson is the only non-lottery pick to win that honor. He is one of the all-time best distributors in the NBA. With a pass-first mentality, Jackson finished his career with the second-most assists of all time. Though not known for his offense, he was one of the first players to utilize the "tear drop" shot to shoot over bigger defenders.

9. Shawn Kemp - 17th Overall in 1989 Draft

Shawn Kemp

9. Shawn Kemp - 17th Overall in 1989 Draft

Shawn Kemp — A gifted athlete, Kemp enjoyed a solid NBA career, most notably with the Seattle SuperSonics. In Seattle, he formed a powerful duo with Gary Payton and helped lead the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals in 1995-96. Kemp was a six-time All-Star who finished with modest career averages of 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He also put many opponents on posters with his dunks.

8. Marc Gasol - 48th Overall in 2007 NBA Draft

Marc Gasol

8. Marc Gasol - 48th Overall in 2007 NBA Draft

Marc Gasol — The 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, Gasol has emerged as one of the best defensive big men in the league. He continues to improve as he posted a career high in scoring average and was an All-NBA First Team selection this past year. Despite being selected in the second round, Gasol has been one of the top players of his draft class.

7. Zach Randolph - 19th Overall in 2001 Draft

Zach Randolph - Memphis Grizzlies

7. Zach Randolph - 19th Overall in 2001 Draft

Zach Randolph - Memphis Grizzlies — Not the most athletically gifted, Randolph has been an outstanding rebounder and low-post scorer throughout his 14 seasons in the NBA. He has averaged over 15 points and 10 rebounds per game nine times in his career. The 19th pick of the 2001 Draft, Randolph holds career averages of 17.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and has consistently led his team in rebounding and scoring. In 2003-04, he was named the Most Improved Player of the Year.

6. Tony Parker - 28th Overall in 2001 Draft

Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs

6. Tony Parker - 28th Overall in 2001 Draft

Tony Parker - Getty Images — Chosen at the tail end of the first round in 2001, Parker is the Spurs' best point guard in franchise history and one of the best point guards of his time. With his patented floater, Parker was an efficient scorer shooting over 50 percent from the floor five times throughout his career. A great scorer and playmaker, Parker has won four championships, one Finals MVP and is a six-time All-Star.

5. Steve Nash - 15th Overall in 1996 Draft

Steve Nash

5. Steve Nash - 15th Overall in 1996 Draft

Steve Nash — A two-time league MVP and eight-time All-Star, Nash revolutionized the way the point guard position was played. His up-tempo style and willingness to shoot, as well as pass, set the stage for a new breed of point guards who weren't afraid to be scorers. Nash scored over 17,000 points in his career, has the third most assists of all time and was also a three-time All-NBA First Team selection.

4. Joe Dumars - 18th Overall in 1985 Draft

Joe Dumars

4. Joe Dumars - 18th Overall in 1985 Draft

Joe Dumars — Selected 18th overall in the 1985 Draft, Dumars had a Hall-of-Fame worthy career with the Detroit Pistons that included six All-Star selections. He also won two NBA Championships and was the Finals MVP of one. With four All-Defensive First Team selections, Dumars was regarded as one of the best all-around guards of his era and was well-respected across the league.

3. Reggie Miller - 11th Overall in 1987 Draft

Reggie Miller

3. Reggie Miller - 11th Overall in 1987 Draft

Reggie Miller — Second to only Ray Allen in career three-pointers made, Miller is one of the greatest shooters in the history of the NBA. He scored over 25,000 points in his career and shot nearly 40 percent from three-point range. Miller would consistently elevate his play in the late stages of games and had a knack for hitting clutch baskets, right Knicks fans?

2. Dennis Rodman - 27th Overall in 1986 Draft

Dennis Rodman

2. Dennis Rodman - 27th Overall in 1986 Draft

Dennis Rodman — Not much of an offensive force, Rodman was an elite defender and rebounder during his career. He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, earned seven All-Defensive First Team selections and was the league's top rebounder for seven consecutive seasons from 1992-98. He averaged over 15 rebounds per game on five separate occasions. Rodman also owns five championship rings; two with the Detroit Pistons and three with the Chicago Bulls.

1. Karl Malone - 13th Overall in 1985 Draft

Karl Malone

1. Karl Malone - 13th Overall in 1985 Draft

Karl Malone — Arguably the greatest power forward of all time, Malone spent 19 seasons in the NBA. A two-time MVP and an 11-time All-NBA First Team selection, Malone boasted career averages of 25 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He scored the second most points in NBA history and holds the record for most free throws made and attempted in a career. Malone is the best player to never win a championship despite making the playoffs every year of his career.

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