NBA Saturday: Where Are Top Draft Picks Now?

There is an emphasis each year on which prospect will be selected as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. But what happens after the buzz dies down and their careers begin? Take a look back at the last 10 top picks and how they’ve panned out in the NBA.

2014: Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers
After a highly contested debate between Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid, the Cavaliers selected Wiggins with the first pick in last year’s draft. They included him in a package to land Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Wiggins flourished on the young team (16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game). He won the 2015 Rookie of the Year Award.

2013: Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers
Bennett was hampered by injuries in a disappointing rookie season and began to show signs of improvement last year following surgery. Like Wiggins, he was sent to the Timberwolves in the Love deal. Last season he averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 57 games.

2012: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets
In only three seasons Davis has established himself as an All Star, MVP candidate and formidable big man. This season he led the league in blocks (2.9), and averaged 24.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Only 22, he is revered as one of the best players in the NBA.

2011: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
The three-time All-Star guard was a key piece of the Cavaliers NBA Finals run. He showed resiliency, battling through injuries before being sidelined (knee) after Game 1. Over his career Irving has averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.

2010: John Wall, Washington Wizards
Wall is the driving force behind the Wizards, who have reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals the past two seasons. He ranked second in assists this season (10.0) while scoring 17.6 points per game. He is a two-time All Star.

2009: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin began his career sidelined by an injury, but returned to be a dominating force. He is averaging 21.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists over the past five seasons and has been named to the All-Star Team each year. Griffin’s jaw-dropping dunk over a car in 2011 is one of the most memorable All-Star Weekend moments in recent years.

2008: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Rose’s promising career has become an injury-filled roller coaster. The former MVP and Rookie of the Year has been limited to 100 regular season games over the last three years. When healthy, though, he is a dangerous scorer and distributor, averaging 20.4 points, 6.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds since entering the league.

2007: Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
Oden was drafted one pick ahead of Kevin Durant. That is the common thought associated with Oden when looking at his injury-laden career. The seven-footer has appeared in a total of 105 regular season games since 2008 (he missed the 2007 season), including a three-year gap. Oden has gone from a “must have” to a player some teams consider “taking a chance on.”

2006: Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors
The Bargnani selection was lackluster for the Raptors, especially considering LaMarcus Aldridge was drafted second. Even though he averaged 15.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in seven seasons for the Raptors, he wasn’t a major impact player. Now a veteran, Bargnani averaged 14.8 points and 4.4 rebounds for the New York Knicks this season.

2005: Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks
Bogut became known this postseason for willingly taking a seat in the NBA Finals, which ultimately helped the Golden State Warriors win the championship. That speaks to his professionalism and does not diminish his contributions as a big man. After seven seasons with the Bucks, he was traded to the Warriors and flourished in the system. This season he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, grabbing 8.1 rebounds per game.