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Ranking Every No. 1 NBA Draft Pick Since 2010
The top overall pick in the NBA Draft is a massive spotlight, providing part promise, part pressure. Some players become cornerstones. Others become cautionary tales. In this updated ranking, we look back at every No. 1 pick since 2010 and sort them based on production, trajectory, and impact.
Note: Cooper Flagg (2025, Mavericks) has the résumé and upside to be elite, but we’ll wait until he plays an NBA game before including him. Based on what we’ve seen, don’t be surprised if he cracks the top five in a future update.
15. Anthony Bennett (2013 – Cavaliers)
The most infamous No. 1 pick in recent memory. Bennett was a surprise selection in 2013 and never found his footing. He struggled with conditioning, lacked NBA-level quickness, and was out of the league in four years. A true miss from start to finish and a slam-dunk as the bottom pick on this list.
14. Markelle Fultz (2017 – 76ers)
Viewed as a dynamic combo guard coming out of Washington, Fultz’s career was derailed early by a shoulder issue that affected his shooting form. He has since carved out a role in Orlando, but he’s never come close to living up to his top-pick potential.
13. Zaccharie Risacher (2024 – Hawks)
Too early to fully evaluate, but Risacher’s rookie year was encouraging. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors and showed high-level shooting touch, though he’s still passive as a scorer and needs to improve his aggressiveness on both ends.
12. Ben Simmons (2016 – 76ers)
For a few years, Simmons looked like a future superstar. Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star, elite defender, and gifted playmaker. But his offensive limitations, particularly his refusal to shoot, became too glaring. Injuries and confidence issues now make him one of the league’s great “what if” cases.
11. Deandre Ayton (2018 – Suns)
Physically gifted with flashes of dominance, Ayton has yet to consistently live up to expectations. He was solid during the Suns’ 2021 Finals run but often disappears in big moments. His motor and assertiveness continue to be question marks.
10. Andrew Wiggins (2014 – Cavaliers)
Traded to Minnesota before playing a game for Cleveland, Wiggins had an underwhelming run as a franchise cornerstone. But he reinvented himself in Golden State and played a crucial role in their 2022 title. One All-Star nod and a championship gives him staying power on this list.
9. Cade Cunningham (2021 – Pistons)
Cunningham has all the tools, notably size, vision, and leadership, but injuries and Detroit’s rebuild have slowed his rise. He made his first All-Star appearance in 2025 and still has time to climb this list, but he needs to stay healthy and improve his efficiency.
8. Zion Williamson (2019 – Pelicans)
Few players have entered the league with more hype. When Zion plays, he’s electric. But injuries, conditioning concerns, and off-court distractions have defined his career as much as his highlights. A true boom-or-bust pick depending on what comes next.
7. Paolo Banchero (2022 – Magic)
Banchero won Rookie of the Year and followed it up with an All-Star season in year two. He’s a do-it-all forward with size, confidence, and shot creation. Orlando finally has a franchise player again, and his ceiling remains high.
6. John Wall (2010 – Wizards)
Wall lived up to expectations early, becoming a five-time All-Star and one of the league’s most explosive guards. Injuries derailed his prime, but his peak as a franchise leader in Washington earns him a respectable spot on this list.
5. Karl-Anthony Towns (2015 – Timberwolves)
Towns has been one of the most skilled bigs in the league since day one. A Rookie of the Year, five-time All-Star, and elite offensive player. While playoff success has been limited, his talent level and production are undeniable.
4. Victor Wembanyama (2023 – Spurs)
Wemby is already bending the laws of basketball physics. Rookie of the Year. Silver medalist with France. Defensive monster. He can shoot, handle, and protect the rim at a historic level. If he stays healthy, this ranking will look too low by next summer.
3. Anthony Edwards (2020 – Timberwolves)
Ant has become a certified star. He’s already a three-time All-Star and led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals in 2025, beating the Lakers and Warriors along the way. Explosive, confident, and clutch, Edwards is the real deal.
2. Anthony Davis (2012 – Hornets)
A dominant two-way player with a championship, ten All-Star appearances, and three All-Defensive First Team honors. Davis anchored the Lakers’ 2020 title run and remains one of the best bigs of his era when healthy.
1. Kyrie Irving (2011 – Cavaliers)
Say what you want about Kyrie off the court, but his on-court résumé is elite. Rookie of the Year, NBA champion, and one of the greatest ball handlers ever. His performance in the 2016 Finals, especially the Game 7 dagger, cements him as the best No. 1 pick of the past 15 years.
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