2012 • Pelicans
Forward • Kentucky
Career: Finished fifth in MVP voting after averaging 24.4 points and 2.9 blocks this season.
Best player: Davis, a two-time All-Star who can dominate at both ends of the court.
Notable: For the first time, the top two players were from the same school. Both Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were from Kentucky.
Bust: F Royce White (16th). Former Minnesota high school star taken by Houston. White’s time with the Rockets was hampered by a disagreement over how to handle his anxiety disorder. He has played three career NBA games.
2011 • Cavaliers
Guard • Duke
Career: Has averaged 21.0 points and 5.7 assists in four seasons. Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star, 2014 All-Star Game MVP.
Best player: Irving, whose knee injury altered the tone of the 2015 NBA Finals.
Notable: Derrick Williams — taken second by the Wolves — is the only player taken in the top five averaging less than 10 points per game.
Bust: F Jan Vesely (sixth). Averaged only 3.6 points in three seasons for two teams.
2010 • Wizards
Guard • Kentucky
Career: Two-time All-Star who has averaged 17.6 points and 8.7 assists and has led the Wizards to back-to-back playoff berths.
Best player: Wall, who gets the nod over DeMarcus Cousins and Paul George.
Notable: Five Kentucky players were taken in the first round: Wall, Cousins, Patrick Patterson, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton.
Bust: Wes Johnson (fourth). Taken by the Wolves, he never has averaged 10 points per game in a season.
2009 • Clippers
Forward • Oklahoma
Career: After missing the 2009-10 season because of a knee injury, he returned to win Rookie of the Year and is a five-time All-Star with career averages of 21.5 points and 9.7 rebounds.
Best player: G Stephen Curry (seventh, Golden State). Overlooked by six teams — including the Wolves twice — Curry just won the league MVP and his first NBA title.
Notable: Top 15 picks included three sons of former NBA players: Curry, Gerald Henderson Jr. and Austin Daye.
Bust: Hasheem Thabeet (second). He edges out Jonny Flynn simply because of how high he was taken.
2008 • Bulls
Guard • Memphis
Career: The first guard taken first overall since 1996. Rookie of the Year. Was the youngest player to be named league MVP when he won it in 2011. Injuries have limited him to 100 games and a lost season since the 2011-12 season.
Best player: G Russell Westbrook (fourth, Seattle). Led the league in scoring this season (28.1), is a four-time All-Star and 2015 All-Star Game MVP.
Notable: Each of the first three picks was a freshman: Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo.
Bust: F Joe Alexander (eighth), edges Beasley after playing in only 67 games in two seasons.
2004 • Magic
Center • Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
Career: Has averaged 18.1 points and 12.7 rebounds. Eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Best player: Howard, who helped lead Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals, losing to the Lakers in five games.
Notable: The top three scorers in this draft — Howard, Al Jefferson and Josh Smith — were selected all out of high school.
Bust: G Shaun Livingston (fourth). He was a developing talent slowed by a 2007 knee injury that cost him a season.
2003 • Cavaliers
Forward • St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Akron, Ohio
Career: Rookie of the Year, an All-Star every year since his second season, four-time league MVP and two-time Finals MVP.
Best player: James. With career averages of 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists, considered by many to be best player ever.
Notable: A wonderful draft that also included Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Bust: C Darko Milicic, (second). Wolves fans saw how disappointing this player was. A bust amplified by the folks drafted around him.
1997 • Spurs
Forward • Wake Forest
Career: Rookie of the Year. An All-Star 15 times, two-time league MVP and three-time NBA Finals MVP, Duncan has won five championships.
Best player: Duncan, the only player to be named both to the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams in every one of his first 13 seasons.
Notable: Only four players scored more than 10,000 points in this draft: Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson.
Bust: C Tony Battie (fifth). Never averaged better than 8.4 points per game.
1996 • 76ers
Guard • Georgetown
Career: Rookie of the Year, MVP, 11 times an All-Star and three-time All-Star Game MVP, he led the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, where they lost to the Lakers.
Best player: G Kobe Bryant (13th, Charlotte, traded to Lakers). An All-Star 17 times, All-Star MVP four times, one-time league MVP and twice NBA Finals MVP, he holds five championship rings.
Notable: A very deep draft, with four probable Hall of Famers in Bryant, Iverson, Ray Allen and Steve Nash.
Bust: C Todd Fuller (11th). Averaged 3.7 points in five seasons for four teams.
1992 • Magic
Center • LSU
Career: Sixth all-time in scoring, O'Neal won four titles, was Rookie of the Year, a 15-time All-Star, was an MVP once and was named NBA Finals MVP three times.
Best player: O'Neal, who was in the top five in MVP voting eight times.
Notable: Alonzo Mourning, the No. 2 pick, is in the Hall of Fame. Seven players drafted in the first round played with the Wolves: Christian Laettner, Tom Gugliotta, Malik Sealy, Anthony Peeler, Oliver Miller, LaPhonso Ellis and Latrell Sprewell.
Bust: F/C Adam Keefe (10th). Averaged 5.0 points over nine seasons with three teams.
1987 • Spurs
Center • Navy
Career: Spurs had to wait two years for Robinson, who came back from the Navy to win Rookie of the Year, score 20,790 career points, win two titles and one MVP in Hall of Fame career.
Best player: Robinson, barely.
Notable: Draft also included fellow Hall of Famers Scottie Pippen (fifth) and Reggie Miller (11th). Pippen won six titles with Michael Jordan, and Miller scored 25,279 points.
Bust: G Dennis Hopson (third). The 1987 Big Ten Player of the Year struggled before heading overseas.
1985 • Knicks
Center • Georgetown
Career: Averaged 21.0 points and 9.8 rebounds over a 17-year Hall of Fame career. Rookie of the year. He was an 11-time All-Star, and his Knicks lost in the NBA Finals twice.
Best player: F Karl Malone, Louisiana Tech (13th overall by Utah). Second all-time in scoring, averaged a career double-double.
Notable: First round produced four Hall of Famers — Ewing, Malone, Chris Mullin (seventh) and Joe Dumars (18th).
Bust: Taken third after Ewing and Wayman Tisdale, Benoit Benjamin played 15 years but rarely impressed.
2014 • Cavaliers
Guard/Forward • Kansas
Career: Traded to Minnesota in Kevin Love deal, Wiggins led all rookies in scoring (16.9) on the way to winning Rookie of the Year.
Best player: Wiggins. But Jabari Parker’s injury eliminated what might have been an intense ROY competition.
Notable: Three Canadians were taken in the top 20: Wiggins, Nik Stauskas and Tyler Ennis.
Bust: None yet, of course, but F Julius Randle (seventh) was lost for the season to a broken leg on opening night.
2013 • Cavaliers
Forward • UNLV
Career: Each of first two seasons — including this past one with the Wolves (he was acquired in the Kevin Love deal) — were shortened by injury. Has averaged only 14.3 minutes and 4.7 points.
Best player: G Michael Carter-Williams. Rookie of the Year already has been traded, to Milwaukee.
Notable: Bennett became the first Canadian taken No. 1.
Bust: Too early to call anyone a bust. But, for a first overall pick, it’s time for Bennett to step it up.
1986 • Cavaliers
Center • North Carolina
Career: Averaged 19 points and 9.5 rebounds in eight seasons. A five-time All-Star, helped Cavs to conference finals in 1992.
Best player: F Dennis Rodman, Southeastern Oklahoma State (27th, Detroit). Seven-time All-Defense first team, won five NBA titles.
Notable: Daugherty was only top-10 pick to be an All-Star; the death of Len Bias (second); best two players, Rodman and Jeff Hornacek (46th), were taken in second round.
Bust: C Chris Washburn (third) scored 222 points and played in 72 career games over two seasons.
2006 • Raptors
Forward/Center • Italy
Career: Has averaged 15.0 points and 4.8 rebounds for Toronto and New York, and was named to the all-rookie team in 2007.
Best player: F/C LaMarcus Aldridge (second, Chicago, traded to Portland). A four-time All-Star, Aldridge has steadily improved his production, averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season.
Notable: Only two of the top 20 picks in the draft have been named an All-Star.
Bust: F Adam Morrison (third). Suspect defensively from the start, lost his second season to a knee injury. Played only four seasons.
2005 • Bucks
Center • Utah
Career: Has averaged 10.9 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Best player: G Chris Paul (fourth, New Orleans). Rookie of the Year and an eight-time All-Star, considered one of best point guards in the game.
Notable: The last draft in which high school players were eligible, and two were taken in the top 10 (Martell Webster, Andrew Bynum).
Bust: F/C Fran Vazquez (11th). Orlando used a lottery pick only to have him declare that he would stay in Europe. He never played an NBA game.
2002 • Rockets
Center • China
Career: A promising career was derailed by injuries. The 7-6 Ming was an eight-time All-Star named to the All-NBA second or third team five times. Averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Best player: F Amar'e Stoudemire (ninth, Phoenix). Rookie of the Year. Despite battling knee injuries, Stoudemire is a six-time All-Star and was a first-team All-NBA selection in 2007.
Notable: The draft was full of players hampered by injuries in their career.
Bust: F Nikoloz Tskitishvili (fifth). Four NBA teams gave him a chance, and four quickly gave up. He averaged 2.9 points in 172 games over four seasons.
2000 • Nets
Forward/Center • Cincinnati
Career: A one-time All-Star who has averaged 12.3 points over 15 seasons.
Best player: G Michael Redd (43rd, Milwaukee). Taken in the second round, was a one-time All-Star. His 19.0 scoring average is the best in this draft.
Notable: One of the worst drafts in the lottery era, producing only three All-Star seasons among all the players selected. Coincidence that it was held in Minneapolis?
Bust: F Marcus Fizer (fourth). Disappointing career was cut short by a knee injury.
1999 • Bulls
Forward/Center • Duke
Career: Rookie of the Year. Averaged 20 points or better in six of his first eight seasons, twice an All-Star.
Best player: F Shawn Marion (ninth, Phoenix). Four-time All-Star who played in more than 100 playoff games, he was a part of the 2011 champion Dallas team.
Notable: Nine players in this draft became All-Stars. But the class likely has no Hall of Famers.
Bust: F Jonathan Bender (fifth). Underperformed until career was halted because of knee injuries.
1994 • Bucks
Forward • Purdue
Career: A two-time All-Star, Robinson averaged 20.7 points over 11 seasons. He led the Bucks to the playoffs three times, including a 2001 trip to the conference finals.
Best player: G Jason Kidd (second, Dallas). Rookie of the Year. Ten-time All-Star, was a part of the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.
Notable: Kidd, Grant Hill (third) and Juwan Howard (fifth) combined to play 56 seasons.
Bust: C Eric Montross (ninth). Averaged 4.5 points per game over eight seasons.
1993 • Magic
Forward • Michigan
Career: Rookie of the Year and a five-time All-Star, Webber averaged 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds over 15 seasons. He and Sacramento lost to the Lakers in seven games in the controversial 2002 Western Conference finals.
Best player: Webber, in a strong draft.
Notable: First round included Sam Cassell, Allan Houston, Nick Van Exel and Penny Hardaway.
Bust: C Shawn Bradley (second). He played a long time, but never up to the standards you'd expect from a second overall pick.
1991 • Hornets
Forward • UNLV
Career: A two-time All-Star and 1992 Rookie of the Year, Johnson averaged 16.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, helping lead the Knicks into the 1999 NBA Finals.
Best player: C Dikembe Mutombo, Georgetown (fourth, Denver). Eight-time All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, he led Philadelphia to the 2001 NBA Finals.
Notable: Former Michigan State guard Steve Smith led this class with 13,430 points.
Bust: F Doug Smith (sixth). Averaged 8.0 points over five seasons for two teams.
1990 • Nets
Center/Forward • Syracuse
Career: Rookie of the Year and a one-time All-Star, Coleman averaged 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds over a 15-year career. Made it past the first round of the playoffs once.
Best player: G Gary Payton, Oregon State (second, Seattle). Nine times an All-Star and once named Defensive Player of the Year, was a part of Miami’s 2006 championship.
Notable: Chicago took Toni Kukoc with the second pick of the second round, but he didn’t arrive in Chicago until 1993.
Bust: G Bo Kimble (eighth). High scorer out of Loyola Marymount played only 105 games.
1988 • Clippers
Forward • Kansas
Career: Averaged 14.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 15-year career hampered by knee injuries. Averaged 20 points for Atlanta team that advanced to second round in 1994.
Best player: G Mitch Richmond, Kansas State (fifth, Golden State). Rookie of the Year. Six-time All-Star was a reserve on the 2002 Lakers championship team.
Notable: Richmond was only future Hall of Famer in the draft.
Bust: F Tim Perry (seventh). Averaged only 6.8 points over eight seasons split among three teams.
2006 • Raptors
Forward/Center • Italy
Career: Has averaged 15.0 points and 4.8 rebounds for Toronto and New York, and was named to the all-rookie team in 2007.
Best player: F/C LaMarcus Aldridge (second, Chicago, traded to Portland). A four-time All-Star, Aldridge has steadily improved his production, averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season.
Notable: Only two of the top 20 picks in the draft have been named an All-Star.
Bust: F Adam Morrison (third). Suspect defensively from the start, lost his second season to a knee injury. Played only four seasons.
2007 • Trail Blazers
Center • Ohio State
Career: What career? Limited to three seasons and 105 games because of numerous knee injuries, Oden remains one of the biggest disappointments in draft history.
Best player: F Kevin Durant (second, Seattle). Rookie of the Year. Four-time scoring champion is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Six-time All-Star and 2014 league MVP.
Notable: It was the first draft in which three players taken in the top 10 were from the same school: Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah of Florida.
Bust: Oden, who had a short-lived attempt at a comeback with Miami in the 2013-14 season.
2001 • Wizards
Forward/Center • Glynn Academy High School, Brunswick, Ga.
Career: The first No. 1 overall pick to come out of high school, averaged only 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 12 seasons with seven teams.
Best player: F Pau Gasol (third, Atlanta, traded to Memphis). Rookie of the Year and a five-time All-Star, was on two Lakers title teams.
Notable: In a draft littered with disappointments, value was found late: Joe Johnson (10th), Richard Jefferson (13th), Zach Randolph (19th), Tony Parker (28th), Gilbert Arenas (30th).
Bust: Brown, who labored under the pressure of being the top pick and dealt with injuries.
1998 • Clippers
Center • Pacific
Career: Gifted but unmotivated, Olowokandi averaged 8.3 points over nine listless seasons for three teams, including the Wolves.
Best player: F Dirk Nowitzki (ninth, Milwaukee, traded to Dallas). An All-Star 13 times, 2007 NBA MVP and Finals MVP in 2011.
Notable: Six of the top eight picks never appeared in an All-Star Game.
Bust: Olowokandi, with a nod to Robert Traylor (sixth).
1995 • Warriors
Forward • Maryland
Career: Considered a semi-bust simply because of the talent drafted after him, Smith averaged 10.9 points over 16 seasons, perhaps best known for the costly illegal contract offered by the Wolves.
Best player: F Kevin Garnett (fifth, Timberwolves). The Wolves' best-ever draft pick, he has scored nearly 26,000 points over 20 seasons.
Notable: This was a deep draft for power forwards, which included Garnett, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess.
Bust: Bryant Reeves (sixth), whose career was cut short by weight issues and injuries.
1989 • Kings
Center/Forward • Louisville
Career: In an injury-plagued, 11-season career, he averaged only 9.5 points and 6.7 rebounds. Won 1992 NBA most-improved player award.
Best player: G Tim Hardaway, Texas-El Paso (14th, Golden State). Five-time All-Star led Miami to Eastern Conference finals in 1997. Gets nod over Shawn Kemp.
Notable: Leading career scorer in draft — Cliff Robinson — was taken in the second round.
Bust: Ellison. Nicknamed "Never Nervous" Pervis in college, he was renamed "Out of Service" Pervis by NBA teammate Danny Ainge.