Best draft picks in New York Knicks history

By Stacker Feed

8 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Stacker Feed

8 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Best draft picks in New York Knicks history

The draft is a seminal moment for many incoming players. Putting aside competitive stakes, each young athlete’s life is irreversibly altered by the fame and fortune that comes with being an NBA player. The exorbitant contract values ensures these players almost never have to worry about personal finances. Plus, these young guns get to play alongside some of their basketball idols for a living. With these high stakes, it’s easy to see why the draft is so revered.

Likewise, the fortunes of a city and franchise can be completely transformed by a draft pick. LeBron James, for instance, brought Cleveland its first sports championship in 52 years and was also reportedly worth hundreds of millions to the city’s downtown economy. It almost goes without saying that Michael Jordan built the Chicago Bulls from the ground up into a championship team whose dynamic would reverberate through the decades.

With that in mind, Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in New York Knicks history using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com’s Hall of Fame probability, career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player’s win shares were used in its place to calculate their Stacker score. Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy résumé for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.

#50. Glen Gondrezick
– Stacker score: 3.5
– 26th overall pick in 1977
– Played two seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 5.8 PTS, 4.5 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 15.9 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 4.2 VORP

#49. Dave Budd
– Stacker score: 3.5
– 10th overall pick in 1960
– Played five seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 7.1 PTS, 4.6 REB, 1.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 11.7 win shares

#48. Obi Toppin
– Stacker score: 4.1
– Eighth overall pick in 2020
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 17.7 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 5.4 VORP

#47. Jim Barnes
– Stacker score: 4.3
– First overall pick in 1964
– Played one season with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.8 PTS, 6.5 REB, 0.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 14.2 win shares
– Accolades
— 1969 NBA Champ

#46. Wilson Chandler
– Stacker score: 4.9
– 23rd overall pick in 2007
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 12.5 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 29.0 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 3.5 VORP

#45. Dean Meminger
– Stacker score: 5.0
– 16th overall pick in 1971
– Played four seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 6.1 PTS, 2.6 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 16.6 win shares
– Accolades
— 1973 NBA Champ

#44. Hubert Davis
– Stacker score: 5.0
– 20th overall pick in 1992
– Played four seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 1.5 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.7 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 4.2 VORP

#43. Frank Brickowski
– Stacker score: 5.1
– 57th overall pick in 1981
– Career averages: 10.0 PTS, 4.7 REB, 1.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 29.8 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 3.7 VORP

#42. Barry Clemens
– Stacker score: 5.6
– 22nd overall pick in 1965
– Played one season with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 6.7 PTS, 3.2 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 18.6 win shares

#41. Dave Stallworth
– Stacker score: 6.1
– Fifth overall pick in 1965
– Played five seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 9.3 PTS, 4.7 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 20.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 1970 NBA Champ

#40. Gerald Wilkins
– Stacker score: 6.2
– 47th overall pick in 1985
– Played seven seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 13.0 PTS, 2.9 REB, 3.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 33.9 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 5.3 VORP

#39. Nate Robinson
– Stacker score: 6.5
– 21st overall pick in 2005
– Played four seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 11.0 PTS, 2.3 REB, 3.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.8 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 8.6 VORP

#38. Immanuel Quickley
– Stacker score: 6.8
– 25th overall pick in 2020
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 14.4 PTS, 3.5 REB, 4.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.9 win shares, 1.5 box plus/minus, 9.2 VORP

#37. Walter Dukes
– Stacker score: 7.2
– Eighth overall pick in 1953
– Played one season with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 10.4 PTS, 11.3 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 24.0 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x All Star

#36. Mike Woodson
– Stacker score: 7.4
– 12th overall pick in 1980
– Played one season with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 14.0 PTS, 2.3 REB, 2.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 34.6 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 8.5 VORP

#35. Henry Bibby
– Stacker score: 7.4
– 58th overall pick in 1972
– Played two seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.6 PTS, 2.3 REB, 3.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 24.5 win shares
– Accolades
— 1973 NBA Champ

#34. Lonnie Shelton
– Stacker score: 7.5
– 25th overall pick in 1976
– Played two seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 12.0 PTS, 6.1 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 37.5 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 7.9 VORP
– Accolades
— 1979 NBA Champ
— 1981-82 All-Defensive
— 1x All Star

#33. Kurt Rambis
– Stacker score: 7.7
– 58th overall pick in 1980
– Career averages: 5.2 PTS, 5.6 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.3 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 8.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 4x NBA Champ

#32. Channing Frye
– Stacker score: 7.7
– Eighth overall pick in 2005
– Played two seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 4.5 REB, 1.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.9 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 8.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 2016 NBA Champ

#31. Trent Tucker
– Stacker score: 7.9
– Sixth overall pick in 1982
– Played nine seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 34.3 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 10.2 VORP
– Accolades
— 1993 NBA Champ

#30. Darrell Walker
– Stacker score: 8.0
– 12th overall pick in 1983
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.9 PTS, 4.4 REB, 4.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.4 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 13.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 1993 NBA Champ

#29. Mitchell Robinson
– Stacker score: 8.7
– 36th overall pick in 2018
– Played eight seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 7.5 PTS, 8.0 REB, 0.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 41.0 win shares, 2.3 box plus/minus, 10.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 2026 NBA Champ

#28. Phil Jackson
– Stacker score: 8.8
– 17th overall pick in 1967
– Played 10 seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 6.7 PTS, 4.3 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 29.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#27. Kevin Loughery
– Stacker score: 9.0
– 92nd overall pick in 1961
– Career averages: 15.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 29.8 win shares

#26. Darrall Imhoff
– Stacker score: 9.1
– Third overall pick in 1960
– Played two seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 7.2 PTS, 7.6 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.1 win shares
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#25. Greg Anthony
– Stacker score: 9.2
– 12th overall pick in 1991
– Played four seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 7.3 PTS, 1.9 REB, 4.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 35.9 win shares, 1.3 box plus/minus, 13.3 VORP

#24. Charlie Ward
– Stacker score: 9.2
– 26th overall pick in 1994
– Played nine seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 6.3 PTS, 2.6 REB, 4.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 33.0 win shares, 2.1 box plus/minus, 14.5 VORP

#23. Mike Riordan
– Stacker score: 10.0
– 128th overall pick in 1967
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 9.9 PTS, 2.9 REB, 2.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 33.2 win shares
– Accolades
— 1970 NBA Champ
— 1972-73 All-Defensive

#22. Ray Williams
– Stacker score: 10.6
– 10th overall pick in 1977
– Played five seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 15.5 PTS, 3.6 REB, 5.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 37.1 win shares, 1.6 box plus/minus, 16.8 VORP

#21. Bill Bradley
– Stacker score: 11.7
– Second overall pick in 1965
– Played 10 seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 12.4 PTS, 3.2 REB, 3.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.8 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— 1x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#20. Micheal Ray Richardson
– Stacker score: 11.8
– Fourth overall pick in 1978
– Played four seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 14.8 PTS, 5.5 REB, 7.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 35.2 win shares, 2.5 box plus/minus, 21.2 VORP
– Accolades
— 1979-80 AST Champ
— 2x All-Defensive
— 4x All Star

#19. Bill Cartwright
– Stacker score: 12.7
– Third overall pick in 1979
– Played eight seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 13.2 PTS, 6.3 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 72.8 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 9.7 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ
— 1x All Star

#18. Kristaps Porziņģis
– Stacker score: 13.0
– Fourth overall pick in 2015
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 19.5 PTS, 7.6 REB, 1.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 50.4 win shares, 2.6 box plus/minus, 18.9 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
– Accolades
— 2024 NBA Champ
— 1x All Star

#17. Cazzie Russell
– Stacker score: 15.6
– First overall pick in 1966
– Played five seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 15.1 PTS, 3.8 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 51.7 win shares
– Accolades
— 1970 NBA Champ
— 1x All Star

#16. Danilo Gallinari
– Stacker score: 15.6
– Sixth overall pick in 2008
– Played two seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 14.9 PTS, 4.7 REB, 1.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 65.4 win shares, 1.7 box plus/minus, 20.8 VORP

#15. Trevor Ariza
– Stacker score: 15.8
– 43rd overall pick in 2004
– Played one season with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 10.4 PTS, 4.8 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 64.3 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 21.8 VORP
– Accolades
— 2009 NBA Champ

#14. David Lee
– Stacker score: 16.4
– 30th overall pick in 2005
– Played five seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 13.5 PTS, 8.8 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 76.0 win shares, 1.1 box plus/minus, 19.2 VORP
– Accolades
— 2015 NBA Champ
— 2012-13 All-NBA
— 2x All Star

#13. Kenny Sears
– Stacker score: 17.1
– Fifth overall pick in 1955
– Played six seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 13.9 PTS, 7.8 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 55.8 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 2.1%
– Accolades
— 2x All Star

#12. Johnny Green
– Stacker score: 18.3
– Sixth overall pick in 1959
– Played six seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 11.6 PTS, 8.6 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 58.0 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 4.9%
– Accolades
— 4x All Star

#11. Tim Hardaway
– Stacker score: 19.9
– 24th overall pick in 2013
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 13.7 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.2 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 5.2 VORP

#10. Dick Van Arsdale
– Stacker score: 23.1
– 13th overall pick in 1965
– Played three seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 16.4 PTS, 4.1 REB, 3.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 75.2 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 2.5%
– Accolades
— 1973-74 All-Defensive
— 3x All Star

#9. Rod Strickland
– Stacker score: 23.6
– 19th overall pick in 1988
– Played one season with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 13.2 PTS, 3.7 REB, 7.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 85.8 win shares, 2.3 box plus/minus, 36.6 VORP
– Accolades
— 1997-98 AST Champ
— 1997-98 All-NBA

#8. Mark Jackson
– Stacker score: 24.7
– 18th overall pick in 1987
– Played six seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 9.6 PTS, 3.8 REB, 8.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 91.8 win shares, 1.8 box plus/minus, 37.5 VORP
– Accolades
— 1996-97 AST Champ
— 1987-88 ROY
— 1x All Star

#7. Dick McGuire
– Stacker score: 26.8
– Eighth overall pick in 1949
– Played eight seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 8.0 PTS, 4.2 REB, 5.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 50.9 win shares
– Accolades
— 1949-50 AST Champ
— 1950-51 All-NBA
— 7x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#6. Richie Guerin
– Stacker score: 33.8
– 17th overall pick in 1954
– Played seven seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 17.3 PTS, 5.0 REB, 5.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 69.2 win shares
– Accolades
— 3x All-NBA
— 6x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#5. Harry Gallatin
– Stacker score: 37.1
– 20th overall pick in 1949
– Played nine seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 13.0 PTS, 11.9 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 78.4 win shares
– Accolades
— 1953-54 TRB Champ
— 2x All-NBA
— 7x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#4. Willis Reed
– Stacker score: 38.7
– 10th overall pick in 1964
– Played 10 seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 18.7 PTS, 12.9 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 74.9 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— 1969-70 MVP
— 2x Finals MVP
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#3. Patrick Ewing
– Stacker score: 50.1
– First overall pick in 1985
– Played 15 seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 21.0 PTS, 9.8 REB, 1.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 126.4 win shares, 2.9 box plus/minus, 50.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 1985-86 ROY
— 7x All-NBA
— 3x All-Defensive
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#2. Walt Frazier
– Stacker score: 50.7
– Fifth overall pick in 1967
– Played 10 seasons with New York Knicks
– Career averages: 18.9 PTS, 5.9 REB, 6.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 113.5 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— 6x All-NBA
— 7x All-Defensive
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#1. Dolph Schayes
– Stacker score: 59.5
– Fourth overall pick in 1948
– Career averages: 18.5 PTS, 12.1 REB, 3.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 142.4 win shares
– Accolades
— 1955 NBA Champ
— 1957-58 MBWA NBA MVP
— 1950-51 TRB Champ
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

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NYC

Best draft picks in Los Angeles Lakers history

By Stacker Feed

9 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Stacker Feed

9 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Best draft picks in Los Angeles Lakers history

With that in mind, Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Los Angeles Lakers history using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com’s Hall of Fame probability, career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player’s win shares were used in its place to calculate their Stacker score. Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy résumé for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.

#50. Bob Harrison
– Stacker score: 4.5
– 23rd overall pick in 1949
– Played four seasons with Minneapolis Lakers
– Career averages: 7.2 PTS, 2.5 REB, 2.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 15.0 win shares
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ
— 1x All Star

#49. Lew Hitch
– Stacker score: 4.5
– 20th overall pick in 1951
– Played three seasons with Minneapolis Lakers
– Career averages: 5.0 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 15.1 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ

#48. Thomas Bryant
– Stacker score: 4.6
– 42nd overall pick in 2017
– Played one season with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 8.5 PTS, 4.9 REB, 0.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 22.7 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 4.9 VORP
– Accolades
— 2023 NBA Champ

#47. Jordan Clarkson
– Stacker score: 5.1
– 46th overall pick in 2014
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 15.3 PTS, 3.2 REB, 2.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 25.9 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 5.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 2026 NBA Champ

#46. Kenny Carr
– Stacker score: 5.1
– Sixth overall pick in 1977
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 11.6 PTS, 7.4 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 33.6 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 2.3 VORP

#45. Jim King
– Stacker score: 5.3
– 14th overall pick in 1963
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 7.2 PTS, 2.5 REB, 2.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 17.7 win shares
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#44. Jim Price
– Stacker score: 5.9
– 16th overall pick in 1972
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 10.0 PTS, 3.1 REB, 3.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 19.7 win shares
– Accolades
— 1973-74 All-Defensive
— 1x All Star

#43. Anthony Peeler
– Stacker score: 6.2
– 15th overall pick in 1992
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 9.7 PTS, 2.6 REB, 2.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.7 win shares, -0.7 box plus/minus, 6.6 VORP

#42. George Lynch
– Stacker score: 6.7
– 12th overall pick in 1993
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 6.6 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 32.3 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 7.3 VORP

#41. Tom Hawkins
– Stacker score: 7.3
– Fourth overall pick in 1959
– Played one season with Minneapolis Lakers and five seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 6.0 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 24.1 win shares

#40. Brian Winters
– Stacker score: 7.6
– 12th overall pick in 1974
– Played one season with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 16.2 PTS, 2.6 REB, 4.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.6 win shares, -0.5 box plus/minus, 7.8 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x All Star

#39. Brandon Ingram
– Stacker score: 7.6
– Second overall pick in 2016
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 19.8 PTS, 5.2 REB, 4.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 31.8 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 10.3 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
– Accolades
— 2x All Star

#38. D’Angelo Russell
– Stacker score: 7.7
– Second overall pick in 2015
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 17.0 PTS, 3.3 REB, 5.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 26.5 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 12.4 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#37. Andrew Bynum
– Stacker score: 7.9
– 10th overall pick in 2005
– Played seven seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 11.5 PTS, 7.7 REB, 1.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 37.4 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 9.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— 2011-12 All-NBA
— 1x All Star

#36. Dick Garmaker
– Stacker score: 8.1
– Sixth overall pick in 1955
– Played four seasons with Minneapolis Lakers
– Career averages: 13.3 PTS, 4.2 REB, 2.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 25.6 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 2.6%
– Accolades
— 1956-57 All-NBA
— 4x All Star

#35. Ruben Patterson
– Stacker score: 8.2
– 31st overall pick in 1998
– Played one season with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 10.7 PTS, 4.2 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 35.1 win shares, 0.7 box plus/minus, 10.8 VORP

#34. James Edwards
– Stacker score: 8.3
– 46th overall pick in 1977
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 12.7 PTS, 5.1 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 59.7 win shares, -1.7 box plus/minus, 2.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ

#33. Jim Cleamons
– Stacker score: 8.8
– 13th overall pick in 1971
– Played one season with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 8.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 29.1 win shares
– Accolades
— 1972 NBA Champ
— 1975-76 All-Defensive

#32. Larry Nance
– Stacker score: 8.8
– 27th overall pick in 2015
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 7.5 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 35.2 win shares, 1.1 box plus/minus, 10.1 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 4.8%

#31. Walt Hazzard
– Stacker score: 9.1
– Fifth overall pick in 1964
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 12.6 PTS, 3.0 REB, 4.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#30. John Block
– Stacker score: 9.8
– 27th overall pick in 1966
– Played one season with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 11.9 PTS, 6.6 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 32.7 win shares
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#29. Josh Hart
– Stacker score: 9.9
– 30th overall pick in 2017
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 10.5 PTS, 7.0 REB, 3.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 42.8 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 12.6 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.2%
– Accolades
— 2026 NBA Champ

#28. Ivica Zubac
– Stacker score: 10.7
– 32nd overall pick in 2016
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 10.5 PTS, 8.3 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 55.5 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 10.4 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
– Accolades
— 2024-25 All-Defensive

#27. Billy Knight
– Stacker score: 10.8
– 21st overall pick in 1974
– Career averages: 16.9 PTS, 5.3 REB, 2.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 48.5 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 13.4 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x All Star

#26. Brad Davis
– Stacker score: 11.0
– 15th overall pick in 1977
– Played one season with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 1.8 REB, 4.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 53.6 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 12.1 VORP

#25. Derek Fisher
– Stacker score: 11.1
– 24th overall pick in 1996
– Played 12 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 8.3 PTS, 2.1 REB, 3.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 62.3 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 8.9 VORP
– Accolades
— 5x NBA Champ

#24. Elden Campbell
– Stacker score: 11.3
– 27th overall pick in 1990
– Played eight seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 10.3 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 62.8 win shares, -0.5 box plus/minus, 9.5 VORP
– Accolades
— 2004 NBA Champ

#23. Norm Nixon
– Stacker score: 12.6
– 22nd overall pick in 1977
– Played six seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 15.7 PTS, 2.6 REB, 8.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 47.6 win shares, -0.5 box plus/minus, 10.2 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 17.7%
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— 2x All Star

#22. Nick Van Exel
– Stacker score: 13.3
– 37th overall pick in 1993
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 14.4 PTS, 2.9 REB, 6.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 55.9 win shares, 0.4 box plus/minus, 17.7 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#21. Michael Cooper
– Stacker score: 13.3
– 60th overall pick in 1978
– Played 12 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 8.9 PTS, 3.2 REB, 4.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 52.5 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 19.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 5x NBA Champ
— 1986-87 Def. POY
— 8x All-Defensive
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#20. Jim McMillian
– Stacker score: 13.8
– 13th overall pick in 1970
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 13.8 PTS, 5.3 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 46.0 win shares
– Accolades
— 1972 NBA Champ

#19. Leroy Ellis
– Stacker score: 13.9
– Eighth overall pick in 1962
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 9.7 PTS, 8.3 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 46.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 1972 NBA Champ

#18. Julius Randle
– Stacker score: 14.1
– Seventh overall pick in 2014
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 19.2 PTS, 8.9 REB, 3.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 56.9 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 19.4 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.9%
– Accolades
— 2x All-NBA
— 3x All Star

#17. Byron Scott
– Stacker score: 16.9
– Fourth overall pick in 1983
– Played 11 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 14.1 PTS, 2.8 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 75.2 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 21.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ

#16. A.C. Green
– Stacker score: 18.5
– 23rd overall pick in 1985
– Played nine seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 9.6 PTS, 7.4 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 99.5 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 16.6 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ
— 1988-89 All-Defensive
— 1x All Star

#15. Rudy LaRusso
– Stacker score: 19.6
– 12th overall pick in 1959
– Played one season with Minneapolis Lakers and seven seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 15.6 PTS, 9.4 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 61.4 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 6.6%
– Accolades
— 1968-69 All-Defensive
— 5x All Star

#14. Archie Clark
– Stacker score: 19.9
– 37th overall pick in 1966
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 16.3 PTS, 3.3 REB, 4.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 64.7 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 2.5%
– Accolades
— 1971-72 All-NBA
— 2x All Star

#13. K.C. Jones
– Stacker score: 21.6
– 85th overall pick in 1955
– Career averages: 7.4 PTS, 3.5 REB, 4.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.6 win shares
– Accolades
— 8x NBA Champ
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#12. Marc Gasol
– Stacker score: 24.2
– 48th overall pick in 2007
– Played one season with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 14.0 PTS, 7.4 REB, 3.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 85.3 win shares, 3.1 box plus/minus, 36.5 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 4.2%
– Accolades
— 2019 NBA Champ
— 2012-13 Def. POY
— 2x All-NBA
— 2012-13 All-Defensive

#11. Vlade Divac
– Stacker score: 24.9
– 26th overall pick in 1989
– Played eight seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 11.8 PTS, 8.2 REB, 3.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 96.4 win shares, 2.3 box plus/minus, 36.3 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#10. Eddie Jones
– Stacker score: 28.1
– 10th overall pick in 1994
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 14.8 PTS, 4.0 REB, 2.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 100.6 win shares, 3.1 box plus/minus, 42.3 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 3.5%
– Accolades
— 1999-00 STL Champ
— 1999-00 All-NBA
— 3x All-Defensive
— 3x All Star

#9. Clyde Lovellette
– Stacker score: 31.2
– 10th overall pick in 1952
– Played four seasons with Minneapolis Lakers
– Career averages: 17.0 PTS, 9.5 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 70.6 win shares
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ
— 1955-56 All-NBA
— 4x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#8. Gail Goodrich
– Stacker score: 35.3
– 10th overall pick in 1965
– Played nine seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 18.6 PTS, 3.2 REB, 4.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 76.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 1972 NBA Champ
— 1973-74 All-NBA
— 5x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#7. James Worthy
– Stacker score: 35.6
– First overall pick in 1982
– Played 12 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 17.6 PTS, 5.1 REB, 3.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 81.2 win shares, 1.9 box plus/minus, 29.2 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ
— 1987-88 Finals MVP
— 2x All-NBA
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#6. Vern Mikkelsen
– Stacker score: 41.4
– 11th overall pick in 1949
– Played 10 seasons with Minneapolis Lakers
– Career averages: 14.4 PTS, 9.4 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 83.4 win shares
– Accolades
— 4x NBA Champ
— 4x All-NBA
— 6x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#5. Sam Jones
– Stacker score: 44.4
– 59th overall pick in 1956
– Career averages: 17.7 PTS, 4.9 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 92.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 10x NBA Champ
— 3x All-NBA
— 5x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#4. Elgin Baylor
– Stacker score: 48.0
– First overall pick in 1958
– Played two seasons with Minneapolis Lakers and 12 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 27.4 PTS, 13.5 REB, 4.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 104.2 win shares
– Accolades
— 1962-63 MBWA NBA MVP
— 1958-59 ROY
— 10x All-NBA
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#3. Magic Johnson
– Stacker score: 64.3
– First overall pick in 1979
– Played 13 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 19.5 PTS, 7.2 REB, 11.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 155.8 win shares, 7.5 box plus/minus, 80.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 5x NBA Champ
— 3x MVP
— 3x Finals MVP
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#2. Jerry West
– Stacker score: 65.6
– Second overall pick in 1960
– Played 14 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 27.0 PTS, 5.8 REB, 6.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 162.6 win shares
– Accolades
— 1972 NBA Champ
— 1971-72 MBWA NBA MVP
— 1968-69 Finals MVP
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#1. Kobe Bryant
– Stacker score: 66.5
– 13th overall pick in 1996
– Played 20 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers
– Career averages: 25.0 PTS, 5.2 REB, 4.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 172.7 win shares, 4.6 box plus/minus, 80.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 5x NBA Champ
— 2007-08 MVP
— 2x Finals MVP
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

Topics:

Best draft picks in Golden State Warriors history

By Stacker Feed

9 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Stacker Feed

9 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Best draft picks in Golden State Warriors history

With that in mind, Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Golden State Warriors history using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com’s Hall of Fame probability, career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player’s win shares were used in its place to calculate their Stacker score. Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy résumé for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.

#50. Fred Hetzel
– Stacker score: 4.8
– First overall pick in 1965
– Played three seasons with San Francisco Warriors
– Career averages: 11.2 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 15.9 win shares

#49. Lewis Lloyd
– Stacker score: 4.8
– 76th overall pick in 1981
– Played two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 13.2 PTS, 3.1 REB, 2.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 19.8 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 6.6 VORP

#48. Marco Belinelli
– Stacker score: 5.0
– 18th overall pick in 2007
– Played two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 9.7 PTS, 2.1 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.5 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 3.3 VORP
– Accolades
— 2014 NBA Champ

#47. Chris Gatling
– Stacker score: 5.2
– 16th overall pick in 1991
– Played four seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 10.3 PTS, 5.3 REB, 0.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 32.1 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 3.2 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#46. Andris Biedriņš
– Stacker score: 5.5
– 11th overall pick in 2004
– Played nine seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 6.3 PTS, 7.0 REB, 0.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.7 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 4.6 VORP

#45. Brandan Wright
– Stacker score: 5.9
– Eighth overall pick in 2007
– Played two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 7.0 PTS, 3.6 REB, 0.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 26.2 win shares, 2.3 box plus/minus, 7.5 VORP

#44. Dale Schlueter
– Stacker score: 6.3
– 63rd overall pick in 1967
– Played two seasons with San Francisco Warriors
– Career averages: 5.3 PTS, 5.2 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 20.8 win shares

#43. Billy Owens
– Stacker score: 6.4
– Third overall pick in 1991
– Played three seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 11.7 PTS, 6.7 REB, 2.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 28.6 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 7.8 VORP

#42. Larry Smith
– Stacker score: 6.7
– 24th overall pick in 1980
– Played nine seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 6.7 PTS, 9.2 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 46.0 win shares, -1.6 box plus/minus, 2.4 VORP

#41. Kevon Looney
– Stacker score: 7.0
– 30th overall pick in 2015
– Played 10 seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 4.9 PTS, 5.7 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.1 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 6.2 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.2%
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ

#40. Ron Williams
– Stacker score: 7.1
– Ninth overall pick in 1968
– Played three seasons with San Francisco Warriors and two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 9.3 PTS, 1.9 REB, 3.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 23.5 win shares

#39. Sonny Parker
– Stacker score: 7.1
– 17th overall pick in 1976
– Played six seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 9.9 PTS, 4.1 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 26.9 win shares, 1.8 box plus/minus, 10.5 VORP

#38. Joe Barry Carroll
– Stacker score: 7.4
– First overall pick in 1980
– Played six seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 17.7 PTS, 7.7 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 35.6 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 8.2 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#37. Tyrone Hill
– Stacker score: 7.5
– 11th overall pick in 1990
– Played three seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 9.4 PTS, 8.6 REB, 0.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 56.2 win shares, -1.9 box plus/minus, 0.8 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#36. Lester Conner
– Stacker score: 7.6
– 14th overall pick in 1982
– Played four seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 6.3 PTS, 2.7 REB, 3.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 28.6 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 11.3 VORP

#35. Keith Erickson
– Stacker score: 7.6
– 21st overall pick in 1965
– Played one season with San Francisco Warriors
– Career averages: 9.5 PTS, 4.5 REB, 2.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 25.2 win shares
– Accolades
— 1972 NBA Champ

#34. Phil Smith
– Stacker score: 8.7
– 29th overall pick in 1974
– Played six seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 15.1 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 41.1 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 9.9 VORP
– Accolades
— 1975 NBA Champ
— 1975-76 All-NBA
— 1975-76 All-Defensive
— 2x All Star

#33. Joe Smith
– Stacker score: 8.8
– First overall pick in 1995
– Played two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 10.9 PTS, 6.4 REB, 1.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 60.3 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 3.0 VORP

#32. Don Ohl
– Stacker score: 9.6
– 37th overall pick in 1958
– Career averages: 15.9 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.2 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 2.8%
– Accolades
— 5x All Star

#31. Monta Ellis
– Stacker score: 9.7
– 40th overall pick in 2005
– Played six seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 17.8 PTS, 3.5 REB, 4.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 41.9 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 12.4 VORP

#30. Clyde Lee
– Stacker score: 10.1
– Third overall pick in 1966
– Played five seasons with San Francisco Warriors and three seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 7.7 PTS, 10.3 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 33.5 win shares
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#29. Troy Murphy
– Stacker score: 10.1
– 14th overall pick in 2001
– Played five seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 10.8 PTS, 7.8 REB, 1.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 50.3 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 10.6 VORP

#28. Purvis Short
– Stacker score: 10.7
– Fifth overall pick in 1978
– Played nine seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 17.3 PTS, 4.3 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 51.1 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 12.1 VORP

#27. Al Attles
– Stacker score: 11.0
– 39th overall pick in 1960
– Played two seasons with Philadelphia Warriors and nine seasons with San Francisco Warriors
– Career averages: 8.9 PTS, 3.5 REB, 3.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 36.5 win shares
– Accolade
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#26. Rickey Green
– Stacker score: 11.2
– 16th overall pick in 1977
– Played one season with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 9.4 PTS, 1.9 REB, 5.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 47.2 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 15.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 1983-84 STL Champ
— 1x All Star

#25. Harrison Barnes
– Stacker score: 12.0
– Seventh overall pick in 2012
– Played four seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 13.6 PTS, 4.6 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 66.4 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 10.0 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
– Accolades
— 2015 NBA Champ

#24. Mike Dunleavy
– Stacker score: 12.9
– Third overall pick in 2002
– Played four seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 11.2 PTS, 4.3 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 58.5 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 15.7 VORP

#23. Tom Meschery
– Stacker score: 13.1
– Seventh overall pick in 1961
– Played one season with Philadelphia Warriors and five seasons with San Francisco Warriors
– Career averages: 12.7 PTS, 8.6 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 43.6 win shares
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#22. Latrell Sprewell
– Stacker score: 15.3
– 24th overall pick in 1992
– Played six seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 18.3 PTS, 4.1 REB, 4.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 56.3 win shares, 0.4 box plus/minus, 21.0 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 5.0%
– Accolades
— 1993-94 All-NBA
— 1993-94 All-Defensive
— 4x All Star

#21. Gene Shue
– Stacker score: 15.3
– Third overall pick in 1954
– Career averages: 14.4 PTS, 4.1 REB, 3.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 38.9 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 21.8%
– Accolades
— 2x All-NBA
— 5x All Star

#20. Jason Richardson
– Stacker score: 15.8
– Fifth overall pick in 2001
– Played six seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 17.1 PTS, 5.0 REB, 2.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 59.1 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 23.8 VORP

#19. Gilbert Arenas
– Stacker score: 17.9
– 31st overall pick in 2001
– Played two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 20.7 PTS, 3.9 REB, 5.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 51.3 win shares, 2.6 box plus/minus, 22.3 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 21.6%
– Accolades
— 3x All-NBA
— 3x All Star

#18. Antawn Jamison
– Stacker score: 19.7
– Fourth overall pick in 1998
– Played five seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 18.5 PTS, 7.5 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 87.8 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 24.5 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x All Star

#17. Guy Rodgers
– Stacker score: 20.0
– Fifth overall pick in 1958
– Played four seasons with Philadelphia Warriors and four seasons with San Francisco Warriors
– Career averages: 11.7 PTS, 4.3 REB, 7.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 33.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x AST Champ
— 4x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#16. Gus Williams
– Stacker score: 21.6
– 20th overall pick in 1975
– Played two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 17.1 PTS, 2.7 REB, 5.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 67.9 win shares, 2.9 box plus/minus, 31.8 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 11.3%
– Accolades
— 1979 NBA Champ
— 2x All-NBA
— 2x All Star

#15. Jamaal Wilkes
– Stacker score: 24.0
– 11th overall pick in 1974
– Played three seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 17.7 PTS, 6.2 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 71.3 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 14.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 4x NBA Champ
— 1974-75 ROY
— 2x All-Defensive
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#14. Klay Thompson
– Stacker score: 25.6
– 11th overall pick in 2011
– Played 11 seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 18.6 PTS, 3.4 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 57.6 win shares, 0.4 box plus/minus, 17.6 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 73.1%
– Accolades
— 4x NBA Champ
— 2x All-NBA
— 2018-19 All-Defensive
— 5x All Star

#13. Tom Gola
– Stacker score: 26.0
– Third overall pick in 1955
– Played six seasons with Philadelphia Warriors
– Career averages: 11.3 PTS, 8.0 REB, 4.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 53.2 win shares
– Accolades
— 1956 NBA Champ
— 1957-58 All-NBA
— 5x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#12. Larry Costello
– Stacker score: 30.7
– 12th overall pick in 1954
– Played two seasons with Philadelphia Warriors
– Career averages: 12.2 PTS, 3.8 REB, 4.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 62.7 win shares
– Accolades
— 1967 NBA Champ
— 1960-61 All-NBA
— 6x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#11. Draymond Green
– Stacker score: 30.9
– 35th overall pick in 2012
– Played 14 seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 6.8 REB, 5.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 66.3 win shares, 2.1 box plus/minus, 27.9 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 76.8%
– Accolades
— 4x NBA Champ
— 2016-17 Def. POY
— 2016-17 STL Champ
— 2x All-NBA

#10. Mitch Richmond
– Stacker score: 31.9
– Fifth overall pick in 1988
– Played three seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 21.0 PTS, 3.9 REB, 3.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 79.3 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 29.3 VORP
– Accolades
— 2002 NBA Champ
— 1988-89 ROY
— 5x All-NBA
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#9. Nate Thurmond
– Stacker score: 34.6
– Third overall pick in 1963
– Played eight seasons with San Francisco Warriors and three seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 15.0 PTS, 15.0 REB, 2.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 78.0 win shares
– Accolades
— 5x All-Defensive
— 7x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#8. Chris Webber
– Stacker score: 35.4
– First overall pick in 1993
– Played two seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 20.7 PTS, 9.8 REB, 4.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 84.7 win shares, 3.4 box plus/minus, 42.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 1998-99 TRB Champ
— 1993-94 ROY
— 5x All-NBA
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#7. Chris Mullin
– Stacker score: 36.3
– Seventh overall pick in 1985
– Played 13 seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 18.2 PTS, 4.1 REB, 3.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 93.1 win shares, 3.1 box plus/minus, 41.6 VORP
– Accolades
— 4x All-NBA
— 5x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#6. Tim Hardaway
– Stacker score: 37.8
– 14th overall pick in 1989
– Played five seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 17.7 PTS, 3.3 REB, 8.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 85.0 win shares, 3.1 box plus/minus, 39.6 VORP
– Accolades
— 5x All-NBA
— 5x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#5. Rick Barry
– Stacker score: 44.7
– Fourth overall pick in 1965
– Played two seasons with San Francisco Warriors and six seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 24.8 PTS, 6.7 REB, 4.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 93.4 win shares
– Accolades
— 1975 NBA Champ
— 1974-75 Finals MVP
— 1966-67 Scoring Champ
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#4. Paul Arizin
– Stacker score: 49.4
– Third overall pick in 1950
– Played 10 seasons with Philadelphia Warriors
– Career averages: 22.8 PTS, 8.6 REB, 2.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 108.8 win shares
– Accolades
— 1956 NBA Champ
— 1951-52 MBWA NBA MVP
— 2x Scoring Champ
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#3. Robert Parish
– Stacker score: 49.5
– Eighth overall pick in 1976
– Played four seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 14.5 PTS, 9.1 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 147.0 win shares, 1.5 box plus/minus, 40.7 VORP
– Accolades
— 4x NBA Champ
— 2x All-NBA
— 9x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#2. Stephen Curry
– Stacker score: 62.2
– Seventh overall pick in 2009
– Played 17 seasons with Golden State Warriors
– Career averages: 24.8 PTS, 4.7 REB, 6.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 147.1 win shares, 6.4 box plus/minus, 77.2 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 100.0%
– Accolades
— 4x NBA Champ
— 2x MVP
— 2021-22 Finals MVP
— 2x Scoring Champ

#1. Wilt Chamberlain
– Stacker score: 91.1
– Third overall pick in 1959
– Played three seasons with Philadelphia Warriors and two seasons with San Francisco Warriors
– Career averages: 30.1 PTS, 22.9 REB, 4.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 247.3 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— 4x MVP
— 1971-72 Finals MVP
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

Topics:

Best draft picks in Los Angeles Clippers history

By Stacker Feed

8 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Stacker Feed

8 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Best draft picks in Los Angeles Clippers history

With that in mind, Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Los Angeles Clippers history using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com’s Hall of Fame probability, career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player’s win shares were used in its place to calculate their Stacker score. Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy résumé for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.

#49. John Hummer
– Stacker score: 1.4
– 15th overall pick in 1970
– Played three seasons with Buffalo Braves
– Career averages: 6.9 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 4.8 win shares

#48. Richard Anderson
– Stacker score: 1.5
– 32nd overall pick in 1982
– Played one season with San Diego Clippers
– Career averages: 5.6 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 7.6 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 1.4 VORP

#47. Brian Skinner
– Stacker score: 1.5
– 22nd overall pick in 1998
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 4.7 PTS, 4.7 REB, 0.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 15.8 win shares, -2.5 box plus/minus, -1.5 VORP

#46. Kim Hughes
– Stacker score: 1.5
– 45th overall pick in 1974
– Career averages: 3.8 PTS, 5.6 REB, 0.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 7.1 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 1.8 VORP
– Accolades
— 1976 ABA Champ

#45. Ken Charles
– Stacker score: 1.9
– 38th overall pick in 1973
– Played three seasons with Buffalo Braves
– Career averages: 8.5 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 9.8 win shares, -1.0 box plus/minus, 2.0 VORP

#44. Moussa Diabate
– Stacker score: 2.1
– 43rd overall pick in 2022
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 6.0 PTS, 6.5 REB, 1.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 11.4 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 1.9 VORP

#43. Darius Miles
– Stacker score: 2.3
– Third overall pick in 2000
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 10.1 PTS, 4.9 REB, 1.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 9.5 win shares, -1.0 box plus/minus, 3.0 VORP

#42. Keyon Dooling
– Stacker score: 2.3
– 10th overall pick in 2000
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 7.0 PTS, 1.3 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 18.5 win shares, -2.0 box plus/minus, -0.2 VORP

#41. Gary Grant
– Stacker score: 2.8
– 15th overall pick in 1988
– Played seven seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 7.9 PTS, 2.3 REB, 5.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 12.0 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 3.7 VORP

#40. Marko Jarić
– Stacker score: 2.9
– 30th overall pick in 2000
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 7.1 PTS, 2.7 REB, 3.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 12.1 win shares, -0.7 box plus/minus, 3.8 VORP

#39. Lorenzen Wright
– Stacker score: 2.9
– Seventh overall pick in 1996
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 8.0 PTS, 6.4 REB, 0.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.5 win shares, -2.6 box plus/minus, -3.0 VORP

#38. Elliot Perry
– Stacker score: 3.0
– 37th overall pick in 1991
– Career averages: 6.3 PTS, 1.4 REB, 3.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 14.0 win shares, -0.5 box plus/minus, 3.6 VORP

#37. Manute Bol
– Stacker score: 3.1
– 97th overall pick in 1983
– Career averages: 2.6 PTS, 4.2 REB, 0.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 12.3 win shares, -0.5 box plus/minus, 4.5 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x BLK Champ
— 1985-86 All-Defensive

#36. Chris Kaman
– Stacker score: 3.3
– Sixth overall pick in 2003
– Played eight seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 11.2 PTS, 7.6 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 24.6 win shares, -1.9 box plus/minus, 0.4 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#35. Tom McMillen
– Stacker score: 3.4
– Ninth overall pick in 1974
– Played one season with Buffalo Braves
– Career averages: 8.1 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.2 win shares, -2.0 box plus/minus, -0.1 VORP

#34. Reggie Bullock
– Stacker score: 3.6
– 25th overall pick in 2013
– Played one season with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 7.3 PTS, 2.6 REB, 1.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 21.4 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 2.6 VORP

#33. Michael Brooks
– Stacker score: 3.7
– Ninth overall pick in 1980
– Played four seasons with San Diego Clippers
– Career averages: 12.8 PTS, 6.3 REB, 2.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 16.5 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 4.6 VORP

#32. Terance Mann
– Stacker score: 3.7
– 48th overall pick in 2019
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 8.0 PTS, 3.5 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 23.3 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 2.2 VORP

#31. Chris Wilcox
– Stacker score: 3.9
– Eighth overall pick in 2002
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 4.9 REB, 0.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 26.9 win shares, -1.6 box plus/minus, 1.2 VORP

#30. Lamond Murray
– Stacker score: 3.9
– Seventh overall pick in 1994
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 11.3 PTS, 4.1 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 19.8 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 4.0 VORP

#29. Cornell Warner
– Stacker score: 4.8
– 24th overall pick in 1970
– Played two seasons with Buffalo Braves
– Career averages: 6.4 PTS, 7.5 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 15.8 win shares

#28. Craig Hodges
– Stacker score: 4.9
– 48th overall pick in 1982
– Played two seasons with San Diego Clippers
– Career averages: 8.5 PTS, 1.3 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.2 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 4.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ

#27. Ken Norman
– Stacker score: 5.2
– 19th overall pick in 1987
– Played six seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 13.5 PTS, 6.1 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.1 win shares, -1.0 box plus/minus, 4.9 VORP

#26. Shaun Livingston
– Stacker score: 5.3
– Fourth overall pick in 2004
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 6.3 PTS, 2.4 REB, 3.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 29.9 win shares, -1.0 box plus/minus, 4.3 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ

#25. Loy Vaught
– Stacker score: 5.3
– 13th overall pick in 1990
– Played eight seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 10.1 PTS, 7.1 REB, 0.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 35.8 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 2.2 VORP

#24. Al-Farouq Aminu
– Stacker score: 5.8
– Eighth overall pick in 2010
– Played one season with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 7.5 PTS, 6.0 REB, 1.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 27.6 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 6.5 VORP

#23. Benoit Benjamin
– Stacker score: 5.8
– Third overall pick in 1985
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 11.4 PTS, 7.5 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 32.7 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 4.8 VORP

#22. Danny Ferry
– Stacker score: 6.2
– Second overall pick in 1989
– Career averages: 7.0 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 34.8 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 4.9 VORP
– Accolades
— 2003 NBA Champ

#21. Reggie Williams
– Stacker score: 6.4
– Fourth overall pick in 1987
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 12.5 PTS, 4.0 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 26.0 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 9.0 VORP

#20. Eric Piatkowski
– Stacker score: 6.7
– 15th overall pick in 1994
– Played nine seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 7.5 PTS, 2.2 REB, 1.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 31.0 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 7.9 VORP

#19. Quentin Richardson
– Stacker score: 7.1
– 18th overall pick in 2000
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 10.3 PTS, 4.7 REB, 1.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 32.8 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 8.5 VORP

#18. Charles Smith
– Stacker score: 8.0
– Third overall pick in 1988
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 14.4 PTS, 5.8 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 40.9 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 8.1 VORP

#17. Eric Gordon
– Stacker score: 8.5
– Seventh overall pick in 2008
– Played three seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 15.2 PTS, 2.3 REB, 2.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 42.1 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 9.1 VORP

#16. Elmore Smith
– Stacker score: 10.4
– Third overall pick in 1971
– Played two seasons with Buffalo Braves
– Career averages: 13.4 PTS, 10.6 REB, 1.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 34.7 win shares
– Accolades
— 1973-74 BLK Champ

#15. Eric Bledsoe
– Stacker score: 12.4
– 18th overall pick in 2010
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 13.7 PTS, 3.9 REB, 4.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 46.1 win shares, 1.6 box plus/minus, 18.8 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x All-Defensive

#14. Arvydas Sabonis
– Stacker score: 12.4
– 77th overall pick in 1985
– Career averages: 12.0 PTS, 7.3 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 47.3 win shares, 4.4 box plus/minus, 18.4 VORP
– Accolade
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#13. Danny Manning
– Stacker score: 13.4
– First overall pick in 1988
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 14.0 PTS, 5.2 REB, 2.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 55.1 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 18.4 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x All Star

#12. Michael Cage
– Stacker score: 14.3
– 14th overall pick in 1984
– Played four seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 7.3 PTS, 7.6 REB, 0.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 74.4 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 13.7 VORP
– Accolades
— 1987-88 TRB Champ

#11. Tom Chambers
– Stacker score: 15.1
– Eighth overall pick in 1981
– Played two seasons with San Diego Clippers
– Career averages: 18.1 PTS, 6.1 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 79.0 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 12.0 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 5.2%
– Accolades
— 2x All-NBA
— 1986-87 AS MVP
— 4x All Star

#10. Randy Smith
– Stacker score: 18.5
– 104th overall pick in 1971
– Played seven seasons with Buffalo Braves and one season with San Diego Clippers
– Career averages: 16.7 PTS, 3.7 REB, 4.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 60.1 win shares
– Hall of Fame probability: 2.6%
– Accolades
— 1975-76 All-NBA
— 1977-78 AS MVP
— 2x All Star

#9. Brent Barry
– Stacker score: 18.6
– 15th overall pick in 1995
– Played two seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 9.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 70.5 win shares, 2.6 box plus/minus, 27.7 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ

#8. Terry Cummings
– Stacker score: 19.4
– Second overall pick in 1982
– Played two seasons with San Diego Clippers
– Career averages: 16.4 PTS, 7.3 REB, 1.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 91.1 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 22.5 VORP
– Accolades
— 1982-83 ROY
— 2x All-NBA
— 2x All Star

#7. Lamar Odom
– Stacker score: 20.7
– Fourth overall pick in 1999
– Played five seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 13.3 PTS, 8.4 REB, 3.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 77.0 win shares, 1.9 box plus/minus, 31.4 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ

#6. DeAndre Jordan
– Stacker score: 21.0
– 35th overall pick in 2008
– Played 10 seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 8.5 PTS, 9.7 REB, 0.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 99.4 win shares, 1.1 box plus/minus, 22.2 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 3.7%
– Accolades
— 2023 NBA Champ
— 2x TRB Champ
— 3x All-NBA
— 2x All-Defensive

#5. Spencer Haywood
– Stacker score: 28.5
– 30th overall pick in 1971
– Career averages: 20.3 PTS, 10.3 REB, 1.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 61.4 win shares
– Accolades
— 1980 NBA Champ
— 1969-70 MVP
— 1969-70 ROY
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#4. Blake Griffin
– Stacker score: 30.8
– First overall pick in 2009
– Played seven seasons with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 19.0 PTS, 8.0 REB, 4.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 81.1 win shares, 3.3 box plus/minus, 32.8 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 54.8%
– Accolades
— 2010-11 ROY
— 5x All-NBA
— 6x All Star

#3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
– Stacker score: 36.2
– 11th overall pick in 2018
– Played one season with Los Angeles Clippers
– Career averages: 25.3 PTS, 4.7 REB, 5.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 75.6 win shares, 6.3 box plus/minus, 36.9 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 82.8%
– Accolades
— 2025 NBA Champ
— 2x MVP
— 2024-25 Finals MVP
— 2024-25 Scoring Champ

#2. Bob McAdoo
– Stacker score: 43.2
– Second overall pick in 1972
– Played four seasons with Buffalo Braves
– Career averages: 22.1 PTS, 9.4 REB, 2.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 89.1 win shares
– Accolades
— 2x NBA Champ
— 1974-75 MVP
— 3x Scoring Champ
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

#1. Adrian Dantley
– Stacker score: 47.1
– Sixth overall pick in 1976
– Played one season with Buffalo Braves
– Career averages: 24.3 PTS, 5.7 REB, 3.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 134.2 win shares, 3.1 box plus/minus, 43.8 VORP
– Accolades
— 2x Scoring Champ
— 1976-77 ROY
— 2x All-NBA
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

Topics:

NYC

Best draft picks in Brooklyn Nets history

By Stacker Feed

6 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Stacker Feed

6 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Best draft picks in Brooklyn Nets history

With that in mind, Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Brooklyn Nets history using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com’s Hall of Fame probability, career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player’s win shares were used in its place to calculate their Stacker score. Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy résumé for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.

#30. Dennis Hopson
– Stacker score: 1.2
– Third overall pick in 1987
– Played three seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 10.9 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 7.1 win shares, -1.7 box plus/minus, 0.7 VORP
– Accolades
— 1991 NBA Champ

#29. Josh Boone
– Stacker score: 1.2
– 23rd overall pick in 2006
– Played four seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 5.2 PTS, 4.9 REB, 0.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 9.1 win shares, -2.0 box plus/minus, 0.0 VORP

#28. Nenad Krstić
– Stacker score: 2.2
– 24th overall pick in 2002
– Played four seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 10.0 PTS, 5.4 REB, 0.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 21.5 win shares, -2.6 box plus/minus, -1.5 VORP

#27. Albert King
– Stacker score: 2.5
– 10th overall pick in 1981
– Played six seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 12.1 PTS, 4.2 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 16.3 win shares, -1.7 box plus/minus, 1.1 VORP

#26. Mike O’Koren
– Stacker score: 2.9
– Sixth overall pick in 1980
– Played seven seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 3.4 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 14.6 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 3.1 VORP

#25. Jud Buechler
– Stacker score: 3.5
– 38th overall pick in 1990
– Played one season with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 3.3 PTS, 1.8 REB, 0.8 AST
– Advanced statistics: 16.5 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 4.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 3x NBA Champ

#24. Rory Sparrow
– Stacker score: 4.7
– 75th overall pick in 1980
– Played one season with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 9.0 PTS, 2.1 REB, 5.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 28.3 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 3.0 VORP

#23. Cliff Robinson
– Stacker score: 6.3
– 11th overall pick in 1979
– Played two seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 17.2 PTS, 8.3 REB, 2.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.5 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 6.9 VORP

#22. Nicolas Claxton
– Stacker score: 6.8
– 31st overall pick in 2019
– Played seven seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 10.6 PTS, 7.6 REB, 2.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 30.9 win shares, 1.3 box plus/minus, 8.2 VORP

#21. Bojan Bogdanović
– Stacker score: 6.8
– 31st overall pick in 2011
– Played two seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 15.6 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 37.6 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 5.8 VORP

#20. Keith Van Horn
– Stacker score: 8.7
– Second overall pick in 1997
– Played five seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 16.0 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 41.7 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 9.6 VORP

#19. Chris Morris
– Stacker score: 9.5
– Fourth overall pick in 1988
– Played seven seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 11.0 PTS, 4.7 REB, 1.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 37.4 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 13.7 VORP

#18. Kenyon Martin
– Stacker score: 10.3
– First overall pick in 2000
– Played four seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 12.3 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 48.0 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 12.1 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#17. Ryan Anderson
– Stacker score: 10.4
– 21st overall pick in 2008
– Played one season with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 12.3 PTS, 5.3 REB, 0.9 AST
– Advanced statistics: 46.7 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 12.8 VORP

#16. Mike Gminski
– Stacker score: 11.6
– Seventh overall pick in 1980
– Played seven seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 11.7 PTS, 6.9 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 55.9 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 12.9 VORP

#15. Kerry Kittles
– Stacker score: 12.0
– Eighth overall pick in 1996
– Played seven seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 14.1 PTS, 3.9 REB, 2.6 AST
– Advanced statistics: 44.8 win shares, 2.2 box plus/minus, 18.0 VORP

#14. Sleepy Floyd
– Stacker score: 12.2
– 13th overall pick in 1982
– Played one season with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 12.8 PTS, 2.6 REB, 5.4 AST
– Advanced statistics: 50.6 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 16.6 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#13. Derrick Favors
– Stacker score: 12.5
– Third overall pick in 2010
– Career averages: 10.6 PTS, 7.1 REB, 1.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 60.2 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 14.0 VORP

#12. Calvin Natt
– Stacker score: 12.6
– Eighth overall pick in 1979
– Career averages: 17.2 PTS, 6.8 REB, 2.2 AST
– Advanced statistics: 57.2 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 15.4 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#11. Mason Plumlee
– Stacker score: 12.7
– 22nd overall pick in 2013
– Played two seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 7.9 PTS, 6.6 REB, 2.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 58.4 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 15.2 VORP

#10. Kenny Anderson
– Stacker score: 15.6
– Second overall pick in 1991
– Played four seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 12.6 PTS, 3.1 REB, 6.1 AST
– Advanced statistics: 62.5 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 21.9 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#9. Derrick Coleman
– Stacker score: 15.9
– First overall pick in 1990
– Played five seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 16.5 PTS, 9.3 REB, 2.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 64.3 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 22.3 VORP
– Accolades
— 1990-91 ROY
— 2x All-NBA
— 1x All Star

#8. Jarrett Allen
– Stacker score: 16.1
– 22nd overall pick in 2017
– Played three seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 13.1 PTS, 9.2 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 73.1 win shares, 2.4 box plus/minus, 19.4 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.3%
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#7. Kyle Korver
– Stacker score: 16.6
– 51st overall pick in 2003
– Career averages: 9.7 PTS, 3.0 REB, 1.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 73.4 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 20.7 VORP
– Accolades
— 1x All Star

#6. Richard Jefferson
– Stacker score: 17.3
– 13th overall pick in 2001
– Played seven seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 12.6 PTS, 4.0 REB, 2.0 AST
– Advanced statistics: 83.0 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 19.4 VORP
– Accolades
— 2016 NBA Champ

#5. P.J. Brown
– Stacker score: 17.5
– 29th overall pick in 1992
– Played three seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 9.1 PTS, 7.7 REB, 1.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 89.8 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 17.4 VORP
– Accolades
— 2008 NBA Champ
— 3x All-Defensive

#4. Brook Lopez
– Stacker score: 21.9
– 10th overall pick in 2008
– Played four seasons with Brooklyn Nets and five seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 15.4 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.5 AST
– Advanced statistics: 94.2 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 28.3 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 0.3%
– Accolades
— 2021 NBA Champ
— 2x All-Defensive
— 1x All Star

#3. Mookie Blaylock
– Stacker score: 23.8
– 12th overall pick in 1989
– Played three seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 13.5 PTS, 4.1 REB, 6.7 AST
– Advanced statistics: 71.8 win shares, 3.0 box plus/minus, 39.2 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 6.0%
– Accolades
— 2x STL Champ
— 6x All-Defensive
— 1x All Star

#2. Buck Williams
– Stacker score: 24.2
– Third overall pick in 1981
– Played eight seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 12.8 PTS, 10.0 REB, 1.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 120.1 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 21.7 VORP
– Hall of Fame probability: 8.0%
– Accolades
— 1981-82 ROY
— 1982-83 All-NBA
— 4x All-Defensive
— 3x All Star

#1. Bernard King
– Stacker score: 29.0
– Seventh overall pick in 1977
– Played three seasons with Brooklyn Nets
– Career averages: 22.5 PTS, 5.8 REB, 3.3 AST
– Advanced statistics: 75.4 win shares, 1.7 box plus/minus, 27.0 VORP
– Accolades
— 1984-85 Scoring Champ
— 4x All-NBA
— 4x All Star
— Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

Topics:

NYC

Careers & Education

The degree lost its halo: More US adults now see certifications as the safer, smarter career bet

By Tiffany Miller for U.S. Career Institute

3 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Tiffany Miller for U.S. Career Institute

3 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Parilov // Shutterstock

The degree lost its halo: More US adults now see certifications as the safer, smarter career bet

For decades, the four-year degree carried an unquestioned authority. It was expensive, but it was the answer. New research from U.S. Career Institute, an online career training provider, finds that authority is no longer going unquestioned.

When asked which education path offers better long-term job security, 26% of adults say certifications or skills-based programs are the safer choice, compared with just 18% who say the same about a four-year degree. The traditional degree path has not gone away, but the certainty around it has started to crack.

U.S. Career Institute

The doubt extends to the cost. College was supposed to be expensive and worth it. The expensive part has not changed. The worth-it part is now a more open question. While 38% say paying for college feels like a necessary investment despite the expense, 29% say they question whether it is worthwhile. Asked at what level of student debt they would begin to reconsider, 32% say the threshold is under $10,000.

Artificial intelligence is also adding pressure from a different direction. One in 4 survey respondents said office-based and white-collar workers are the type most likely to be replaced by AI in the next five years. For many, that concern is already part of how they are thinking about major decisions. Fifty-four percent of adults have reconsidered their education or career path due to concerns about job security or automation.

Some have already acted on it. Twenty-five percent say they have already completed a certificate or skills-based program, and another 29% say they have seriously considered pursuing one.

In this survey, stability has replaced prestige as the thing people say they are actually looking for. It is the most commonly cited factor influencing career decisions today, named by 53% of respondents, with prestige and status ranking lower.

U.S. Career Institute

It is also shaping the advice people give the next generation. Asked what they would recommend to a young person starting out today, 30% say a certification or skills-based program, while 24% say a four-year degree.

For many, the reconsideration is personal. Twenty-seven percent say they would choose a different path entirely if making their education or career decision today, and 33% say they would look for something faster or more affordable. Knowing what they know now, just 17% say they would make the same choice again. The question of whether college was the right call is one that more U.S. adults are now willing to ask out loud.

U.S. Career Institute

Methodology

U.S. Career Institute commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,000 adults ages 18 to 54 throughout the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between April 22 and April 27, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.

This story was produced by U.S. Career Institute and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Topics:

Careers & Education

The marketing job AI can't touch, and why the pay is up

By Charles Knuth for Pave

5 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Charles Knuth for Pave

5 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Jelena Zelen // Shutterstock

The marketing job AI can’t touch, and why the pay is up

Marketing jobs may be some of the earliest and clearest signals of how AI is reshaping work. For some roles, AI is outright replacing them, and for others, it is accelerating change in what marketing work is conducted and how. Most importantly, it is redefining how and where companies are willing to hire marketing professionals.

Marketing was at the top of the list of job functions most exposed to automation and AI disruption. The key skills and roles that build the modern marketing function are also time-consuming and routine. As generative AI tools take off, companies are finding they can deploy them to work faster and more cheaply.

However, this isn’t the full picture. As generative AI takes flight, the roles most disrupted are those that manage the digital side: content marketing, digital marketing, and marketing technology. On the other hand, those that require a human touch, such as field or event marketing, are in some cases actually seeing employment growth, and paying 6.2% more than they did six months ago. As AI usage grows, authentic human presence, relationship-building, and boots-on-the-ground execution are becoming even more important.

Analysis of hiring momentum and role prevalence across 9,000-plus companies shows how organizations are redesigning their workforces to meet the AI moment. Pave’s Hot Job Index scores and ranks jobs from −100 (cooling fast) to +100 (heating fast), providing insight into where organizations are investing at this moment. In short, the higher the score, the more companies value this skill set at this moment.

The Marketing Jobs AI Is Disrupting

Marketing Technology Management

Coming in at No. 5 on the Cold Jobs list is marketing technology management (martech), with an index score of -66. This job has seen a steady decline since 2023, with Pave data showing a drop in the prevalence of new hires from 0.08% to 0.05%. The dual forces of marketing technology consolidation and AI are amplifying this trend by enabling non-technical people to take on more technical tasks.

Pave

This job family often rolls up into other functions, with the senior leader wearing multiple hats. This may be another way AI is playing a role, as senior-level leaders are seeing their remits expand; companies may likely be consolidating martech ownership under a hybrid umbrella.

Pave

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing sits at No. 3 on the Cold Jobs list, with a score of -77. These marketers are responsible for planning and executing online campaigns to build brand awareness or convert leads across various channels, such as social media, websites, and search engines. Since Q4 of 2023, hiring for this role has more than halved, from 0.40% of new hires down to 0.19%.

Pave

While you are seeing fewer of these jobs, that doesn’t mean you will see any fewer online ads anytime soon. In fact, AI tools are making it so quick and easy for non-marketers to build content, design, run, and optimize marketing campaigns that you are likely seeing a flood of new digital advertising.

This is another role experiencing upward consolidation, as reflected in the premium companies are paying to new hires at the senior-most levels of this job family. Companies are increasingly hiring career/senior marketers to leverage their expertise and AI tooling to generate digital marketing tasks at scale—and they are willing to pay a premium for it.

Pave

Content Marketing

The fastest-cooling marketing job on the Cold Jobs list is content marketing, coming in at No. 2 with a score of -80. Hiring for this job has rapidly declined from 0.77% to 0.36% since 2023. As anyone who has used GenAI for their own use cases can attest, it is now easier than ever to generate assets, whether articles, whitepapers, or videos. As quickly as these tools became mainstream, leadership teams around the world began asking to what extent they still need to hire full-time copywriters and content marketers.

Pave

More interesting is the pay premium for this role. Unlike digital marketing, where only more senior hires are seeing a new-hire premium, content marketing is showing a premium across all three levels. As AI content proliferates and more AI slop is generated, organizations are investing in top talent to orchestrate high-quality content. The job has shifted from creation to strategic content development and curation.

Pave

The Marketing Job AI Can’t Replace

As AI takes over our digital lives, in-person engagement and connection with customers are becoming increasingly more important. Perhaps surprisingly to some, field marketing ranks No. 5 on the Hot Jobs list, with a score of +65—the only traditional marketing role currently experiencing growth.

Overall, the share of field marketers being hired has risen from 0.17% to 0.25% over the last few years. The trendline shows continued growth into the latter part of this year. Also of note, Pave’s data found that the overall number of companies with a recent field marketer hire has also increased, from 4.83% to 8.35%. This shows that it is not just existing teams expanding this role; companies are building out brand-new functions.

Pave

The pay premium data is even more compelling. Entry-level employees are commanding new-hire premiums of 106.2%, showing that companies are competing even at the most junior level of this role.

Pave

Field marketing’s rise isn’t despite the AI moment—it’s because of it. The more automated and impersonal digital marketing becomes, the higher the value of a human who shows up. In-person touchpoints are now scarcer and more valuable, and companies are hiring.

Zooming Out

The ripple effects of AI tools and the transformation of work will be felt for years to come. As AI drives role consolidation, it also opens the door for new roles and expanded opportunities in ways yet to be defined. Marketing jobs may very well be the canary in the coal mine, as AI finds ways to automate time-consuming tasks, other job functions will feel the pressure.

This story was produced by Pave and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Topics:

Careers & Education

Hot Jobs

Food Media, Nonprofit Storytelling, and SEO Jobs Hiring Now

Today's standout roles reward deep expertise in niche beats, from Southwest Florida dining to agentic search strategy.

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

5 min read • Published June 17, 2026

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

5 min read • Published June 17, 2026

Specialist Beats Are Back in Demand

For years, the media hiring market rewarded generalists. Companies wanted content people who could do a little of everything: write, edit, manage social, maybe shoot some video. That era isn’t over, but today’s most compelling openings tell a different story.

Employers on Mediabistro are now hiring for depth.

A luxury regional magazine wants someone who can write with authority about wine programs and chef-driven restaurants. A nonprofit fighting for safer streets needs a communicator who can translate complex policy work into language that actually moves people. And a fast-scaling home services marketplace is building a search team around a concept many marketers haven’t even encountered yet: agentic search optimization.

The thread connecting these roles is specificity. Each one requires a candidate who has lived inside a particular world long enough to have real instincts about it. If you’ve spent the last few years deepening your expertise in a single vertical, your patience is paying off.

Today’s Hot Jobs

Deputy Food and Wine Editor at Gulfshore Life Media

Why this one caught our eye: Print food journalism jobs at this level are genuinely rare. Gulfshore Life is a 50-year-old luxury lifestyle magazine with stable local ownership and a clear editorial identity. The role shapes food coverage across 12 monthly issues and special editions, covering a rapidly expanding Southwest Florida dining scene. This is a beat editor position with real authority, not a content mill gig with a culinary veneer.

What they want to see:

Deep knowledge of food, wine, and restaurant culture with the editorial judgment to separate trend from substance
Experience producing high-level lifestyle journalism for a discerning readership
Strong visual instincts and ability to collaborate on art direction and photography
Willingness to be on-site in the Bonita Springs, FL area (remote applicants won’t be considered unless relocating)

Apply for the Deputy Food and Wine Editor role at Gulfshore Life

Communications Manager at Safe Routes Partnership (Remote)

The appeal here: Safe Routes Partnership works to make walking and biking to school safer for kids across the country. The Communications Manager owns the organization’s entire digital presence, translating complex policy and legislative work into content that resonates with advocates, funders, and communities. The salary range is $60,000 to $68,000 with full benefits, and the role is fully remote from anywhere in the U.S. For communicators who want their writing to connect directly to real-world outcomes, this is a strong match.

Core qualifications:

Proven ability to turn policy and program work into accessible, shareable storytelling
Experience managing digital channels and coordinating with contractors for design and video production
Comfort marketing consulting services alongside advocacy content
Strong editorial voice with the ability to surface community impact stories across multiple program areas

If you’re exploring how to position yourself for mission-driven communications work, Mediabistro’s guide on using social media to build your personal brand is worth revisiting.

Apply for the Communications Manager position at Safe Routes Partnership

Director of SEO and Agentic Search at LawnStarter

What makes this unusual: The job title alone signals where search marketing is headed. LawnStarter, a marketplace with over $150M in annual bookings, is building a leadership role around a premise most companies haven’t grappled with yet: when a homeowner asks ChatGPT or Perplexity who to hire, LawnStarter needs to be the answer. The Director reports directly to the CMO and operates across content strategy, technical SEO, product, and AI-powered discovery. This is a category-defining role at a company with serious scale.

Key requirements:

Proven track record leading SEO at scale, with demonstrated results in organic acquisition
Fluency in AI-powered search surfaces including ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews
Experience building and managing a team at the intersection of content, technical SEO, and product
Strategic mindset that extends beyond rankings to brand presence, PR, and community trust signals

Apply for the Director of SEO and Agentic Search role at LawnStarter

News Designer and Graphic Artist at Indianapolis Business Journal

Worth a closer look: IBJ is an award-winning business publication that’s growing, not contracting. They want a visual journalist who gets as excited about data and Excel as about heat maps and Illustrator. The standout detail: they’re specifically seeking someone eager to explore AI tools to streamline production, work with data visualization, and improve online presentation. That combination of traditional news design craft and AI curiosity reflects where newsroom design roles are heading across the industry.

What they’re after:

Experience or education in journalism with a strong portfolio in information graphics, illustration, and page layout
Proficiency in data visualization and comfort working in Excel alongside design tools
Genuine curiosity about AI applications in newsroom production workflows
Ability to work quickly and accurately across print and digital formats

Apply for the News Designer and Graphic Artist role at IBJ

Professional Takeaways

Today’s media job openings share a common demand: candidates who combine craft expertise with adaptability.

The food editor who understands visual storytelling. The communications manager who can translate policy into compelling social content. The SEO director who sees beyond rankings to AI-driven discovery. The news designer who pairs Illustrator skills with AI curiosity. See how each is a combination of technical understanding and a niche expertise?

If your portfolio or resume currently reads as a list of general competencies, consider reframing it around your deepest area of knowledge and showing how you’ve adapted that expertise to new tools and platforms. Specialists who can evolve are exactly who’s getting hired right now.

Also on the Web

Beyond Mediabistro’s job board, these media roles are also making waves across the job market:

Visual Journalist and Storyteller at TEGNA Inc.

Based in Sacramento with a salary range of $60K to $75K, this role at one of the largest local media companies in the country pairs traditional visual journalism with multimedia storytelling. A solid entry point for designers moving into broadcast.

Apply for the Visual Journalist role at TEGNA

Director, Writer and Storyteller at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

A senior content role in Washington, DC at one of the most influential business advocacy organizations in the country. The title alone, blending “director” with “storyteller,” reflects how institutional communications teams are restructuring around narrative expertise.

Apply for the Director, Writer and Storyteller role at the U.S. Chamber

Brand Storyteller and Content Lead at Western Building Supply

A $50K to $65K content leadership role at a building supply company in Wyoming. Proof that strong content hiring is no longer confined to media capitals. Industries far outside traditional publishing are investing in dedicated storytelling talent.

Apply for the Brand Storyteller role at Western Building Supply

Topics:

Hot Jobs

media-news

Media Companies Are Billing AI Firms and Betting on Microdramas

The industry is fighting to control revenue streams before platforms and technology companies decide for them.

By Mediabistro Team

6 min read • Published June 16, 2026

By Mediabistro Team

6 min read • Published June 16, 2026

The question that keeps surfacing across media sectors: who controls the money flow.

Two microdrama platforms launched within days of each other, betting that 2-minute vertical narratives can generate subscription revenue at scale. A British tabloid built on mass traffic decided advertising alone cannot fund digital journalism. Publishers embedded billing clauses into their terms of service, turning AI scraping from a legal complaint into an invoicing problem.

A beloved Japanese property got greenlit as a three-way international co-production. And a cable news host publicly outlined his vision for reinventing late-night political coverage.

Different tactics, same posture: control the terms or lose the revenue.

Microdramas Want to Be Taken Seriously

RisingJoy launched RJOY, a direct-to-consumer microdrama streaming service, initially available in the U.S. and Japan via TikTok Minis. The platform launched with 20 original titles, a real content library for a format most Western studios still treat as a novelty.

TikTok Minis lets users access vertical content without leaving TikTok’s ecosystem, meaning RisingJoy reaches audiences already conditioned to consume short-form narrative in vertical orientation. The format has generated serious revenue in Chinese markets. Whether Western audiences will subscribe to premium microdramas the way they subscribe to Netflix or Max is the open question.

Days later, Neymar Jr. signed on for a 16-title AI-powered live-action microdrama franchise with COL Group’s FlareFlow platform. The first six titles debut globally starting June 19. The celebrity involvement signals that microdramas are graduating from niche content play to legitimate format category. FlareFlow uses AI in its production pipeline, compressing development timelines and lowering per-episode costs.

Career Implication: This format needs writers, producers, and editors who can construct narratives in 2-minute vertical arcs. That skill set barely exists in traditional film and television production. Screenwriters trained on three-act structure will need to adapt or make room for creators who already think in vertical storytelling grammar.

For professionals looking to position themselves in emerging formats, browse open roles in video production to see how studios are staffing these projects.

Two separate launches, neither from legacy studios, both using unconventional distribution. The format is moving from curiosity to category.

Even Tabloids Need Paywalls Now

The Mirror launched an online paywall for premium content, becoming the fourth Reach national title to implement subscription access. The tabloid built on mass-market traffic and high-volume advertising decided that model alone cannot fund digital newsrooms.

This is the clearest signal yet that ad-supported digital publishing has a ceiling everyone can see.

The Mirror is not a prestige publication chasing affluent subscribers willing to pay for investigative journalism. It’s a tabloid designed for broad reach and high click-through rates. If a publisher optimized for traffic volume believes it needs subscription revenue, the math on advertising-only models has become untenable.

The paywalled content strategy is selective. Breaking news and high-traffic stories stay accessible to maximize ad impressions. Depth reporting and exclusive interviews go behind the gate to drive conversions.

For media professionals, this confirms what many already suspected. Publishers need revenue diversification, which means they need staff who can produce content worth paying for. Editors who spot paywall-worthy stories, reporters who develop exclusive angles, product managers who optimize conversion funnels. These roles are becoming central to newsroom economics.

Publishers Start Billing AI Companies

Publishers are embedding billing clauses in their websites’ terms of service and threatening to sue if AI companies scrape content without payment. The strategy involves adding search-only contracts that explicitly restrict AI training use, then invoicing companies that violate those terms.

This is an escalation from complaint to commerce.

Publishers spent the past two years objecting to AI companies ingesting their content to train large language models. Those objections yielded some licensing deals but left most publishers uncompensated. The new approach flips the dynamic: embed billing terms directly into terms of service, create a contractual basis for invoicing. If AI companies refuse to pay, publishers gain standing to sue for breach of contract rather than having to prove copyright infringement, which is a harder legal argument.

Either AI companies pay up and create a new licensing revenue stream, or they refuse and hand publishers a cleaner court case. Litigation creates leverage for settlement negotiations.

Key Takeaway: If AI licensing becomes a meaningful revenue stream, publishers will prioritize content categories that AI companies want most: authoritative reporting, niche expertise, structured data. Writers and editors who produce high-value training data may see their work treated as a strategic asset rather than a cost center.

That shift could influence hiring, compensation, and editorial priorities. Understanding how to create content that commands licensing value becomes a competitive advantage.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Gets the Live-Action Treatment

BBC Studios Kids & Family, U.K. production company Wheel in Motion, and Japan’s Kadokawa Corporation formed a three-way partnership to develop a live-action television series based on Eiko Kadono’s novel “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” This marks the property’s first live-action television treatment, notable given the IP’s global recognition from the Studio Ghibli animated film.

The partnership structure matters. BBC Studios brings international distribution. Kadokawa controls the underlying IP rights. Wheel in Motion provides production execution. Each partner splits development risk while contributing a distinct capability. This is how beloved properties get developed across borders now: multi-party co-productions with clear division of labor and shared financial exposure.

Professionals who can navigate multi-territory rights negotiations and structure these deals have real leverage in a market where single-territory development is becoming rarer for high-value IP.

Ali Velshi Wants to Rebuild Late-Night Cable News

Ali Velshi took over as host of MS NOW’s “11th Hour” and publicly outlined his editorial vision. The approach focuses on deeper context and less reactive coverage of daily political conflicts.

Cable news hosts increasingly function as brand architects. Networks are betting that distinct editorial voices can differentiate programming in a landscape where audiences have endless options. Velshi’s public articulation of his vision is part of that positioning: signaling to viewers and advertisers what the show will deliver.

For on-air talent and producers, this confirms that host-driven programming strategies are central to how cable news networks compete. Producers who develop formats that amplify host identity, editors who shape coverage to align with that identity, both become more valuable as networks lean into personality-driven programming.

What This Means

No single approach solves the structural revenue problems facing media. Microdramas bet on format innovation. Paywalls acknowledge advertising cannot fund journalism alone. AI billing clauses attempt to create licensing revenue. International co-productions spread risk. Host-driven cable formats compete on identity rather than speed.

What is certain: media professionals who understand how these business models work, and can contribute to building them, will have more leverage than those who watch from the sidelines.

If you’re building skills in emerging formats or developing revenue diversification strategies, browse open roles on Mediabistro. If you’re hiring for those skills, post a job on Mediabistro to reach professionals tracking these shifts closely.

This media news roundup is automatically curated to keep our community up to date on interesting happenings in the creative, media, and publishing professions. It may contain factual errors and should be read for general and informational purposes only. Please refer to the original source of each news item for specific inquiries.

Topics:

media-news

Hot Jobs

Newsletter Growth and News Design Jobs Hiring Now on Mediabistro

Today's standout roles reward specialists who can grow audiences, visualize data, and build digital ecosystems for iconic brands.

By Mediabistro Team

5 min read • Published June 16, 2026

By Mediabistro Team

5 min read • Published June 16, 2026

Specialists Are Having Their Moment

Generalists dominated media hiring for the better part of a decade. Companies wanted people who could “do it all,” and job descriptions read like laundry lists covering everything from social media to event planning. That era is fading. Today’s most compelling openings reward deep expertise in a single discipline, paired with the judgment to connect that expertise to broader business goals.

Three of today’s featured roles make this case clearly. One company wants someone who can grow a newsletter list from 1.1 million subscribers to something much larger, with real math behind every acquisition dollar. Another needs a designer who thinks in data visualizations and AI workflows, not just page layouts. A third is building a digital strategy function for one of the most visited urban spaces on earth. These aren’t roles for generalists. They’re roles for people who’ve gone deep and can prove it.

Today’s Hot Jobs

Growth Lead, Newsletter Division at WestStar Multimedia Entertainment

Why this one is worth a close look: Kim Komando’s media operation reaches millions through radio, podcasts, YouTube, and a website with massive monthly traffic. But the real growth engine is email, with nearly 1.1 million daily newsletter readers across The Current and Splash of AI. This role owns subscriber acquisition end to end, with thousands already being spent daily on paid social and room to scale fast. The $85,000 base plus performance bonus is notable for a position that starts as contract or fractional before converting to full-time, signaling genuine skin-in-the-game compensation structure.

The ideal candidate brings:

Proven experience running and scaling paid social acquisition campaigns across Meta, Instagram, and emerging platforms
Ability to manage referral programs and test new subscriber acquisition channels
Strong analytics chops to put real math behind every growth dollar spent
Comfort operating in a fast-scaling environment where you’ll kill what doesn’t work as quickly as you scale what does

Apply to the Growth Lead, Newsletter Division position

News Designer and Graphic Artist at Indianapolis Business Journal

What makes this role different: IBJ isn’t looking for someone who simply lays out pages. They want a visual journalist who gets equally excited about Excel spreadsheets and Illustrator heat maps. The posting specifically calls for curiosity about artificial intelligence, with expectations that you’ll help streamline production processes and strengthen online presentation using AI tools. For designers who’ve been experimenting with AI on their own time, this is a chance to make that experimentation central to the job. IBJ is an award-winning organization with a robust publishing ecosystem, including 13 email newsletters, a weekly print edition, and over a dozen special publications.

Core qualifications they want:

Strong information graphics and data visualization skills, alongside traditional page layout ability
Journalism experience or education with a curious, creative mindset
Working experience with AI tools and enthusiasm for integrating them into editorial production
Ability to work quickly and accurately across both print and digital formats

Apply to the News Designer and Graphic Artist position

Director, Web and Digital Strategy at Central Park Conservancy

The bigger picture here: Central Park sees over 40 million visits a year, and the Conservancy has invested nearly $2 billion in restoring the park since 1980. This role leads web and digital strategy for one of New York City’s most important civic institutions. You’d report to the Senior Director of Marketing and shape how millions of people interact with the park’s digital presence. For mission-driven professionals who want their digital strategy work to serve a genuinely iconic public space rather than another quarterly revenue target, this is rare. The role is remote-friendly, which opens it to strategists beyond the five boroughs.

What they need from you:

Experience leading web strategy and digital communications for a complex organization
Ability to partner across marketing, communications, and operations teams
Understanding of how digital platforms serve both public engagement and institutional storytelling goals
Strategic vision for evolving a major nonprofit’s digital ecosystem

Apply to the Director of Web and Digital Strategy position

Director of SEO and Agentic Search at LawnStarter

A job title that tells you where the industry is heading: “Agentic Search” in a director-level title signals a company that’s already thinking past traditional rankings. LawnStarter, with over $150 million in annual bookings, wants to be the answer when a homeowner asks ChatGPT or Perplexity who to hire. The posting explicitly frames the challenge as building brand presence across every surface where “homeowners and machines form trust,” from PR and journalists to community platforms and review sites. You’d report directly to the CMO and operate at the intersection of content, technical SEO, product, and AI-powered search.

What the role requires:

Deep expertise in SEO with a forward-looking understanding of AI-powered search and recommendation engines
Experience leading teams across content strategy, technical SEO, and organic discovery at scale
Ability to coordinate brand presence across PR, creator partnerships, and community platforms
Strategic mindset to run two simultaneous bets: traditional search dominance and AI recommendation positioning

For anyone tracking how storytelling is becoming the new growth strategy, this LawnStarter role is the logical next step in that evolution.

Apply to the Director of SEO and Agentic Search position

The Takeaway for Job Seekers

Every one of today’s featured roles asks for something beyond the core discipline. The newsletter growth lead needs analytics rigor, not just ad spend instincts. The news designer needs AI fluency. The digital strategist needs institutional storytelling sensibility. The SEO director needs to think about machines as an audience. If your resume still reads like a single-skill summary, spend time this week articulating the adjacent expertise you’ve built. The roles going to interesting companies at strong compensation levels increasingly go to people who can name their specialty and then explain what they see from that vantage point that others miss.

Also on the Web

Beyond Mediabistro, these roles are also making waves across the industry.

Visual Journalist and Storyteller at TEGNA Inc.

Sacramento-based and paying $60K to $75K, this role mirrors the IBJ posting’s emphasis on visual journalism skills. TEGNA’s continued investment in dedicated storytelling positions at local stations suggests the visual journalist role is becoming a standard newsroom hire rather than an experiment.

Apply to the Visual Journalist and Storyteller position at TEGNA

Director, Writer and Storyteller at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

A director-level writing role at one of Washington’s most influential organizations. The title itself, blending “director” with “storyteller,” reflects how institutional communications teams are elevating narrative craft to leadership-tier priority.

Apply to the Director, Writer and Storyteller position

Brand Storyteller and Content Lead at Western Building Supply

This Wheatland, Wyoming-based role at $50K to $65K is a reminder that content leadership positions are spreading well beyond coastal media hubs. When a building supply company creates a dedicated brand storyteller role, content strategy has officially gone mainstream.

Apply to the Brand Storyteller and Content Lead position

Topics:

Hot Jobs

Best draft picks in New York Knicks history

Best draft picks in Los Angeles Lakers history

Best draft picks in Golden State Warriors history

Best draft picks in Los Angeles Clippers history

Best draft picks in Brooklyn Nets history

Parilov // Shutterstock

The degree lost its halo: More US adults now see certifications as the safer, smarter career bet

U.S. Career Institute

U.S. Career Institute

U.S. Career Institute

Jelena Zelen // Shutterstock

The marketing job AI can’t touch, and why the pay is up

The Marketing Jobs AI Is Disrupting

Pave

Pave

Pave

Pave

Pave

Pave

The Marketing Job AI Can’t Replace

Pave

Pave

Zooming Out

Specialist Beats Are Back in Demand

Today’s Hot Jobs

Deputy Food and Wine Editor at Gulfshore Life Media

Communications Manager at Safe Routes Partnership (Remote)

Director of SEO and Agentic Search at LawnStarter

News Designer and Graphic Artist at Indianapolis Business Journal

Professional Takeaways

Also on the Web

Visual Journalist and Storyteller at TEGNA Inc.

Director, Writer and Storyteller at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Brand Storyteller and Content Lead at Western Building Supply

Microdramas Want to Be Taken Seriously

Even Tabloids Need Paywalls Now

Publishers Start Billing AI Companies

Kiki’s Delivery Service Gets the Live-Action Treatment

Ali Velshi Wants to Rebuild Late-Night Cable News

What This Means

Specialists Are Having Their Moment

Today’s Hot Jobs

Growth Lead, Newsletter Division at WestStar Multimedia Entertainment

News Designer and Graphic Artist at Indianapolis Business Journal

Director, Web and Digital Strategy at Central Park Conservancy

Director of SEO and Agentic Search at LawnStarter

The Takeaway for Job Seekers

Also on the Web

Visual Journalist and Storyteller at TEGNA Inc.

Director, Writer and Storyteller at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Brand Storyteller and Content Lead at Western Building Supply

Tathagata Organics