Where Are The No. 1 Overall NBA Draft Picks Right Now? (From 2010-2020)

Every year, in the NBA Draft, teams that are fortunate enough to have a top pick make a decision that will shape their organization’s future. No pick is more coveted or draws more attention than the No. 1 overall pick. The attention and pressure that comes with being the No. 1 overall pick make these players ones that we keep track of for the rest of their careers and beyond. Below, we will take a look back at 11 overall draft picks from 2010 to 2020 to see where their basketball journeys have taken these once coveted prospects.

As we take a look at these 11 overall picks, you will notice there are superstars, All-Stars, NBA champions, and even players who completely fell under the bust umbrella. We will take a look at each of their NBA journeys so far and where they are today, and in some cases, take a look at where things went wrong and why these players may no longer be in the NBA at all.

This is where the No. 1 overall NBA draft picks from 2010-2020 are now.

John Wall (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2010 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Free Agent

In 2010, the Washington Wizards held the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Seeking an electrifying player to be the face of their franchise for years to come, they decided on point guard John Wall out of the University of Kentucky. Wall would shock fans and executives everywhere with his lightning-fast speed and immediate adjustments to the NBA.

By his fourth season, Wall had earned his first All-Star selection with the Wizards. Over the next five seasons from 2014 through 2018, Wall would earn all five of his career All-Star appearances averaging 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He also added three All-NBA Team selections and an All-Defensive Team selection during that stretch. Then, Injuries began to derail his career.

In 2019 with the Wizards, Wall would play just 32 games and miss the entire 2020 season with the same ailment. In 2021, now with the Rockets, Wall would play just 40 games averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists per game. In 2022, Wall would sit out the entire season while the Rockets tried to find a trade partner for the disgruntled star.

Wall signed with the Clippers for the 2022-23 season but was released following a disappointing showing. He has remained a free agent since the release with little to zero interest shown from teams in his services.

Kyrie Irving (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2011 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Dallas Mavericks

Coming off a foot injury that benched him for most of his freshman season at Duke, Kyrie Irving was made the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Immediately, Irving was one of the most exciting players in the NBA and went on to win Rookie of the Year with 18.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

Over the next six seasons with the Cavaliers, Irving would earn four All-Star selections and one All-NBA Team selection. In 2016, alongside LeBron James, Irving would help the Cavaliers win their first NBA championship in franchise history, knocking down one of the most iconic shots in Finals history, and helping seal the biggest upset in NBA playoff history.

Irving would leave the Cavaliers after the 2017 season and has made three stops in his career since then. His third stop is the Dallas Mavericks, where he was traded during the 2022-23 season and signed a free agent deal with them worth $126 million over three years. In 2022-23 with the Nets and Mavericks, Irving averaged 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, earning his eighth career All-Star selection.

Anthony Davis (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2012 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Los Angeles Lakers

For the second time in three years, a player from the University of Kentucky was taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2012. Standing 6’10’’, Anthony Davis was an unstoppable two-way machine, and that has been the case for the last 12 seasons as well. After a slow start to his NBA career, Davis would go on to lead the NBA in blocks three times over the next seven years in New Orleans.

Also, in those seven seasons, Davis would earn six All-Star selections, three All-NBA Team selections, and three All-Defensive Team selections. Davis would help lead the Pelicans to the playoffs twice, including a second-round appearance in 2018. During the 2018-19 season, Davis made it clear that he wanted out of New Orleans and forced his way via trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Now teammates with LeBron James, Davis was primed to compete for a championship for the first time in his career. In 2020, the duo’s first season together, they would go on to win the NBA Finals with Davis nearly beating out James for Finals MVP honors. In 2022-23, Davis led the Lakers back to the Conference Finals after two seasons of injury hindering his time on the court. He heads into 2023-24 in a position to make the Lakers his team moving forward as one of the most elite two-way players in the NBA to this day.

Anthony Bennett (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2013 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Sono Skygunners

When I spoke about busts in the NBA Draft before, I specifically had Anthony Bennett in mind. Bennett was the first overall pick of the Cavaliers back in 2013 out of UNLV and the Cavaliers’ second No. 1 pick in the NBA draft since 2010. Unfortunately for them, this pick wouldn’t pan out like the previous one.

Almost immediately, it became clear that Anthony Bennett was not made for the NBA. Whether it was poor conditioning or poor preparation, Bennett would appear in just 52 games off the bench in his rookie season for Cleveland before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bennet played just four seasons in the NBA with four different teams before retiring for good.

The last we heard of Anthony Bennett, he was signing in South Korea with the Sono Skygunners of the Korean Basketball League. In 17 games in 2022-23 for the Taiwanese club Hsinchu Lioneers, Bennett averaged 22.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 3.3 blocks per game. Apparently, it should be talked about more if Anthony Bennett looks like prime Hakeem Olajuwon in Taiwan.

Andrew Wiggins (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2014 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Golden State Warriors

One year after the Anthony Bennett debacle, the Cavaliers were given another chance with the No. 1 overall pick. This time, they used it on another Canadian basketball star, Andrew Wiggins, who would never suit up in a single game for them. Before the seasons began, Wiggins would be dealt to the Timberwolves in the deal that sent Kevin Love to Cleveland.

Wiggins would spend five and a half seasons in Minnesota and although he never earned an All-Star selection, he still averaged 19.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. In 2019-20, Wiggins would be dealt to the Warriors, where he has remained since that time. In 2022, Wiggins would earn his first All-Star selection, being voted in as a starter by the fans. Later that season, Wiggins would be a key player in the Warriors’ NBA championship run, netting the first title and big contract of his career.

After a tough year for Wiggins in 2022-23 due to injuries and personal reasons, Wiggins is set to help Golden State get back to their winning ways in 2023-24. If he can return to his form from two seasons ago, the Warriors could make it their fifth title in 10 seasons.

Karl-Anthony Towns (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2015 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Minnesota Timberwolves

Another product from the University of Kentucky would become the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 when the Minnesota Timberwolves took Karl-Anthony Towns. He would hit the ground running with Minnesota, earning Rookie of the Year honors for 2016 with 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.

Over the last eight seasons, Towns has remained with the Timberwolves despite being at the center of trade talks on multiple occasions. During that time, he has become one of the greatest shooting big men in NBA history, shooting 39.5% from three for his career on 4.2 attempts. He has also earned three All-Star selections and two All-NBA Team selections in these eight seasons.

In 2023-24, Towns is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him miss 53 games. There are big expectations for Minnesota with a healthy Towns so staying on the court is his top priority. Alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, Towns is capable of achieving special things for the Timberwolves within the next three seasons.

Ben Simmons (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2016 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Brooklyn Nets

Coming out of LSU in 2016, Ben Simmons was a highly-touted prospect tabbed as the next Magic Johnson or LeBron James. The 76ers made him their No. 1 overall pick that season with the hopes these predictions would come true. Things did not start as planned, as Simmons would miss his would-be rookie season with a foot injury. When he returned, his all-around and defensive game made him Rookie of the Year in 2018 and a three-time All-Star over the next three seasons.

During this time, Simmons came under heavy criticism for his play in big playoff games as well. His play would completely unravel in the NBA playoffs which came to a head during the 2021 run. After being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs again, Simmons distanced himself from the team among waves of volatile criticism sent his way.

Simmons would decide to sit out the entire 2021-22 season due to his back being injured and of course, his back-and-forth battle with Philadelphia’s front office. Simmons would be traded to Brooklyn midway through the season in exchange for James Harden. In 2022-23, Simmons was barely healthy yet again, appearing in just 42 games and averaging just 6.9 points per game. In 2023-24, he has the chance to make a huge comeback if he can remain healthy and grab hold of the leadership role in Brooklyn.

Markelle Fultz (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2017 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Orlando Magic

In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Sixers held the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row after acquiring it from the Boston Celtics. Boston ended up with their franchise player in Jayson Tatum. The 76ers ended up with a guard out of Washington by the name of Markelle Fultz. Fultz struggled out of the gate, drawing the ire of 76ers fans who had been told to “Trust The Process”.

Over the next two seasons, Fultz averaged 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for Philadelphia. In 2019, Fultz would be traded to the Orlando Magic for Jonathon Simmons and a draft pick. Fultz has remained in Orlando for four seasons where he has seen substantial growth in his game despite playing only 26 games from 2020 through 2022. In 2022-23, Fultz played 60 games and averaged 14.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 51.4% shooting for the Magic.

Deandre Ayton (No. 1 Overall Pick In The 2018 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Portland Trail Blazers

In 2018, the Phoenix Suns would be awarded their first No. 1 overall pick in franchise history. With the pick bestowed upon them for the first time, the Suns, desperate for big men who could be two-way stars, decided on Deandre Ayton from the University of Arizona. Over the first five seasons of his career, Ayton was a solid starter in the NBA but never an All-Star or All-NBA Team selection you would expect by this point for a No. 1 overall pick.

Despite the lack of accolades, Ayton was great for Phoenix from 2019 through 2023. He averaged a double-double every season of his career and 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game overall. In 2021, he started for the Suns as they advanced to the NBA Finals averaging 17.9 points and 8.9 rebounds on that run. After that run, things began to fall apart for Ayton and the Suns as he clashed with coaches and front-office members alike.

Earlier this offseason, Ayton was traded from Phoenix to the Portland Trail Blazers to help facilitate the Damian Lillard trade to the Bucks. Ayton seems excited about this new opportunity for himself in a city that is trying to have a quick turnaround after watching their franchise star force his way out. Only time will tell if the move is beneficial for Ayton’s career.

Zion Williamson (No. 1 Pick In The 2019 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: New Orleans Pelicans

For the first time since 2012 when they selected Anthony Davis, the New Orleans Pelicans were awarded the No. 1 overall pick for the 2019 NBA Draft. The lottery and the tanking leading up to it was aptly named “Zion Watch” thanks to the media machine and generational prospect Zion Williamson being the inevitable first pick.

Williamson has been highly-covered in the news and on social media since high school and by the time he was done at Duke University as a freshman, it was at an all-time high. Since arriving in the NBA however, health issues have turned Williamson’s career into a nightmare thus far. In his rookie season, he would play just 24 games out of precaution. The following season, Zion would play 61 games, become an All-Star, and average 27.0 points per game on over 60.0% shooting.

Following that All-Star performance, Zion would miss the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury. He returned in 2022-23 to play just 29 games before being shut down again due to injury. Heading into 2023-24, Williamson appears to be healthy and ready to go for the start of the season. If history has taught us anything, don’t hold your breath.

Anthony Edwards (No. 1 Pick In The 2020 NBA Draft)

Where He Is Now: Minnesota Timberwolves

The final No. 1 overall pick we wish to provide an update on today is one of the NBA’s fastest-rising stars right now. Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball were the clear-cut top choices in the 2020 NBA Draft with the Timberwolves once again holding the pick. Ultimately, they decided on Edwards who instead of being a star alongside former No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns, is on the verge of becoming the solo face of the franchise.

After losing out on Rookie of the Year honors in 2020-21, Edwards has been on a tear in the following two seasons. In 2022-23, Edwards averaged a career-high 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 45.9% shooting. It earned him All-Star honors for the first time. He led the Timberwolves into the NBA playoffs where he averaged 31.6 points per game in their first-round series against the Nuggets.

In 2023-24, Edwards has the chance and is expected to take his official superstar leap and take the reins of the Timberwolves franchise. If that occurs, they are a team that can make some noise in the Western Conference. 

Credit For The Idea: ClutchPoints