20 Greatest No. 4 Overall Draft Picks In NBA History

In most cases, having a top-five selection in any NBA Draft is a shot at a potential game-changing star for a franchise. History has shown us to be true time and time again. Of course, teams have been fortunate enough to have one fall in their laps later on in the draft as well, but the history of Hall of Famers drafted in the top five is extensive. Over the years, the number four overall pick has been especially fruitful for those franchises that have had the fortune of landing in that spot. 

Just as we have done before with the number one, two, and three overall picks, we will be counting down the 20 greatest players ever selected with the fourth overall pick. This ranking will be based on skill, production, statistics, accolades, and overall impact on each player’s respective teams. These 20 players represent an elite level of play that is expected from a fourth overall draft pick, and even then, most of these 20 players below exceeded expectations.

These are the 20 greatest number four overall picks in NBA history.

Honorable Mention

Jaren Jackson Jr. (2018 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 16.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.1 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x Defensive Player Of The Year, 1x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection

The only reason that Jaren Jackson Jr. is not ranked further up this list is that his career is far too young to properly place him. Jackson Jr. just completed his fifth NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies and has established himself as one of the best defenders in the NBA at this point in time. Jackson Jr. had already begun to build his reputation as a defensive force in 2022 when he led the NBA in blocks with 2.3 BPG and earned his first All-Defensive Team selection.

Jackson Jr. has helped the Grizzlies transform into a top defensive team during the regular season, although that success has yet to come to fruition in the playoffs. In 2022-23, Jackson Jr. was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and once again took home his second consecutive blocks title with 3.0 BPG. He also added a career-high 18.6 PPG and a career-high 6.8 RPG. As Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to mature, look for him to continue to stack up his resume and work his way up this list by the time his career is over.

20. Xavier McDaniel (1985 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 15.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x All-Star

We kick the top 20 number four overall picks off with an underrated star for the Seattle SuperSonics during the late 1980s. Xavier McDaniel had a reputation during his days with the Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics for being an intense and rugged defender who had a nose for the ball on the offensive glass. McDaniel was never a pure three-level scorer but could get to the rim and the foul line with his aggressive nature. 

McDaniel began his career with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1985-86 and averaged 17.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 1.2 SPG as a rookie. Over the next 14 seasons with Seattle, McDaniel would have four straight 20.0 PPG seasons and earned an All-Star appearance in 1988. McDaniel led Seattle to the playoffs three times and a spot in the Western Conference Finals in 1987. After Seattle, McDaniel would spend time with the Suns, Nets, Celtics, and Knicks before retiring for good in 1998.

19. Alvan Adams (1975 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 14.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x Rookie Of The Year, 1x All-Star

Alvan Adams is one of the most important yet underrated players in Phoenix Suns’ history. When the Suns took him fourth overall in the 1975 NBA Draft, there had never been a more perfect match in franchise history. The team was desperate for production from the center position, and that is exactly what Adams brought upon his arrival. Adams would earn Rookie of the Year Honors averaging 19.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.5 BPG. For Adams and the Suns, the fun was just beginning.

Despite finishing 42-40, the Suns would shock the world led by Adams and Paul Westphal and advance to the NBA Finals. The Suns would lose in six games, but Adams would average 23.0 PPG on the big stage. Adams would spend the rest of his 13-year NBA career with Phoenix but never quite captured the magic of his 1976 rookie season. Adams is still considered one of the best big men in Suns’ history and one of three players in team history to be named Rookie of the Year.

18. Jamal Mashburn (1993 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 19.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection

Coming into the NBA, the hype around Jamal Mashburn was loud and warranted. Mashburn was a talented offensive player who could score at will and hit shots efficiently from all three levels. He began his career with the Dallas Mavericks, who believed they were setting up a championship team combining Mashurn, Jim Jackson, and Jason Kidd to form the Three J’s. Unfortunately for Dallas, as great as these three were individually, it never amounted to anything close to an NBA title.

From Dallas, Mashburn would spend time in both Miami and Charlotte. Mashburn would average 15.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.0 SPG in his four seasons with Miami, making the playoffs all four seasons he was in South Beach. Individually, Mashburn would have his best seasons with the Hornets in the early 2000s. In four seasons with the team, Mashburn would average over 20.0 PPG each season, as well as at least 6.0 RPG.

17. Kristaps Porzingis (2016 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 19.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.8 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x All-Star

Kristaps Porzingis has been the subject of a ton of criticism over the last few seasons due to his issues with staying healthy and lack of production when doing so. Porzingis was originally the fourth overall pick of the Knicks in 2015, tabbed as a future star and “unicorn” who could do everything on the floor. Early on, he showed that potential as a shooting threat from deep as well as a blocks machine on defense. After tearing an ACL in 2018-19, Porzingis was traded to Dallas, having averaged 17.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 2.0 BPG in three years with New York.

In Dallas, the duo of Porzingis and young star Luka Doncic was supposed to take control of the Western Conference and be in title contention. As we all know now, that experiment was a failure, with Porzingis out after two and a half seasons amid reports of friction between him and Doncic. In 2022-23, Poringis had a rejuvenated season with the Washington Wizards. He played 65 games for the first time since 2017-18 and averaged 23.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 1.5 BPG.

16. Mike Conley (2007 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 14.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection

I have no issues with someone who claims Mike Conley is one of the most underrated players in the NBA over the last 15 years. Conley was selected fourth overall in 2007 by the Memphis Grizzlies, where he would spend the first 12 seasons of his career. Conley would become one of the main parts of the now-famous Grit and Grind Grizzlies, who made the Western Conference Finals in 2013.

As a ball-handler, defender, and leader on the court, Conley has been a welcomed addition to all three teams he has been a part of. Although he has never been the piece to put a team over the top for an NBA championship, his veteran presence and knowledge of the game have been essential to the development of some great future stars in the league. Conley completed his 16th season in the NBA in 2022-23 with the Jazz and Timberwolves. Will he get a deal heading into year 18, or will one of the game’s most underappreciated players walk away before getting his flowers?

15. Micheal Ray Richardson (1978 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 14.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Career Achievements: 4x All-Star, 2x All-Defensive Team Selection

The story of Micheal Ray Richardson is one of both triumph and tragedy. Richardson was drafted fourth overall by the New York Knicks in 1978 and was supposed to take the reins as the next great guard in franchise history. In his second season with the team, he would win his first assists and steals title while also earning an All-Star selection averaging over 15.0 PPG, 10.0 APG, and 3.0 SPG. Of course, for all that knew him and his situation, Richardson was struggling behind the scenes.

There would still be a ton of success to be had for him as he spent five seasons in New York with three All-Star selections before moving on to Golden State. Over the next four seasons, Richardson would play mostly for the New Jersey Nets, where he became an All-Star again in 1984-85, playing all 82 games and winning another steals title. For Richardson, the revival his career needed was short-lived. In 1985-86, Richardson would receive yet another suspension for his substance abuse. This would ultimately lead to a lifetime ban with a possibility for reinstatement later on, which Richardson would deny.

14. Antawn Jamison (1998 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 18.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 1x Sixth Man Of The Year

Antawn Jamison is yet again one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Jamison spent 16 seasons in the NBA with six different teams. Jamison was always an avid scorer, especially from the mid-range, and was capable of holding down a starting spot at either forward position. Often, he found himself in a sixth-man role due to his focus on the offensive side of the ball.

Early on in his career with the Golden State Warriors, Jamison registered three seasons in which he played all 82 games and averaged 20.0 PPG or better. He would then play one season with Dallas in 2003-04 and became the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award winner. After leaving Dallas, Jamison joined the Washington Wizards, where he would earn both of his career All-Star selections and multiple seasons of at least 20.0 PPG and 8.0 RPG. Jamison would retire in 2014 without the honor of being called an NBA champion.

13. Byron Scott (1983 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 14.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Career Achievements: N/A

You may look at Byron Scott’s lack of career achievements and wonder what he is doing this high up on the list of greatest number four overall picks. What is relatively unknown about AScott is just how good and how important he was for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. Scott shared the backcourt with Magic Johnson during their famous Showtime era during the 80s, which led to five NBA championships. Now, Scott was a member of just three of those title teams. And was the starting shooting guard all three times.

Something else you may not know about Scott is the fact that he is a top-10 scorer in Lakers history. That’s right, the Byron Scott you were questioning even being on this list ranks 10th all-time in points scored for one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. Scott would play 11 seasons with the Lakers from 1984 thru 1993 and one more season in 1997. He averaged 15.1 PPG and 1.2 SPG in his Lakers career, winning championships in 1985, 1987, and 1988.

12. Stephon Marbury (1996 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 19.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 7.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection

One of the most electric point guards of the last 20 seasons was Stephon Marbury. On the court, he was a skilled passer, ball-handler, scorer, and defender. Off the court, his issues with various teams and league officials led to many early exits and failed attempts at building championship contenders. Marbury was not the best teammate or one to be buddy-buddy with the media, but on the court, he was special.

Stephon Marbury began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he spent two and a half seasons before an ugly contract dispute broke up a potential championship run, and Marbury asked out. After being traded to the Nets, Marbury blossomed into an All-Star, scoring over 20.0 PPG and dishing out anywhere from 7.5 to 8.5 APG. He would earn another All-Star appearance with the Suns in 2002-03 before moving on to the Knicks and Celtics for the remainder of his career. After his NBA career was over, Marbury would become one of the greatest players in Chinese Basketball history, winning numerous championships and accolades in the CBL.

11. Lamar Odom (1999 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 13.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x Sixth Man Of The Year

The fact that Lamar Odom was never considered to be an All-Star in his NBA career is one of the worst tragedies in NBA history. Odom was a 6’10’’ versatile forward who could fill multiple positions on the court with his ability to do a bit of everything he needed to in order for his team to win. He began his career with the Clippers and Heat, where he became one of the most coveted starting forwards in basketball. In 2004, the Lakers traded Shaq to Miami, and one of the pieces they got in return was Odom, and they were lucky to land him.

Odom would spend the next six seasons with the Lakers, splitting time as the starter and off the bench. From 2008 thru 2010, Odom and the Lakers advanced to three straight NBA Finals, with back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. Over those two seasons, Odom averaged 12.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.1 BPG. In 2011, his final season with the Lakers, he would capture the Sixth Man of the Year award, averaging 14.4 PPG and 8.7 RPG.

10. Glen Rice (1989 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 18.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 2x All-NBA Team Selection

If there is one player that I could bring into today’s game, and his name isn’t Michael Jordan, it would be Glen Rice. His game was far ahead of his time as a three-point shooter, overall scorer, and shot-creator. Rice was drafted fourth overall by the Miami Heat in 1989 and would spend six seasons with them thru 1995. In his six seasons with Miami, Rice averaged 19.3 PPG on 45.9% shooting from the field.

Rice would be traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1995 in a deal that landed Miami Alonzo Mourning. Rice would explode as a member of the Hornets, earning three-straight All-Star selections and two All-NBA Team selections. He averaged 23.5 PPG for the Hornets over three seasons shooting no less than 42.0% from three in any year. In 2000, Rice would be a major contributor to an NBA championship, with the Los Angeles Lakers averaging 15.9 PPG as their starting small forward.

9. Jerry Sloan (1965 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 14.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 6x All-Defensive Team Selection

Jerry Sloan is much more well-known for his illustrious career as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Sloan was also one heck of a player during the 60s and 70s with the Chicago Bulls. Sloan was a defensive mastermind on the court, earning six All-Defensive Team selections in 11 seasons in the NBA. As a coach, Sloan led his Utah Jazz teams to two NBA Finals during the 1990s, but as a player, he never had the fortune.

Sloan was a physical and intense defender at 6’5’’ but also a pretty talented offensive player as well. He played bigger than his size, averaging over 7.0 RPG seven times in his career. Sloan and the Bulls would make eight appearances in the NBA playoffs during his tenure with the team but advanced past the second round just once.

8. Lou Hudson (1966 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 20.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Career Achievements: 6x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection

For 11 of his 13 seasons in the NBA, Lou Hudson was the starting small forward and go-to offensive option for the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks. Hudson was a lethal scoring threat from everywhere on the floor, but none was smoother or more exciting to watch than his 15-foot mid-range jumper. Hudson perfected that jumper and would become one of the premier players in Hawks history with it in his arsenal.

Hudson’s most impressive seasons came from 1969 thru 1974. Over those six seasons, Hudson would make six straight All-Star teams and average 25.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 2.5 SPG. The Hawks would go to the playoffs seven times but lacked the depth and size to compete with the likes of Boston, New York, and Los Angeles for NBA championships. Many people don’t remember, but Hudson would finish his career as a member of the Lakers in 1978 and 1979 before calling it quits.

7. Rasheed Wallace (1995 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 14.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG

Career Achievements: 4x All-Star

For a long time, Rasheed Wallace was seen as the NBA’s bad boy, and rightfully so. His propensity to earn technical fouls paved the way for the rules and consequences players face today when they reach a specific limit. Even with that “issue,” Wallace was one of the more valuable forwards in the game during the 2000s, which he showed on more than one occasion. With stifling defense and perfectly-timed offense, Wallace became an NBA champion and one of the best fourth-overall picks in NBA history.

Wallace began his career as a member of the Washington Bullets for his rookie season and the following seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Wallace would earn two All-Star selections with Portland as one of the best two-way bigs in the game. In 2003-04, Wallace would be a part of one of the worst trades of the last 20 seasons when he was dealt to the Detroit Pistons from the Atlanta Hawks. For Wallace and Detroit, it was a perfect fit as he meshed perfectly with their ideology, and he eventually led to an NBA championship that same season. Although he was never an MVP or All-NBA player, there is no denying the impact on winning he had during his career.

6. Dolph Schayes (1949 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG

Career Achievements: 12x All-Star, 12x All-NBA Team Selection

For the number six spot on this list, we travel back in time to the 1950s and 1960s to talk about Dolph Schayes. Schayes would play 15 seasons in the NBA from 1950 through 1964 as a member of the Syracuse Nationals for 14 of them. Schayes was a durable and valuable big man both for his scoring and the rate at which he rebounded the ball. He was an efficient free throw shooter, leading the NBA in free throw percentage three times on an average of 7.9 attempts. 

Schayes was one of the Nationals’ greatest players in franchise history. From 1951 thru 1962, Schayes went to 12 consecutive All-Star games and averaged 19.7 PPG and 12.8 RPG during that long stretch. In 1955, Schayes would lead the Nationals to the only NBA championship of his career, averaging 19.0 PPG and 12.8 RPG over the entirety of the playoffs. Schayes would also win one rebounding title in his career and be named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2022.

5. Dikembe Mutombo (1991 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 9.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.8 BPG

Career Achievements: 4x Defensive Player Of The Year, 8x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 6x All-Defensive Team Selection

Dikembe Mutombo is one of the most iconic players in NBA history. What makes it so special for that to be said about Mutombo is the fact that he did it and is still celebrated today by becoming an all-time great shot-blocker and overall interior defensive presence. Over the course of 18 years, Mutombo manned the paint and became one of the most feared interior defenders in NBA history. 

By his third season in the NBA with the Nuggets, Mutombo had already established himself as one of the league’s best interior defenders. He would win a total of three blocks titles and two rebounding titles in his early career. Mutombo is also one of two players to ever win 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards in his career, tied with Ben Wallace for the most all-time. With 3,289 career blocks, Mutombo ranks second in NBA history behind Hakeem Olajuwon on the NBA’s all-time list.

4. Chris Bosh (2003 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 19.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Career Achievements: 11x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection

Chris Bosh is not only one of the great human beings to ever play the game of basketball, but he is also one of the pioneers of the stretch forward position during the 2000s. Bosh would spend the first half of his 13-year career with the Toronto Raptors from 2004 thru 2010. By his third season, Bosh became an All-Star averaging 22.5 PPG and 9.2 RPG leading his team to the NBA playoffs. In seven seasons, Bosh averaged 20.2 PPG and 9.4 RPG with Toronto and helped them make two playoff appearances.

The best was yet to come for Bosh, who would wind up sacrificing his individual numbers in exchange for NBA championships in Miami alongside Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. As the third option now, Bosh helped the Heat make four straight NBA Finals appearances from 2011 thru 2014, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. In his six seasons with the Heat, Bosh made the All-Star Game every year he was able to play and averaged 18.0 PPG and 7.3 RPG in those six seasons as well.

3. Dave Cowens (1970 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x MVP, 1x Rookie Of The Year, 8x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection

Dave Cowens is one of the greatest players in Boston Celtics history. He sits high atop their franchise hierarchy as one of the few who have delivered multiple championships and won MVP with the franchise. He joins Bill Russell, Larry Bird, and Bob Cousy with that honor. Cowens was a superb two-way player who had a tank of energy that never seemed to run dry. He was a talented scorer and fierce rebounder, as well as a nightmare for opponents as a defender.

Cowens would play 10 seasons with the Celtics from 1971 thru 1980, averaging a double-double for the first eight seasons straight in 1973, Cowens was named both All-Star MVP and MVP averaging 20.5 PPG and 16.2 RPG for the 68-14 Celtics. Cowens would help lead the Celtics to two NBA titles, with the first coming in 1974 with Cowens averaging 20.5 PPG and 13.3 RPG. In 1976, he led them to another title averaging over 20.0 PPG and over 16.0 RPG for the playoffs as well.

2. Russell Westbrook (2008 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 22.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x MVP, 9x All-Star, 2x All-Star Game MVP, 9x All-NBA Team Selection

The NBA has never seen a point guard like Russell Westbrook in its 76 years of existence. His speed, strength, athleticism, and overall feel for the game are unlike that of any other point guard we have had the pleasure of watching, despite what the many haters would like to say about his impact on winning. Westbrook didn’t come out of UCLA tabbed to become one of the greatest point guards ever.

Westbrook really began to show his full range of play in 2012 when he and his teammate Kevin Durant led the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance. From there, Westbrook and Durant became one of the best duos in basketball and were on the brink of bringing a championship to Oklahoma City. In 2017, after Durant left for the Warriors, Westbrook made NBA history to become the MVP of the league. He averaged a triple-double for the entire season, becoming just the second player in NBA history to do so. He would repeat this achievement two more times in his career as well as earn two scoring titles and three assists titles.

1. Chris Paul (2005 NBA Draft)

Career Stats: 17.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.5 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Career Achievements: 1x Rookie Of The Year, 12x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 9x All-Defensive Team Selection

There are many words that could be used to describe Chris Paul over the years. Intelligent, leader, playmaker, and facilitator are all words that describe the very best things about him and his game. The way he is able to control and conduct an offense while adjusting to the game as it unfolds is something rarely put on display consistently in the NBA, but he does it. Paul has been one of the best two-way players in basketball history in his 17-year career and even remains one of the best at 38 years old in 2022-23.

In 2005-06, Paul won the Rookie of the Year award with the Hornets fairly easily. By 2008, he would become an MVP candidate with the Hornets, leading the NBA in both steals and assist, which is something he would do quite often in his career. Paul’s prime can be defined as his time with the Hornets and Clippers from 2008 thru 2017. During this time, Paul would average 19.1 PPG, 10.2 APG, and 2.3 SPG while winning four assists titles and six steals titles. Like Westbrook, Paul is considered to be one of the greatest players to never win an NBA championship. Could he help the Suns win one in 2022-23 to break that career-long drought?

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