The NBA Draft remains the ultimate turning point for franchises, a night where a single lottery ball can alter a team's trajectory for a decade or more. As the basketball world descends upon the 2026 NBA Draft, scheduled for June 25-26, the legacy of past top selections looms large. From the arrival of generational talents like Victor Wembanyama to the 2025 selection of Cooper Flagg by the Dallas Mavericks, securing NBA No. 1 draft picks is often the fastest way to transition from the cellar to the spotlight.
The Leaders: Six No. 1 Selections
Two franchises currently share the crown for the most top selections in league history. While one is a modern lottery staple, the other built its tally during the early days of the league.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have held the No. 1 pick a record six times. Their lottery luck is most famously associated with 2003, when they selected hometown hero LeBron James. However, the franchise also saw an unprecedented run of luck between 2011 and 2014, picking first three times in four years. Their full list includes Austin Carr (1971), Brad Daugherty (1986), LeBron James (2003), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013), and Andrew Wiggins (2014).
Washington Wizards
Matching Cleveland with six picks, the Washington Wizards (including their time as the Bullets and Packers) have a long history at the top of the board. Their selections span the history of the league: Gene Melchiorre (1951), Frank Selvy (1954), Walt Bellamy (1961), Bill McGill (1962), Kwame Brown (2001), and John Wall (2010).
The Five-Pick Club: Rockets and Kings
Following closely behind the leaders are two franchises that have historically used the top pick to secure legendary big men.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have picked first five times, often landing Hall of Fame talent. Their No. 1 overall selections include Elvin Hayes (1968), John Lucas (1976), Ralph Sampson (1983), Hakeem Olajuwon (1984), and Yao Ming (2002).
Sacramento Kings
The Kings franchise also boasts five No. 1 picks, though four of those occurred between 1956 and 1960 during their tenure as the Rochester and Cincinnati Royals. Their most notable selection during that era was the legendary Oscar Robertson in 1960. Their most recent top pick was Pervis Ellison in 1989.
Franchises with Four NBA No. 1 Draft Picks
A large group of teams sits with four top selections, including several whose recent luck has reshaped the current NBA landscape.
- Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks reached four picks after securing the top spot in 2024 to select Zaccharie Risacher. Their previous No. 1 selections include Mark Workman (1952), Dick Ricketts (1955), and David Thompson (1975).
- Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have utilized four top picks throughout their history: Ernie Beck (1953), Fred Hetzel (1965), Joe Barry Carroll (1980), and Joe Smith (1995).
- Milwaukee Bucks: Milwaukee has a perfect record of picking icons at No. 1, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969), Kent Benson (1977), Glenn Robinson (1994), and Andrew Bogut (2005).
- New York Knicks: The Knicks have held the top spot four times, most famously in 1985 when they selected Patrick Ewing. Their other top picks were Art Heyman (1963), Jim Barnes (1964), and Cazzie Russell (1966).
- Orlando Magic: Orlando has been incredibly efficient with their four picks, landing Shaquille O'Neal (1992), Chris Webber (1993), Dwight Howard (2004), and Paolo Banchero (2022).
- Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers' four picks include Doug Collins (1973), Allen Iverson (1996), Ben Simmons (2016), and Markelle Fultz (2017).
- Portland Trail Blazers: Portland has picked first four times, selecting LaRue Martin (1972), Bill Walton (1974), Mychal Thompson (1978), and Greg Oden (2007).
Recent Risers and Efficiency
The Dallas Mavericks recently climbed the ranks, securing their second-ever No. 1 overall pick in 2025 to select the highly touted Cooper Flagg. This marked their first time picking first since 1981, when they drafted Mark Aguirre. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs remain the gold standard for efficiency; with just three No. 1 picks in history (David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Victor Wembanyama), they have arguably the greatest hit rate in sports history.
Complete Tally of No. 1 Picks by Team (as of June 2026)
Here is the definitive list of how many times each franchise has held the top selection in the NBA Draft:
- 6 Picks: Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards
- 5 Picks: Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings
- 4 Picks: Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers
- 3 Picks: Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs
- 2 Picks: Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans
- 1 Pick: Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors
As the 2026 NBA Draft kicks off, another name will join this historic list. Whether that player becomes a Hall of Famer or a cautionary tale, the No. 1 pick remains the most valuable asset in professional basketball.
Sources & Original Reporting
