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Getting the first overall pick in the NBA draft is supposed to be a game-changing occurrence for an NBA franchise, with the team in position to land a generational talent. So long as they don’t mess that pick up, they could be set for years, competing for championships.
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Unfortunately, fortune doesn’t favor teams equally.
As awesome as it might feel to get the No. 1 overall pick, some teams have been destined to return to the top of the draft board time and time again. While that often inspires hope in their respective fanbases, it also leads to utter devastation when it doesn’t work out … again.
So, whether it be by luck of the lottery or continual basement-dwelling, the No. pick has known many teams, but some far more than others.
Here are the teams that have made the most No. 1 selections in NBA draft history:
1 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2025: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
1 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2025: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2024: Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
3 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2023: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
(Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports)
4 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2022: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
5 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2021: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
6 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2020: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Stephen Lew, USA TODAY Sports)
7 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2019: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
8 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2018: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
9 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2017: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
10 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2016: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
11 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
12 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2014: Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (traded two months later to Minnesota Timberwolves)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
13 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2011: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
(Mike Stobe, Getty Images)
14 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2010: John Wall, Washington Wizards
(Andrew Weber, US PRESSWIRE)
15 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2007: Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)
16 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2002: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
(LUCY NICHOLSON, AFP via Getty Images)
17 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
2000: Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
(Brett Hansbauer, US PRESSWIRE)
18 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1998: Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
19 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1997: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
20 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1996: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
(TOM MIHALEK, AFP via Getty Images)
21 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1995: Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
(Elsa, Getty Images)
22 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1994: Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
23 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1993: Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)
24 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1992: Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic
(DOUG COLLIER, AFP via Getty Images)
25 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1991: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
26 / 26
NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to Cooper Flagg
1990: Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
Teams with the most No. 1 picks in NBA draft history
Since the inception of the draft in 1947, the team to make the most No. 1 picks in NBA draft history is currently a tie between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards. Although with the Wizards earning the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, that will not be the case for long.
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The Wizards have not had the No. 1 overall pick since 2010 when they drafted John Wall. Here is a full list of the Wizards’ history with No. 1 draft picks:
*If the team was previously known by a different name, that name is listed in parentheses next to the selection
1951: Gene Melchiorre (Baltimore Bullets)
1954: Frank Selvy (Baltimore Bullets)
1961: Walt Bellamy (Chicago Packers)
1962: Bill McGill (Chicago Zephyrs)
Here are the Cleveland Cavaliers’ selections at No. 1 overall:
How many teams have made five No. 1 picks?
Only two franchises, the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings have made exactly five No. 1 overall picks.
Houston Rockets
1968: Elvin Hayes (San Diego Rockets)
Sacramento Kings
1956: Si Green (Rochester Royals)
1957: Hot Rod Hundley (Cincinnati Royals)
1959: Bob Boozer (Cincinnati Royals)
1960: Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati Royals)
Are there any teams to never make a No. 1 pick?
Six franchises have never had the No. 1 pick in the draft:
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Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teams with most top overall picks in NBA draft: Where do Wizards rank?
