NBA Draft 2011: Power Ranking the Best GM Track Records
With the 2011 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, the league's general managers are frantically making their lists of preferred prospects and checking them twice.
The GM is one of the most important positions of team personnel because they are directly in charge of the talent that makes its way in and out of their teams. ย Since the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in this year's NBA Finals, Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson has been lauded for putting the team together the way he did, showing the importance of a GM to his team.
Since this past season's conclusion, some teams have had GM changes to deal with in addition to the upcoming draft. ย Furthermore, this year's NBA draft class has been deemed very shallow in terms of big-time talent, making the jobs of the GMs that much harder.
Not all GMs have great track records when it comes to the draft. Some GMs have had greater success via trade and free-agency acquisitions, which puts their respective teams at a disadvantage in terms of this year's draft.ย
Those GMs with solid draft selection track records, though, can take some solace in knowing that they have the right man at the helm to do the job.
So with this in mind, let's take a look at the power rankings of all 30 NBA GMs.
Order selection is based purely upon their draft-selection records. ย Trades and free-agent signings are not taken into consideration.
No. 30: Chad Buchanan: Portland Trail Blazers
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Chad Buchanan was named interim GM for the Portland Trail Blazers this past May, and unfortunately he has to start his tenure at the bottom of this list.
Nothing against Buchanan, but he has no GM experience and therefore no track record when it comes to the draft. ย Obviously, Portland may see something in him by appointing him the interim GM, but he will not be able to establish any kind of power ranking until this draft is over.
No. 29: Lon Babby: Phoenix Suns
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Just like Chad Buchanan, Babby has not had any draft-selection experience, which forces us to place him near the bottom of this list.
He took on the role as Suns GM after last year's draft, so he never got a chance to establish his draft-selecting abilities.
However, Babby does have one year of experience at the GM position now and the Suns do like what he has done up until this point. His experience, as short-tenured as it may be, allows him to just edge out Portland's Buchanan.
No. 28: Chris Grant: Cleveland Cavaliers
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Just like Chad Buchanan and Lon Babby, Chris Grant has no draft-selection experience for the Cavaliers.
When he took on the job last summer, he was faced with unfortunate circumstances, having to be the one to ship LeBron James off to Miami.
We cannot really speculate on how Grant will fair in this year's draft, but he does have one year of experience under his belt and impressed people in Cleveland with some of the moves he made this past season.
His one year of experience allows him to just edge out Buchanan and Babby, but his lack of draft-selection experience puts him near the bottom of this list.
No. 27: Dell Demps: New Orleans Hornets
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Just like all of the previously listed GMs, Dell Demps of the New Orleans Hornets does not have any draft-selection experience.
Why is he listed higher than his aforementioned counterparts?
He helped the Hornets to a playoff berth and an impressive series against the Los Angeles Lakers. ย Also, while trades are not put under major consideration for this list, he did get maximum value for Darren Collison by acquiring Trevor Ariza in the process.
New Orleans was impressed with the job he did in his first year and while he has not proved himself in terms of the draft, the Hornets are inclined to believe that he is still the right man for the job.
No. 26: Masai Ujiri: Denver Nuggets
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Masai Ujiri of the Denver Nuggets is in the exact same boat as Dell Demps; Ujiri has yet to gain any draft-day experience, but has impressed in his first year on the job.
Ujiri was tasked with finding a home for disgruntled star Carmelo Anthony this past season, which is not an easy situation to come into. ย However, he handled it well, ensuring that the Nuggets got an abundance of talent in return for their star while remaining a playoff team.
If Ujiri exhibits the same judgement of talent he did while shopping Anthony, the Nuggets will be OK come draft day. ย
Despite Ujiri's high expectations, his lack of draft experience puts him near the bottom of this list, but if his first season on the job was any inclination, the Nuggets and their fans have nothing to worry about.
No. 25: David Kahn: Minnesota Timberwolves
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David Kahn has not really had much draft success during his tenure in Minnesota.
In the 2010 NBA Draft, he selected guard Wesley Johnson out of Syracuse with the fourth-overall pick. Despite playing in 79 out of 82 games and starting 63 of them, Johnson did not turn heads.
Kahn did not have much success in the 2009 draft either. ย He drafted Ricky Rubio fifth overall out of Spain, and Rubio only recently agreed to report to the Timberwolves.
Additionally, Kahn could have boosted his power rankings when he drafted guard Ty Lawson with the 18th overall pick out of North Carolina, but he wound up shipping him off to Denver in exchange for a future first-round pick.
Kahn has only been through two NBA drafts, but he has not impressed with his decisions, putting him quite low on this list.
No. 24: Chris Wallace: Memphis Grizzlies
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Chris Wallace of the Memphis Grizzlies is a very tough GM to talk about.
He is someone who, at first glance, seems like he can fall anywhere on this list, from top to bottom.
Why exactly?
For starters, he made a terrible mistake by drafting Haseem Thabeet out of Connecticut with the second-overall pick in 2009. ย However, he also drafted Kevin Love with the fifth-overall pick in the 2008 draft and Love has proved to be quite the pick, for the Timberwolves anyway.
At first glance, selecting Love was a stroke of genius in terms of judgement of talent, but you then learn that this pick was only motivated by a trade with the Timberwolves, making it an easy decision to place him just above the GMs with no experience.
His draft-day decisions have been absolutely horrid, and heading into this year's draft, the Grizzlies should not expect much. ย He has done a solid job building Memphis through free agency and trades, but that will not help him come draft day.
No. 23: Daryl Morey: Houston Rockets
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Daryl Morey of the Houston Rockets does not have an impressive resume in terms of draft-day selections.
His most notable draft-day transaction was trading the draft rights of forward Nicolas Batum to the Portland Trail Blazers for the draft rights of forward Joey Dorsey in 2008.
Batum had a stellar season this year for the Blazers, averaging over 12 points and over four rebounds per game,while Dorsey is now on the Toronto Raptors and struggling.
Dorsey's draft-day track record is less than impressive, and he gave away any chance of nearing the top of this list with the Batum fiasco. ย
The Rockets have to be concerned heading into this year's draft. ย There has not been considered to be an abundance of NBA-caliber talent in this draft and Morey has proved he is no draft-selecting genius.
No. 22: Rod Higgins Charlotte Bobcats
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Rod Higgins has not shown much potential in terms of the NBA draft during his years with the Charlotte Bobcats.
His most notable selection came during his first year on the job in the 2007 NBA Draft, when he selected Brandan Wright eighth overall, which was only motivated to make a trade with the Golden State Warriors for Jason Richardson.
However, some of the rest of his basketball decisions, like letting Raymond Felton walk last summer, have been questioned and he still has not yet exhibited any special draft-day prowess.
Higgins' experience in terms of the NBA Draft is still young and he may have opportunities to improve, but up until now he has not turned any heads. ย
He only edges out David Kahn and Daryl Morey because he has been able to avoid making decisions that prove to be completely detrimental to his team.
No. 21: Neil Olshey: Los Angeles Clippers
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Los Angeles Clippers GM Neil Olshey has only been at the helm for one draft so far, accounting for him ranking on the bottom half of the last.
This past year, Olshey selectedย Al-Farouq Aminu out of Wake Forest with the eighth overall pick. ย Aminu only averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, failing to turn many heads. ย However, it is widely believed that he does have enormous potential, which makes him an OK grab for Olsey.
Olshey will have a chance to bolster his ranking in the upcoming draft and beyond, but for now he remains toward the bottom because of his lack of experience in the matter.
No. 20: Pat Riley: Miami Heat
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The NBA's 2011 Executive of the Year comes in very low on this list, which may surprise some people.
Many factors can be attributed to Riley's placement on this list.
Yes, Riley impressed the basketball world by setting Miami up to form a "big three" this past summer, but he does not have the draft-day credentials to be placed near the top of this list. ย Riley has only been through two NBA drafts with the Heat as their acting GM.
Riley's low placement on this list is by no way an attempt to tarnish his career. ย In fact, in his two drafts, he has not really had the opportunity to draft any game-changers or draft flops for that matter. ย His low power ranking comes strictly down to lack of experience.
However, his lack of experience actually did help him from being placed at the very bottom of the list. Unlike Daryl Morey of the Rockets and David Kahn of the Timberwolves, he has not had an opportunity to make some major mistakes like they have, which allows him to just edge them out.
Do not expect Riley's draft-selecting stock to climb anytime soon, either. ย The Heat will look more toward free agency and trades to build up their team; the draft is not a top priority to them.
Riley may be a cap-managing, team-forming expert, but he is no draft-day genius.
No. 19: Joe Dumars: Detroit Pistons
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Detroit Pistons GM Joe Dumars is not known for his draft-day prowess by any means.
His track record includes drafting Darko Milicic second overall in 2003, which turned out to be more than a major bust. ย
Dumars' best draft selection came when he drafted Tayshaun Prince out of Kentucky in 2003. ย
In the past, Dumars has proved that he can build winners in Detroit, but not through the draft. ย His specialty is trades, and while that is a valuable attribute, it will not help the Pistons any in this year's shallow draft.
Dumars' track record is a bit shocking when it comes to draft selecting. ย He was an amazing player in his day and one would like to believe that that would make him a good judge of incoming talent. ย
However, as it turns out, it has not.
All the Pistons can hope for at this point is that Dumars does not draft the next Darko Milicic with the eighth-overall pick this year.
No. 18: Otis Smith: Orlando Magic
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Otis Smith does not have very impressive credentials when it comes to the NBA draft.
Smith has made of number of impressive trades, but when it comes to the draft, he is remembered most for his blunders, rather than success.
In 2005, Smith drafted forward Fran Vazquez with the 11th overall pick in the draft. ย Many thought he would be great to pair alongside Dwight Howard, but Vazquez never decided to join the Magic.
Smith took a huge risk drafting Vazquez and it blew up in his face. ย His reputation will be further tarnished should Howard decide he wants to leave the Magic, which leaves Smith frantically searching for players to make Howard want to stay.
However, given the shallow level of talent in this year's draft, along with his not-so-keen sense of scouting, this year's draft will not help Orlando much at all.
There is a very real chance Smith will be only remembered for his drafting blunder in 2005.
And that is why he is only ranked above those with mostly less experience than himself. ย At this point, experience is the only thing he has over anyone.
No. 17: Rick Sund: Atlanta Hawks
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Rick Sund of the Atlanta Hawks has a less-than-impressive draft -resume as well.
Both of his most-prized selections came in 2003 when he was with the Seattle Supersonics and drafted Luke Ridnour 12th overall and Nick Collison 14th overall.
Since then, though, Sund's resume has been marred by a number of less-than-mediocre draft selections. His most notable selection since then came when he selected Jeff Teague 19th overall for the Hawks in the 2009 draft. ย
Teague has proven to be a very solid player, and a stellar pick at that, and he along with Ridnour and Collison are the soul reasons why Sund is able to make it this high on the list.
Sund has proven he has the ability to draft good players on occasion, but the possibility of him finding the next big thing will forever remain less than slim to none.
No. 16: RC Buford: San Antonio Spurs
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RC Buford is one of the perfect examples that show how GMs can be skilled at putting together championship contenders without having a great NBA draft track record.
Buford's most valuable draft selection up until this point was his decision to choose Beno Udrih with the 28th overall pick in the 2004 draft.
Udrih, now with the Sacramento Kings, has become quite a player. ย He averaged nearly 14 points and nearly five rebounds per game last season. ย However, he is the lone name that stands out on Buford's list of draft picks.
Udrih's specialty is building his team through trades and free-agent signings, like his acquistion of Manu Ginobli, but he is not valued by San Antonio especially for his draft prowess.
Buford is a more-than-solid GM who has managed to keep the Spurs contenders for quite some time now, but when it comes to draft selections, he is only mediocre.ย
No. 15: John Hammond: Milwaukee Bucks
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Milwaukee Bucks GM John Hammond has only three years under his belt, but he has shown some draft-day prowess during his tenure.
In the 2009 NBA draft, Hammond selected guard Brandon Jennings with the 10th overall pick. ย Jennings has turned into quite a player, and the leader of the Bucks as well. ย Last season, Jennings averaged 16.2 points and nearly five assists per game, and he has exceeded expectations up until this point.
Jennings is Hammond's lone premier pick in his short time with the Bucks, making a case for his scouting abilities. ย
However, as previously stated, Hammond has very little experience and it is unclear whether or not he can repeat such a pick like Jennings. ย The Bucks have struggled greatly during his time as GM and this year they are hoping he can find some solid talent in this year's draft.
No. 14: Billy King: New Jersey Nets
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Putting Billy King this low on the list may surprise some people, but it is justified.
King is going into his first draft with the Nets, but he has experience in the draft from his days with the Philadelphia 76ers. ย During his time in Philly, he didn't really impress anyone with is draft selections.
King's most notable selections are Larry Hughes with the eighth-overall pick in the 1998 draft, Samuel Dalembert 26th overall in the 2001 draft and Andre Iguodala ninth overall in the 2004 draft.
Although the aforementioned are stellar draft picks, after 10 years of experience, King has yet to select that premier player. ย It can be argued that Iguodala is that type of player, and there is a case for him, but he has never seemed to hit his full potential.
The Nets are hoping that King does a better drafting job with them, and they were impressed with his ability to obtain Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz this season. ย
However, until King proves otherwise, he remains fairly low on this list because of his mediocre track record.
No. 13: Larry Bird: Indiana Pacers
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Larry Bird has been with the Pacers organization for quite some time now, and some have expected more from him in terms of the job he has done.
The Pacers do not seem to have any definitive direction as of right now, which would be cause for putting Bird lower on this list. ย However, the main reason his track record allowed him to climb to the top half of this list was his selection of Danny Granger 17th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft.
Granger averaged 21.6 points and nearly six rebounds per game this past season, and he has emerged as the franchise's leading player. ย He has proven to be a steal at No. 17 and has made Bird look good.
Additionally, Bird has also selected such stellar talents like Tyler Hansborough and even now-New York Knick Shawne Williams, who revived his career this year.
While some may consider Bird to be an inadequate judge of talent, he has been consistent, which is very important. ย
Bird has steered the Pacers toward an unclear direction and has not made any major trades or free-agent signings as of late, but his draft selections have been consistent, allowing him to make the top half of this list.
No. 12: Danny Ainge: Boston Celtics
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Danny Ainge has done quite a job with the Boston Celtics, aside from this season's trade that landed Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson in Oklahoma City in exchange for Jeff Green.
Ainge's draft-day track record has been fairly consistent. ย He is responsible for drafting solid players such as Tony Allen, Al Jefferson and Delonte West.
Additionally, he selected Jeff Green with the fifth-overall pick in the 2007 draft. ย Green had a solid year this past season before being traded to the Celtics, averaging 15.2 points and nearly six rebounds per game with Oklahoma City. ย
Green never blossomed into the superstar many hoped he would be, though, and his selection was mostly motivated by a trade in place with the Seattle Supersonics.
Ainge has also been responsible for the selection of guard Randy Foye with the seventh-overall pick in the 2006 draft. ย Foye has turned into a solid player, now with the Clippers, but has not reached his full potential.
Overall, Ainge has a reputation for drafting solid role players, not complete game-changers, which is why he cannot be higher on this list. ย He has put together quite a team for the Celtics, but this has been done through mostly trades and free agency, not draft selections.
No. 11: Ernie Grunfeld: Washington Wizards
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Ernie Grunfeld has been around for quite some time, but he has not exhibited much draft-day skill during his eight years in the league.
His most notable draft-day selection came in the 2010 NBA Draft when he selected John Wall with the first-overall pick. ย Wall proved to be worth the hype this past season, averaging 16.4 points, over eight assists and over four rebounds per game. ย He does have room to improve, but all indications are that he will.
However, selecting Wall is not that much of a feat for the veteran GM Grunfeld. ย It was a situation where everyone knew that Wall was the top prospect in the draft, so Grunfeld did not have to second guess selecting him. ย
Grunfeld's second most-notable draft selection came in 2008 when he selected TJ Ford with the eighth overall pick. ย Ford has never quite lived up to his potential in the league and gives audiences an insight into just how far Grunfeld's draft-day knowledge reaches.
Selecting John Wall was a great move, but a no-brainer move all the same. ย Nothing else about Grunfeld's NBA Draft resume jumps out at us, keeping him fairly low on this list.
No. 10: Glen Grunwald: New York Knicks
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Glen Grunwald was recently appointed the interim GM for the New York Knicks right after Donnie Walsh resigned.
As of right now, Grunwald is one of the favorites to land the permanent GM position in New York, and he has some experience from his days in Toronto.
Grunwald's draft credentials consist of selecting Chris Bosh with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. ย Bosh has blossomed into a superstar, and many at the time thought that he was not worth using the fourth pick on.
However, Grunwald saw something that others didn't and decided to draft him anyway, and Bosh led the Raptors for the better part of a decade after that.
Furthermore, Grunwald is heavily respected around the basketball community; his opinions and insight are valued around the league, especially within the Knicks organization. ย And although he has not held a GM position in quite some time, he is still one of the better decision makers out there.
There has been a lot of chatter over what direction the Knicks should go in this year's draft, and Grunwald may be just the man to navigate through such uncertainty.
Bosh is Grunwald's only superstar pick, which keeps him out of the top 10 of this list, but New York is happy with his credentials all the same.
No. 9: Donnie Nelson: Dallas Mavericks
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Donnie Nelson has proven he can put together a winner in his time with the Dallas Mavericks.
Every year, the Mavericks are highly competitive, and this year they capped that reputation with an NBA Finals ring.
However, Nelson's specialty is geared more toward free agency and trade acquisition as opposed to the draft. ย This being said, though, he still is not known for making any major mistakes or blunders in terms of draft selections.
Part of Nelson's mediocre draft-day record must be attributed to the Mavericks success. ย Every year they are among the best in the league and, as a result, they never are in a position in the draft to select an instant game-changer or the next big thing.
Nelson is known for drafting players like Josh Howard, who have stellar careers. ย It is his ability to do the best with the situation he is put in that allows him to be in the top 10 of this list as opposed to the bottom.
When it comes to keeping a team competitive and successful, Nelson is one of the best, and this is more important to Dallas than if he were a draft-selecting genius. ย Luckily, the Mavericks have not had to test his lottery-picking skills.
And they hope that they never will.
No. 8: Larry Riley: Golden State Warriors
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Larry Riley of the Golden State Warriors has over 20 years of NBA experience, but only a couple of years at the GM position.
In only two drafts with the Warriors, he has proven to have adequate selection capabilities in terms of judging players' talents.
With the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft, he selected Stephen Curry out of Davidson, which has paid huge dividends already. ย Curry averaged 18.6 points and nearly six assists per game this past season, and he has become one of the premiere sharp shooters in the league.
Additionally, in the 2010 draft, Riley selected Ekpe Udoh with the sixth overall pick. ย He did not make the immediate type of impact that Curry did, averaging just over four points and three rebounds per game, but he showed a lot of potential.
Udoh proved to be one of the team's best defenders and, given a little more time, he should develop into quite an all-around player.
The Warriors are one of the more underachieving teams in the league, but they do have a lot of talent, whether it was via trade or the draft. ย Riley, as previously mentioned, has only been with the team through two drafts thus far, and has already made stellar picks.
Expect Riley's power ranking to climb over time, as he could already be considered to be higher up on this list, if it weren't for his lack of opportunity.
No. 7: Mitch Kupchak: Los Angeles Lakers
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Mitch Kupchak is someone that some may expect to be lower on this list because he is known more for building the Lakers through trades rather than draft selections.
However, Kupchak has drafted a few very significant players during his tenure, most notably Andrew Bynum with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
Bynum has never quite reached expectations, but he displays dominance on occasion and still has great potential. ย He has also been discussed as the best replacement for Dwight Howard should he leave the Magic.
Kupchak is also responsible for drafting Marc Gasol, now of the Memphis Grizzlies, with the 48th overall pick in the 2007 draft. ย While he packaged Gasol in a trade for his brother, Pau Gasol, Marc has really blossomed as a player and proved to be worth way more than anyone could have ever imagined.
A number of other solid players have been drafted by Kupchak, like now New York Knicks Toney Douglas and Ronny Turiaf. ย
Kupchak is a way better trading strategist than he is a draft-day selector, but he is still one of the best GMs to have on your side when it comes down to it. ย He may have kept the Lakers contenders through trades, but he drafted players who specifically allowed said trades to get done.
And that is why he cracks the top 10 of this list.
No. 6: Kevin O'Connor: Utah Jazz
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Kevin O'Connor has done quite a job during his time with the Utah Jazz.
His last big move caused quite a stir when he traded franchise-player Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets. ย Some saw it as a necessary move because Williams was on his way out, while others resent it.
Regardless of how you feel about his decision on the Williams debacle, you have to give the guy credit when it comes to the NBA draft.
He is directly responsible for moving up in the 2005 NBA Draft so that he could acquire guard Deron Williams third overall. ย Many saw it as a risk because O'Connor gave up the sixth-overall pick, 27th overall pick and a 2006 first-round pick to do so, but the risk paid huge dividends when Williams blossomed into one of the best point guards in the league.
O'Connor is not strictly known for his selection of Williams, though. ย In 2004, he drafted Kris Humphries with the fourth-overall pick, and while Humphries is no longer with the Jazz, he has come into his own as a player.
O'Connor is in a unique situation out in Utah. ย No one really dissects the Jazz too much or pays them too much attention, yet they always find a way to stay relevant in the playoff race. ย While a large part of that is due to O'Connor's trades and free-agent signings, a lot of it also has to do with his ability to draft smart and consistently.
The one big blunder that O'Connor has on his track record is using the 24th-overall pick in the 2001 draft to select Raul Lopez. ย However, that mistake has long since passed and can be attributed to inexperience, because he is now a top 10 GM for the league.
No. 5: Geoff Petrie: Sacramento Kings
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Geoffrey Petrie is the general manager of one of the greatly-underachieving teams in the Sacramento Kings.
Many wonder why they have struggled so much with the array of young talent Petrie has assembled. ย He has quite a track record when it comes to the NBA draft.
Most recently, he is responsible for drafting DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. ย Cousins is the face of the future for the Kings and turned a lot of heads in his first season. ย He averaged 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game during his rookie season.
Petrie is also responsible for drafting Tyreke Evans with the fourth overall pick and Omri Casspi with the 23rd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Additionally, Petrie also selected Kevin Martin with the 26th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.
Petrie has a lot of solid draft picks under his belt, and he is one of the better GMs when it comes to draft selections. ย He has assembled quite a core of young talent in Sacramento based on the aforementioned draft picks, sans Martin.
With this upcoming draft expected to be shallow talent wise, the Kings can take solace in knowing that they have a top-five GM in Petrie when it comes to making draft decisions.
No. 4: Bryan Colangelo: Toronto Raptors
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Bryan Colangelo is one of the more underrated GMs in the NBA.
Colangelo has a solid track record in terms of the NBA draft, but his accomplishments are overshadowed by the state of uncertainty that is surrounding the Raptors currently.
However, Colangelo's draft selections consist of DeMar DeRozan as the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft. ย He also drafted Andrea Bargnani with the first-overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
DeRozan and Bargnani both had career years this past season, and give the Toronto faithful hope for the future. ย With them, the Raptors and Colangelo have a good foundation to build upon.
Colangelo is also responsible for selection Shawn Marion and Amar'e Stoudemire while with the Phoenix Suns, two players who became superstars and further enhanced Colangelo's draft resume.
The Raptors are rarely a playoff team though and Colangelo takes the rap for this. ย A large part of their struggles can be attributed to his lack of activity in the trade market, but a lot can also be contributed to Toronto's market failing to appeal to the stars.
One thing is for certain though. ย When it comes to the draft, Colangelo has proved that he is a great judge of talent.
No. 3: Rod Thorn: Philadelphia 76ers
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Rod Thorn has been around for quite some time and is one of the better-known GMs throughout the league.
Thorn has yet to oversee a draft while heading the 76ers, but if his track record from his days with the Nets is any indication, Philadelphia will be more than satisfied with his selections.
Thorn's most glorified draft selection came in the 2000 NBA Draft when he selected forward Kenyon Martin with the first-overall pick. ย Martin went on to become an All-Star and despite being plagued by injuries, he still plays a great low post game when healthy.
Additionally, Thorn is also responsible for drafting sharpshooter Kyle Korver and Nets current center Brook Lopez. ย Lopez was selected 10th overall in 2008 draft, and has absolutely begun to flourish in New Jersey.
Thorn has his work cut out for him in Philadelphia, but his track record proves he is capable of consistently picking solid players. ย He is one of the few GMs who can successfully build a team through draft selections, trades and free agency.
This year's draft will prove to be a tough one for pretty much the entire league, but the 76ers will rest easy knowing they have Thorn at the helm.
No. 2: Sam Presti: Oklahoma City Thunder
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Sam Presti comes in at No. 2 on this because of his draft-day track record with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While it is a struggle to find even one superstar on any GM's draft selection list, Presti already has two to his name.
In 2007, he selected forward Kevin Durant with the second overall pick. ย Durant has become one of the most, if not the most, prolific scorer in the game and is an MVP candidate year in and year out. ย He also led the Thunder to quite an impressive playoff run that brought them all the way to the Western Conference Finals.
Presti wasn't done there, though. ย In 2008, he drafted guard Russell Westbrook with the fourth-overall pick in the draft. ย Westbrook had a breakout season this year and emerged as a second superstar on the team.
Additionally, Presti also drafted Serge Ibaka with the 24th overall pick in 2008, and he has proven to be quite an asset to the team.
Presti only has four seasons of experience, yet he already has put together a team that has made the playoffs twice and won a division title, and he has already drafted two glorified superstars.
Heading into this year's draft and knowing what each team is up against, it's obvious the Thunder have an edge with Presti running show.
No. 1: John Paxson: Chicago Bulls
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John Paxson has done a wonderful job in terms of draft selections for the Chicago Bulls, so wonderful in fact that he tops this list.
Paxson's most significant draft pick came in 2008 when he drafted guard Derrick Rose with the first overall pick. ย This past season, only his second, Rose won the NBA's MVP award and led the resurgence of the Bulls, which lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat.
Rose is not Paxson's only significant draft pick. ย In 2007, he drafted current center Joakim Noah with the ninth-overall pick. ย And although he shipped him off to Portland, he is also responsible for drafting LaMarcus Aldridge with the second overall pick in 2006.
Paxson has also drafted Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson, all spectacular role players.
You would be hard pressed to find a retired GM with as great a track record as Paxson. ย He has built the Bulls largely through his draft-picking expertise, which is rare these days. ย
He has also shown a keenness for making good trades and free-agent signings, but it is his draft-selection prowess that really stands out.
The Bulls were a championship contender this past year, and they seem to be only a piece or two away from reaching said plateau. ย With Paxson's ability to discern which picks are great picks, do not be surprised if he finds it in the draft.
Paxson is truly a master of the draft-picking craft and Chicago has to feel confident with him at the helm as they look toward this year's draft and beyond.
For moreย 2011 NBA draftย coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updatedย NBA mock drafts,ย NBA draft rumors,ย NBA draft resultsย andย draft grades.
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