10 Most Important NBA Draft Classes in League History

Ever since the 1947 BAA Draft saw Clifton McNeely become the first player ever drafted into the NBA, the league has been holding drafts every single year. The purpose is to give the teams a chance to add talent to their rosters in the form of college talents, international prospects and sometimes even high school phenoms. 

While each and every draft is important, some are inherently more important than others. 

Some may just have brought a superstar into the league. Others could have launched a dynasty. Others still could have implemented a big rule change that had significant ramifications on future drafts. 

For various reasons, these are the 10 most important draft classes in NBA history. 

1956 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

This was the draft in which the St. Louis Hawks selected Bill Russell at No. 3 and then immediately traded his rights to the Boston Celtics. All Red Auerbach had to do to get the center from San Francisco was give up Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan, which he did after a bit of hesitation. 

The Celtics also added K.C. Jones and Tommy Heinsohn during that draft, effectively launching the greatest dynasty in the history of professional sports. 

Notable Players Taken

Elgin Baylor, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Bill Russell

1966 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

This was the first draft that didn't utilize territorial selections at the beginning of the draft. Instead a coin flip between the worst teams in the league determined the No. 1 overall pick. 

Prior to this draft, territorial selections had been all the rage, as teams got to have exclusive rights to local talents in order to boost the popularity of their teams. Most of them turned out pretty well. 

Among others, Paul Arizin, Tommy Heinsohn, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Bill Bradley and Gail Goodrich were selected in this manner. 

Notable Players Taken

Dave Bing, Lou Hudson

1978 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

The biggest reason had to be the drafting of Larry Bird. 

The Boston Celtics took Bird at No. 6, even though the future stud would have to spend one more year at Indiana State. It was a gamble that paid off quite well for the franchise as Bird would lead them to numerous titles and usher in a new era for professional basketball. 

Notable Players Taken

Larry Bird, Maurice Cheeks

1979 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

If Larry Bird being taken in 1978 was important, so too was the Los Angeles Lakers' selection of Magic Johnson in 1979. 

When the purple-and-gold ones took the point guard from Michigan State at No. 1 overall, they set the stage for the next decade, one in which the popularity of the league would dramatically increase thanks to the rivalry of Bird and Johnson. 

Notable Players Taken

Mark Eaton, Magic Johnson, Bill Laimbeer 

1984 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

Michael Jordan entered the league. 

Any time the greatest player of all time is a part of a draft, it's an important draft.

Plus, this class is absolutely stacked. 

Notable Players Taken

Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Alvin Robertson, John Stockton

1985 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

Sometimes, draft classes are just so stacked that they can't help but be important. 

Such was the case with the 1985 draft class, one of the best of all time (all of which are included in this slideshow). 

Notable Players Taken

Joe Dumars, Patrick Ewing, A.C. Green, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Terry Porter, Arvydas Sabonis

1996 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

Just like the 1985 class, the 1996 class was absolutely, undoubtedly stacked. From top to bottom, it was simply littered with future Hall of Famers and great NBA contributors. 

When Kobe Bryant goes at No. 13 and it isn't too egregious, you know you're in for something special.

In my opinion, this is the best draft of all time.  

Notable Players Taken

Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Steve Nash, Jermaine O'Neal, Peja Stojakovic, Antoine Walker, Ben Wallace (undrafted but entered the league)

2002 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

Yao Ming became the first international player to be drafted No. 1 overall without playing any college basketball in America. He set the precedent for players like Andrew Bogut and Andrea Bargnani to be taken in the same slot. 

A good bit of talent entered the league this year as well, but it was undoubtedly highlighted by a certain tall Chinese center. 

Notable Players Taken

Carlos Boozer, Caron Butler, Yao Ming, Amar'e Stoudemire

2003 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

This draft, much like the ones that occurred in 1984 and 1996, was absolutely loaded with talent. 

On an unrelated note, Darko Milicic was taken!

Notable Players Taken

Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Josh Howard, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, David West, Mo Williams

2006 NBA Draft

What was it notable for?

This was the draft in which the terms of the collective bargaining agreement prevented players from going prep-to-pro. All drafted players had to be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year of the draft, and non-international players had to be at least one year removed from their high school graduation. 

The trend that started with Moses Malone and included players like Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Dwight Howard, ended in 2006. 

Notable Players Taken

LaMarcus Aldridge, Andrea Bargnani, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Roy

Adam Fromal is a syndicated writer and Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on  Twitter.

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