The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses with his jersey during the 2003/2004 NBA Draft Portrait at Paramount Theatre Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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NEWARK, NJ – JUNE 23: Kawhi Leonard shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected by the Indiana Pacers during the 2011 NBA Draft at The Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

15. Kawhi Leonard, 2011 NBA Draft, Indiana Pacers

When he was coming out of college, Kawhi Leonard was not thought of as someone who could become the best player in the NBA. He was a very good defender who made an impact on the glass as well. His outside shooting wasn’t a particular calling card and he didn’t have a very versatile offensive game entering the league.

After being drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft he was promptly shipped off to the San Antonio Spurs in return for George Hill. In a vacuum, one could argue that the deal worked out for both teams as Hill helped the Pacers reach heights they hadn’t since Reggie Miller led them to the NBA Finals and Leonard would help the Spurs remain one of the top teams in the league as their core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker got older. Yet, seeing what Leonard has become — a two-time NBA Finals MVP — it’s fair to say that the Pacers got ripped off.

Getting Leonard was a great first step in San Antonio keeping their 15-year championship window open, but the even bigger part was developing him into the player he is now. Leonard got to slowly add to his game while Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker carried the load, then when those three started to lose a bit Leonard was waiting in the wings ready to take over and that’s exactly what he did.

Things hit a snag it what had looked to be a partnership that would last for decades when the Spurs misdiagnosed Leonard’s injury and despite being cleared by the team physicians, Leonard opted to only play nine games in the 2017-18 season before he was traded to the Toronto Raptors this past summer and brought Canada its first-ever NBA championship.

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