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Has Trading the First Overall Pick in the NBA Draft Fared Well Historically?

By Curtis Rafter

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) has some potential deals to look into. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) has some potential deals to look into. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; TBS commentators Brian Anderson (left) and Chris Webber broadcast live on television from the sidelines before the game of between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Xavier Musketeers in the finals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Xavier Musketeers 83-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; TBS commentators Brian Anderson (left) and Chris Webber broadcast live on television from the sidelines before the game of between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Xavier Musketeers in the finals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Xavier Musketeers 83-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Number Four

To the 1993 Golden State Warriors – The First Pick (Chris Webber)

To the 1993 Orlando Magic – The Third Pick (Penny Hardaway) and Three Future Firsts

Looks like the Warriors got robbed right? Not necessarily. It’s actually a little more complicated than it appears, largely because the Magic traded away most of the first round picks they received as compensation. Funny enough, most of the picks made their way back to the Warriors before they were traded once again.

That being said, because there are so many moving pieces to this trade, you have to basically compare Chris Webber’s performance with the Warriors relative to Penny Hardaway’s performance with the Magic. That’s the only way to know for sure who won the trade, and whether moving the first worked out for the Magic.

In his rookie season with the Warriors, a young Webber dominated, averaging about 18 points and nine rebounds. He helped the Warriors to 50 wins and a berth in the playoffs; however, they were swept in the first round.

Webber was traded shortly after due to an internal feud regarding his role on the team, and the Warriors wouldn’t reach the playoffs again until 2007.

Hardaway, on the other hand, played for the Magic until 1999. He put up solid numbers throughout his career and helped the Magic to several 50 win seasons, plus numerous deep playoff runs. He actually carried the Magic to 57 wins in his second season and a trip to the NBA finals.

Based on this comparison, it seems like the Magic got the better end of the deal by giving up their first overall pick.

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