The Greatest Player In Every NBA Franchise’s History

These 30 players are the best players in the history of their respective franchises.

Maybe more than any other sport, people love NBA debates. Debating who the greatest player from a certain team is can lead you down quite the rabbit hole.

These 30 players are the best players in the history of their franchise. Only the years spent with that team matters. Peak performance, championships, longevity, and franchise impact all matter. That means that a player like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the five greatest player of all-time, didn’t make this list. He split his time between the Bucks and Lakers, and was beaten out by someone from each franchise.

Also, franchise means franchise. For instance, those that played for the Seattle Supersonics were eligible for the Oklahoma City choice.

Atlanta Hawks: Dominique Wilkins

While he was overshadowed in his era by similar players like Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler, Wilkins is an all-time great. He averaged over 26 points per game with the Hawks in his 13 years in Atlanta, and made seven All-NBA teams. He is one of the greatest dunkers of all-time.

Boston Celtics: Bill Russell

The first tough choice of the list was the Boston Celtics, and we went with Bill Russell over runner-up Larry Bird. Five MVP’s, 11 titles, and the fact that he’s widely considered the best defensive player ever means he gets the nod.

Brooklyn Nets: Julius Erving

Dr. J may be better known for what he did with the Philadelphia 76ers. But, in four years with the then-ABA Nets, he won two rings and two MVP’s. He is the clear-cut best Net of all-time.

Charlotte Hornets: Kemba Walker

The franchise is only 21 years old, and it’s slim pickings for standouts.We went with Kemba Walker, who made three All-Star teams and one All-NBA team during his nine years in Charlotte.

Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan

Six rings, six finals MVP’s, and 5 MVP’s make Michael Jordan not just the greatest Chicago Bull ever, but in many people’s opinions, the greatest player ever.

Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James

He left twice, the first time crushing the collective psyche of the city. But, the only player that can seriously challenge Michael Jordan’s GOAT status. James won two of his four MVP’s and one of his four titles with the Cavaliers, the title coming against the 73-win Warriors.

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowizki

Dirk Nowitzki is without a doubt the best Dallas Maverick ever. The 2011 NBA Finals MVP won a regular season MVP in 2007, and made 12 All-NBA teams.

Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is still somehow underrated when people talk about the greatest players of all-time. Few players have ever seen a peak like his, which has seen him win three MVP’s and one NBA title in the last four years, with an MVP runner-up finish in between. He’s likely to be runner-up again this year, meaning he will be in the top two of MVP voting an incredible five years in a row. Arguably the most gifted offensive big man ever, Jokic sees basketball at a level no big man ever has before.

Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Thomas

Thomas, a two-time NBA Champion, one-time NBA Finals MVP, and 12-time All-Star, was one of the greatest pure point guards in NBA history. He was the best player on the Bad Boys Pistons that won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.

Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry

Wilt Chamberlain was considered, but the honor ultimately went to Steph Curry. Curry’s four NBA championships and nine All-NBA selections with two MVP’s make him one of the greatest players of all-time. Plus, he changed basketball more than all but a few players ever have.

Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon

Olajuwon, the best center of the 80s and 90s, was a two-time champion, a regular season MVP, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and made 12 All-NBA teams. Few players have ever been as smooth down low as Hakeem Olajuwon.

Indiana Pacers: Reggie Miller

At one point, Reggie Miller was widely considered the best shooter of all-time. The five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection is best known for his huge playoff performances. He led the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals, and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Paul

Though they often fell short in the playoffs, Paul was the leader of the “Lob City” Clippers that had the best run in franchise history. In seven years in LA he made the All-Star Game, All-NBA, and All-Defense teams every full season he played there. He’s arguably the best small point guard of all-time.

Los Angeles Lakers: Magic Johnson

I’m sure that this will be controversial. You could make an argument for Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and especially Kobe Bryant. But, we gave the nod to Johnson. He was Finals MVP as a rookie, won three regular season MVP’s, 5 Championships, and made a whopping 9 All-NBA First-Teams. He was a consistent winner dating back to high school, and encapsulated the showtime Lakers.

Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley

The Grizzlies have had a lot of solid teams, but true superstars have been few and far between. It’s hard to pick against Mike Conley, who spent 13 years in Memphis and is the team’s all-time leading scorer, and also has the most steals and assists in Grizzlies history.

Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade

This could’ve been LeBron James, as his four-year run was magnificent. But, we went with Dwyane Wade instead. The three-time champion and 2006 NBA Finals MVP was an eight-time All-NBA selection as well. While the back-half of his career was marred by injuries, he was on track to become one of the fifteen-or-so best players of all-time for his first half-dozen years in the NBA.

Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo

If you think this should’ve been Kareem Abdul-Jabbar instead, that’s a very respectable position. But, he only spent six years in Milwaukee. Giannis is in his 12th season with the Bucks, has won two MVP’s has an NBA Finals MVP and a ring, won NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and has made 7 All-NBA. teams and counting. He’s been sensational, and is one of the twenty best players of all-time.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett

This one is a no-brainer. Garnett spent his first thirteen seasons in Minnesota, and spent his final season there as well. He was a ten-time All-Star, made eight All-NBA teams, and was league MVP in 2004. He is one of the greatest power forwards of all-time.

New Orleans Pelicans: Chris Paul

Paul is the first player to make this list with two teams. He was a three-time All-NBA selection with the franchise, and was the best point guard in the NBA during his time with New Orleans.

New York Knicks: Patrick Ewing

He never did get a championship, but Ewing is the best Knick in team history. He had six top-five finishes in MVP voting, made 11 All-Star teams, and was selected to seven All-NBA teams. He is the team’s all-time leading in points, rebounds, and blocks.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant

The breakup was as ugly as any player-team breakup in recent memory. But, Durant was unreal as a member of the Supersonics/Thunder. He won four scoring titles, made six All-NBA teams, captured league MVP in 2014, and led the team to the NBA Finals in 2012.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

Howard was the best traditional big man for nearly a decade in Orlando. He made five straight All-NBA First-Teams from 2008-2012, won three straight NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009-2011, and took the team to the NBA Finals in 2009.

Philadelphia 76ers: Julius Erving

Moses Malone, Wilt Chamberlain, Allen Iverson, and Joel Embiid all have arguments. But, we went with Dr. J for a second team. He made seven All-NBA teams, was league MVP in 1981, and won the franchise’s last championship in 1983.

Phoenix Suns: Charles Barkley

This came down to a choice between Barkley and Steve Nash, but we went with Barkley. The 1993 NBA MVP made the All-Star Game and an All-NBA team all four years in Phoenix, and led the team to the finals in 1993.

Portland Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler

Had Bill Walton stayed healthy, this would have been him. Instead, it’s Clyde Drexler. Drexler made eight All-Star teams and five All-NBA teams in his twelve seasons in Portland before being traded to the Rockets. He led the team to the NBA Finals twice.

Sacramento Kings: Oscar Robertson

Robertson played for the Cincinnati Royals, which turned into the Sacramento Kings, from 1960-1970. The nine-time All-NBA First-Team selection and 1964 MVP was the only player in league history to average a triple-double for a season for over 50 years.

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan

If you don’t think Tim Duncan is a top-ten player of all-time, you’re wrong. In 18 seasons, he was a five-time champion, three-time Finals MVP, 15-time All-NBA Selection, 15-time All-Defensive Team Selection, two-time regular season MVP, and the steady force behind the most consistent run since the league truly expanded into something resembling what it is today. It wasn’t flashy, but he defined excellence for two years.

Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry

Lowry’s longevity wins out here. In ten seasons with the Raptors he made six All-Star teams and helped the team win its only championship. He’s second all-time in scoring and first in assists in team history.

Utah Jazz: Karl Malone

Malone retired in second-place on the all-time scoring list. The Mailman won MVP in 1997 and 1999, made 14 All-NBA teams, led the Jazz to two finals, and helped form one of the best duos of all-time with John Stockton.

Washington Wizards: Wes Unseld

The Wizards have really lacked starpower over the years, unless you can’t Michael Jordan playing out the tail end of his career as a significantly diminished player. Unseld was the 1969 NBA MVP, and the 1978 Finals MVP. That’s enough to get him this honor.