{"id":736112,"date":"2026-05-16T18:36:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T18:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/736112\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T18:36:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T18:36:36","slug":"10-for-10-a-brief-history-of-the-10th-overall-draft-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/736112\/","title":{"rendered":"10 for 10: A brief history of the 10th overall draft pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Sunday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks found out they\u2019d received the 10th overall pick<\/a> in this year\u2019s NBA Draft, a pick that they absolutely cannot afford to mess up<\/a>. Analysts have had their say<\/a> on who they think should be taken, and you soon will too (more on that to come). Until then, franchise saviour, rotational piece, just how high should we get our hopes up? Here are 10 for 10\u2014the six best league-wide picks at 10 and the four selections Milwaukee has made at this spot.<\/p>\n

The six best at 10<\/p>\n

The 10th overall pick has a mixed history (for a complete list click here<\/a>). From superstars to busts and everything in between, it\u2019s proven to be a volatile draft position, one that can offer franchises new hope\u2014or keep them in the doldrums. These guys fit the former.<\/p>\n

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1. Paul Pierce<\/a> (1998)\"NEWNEW YORK \u2013 1998: Paul Pierce shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected by the Boston Celtics<\/a> at the 1998 NBA Draft in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges 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 1998 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein\/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

A stud from day one, Paul Pierce is the gold standard for pick 10, becoming a 10-time All Star, four-time All-NBA member, NBA champion, and Finals MVP winner, leading to his selection as one of the NBA\u2019s top 75 players of all time. His reputation has taken a bit of a hit in his post-playing days, but don\u2019t let his questionable calls as analyst fool you, Pierce was the truth.<\/p>\n

2. Paul George<\/a> (2010)\"NEWNEW YORK \u2013 JUNE 24: Paul George shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected number ten overall by the Indiana Pacers<\/a> during the 2010 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler\/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

One of the great two-way players of his generation, Paul George earned his stripes as a lockdown defender before blossoming into the go-to scorer on some rugged Indiana Pacers teams that just couldn\u2019t get over the Miami<\/a> \u201cHeatles\u201d hump. Smooth and explosive at 6\u20198\u201d, George has made nine All Star appearances, six All-NBA teams, and four All-Defensive selections. He even finished third in MVP voting as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>. Despite this, George has often been criticised for underperforming (especially in the playoffs), being injury prone, and focusing on podcasting. Still, you\u2019d take his career at 10 any day.<\/p>\n

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3. Gus Johnson Jr. (1963)\"UNITEDUNITED STATES \u2013 NOVEMBER 18: Basketball: Baltimore Bullets Gus Johnson (25) in action, boxing out vs Boston Celtics Tom Satch Sanders (16), Boston<\/a>, MA 11\/18\/1964 (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr.\/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X10407)<\/p>\n

Hall-of-Famer Gus \u201cHoneycomb\u201d Johnson Jr. was a force for the Baltimore Bullets<\/a>\u2014you don\u2019t earn five All Star selections, four All-NBA team honours, and two All-Defensive team selections if you\u2019re not. He also won an ABA championship as a role player in his final season as a pro with the Indiana Pacers. But I cannot profess to know his game, and direct you instead to our friends at Bullets Forever, who profiled Johnson back in 2007<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. Paul Westphal (1987)\"LANDOVER,<\/p>\n

LANDOVER, MD \u2013 CIRCA 1975: Paul Westphal #44 of the Boston Celtics drives on Kevin Porter #10 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1975 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Westphal played for the Celtics from 1972-75. (Photo by Focus on Sport\/Getty Images) | Getty Images<\/p>\n

As with Johnson, I didn\u2019t get to watch Paul Westphal play basketball, knowing him primarily as a head coach for the early-90s Phoenix Suns<\/a> and later as an assistant for Avery Johnson\u2019s Dallas Mavericks<\/a> (and later again for Lionel Hollins\u2019 Brooklyn Nets<\/a>). But the history books will tell you that Westphal was a baller, especially after being traded from the Boston Celtics to the Phoenix Suns in 1975. In fact, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame website<\/a> does just that:<\/p>\n

In Phoenix, with the Suns, Westphal developed into one of the best all-around guards in the NBA, being named to four consecutive All-Star rosters. In 1977, the ambidextrous slasher earned his first of four straight all-league nods. He averaged better than 20 points per game for five straight seasons, one of the most efficient players in the game. Dynamic, sure-footed, and intelligent, he kept defenders off-balance as he twisted, faked, and weaved his way through traffic for acrobatic shots.<\/p>\n

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5. Joe Johnson<\/a> (2001)\"NEW<\/p>\n

NEW YORK CITY \u2013 JUNE 27: Joe Johnson shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after he was selected number ten overall by the Boston Celtics during the 2001 NBA Draft on June 27, 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 2001 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Also drafted by the Boston Celtics\u2014that\u2019s three of the five best 10th picks ever\u2014Iso Joe, like Westphal, started to bloom when he moved to the Phoenix Suns and was given freedom in Mike D\u2019Antoni\u2019s \u201cSeven seconds or less\u201d offence, which ushered in the type of NBA basketball that has become so prominent today. But it wasn\u2019t until he became the number one option in Atlanta<\/a> that his metamorphosis was complete. A big wing\u2014were talking Lebron-like\u2014with a premier handle\u2014just ask Pierce\u2014Johnson was a versatile scorer and playmaker, with one of the best clutch resumes on the planet. He was a winner too, helping transform the Hawks<\/a> from a 13-win team before his arrival to a 53-win team five years later, but wasn\u2019t quite good enough to lift his teams to championship contention.<\/p>\n

6. Eddie Jones (1994)\"INDIANAPOLIS,INDIANAPOLIS, IN \u2013 JUNE 29: Eddie Jones, selected number ten overall by the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern during the 1994 NBA Draft on June 29, 1994 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana<\/a>. 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein\/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Before Kobe Bryant<\/a>, the Los Angeles Lakers had another dynamic 6\u20196\u201d two-guard who could stick a J in your eye or put you on a poster. A three-time All-Star and All-Defensive player, Jones was both a premier sniper and swiper, hitting 37% from three and averaging 1.7 SPG across his 14-year career (including leading the league with 2.7 SPG in the 1999\u20132000 season, where he finished third in DPOY and made the All-NBA third team). Jones played four years with the Lakers but was traded to the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> in 1999\u2014the year before LA started its three-peat\u2014to make room for Bryant\u2019s ascension.<\/p>\n

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The four Bucks at 10<\/p>\n

While the six guys above all boomed, the same can\u2019t be said for the players the Bucks have chosen with their 10th overall picks. Milwaukee has selected 10th just four times in its 58 years of NBA existence, with only two of those selections ever actually suiting up for the Bucks. In chronological order, here they are:<\/p>\n

1. Danny Fortson (1997)\"NEWNEW YORK CITY \u2013 FEBRUARY 6: Bobby Jackson and Danny Fortson of the Denver Nuggets<\/a> poses for a portrait prior to the Rookie Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 6, 1998 in New York City. 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 1998 NBAE (Photo by Andy Hayt\/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

A bruising 6\u20197\u201d and 260 pounds, Danny Fortson was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets along with Johnny Newman and Joe Wolf for Ervin Johnson (no, not that one\u2014check the spelling). Fortson had a 10-year career in the league, but struggled to consistently leave his mark on the court due to injury, excessive fouling, and attitude. In his best years, he\u2019d give you 12 and 12, vacuuming in rebounds\u2014he twice led the league in total rebound percentage\u2014but he was mostly a backup big, especially after his age-25 season.<\/p>\n

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2. Brandon Jennings (2009)\"NEW<\/p>\n

NEW YORK \u2013 JUNE 25: NBA Commissioner David Stern poses for a photograph with the tenth overall draft pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, Brandon Jennings during the 2009 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 25, 2009 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images) | Getty Images<\/p>\n

Of Milwaukee\u2019s four picks at 10, this is the cream of the crop. Brandon Jennings burst onto the scene for the Bucks, dropping 55 points in just his seventh game, and it seemed like the franchise had found its cornerstone for years to come. While Jennings never lived up to those expectations, he had a quality four-year run with the Bucks, putting up 16.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 5.6 APG during his tenure. He was also part of the deal that brought Khris Middleton<\/a> and Brandon Knight<\/a> to the Cream City, and his 2013 \u201cBucks in six, that\u2019s for the culture\u201d rallying cry might just be the best in Bucks history, creating a cultural mythos that continues to symbolise loyalty, unity, and identity for the Milwaukee faithful.<\/p>\n

3. Jimmer Fredette<\/a> (2011)\"NEWARK,<\/p>\n

NEWARK, NJ \u2013 JUNE 23: Jimmer Fredette from BYU greets NBA Commissioner David Stern after he was selected #10 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe\/Getty Images) | Getty Images<\/p>\n

In 2011, the Bucks selected Jimmer Fredette with their 10th pick but immediately traded him to the Sacramento Kings<\/a> in a three-team deal including the Charlotte Hornets that netted Milwaukee Stephen Jackson, Tobias Harris<\/a>, Shaun Livingston<\/a>, and current Wisconsin Herd head coach Beno Udrih<\/a>. Despite his shooting prowess, Fredette had an underwhelming NBA career, averaging just 6.0 PPG and 1.0 APG across 241 games.<\/p>\n

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4. Thon Maker<\/a> (2016)\"BROOKLYN,<\/p>\n

BROOKLYN, NY \u2013 JUNE 23: Thon Maker shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected number ten overall by the Milwaukee Bucksduring the 2016 NBA Draft on June 23, 2015 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler \/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The last time the Bucks picked 10th in the draft\u2014after using recent first-round picks on Larry Sanders<\/a>, then John Henson, then some kid from Greece\u2014they took a swing on another skinny, long-limbed big. Maker was always a boom-or-bust prospect, but despite Kevin Garnett<\/a> claiming that he would \u201cbe the MVP of the league one day<\/a>,\u201d Maker never lived up to the hype, averaging just 4.5 PPG and 2.6 RPG over three seasons with the Bucks before falling out of the league just two years later. He did, however, have some notable moments with Milwaukee, including a 14-point, five-rebound, five-block playoff performance in a Game 3 win against the Boston Celtics in 2018.<\/p>\n

Honorary InclusionBrook Lopez<\/a> (2008)\"NEW<\/p>\n

NEW YORK \u2013 JUNE 26: Brook Lopez shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected tenth overall by the New Jersey Nets during the 2008 NBA Draft on June 26, 2008 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

There are certainly other players who are just as worthy for this spot\u2014Paul Silas, Horace Grant, Jeff Malone, and Caron Butler<\/a> come to mind\u2014but Brook Lopez\u2019s longevity and impact on both sides of the ball cannot be overlooked (and yeah, neither can my Bucks bias). Still\u00a0the all-time leading scorer in Brooklyn Nets history, Lopez made an All-Star team as a low-post scorer before transforming into the long-range bomber and DPOY candidate we came to know and love in Milwaukee. One of the great people in basketball, Lopez is a testament to the power of evolution\u2014and deserves to have his jersey hung in the Fiserv rafters.<\/p>\n

There you have it, a brief history of the 10th overall pick in the NBA Draft. In the best-case scenario, the Bucks draft their own Paul Pierce, who becomes the franchise cornerstone for nearly two decades and leads the city back to championship glory. But as Milwaukee\u2019s own selections at 10 attest, the pick is anything but a lock for success\u2014or even to stay in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

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So, how does this inform your wishes for June\u2019s draft? Does it sway you in favour of a particular player and offer you excitement for what could be? Or does it make you fearful, ready to trade the pick for a proven commodity?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On Sunday afternoon, the Milwaukee Bucks found out they\u2019d received the 10th overall pick in this year\u2019s NBA…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":736113,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3767],"tags":[15187,676,27054,1723,7,3481,45,75,2140,40290,369,670,247,3803,6239,473,39798,149,40246,8362,187,91094,568,677,113,126,16389,6528,3064,2039,1536,91095,150,295,121,6,66128,671,1136,179,526,2078,9889,472,477,9941,11344,933],"class_list":["post-736112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-brooklyn-nets","tag-2010-nba-draft","tag-atlanta","tag-avery-johnson","tag-baltimore-bullets","tag-basketball","tag-beno-udrih","tag-boston","tag-boston-celtics","tag-brandon-jennings","tag-brandon-knight","tag-brook-lopez","tag-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn-nets","tag-brooklynnets","tag-caron-butler","tag-charlotte-hornets","tag-copyright-notice","tag-dallas-mavericks","tag-danny-fortson","tag-david-stern","tag-denver-nuggets","tag-ervin-johnson","tag-getty-images","tag-hawks","tag-indiana","tag-indiana-pacers","tag-jimmer-fredette","tag-joe-johnson","tag-kevin-garnett","tag-khris-middleton","tag-kobe-bryant","tag-larry-sanders","tag-los-angeles-lakers","tag-miami","tag-milwaukee-bucks","tag-nba","tag-nbae","tag-nets","tag-new-york","tag-oklahoma-city-thunder","tag-paul-george","tag-paul-pierce","tag-paul-westphal","tag-phoenix-suns","tag-sacramento-kings","tag-shaun-livingston","tag-thon-maker","tag-tobias-harris"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=736112"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736112\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/736113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=736112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=736112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=736112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}