Being a top-five pick usually means a franchise is betting heavily on you becoming one of the best players from your class, but the NBA is brutal enough that even that kind of draft status doesn\u2019t guarantee a long career. Some of these players turned into All-Stars, champions, and franchise cornerstones, while others were out of the league much earlier than anyone would\u2019ve expected.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s what makes looking back at these Draft classes pretty interesting. Over the last 15 years, we\u2019ve had No. 1 picks who are still leading contenders, former top-three selections playing in Europe, lottery picks trying to work their way back into the NBA, and others who have already retired completely. A few careers were derailed by injuries, some players simply never developed the way teams hoped, while others had solid NBA runs before eventually moving overseas.<\/p>\n
For this list, we\u2019re going year by year from the 2011 NBA Draft through 2025 and checking the current status of every top-five selection along with a quick update on where they\u2019re playing now or what they\u2019ve been doing since leaving the league.<\/p>\n
The more recent Drafts are obviously going to have almost everybody still around, but once we get back into the early 2010s, things change pretty fast. And some of the names that are already completely out of the NBA might honestly surprise you.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
2011 NBA Draft<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still In The NBA<\/p>\n
Kyrie Irving<\/a> (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Dallas Mavericks \u2013 Irving missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from ACL surgery, but he\u2019s been playing pickup games this offseason and is preparing to return for the Mavericks<\/a> in 2026-27.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Derrick Williams (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 AEK Athens \u2013 Williams hasn\u2019t played in the NBA since 2018 and has spent most of the years since overseas. He averaged 17.8 points and 5.2 rebounds internationally in 2025-26.<\/p>\n Enes Kanter Freedom (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Retired From The NBA \u2013 Enes Kanter hasn\u2019t played in the NBA since 2022. He announced plans to try to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft this summer, although league sources later said he wasn\u2019t eligible.<\/p>\n Tristan Thompson (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Retired \u2013 Thompson officially confirmed his retirement in May 2026 after 14 NBA seasons and 819 regular-season games, finishing his career as a 2016 NBA champion.<\/p>\n Jonas Valanciunas (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Zalgiris Kaunas \u2013 Valanciunas left the NBA this summer after 14 seasons and 1,002 regular-season games, signing with Zalgiris to return home to Lithuania and play in the EuroLeague.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2012 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Anthony Davis<\/a> (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Washington Wizards \u2013 Davis is still with the Wizards<\/a> after arriving from the Mavericks during the 2025-26 season, but he\u2019s yet to make his Washington debut. He averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists last year in just 20 games.<\/p>\n Bradley Beal<\/a> (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 Beal re-signed with the Clippers<\/a> on a two-year, $13.2 million deal<\/a> this summer after a hip fracture limited him to only six games last season.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Retired \u2013 Kidd-Gilchrist played his final NBA season in 2019-20 after eight years in the league. He has since focused heavily on advocacy for people dealing with speech-language disorders.<\/p>\n Dion Waiters (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Retired \u2013 Waiters hasn\u2019t played professionally since winning the 2020 championship with the Lakers. He finished his NBA career at 13.1 points per game across 419 regular-season appearances.<\/p>\n Thomas Robinson (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Leones de Ponce \u2013 Robinson\u2019s NBA career lasted only five seasons, but he\u2019s still playing professionally at 35. He joined Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico during the 2026 season after bouncing around several international leagues.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2013 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n None of the top five picks from the 2013 NBA Draft currently have an NBA contract.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Anthony Bennett (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Bennett remains an unrestricted free agent and hasn\u2019t played an NBA game since 2017. The former No. 1 pick averaged only 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds across 151 NBA games.<\/p>\n Victor Oladipo<\/a> (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Oladipo still isn\u2019t officially done. The two-time All-Star held a private workout for NBA executives<\/a> this summer and publicly asked teams for another opportunity<\/a> after years of major injuries.<\/p>\n Otto Porter Jr. (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Retired \u2013 Porter retired in March 2024 after 11 NBA seasons, finishing with career averages of 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds while also winning the 2022 championship with the Warriors.<\/p>\n Cody Zeller (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Retired \u2013 Zeller last played in the NBA in 2023-24 and hasn\u2019t returned since. He finished his career with 552 regular-season games and averages of 7.9 points and 5.7 rebounds.<\/p>\n Alex Len (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Len left the NBA for Real Madrid last season and signed with Baskonia this September, but his contract was mutually terminated on September 23 after foot discomfort resurfaced. He\u2019s currently without a team.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2014 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Andrew Wiggins (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Miami Heat \u2013 Wiggins averaged 15.4 points and 4.8 rebounds last season before opting into his 2026-27 deal and signing a two-year extension that keeps him with the Heat through 2028-29.<\/p>\n Joel Embiid<\/a> (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Philadelphia 76ers \u2013 Embiid remains the 76ers<\/a>\u2018 starting center after averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists last season. The former MVP is entering his 10th NBA season.<\/p>\n Aaron Gordon (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Denver Nuggets \u2013 Gordon is still a major part of the Nuggets and averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season. He\u2019s expected to be fully healthy for 2026-27 after dealing with a calf injury in the playoffs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jabari Parker (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Partizan \u2013 Parker hasn\u2019t played in the NBA since 2021-22 and remains under contract with Partizan for 2026-27 after spending part of last season on loan with Joventut.<\/p>\n Dante Exum (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Exum was traded from the Mavericks to the Wizards in February and waived three days later. He\u2019s currently without a team after missing the 2025-26 season because of knee surgery.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2015 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 New York Knicks \u2013 Towns remains with the defending champion Knicks<\/a> after averaging 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists last season and winning the first championship of his career.<\/p>\n D\u2019Angelo Russell (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Memphis Grizzlies \u2013 Russell was traded to the Grizzlies this summer after picking up his $6.0 million option. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists last season.<\/p>\n Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Golden State Warriors \u2013 Porzingis re-signed with the Warriors<\/a> on a two-year, $40 million deal after averaging 16.1 points following his midseason arrival last year.<\/p>\n Mario Hezonja (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Cleveland Cavaliers \u2013 Hezonja is actually back in the NBA after six years in Europe, signing a one-year deal with the Cavaliers this summer after winning Liga ACB MVP in 2025-26.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jahlil Okafor (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Indiana Mad Ants \u2013 Okafor briefly returned to the NBA on a 10-day deal with the Pacers in 2025, but he\u2019s back outside the league. His latest G League numbers were 17.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2016 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ben Simmons<\/a> (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Sacramento Kings \u2013 Simmons is back in the NBA after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season, signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal<\/a> with the Kings<\/a> this September.<\/p>\n Brandon Ingram<\/a> (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 Ingram landed with the Clippers<\/a> this month as the main player coming back in the Kawhi Leonard trade<\/a> after averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists last season.<\/p>\n Jaylen Brown<\/a> (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Philadelphia 76ers \u2013 Brown was traded to the 76ers this summer for Paul George<\/a> and draft capital after putting up career highs of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.<\/p>\n Kris Dunn (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 Dunn remains with the Clippers heading into his 10th NBA season after averaging 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last year.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dragan Bender (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Bender hasn\u2019t played in the NBA since 2019-20 and is currently without a team after injuries derailed his return to Europe. His NBA career lasted only four seasons and 187 games.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2017 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jayson Tatum<\/a> (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Boston Celtics \u2013 Tatum remains the face of the Celtics<\/a> and is now entering his first full season without Jaylen Brown after averaging 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last year.<\/p>\n De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a> (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 San Antonio Spurs \u2013 Fox remains with the Spurs<\/a> after helping them reach the 2026 NBA Finals, finishing last season at 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Markelle Fultz (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Fultz briefly returned on a 10-day contract with the Raptors last March but became a free agent again after the deal expired and still hasn\u2019t landed another NBA contract.<\/p>\n Lonzo Ball<\/a> (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Ball was waived by the Jazz in February and remains unsigned. He shut down retirement rumors<\/a> this week, saying he\u2019s still waiting for another NBA team to call.<\/p>\n Josh Jackson (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Free Agent \u2013 Jackson hasn\u2019t played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season and most recently continued his career in the G League with the Stockton Kings, where he averaged 19.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2018 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Deandre Ayton (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Washington Wizards \u2013 Ayton was traded by the Lakers to the Wizards this summer in the deal that sent Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks back to Los Angeles. He averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds last season.<\/p>\n Marvin Bagley III (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Denver Nuggets \u2013 Bagley signed with the Nuggets this offseason after averaging 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds between the Wizards and Mavericks in 2025-26.<\/p>\n Luka Doncic<\/a> (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Los Angeles Lakers \u2013 Doncic is now clearly the centerpiece of the Lakers and is coming off another huge season at 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.<\/p>\n Jaren Jackson Jr. (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Utah Jazz \u2013 Jackson remains with the Jazz after arriving from the Grizzlies last season, averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 2025-26.<\/p>\n Trae Young (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Washington Wizards \u2013 Young stayed with the Wizards on a new four-year, $212 million deal after being traded there during last season. He averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists in 15 games last season.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n None of the top-five picks from the 2018 NBA Draft are currently out of the NBA.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2019 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Zion Williamson<\/a> (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 New Orleans Pelicans \u2013 Williamson remains with the Pelicans entering his eighth NBA season after averaging 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last year.<\/p>\n Ja Morant<\/a> (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 Portland Trail Blazers \u2013 Morant was traded to the Trail Blazers this summer after seven years with the Grizzlies. He averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in only 20 games last season.<\/p>\n RJ Barrett (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Toronto Raptors \u2013 Barrett remains one of the Raptors\u2019 main scorers after averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists during their 46-win season.<\/p>\n De\u2019Andre Hunter (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Sacramento Kings \u2013 Hunter is now with the Kings after averaging 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season between the Cavaliers and Sacramento.<\/p>\n Darius Garland (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 Garland is now one of the main pieces of the Clippers\u2019 new era, entering 2026-27 after averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 assists last season between Cleveland and Los Angeles.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n None of the top-five picks from the 2019 NBA Draft are currently out of the NBA.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2020 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Anthony Edwards<\/a> (No. 1 Pick) \u2013 Minnesota Timberwolves \u2013 Edwards is still the face of the Timberwolves after averaging 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists last season, and he\u2019ll now share the backcourt with LaMelo Ball.<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball<\/a> (No. 3 Pick) \u2013 Minnesota Timberwolves \u2013 Ball was traded to the Timberwolves this summer and will now form one of the league\u2019s most explosive backcourts alongside Anthony Edwards after 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds last year.<\/p>\n Patrick Williams (No. 4 Pick) \u2013 Chicago Bulls \u2013 Williams remains with the Bulls heading into his seventh NBA season after averaging 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds last year, and will now be a likely trade piece.<\/p>\n Isaac Okoro (No. 5 Pick) \u2013 Chicago Bulls \u2013 Okoro is also still with the Bulls after his midseason move, averaging 9.3 points and 2.7 rebounds last season, continuing to make most of his impact as a defensive wing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n No Longer In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n James Wiseman (No. 2 Pick) \u2013 New York Knicks \u2013 Wiseman is fighting to keep his NBA career going after signing an Exhibit 9 training-camp deal<\/a> with the defending champion Knicks this month, so he\u2019s still not on the roster for 2026-27.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2021 NBA Draft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Still In The NBA<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n