Philadelphia 76ers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

By Fansided and Jerran Anderson/FanSided via Hoops Habit
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Philadelphia 76ers

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson talks about his selection for enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016 during a press conference at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2017 NBA Draft approaches, the Philadelphia 76ers look like a team ready to turn a corner.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been an NBA franchise for 68 seasons. They began their franchise as the Syracuse Nationals in the 1949-50 season. Since then, they've made 47 playoff appearances and won three NBA championships.

A lot of their success had to do with their ability to draft solid players and surround them with even better players in the trade market. There was the 1982-83 team that won an NBA title with forward Billy Cunningham as its prolific sixth man, the second overall pick in the 1965 NBA Draft.

Center Wilt Chamberlain, shooting guard Hal Greer and Luke Jackson (fourth overall pick in the 1964 NBA Draft) were also part of that team. Cunningham also coached the Sixers to their second NBA title in the 1982-83 season.

Recently, they've been trying to duplicate that success in the draft and they're almost out of a dark time for the franchise.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been a regular in the NBA Draft Lottery the past five seasons, including this year's draft. Three out of four of those picks are still on the team, with one (Jahlil Okafor) possibly on his way out this offseason.

The Sixers haven't made the NBA Playoffs since the 2011-12 season. However, they've begun to trust "The Process" and they're almost in playoff territory again after posting a 28-54 record in the 2016-17 season.

Most recently, they swapped the third overall draft pick for the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft with the Boston Celtics, giving the Sixers the potential three-point threat they've needed all along.

With a look at some recent draft picks, fans get a glimpse of the direction the franchise will go in the 2017-18 season. Here's a look at the top 10 draft picks in Sixers history.

10. Maurice "Mo" Cheeks (PG) — No. 36 pick in 1978 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Sixers):  853 GP, 12.2 PPG, 7.3 APG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 0.3 SPG, 2.3 TOV
52.8 FG%, 25.0 3P%, 79.0 FT%

Point guard Maurice "Mo" Cheeks was the 36th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1978 NBA Draft. Cheeks scored 12,195 points, dished 7,392 assists, snagged 3,088 rebounds and 1,942 steals in his 15-year career in the NBA.

Cheeks played an integral role as the team's floor general and defensive stopper with the Sixers. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game in 853 appearances for Philadelphia.

He was a four-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive selection in 11 seasons with the Sixers. The team won an NBA championship in the 1982-83 season with Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Bobby Jones and Cheeks on the roster.

Cheeks' time with the Sixers came to an end in the 1989 offseason when he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. He spent one season with the Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks (1991-92), the New Jersey Nets (1992-93) and two seasons with the New York Knicks in his NBA career.

In 1995, Cheeks No. 10 jersey was retired by the Philadelphia 76ers. He currently ranks fifth all-time in league history in steals and 13th in assists.

9. George McGinnis (PF) — No. 22 pick in 1973 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Sixers):  234 GP, 21.6 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 4.0 TOV
44.4 FG%, 71.4 FT%

George McGinnis was a newcomer to the Philadelphia 76ers and the league as the 22nd pick in the 1973 NBA Draft, but he had a budding career in the ABA before that.

From the 1971-75 season, McGinnis was a member of the Indiana Pacers, back when they were an ABA franchise. He won two ABA titles with the Pacers franchise and won the league's MVP Award in the 1974-75 season, his final season, averaging 29.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

After that, he joined the Sixers franchise in the 1975-76 season, where he spent three seasons. He was selected to the All-Rookie team and an All-Star selection in the 1971-72 season after averaging 23.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game.

McGinnis played two more seasons with the Sixers, earning one more All-Star selection, before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in the 1978 offseason. He played two seasons there before rejoining the Pacers franchise. However, this time they were a member of the NBA and not the ABA.

George McGinnis was recently selected in this year's Basketball Hall of Fame along with Tracy McGrady and Rebecca Lobo. His No. 30 was also retired by the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 2, 1985.

8. Darryl Dawkins (PF) — No. 5 pick in 1975 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Sixers):  448 GP, 11.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.4 BPG, 0.5 SPG, 2.5 TOV, 55.5 FG%, 67.2 FT%

Darryl Dawkins was the fifth overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft out of Maynard Evans High School in Orlando, Florida. He was the first NBA player to make the jump straight from high school to the NBA.

Dawkins averaged 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 assists per game in seven seasons with Philadelphia (1975-82). He was dubbed "Chocolate Thunder" for his thunderous and backboard shattering dunks.

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    The Philadelphia 76ers made the NBA Finals twice (1979-80, 1981-82) with Dawkins on the roster. They lost both times to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

    Dawkins played in the NBA Playoffs from the 1976-82 seasons with the Sixers. He averaged 12.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 assists per game in 92 appearances for Philadelphia.

    In the 1982 offseason, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets for a first-round pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. He spent five seasons with the Nets, appearing in 258 games with 196 starts. Dawkins averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 assists while shooting 60.1 percent from the floor.

    After that he was moved to the Utah Jazz where he appeared in four games. Then the Detroit Pistons, where he appeared in 16 games.

    Dawkins passed away on Aug. 27, 2015 at 58 years old. He appeared in 726 games after 14 seasons in the NBA.

    7. Clarence Weatherspoon (SF/PF) — No. 9 pick in 1992 NBA Draft

    Career stats (with the Sixers):  448 GP, 15.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 2.1 TOV, 46.9 FG%, 72.5 FT%

    Clarence Weatherspoon was the ninth overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He was selected to the 1992-93 All-Rookie second team after averaging 15.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game in 82 starts as a rookie.

    Weatherspoon spent six seasons with the Sixers, a more successful time in his career. He averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks and started in 415 of the 448 games he appeared in.

    Weatherspoon was traded to the Golden State Warriors along with Jim Jackson on Feb. 17, 1998. After the Warriors, he played for the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets.

    He was waived by Houston in the 2005 offseason at 34 years old after 13 seasons in the NBA. Recently, Weatherspoon was hired at Southern Miss as an assistant coach. He's still the only player in Southern Miss history to his have his jersey number retired.

    6. Chet Walker (SF) — No. 12 pick in 1962 NBA Draft

    Career stats (with the Nationals/Sixers):  558 GP, 16.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.8 APG
    45.7 FG%, 73.9 FT%

    Small forward Chet Walker was a staple on the Philadelphia 76ers before they were even called that. Walker was the 12th pick in the second round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Syracuse Nationals, one year before they moved and changed their name to the 76ers.

    Walker was a member of the Sixers franchise from 1962-69 after being drafted out of Bradley University. He averaged 16.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in 558 appearances. In his rookie season, Walker was selected to the 1962-63 All-Rookie team after averaging 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

    The seven-time All-Star was a member of the 1966-67 NBA championship team along with Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Luke Jackson and Billy Cunningham. Walker was second on the team in points per game (21.7) behind Chamberlain in the playoffs that year.

    A few seasons later, Walker was traded to the Chicago Bulls in the 1969 offseason. He spent the rest of his career with the Bulls until the 1974-75 season.

    In 2012, Walker was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions on the basketball court.

    Feb 3, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) gestures on the court against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Warriors won 134-121. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

    5. Andre Iguodala (SG/SF) – No. 9 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft

    Career Stats (with the Sixers):  615 GP, 15.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 2.4 TOV, 46.1 FG%, 33.1 3P%, 73.7 FT%

    Andre Iguodala was the ninth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2004 NBA Draft out of the University of Arizona. He was a selection to the 2004-05 All-Rookie team after averaging 9.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 82 starts.

    Iguodala averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game in eight seasons with the Sixers. He was a second team All-Defensive selection during the 2010-11 regular season despite the team's 41-41 record. Philadelphia made five playoff appearances with Iguodala as a member of the team.

    Iggy played in 35 playoff games for the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 13.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals while shooting 40.4 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three. However, his Sixers playoff teams only made it as far the Eastern Conference semifinals with Iguodala on the roster.

    He was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2012 offseason where he spent the 2012-13 regular season. He is currently a member of the Golden State Warriors, where he's been since the 2013-14 regular season.

    Now, Iguodala is a two-time NBA champion (2015 and 2017) and also the 2015 NBA Finals MVP. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the serires, making 52.1 percent of his shot attempts and 40.0 percent of his three-pointers.

    4. Hal Greer (PG/SG) — No. 14 pick in 1958 NBA Draft

    Career stats (with the Nationals/Sixers):  1122 GP, 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG
    45.2 FG%, 80.1 FT%

    Hal Greer was the first player to have his jersey number (No. 15) retired by the Philadelphia 76ers back in 1976. He played his whole 14-year career with the Sixers from 1958-73.

    Greer was drafted with the 14th overall pick originally by the Syracuse Nationals in the second round of the 1958 NBA Draft. The Nationals moved to Philadelphia and changed their name to the 76ers.

    Greer averaged 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in his career with the Nationals/Sixers. He was a 10-time All-Star and seven-time second team All-NBA selection.

    Greer led the team in scoring in the NBA Playoffs on their way to the NBA title during the 1966-67 season. He averaged 27.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists in their run to the championship alongside Wilt Chamberlain, Luke Jackson and Billy Cunningham.

    After accumulating 21,586 points, 5,665 rebounds and 4,540 assists, Greer was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. He is the only player in franchise history to wear the No. 15.

    3. Charles Barkley (SF/PF) — No. 5 pick in 1984 NBA Draft

    Career Stats (with the Sixers):  610 GP, 23.3 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 3.5 TOV, 57.6 FG%, 24.1 3P%, 73.3 FT%

    Charles Barkley was the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft out of Auburn University. He was a member of the 1984-85 All-Rookie team after averaging 14.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in 60 starts as a rookie.

    Barkley was an 11-time All-Star and a member of the 1992 and 1996 Dream Team with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. He spent eight seasons in Philadelphia (1984-92). The undersized power forward won the rebounding title in 1986-87 regular season with the Sixers with a career-high 14.6 rebounds per game.

    Barkley averaged 23.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 610 games for the Philadelphia 76ers. He made six playoff appearances with the team with one trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

    The Sixers traded Barkley to the Phoenix Suns for a trio of players who never quite lived up to what Sir Charles was. Barkley went on to play four seasons with the Suns. He won the 1992-93 NBA MVP award with them.

    After four more seasons with the Houston Rockets, Barkley's career came to an end after 16 seasons in the NBA after the 1999-00 season. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and his No. 34 jersey was retired by Suns and Sixers.

    2. Billy Cunningham (PF) — No. 5 pick in 1965 NBA Draft

    Career Stats (with the Sixers):  654 GP, 20.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG,  
    44.6 FG%, 72.0 FT%

    Billy Cunningham was the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1965 NBA Draft. He was a four-time All-Star with the Sixers after averaging 20.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game in nine seasons with Philadelphia.

    Cunningham was was a 1965-66 All-Rookie selection on his way to 14.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists as the team's prolific sixth man. He also earned the nickname Kangaroo Kid and three First Team All-NBA honors in his career.

    Cunningham was also a member of the 1966-67 NBA championship team with Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer and Luke Jackson. He was first player to score 50 points in a playoff game in franchise history. He scored 50 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 118-111 playoff loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on April 1, 1970.

    Cunningham spent the 1972-74 seasons with the Carolina Cougars in the ABA. He earned ABA MVP in 1972-73 before returning to the Sixers in the 1974-75 season. He retired after the 1975-76 season.

    Since then, Cunningham's No. 32 jersey was retired on Dec. 17, 1976. He was a member of the 1986 Hall of Fame class as well. He coached the Sixers from 1977-85 and won an NBA championship as a coach in 1982-83.

    Mar 8, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Former Georgetown Hoyas Allen Iverson watches game between Georgetown Hoyas and St. John's Red Storm during Big East Conference Tournament game at Madison Square Garden. St. John's Red Storm defeated Georgetown Hoyas 74-73.
    Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

    1. Allen Iverson (PG) — No. 1 pick in 1996 NBA Draft

    Career stats (with the Sixers):  722 GP, 27.6 PPG, 6.1 APG, 3.9 RPG, 2.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 3.7 TOV, 42.1 FG%, 30.9 3P%, 77.9 FT%

    Allen Iverson is one of three first overall picks in Philadelphia 76ers history. He was the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft out of Georgetown University and part of a class that featured Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant.

    Iverson still won the 1996-97 Rookie of the Year award his first season. He averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, starting in 74 of 76 games as a rookie. Iverson was selected to seven All-NBA teams and is currently seventh all-time in league history in career points per game (26.7).

    The 11-time All-Star won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award during the 2000-01 regular season after putting up 31.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. He also won the NBA's scoring title that year.

    He led the Sixers to six appearances in the NBA Playoffs, reaching the NBA Finals once before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

    Iverson spent three seasons with the Denver Nuggets (2006-09), one with the Detroit Pistons (2008-09) and played just three games with the Memphis Grizzlies before returning to Philadelphia during the 2009-10 season.

    His No. 3 jersey was retired on in March 2014 after 12 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.