Top 5 active NBA players who won a championship with the team that drafted them

Prior to the start of each NBA season, we see teams prepare for the NBA Draft. As teams with poor performances in the previous year look to rebuild on the back of fresh talent, the NBA Draft is the perfect opportunity to pick a player who may develop into a star.

While there is no guarantee of such an outcome, scouts look at players with the specific lens of what they could contribute to the franchise. While some picks emerge as stars for the franchise, picks can just as easily be busts.

Teams aren't required to keep the players they drafted, nor do players have to stay with the team with that drafted them. Brandon Ingram and D'Angelo Russell are two picks by the LA Lakers, who went on to become All-Stars after they were traded.

In the modern NBA, it is becoming a lot rarer for players to stay with the team that drafted them. It is even rarer to see those players win an NBA championship for that team.

In this article, we look at the top five NBA players who won a championship with the team that drafted them.

#1 Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving is one of the most creative finishers at the rim in the NBA.

Kyrie Irving was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. With one of the most unique skillsets in the game and an endless bag of moves, Irving immediately established himself as a future star for the Cavaliers.

After winning his Rookie of the Year Award, Irving became a perennial All-Star during his sophomore season in the NBA. However, he did not enjoy the action of the playoffs until the 2014-15 season after the return of LeBron James.

Irving won his only NBA title with the Cavaliers in the 2015-16 season. In one of the greatest comeback performances in NBA Finals history, Irving delivered the shot to end matters.

Kyrie Irving left the franchise in 2017 to join the Boston Celtics and currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets.

---

#2 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard in action for the LA Clippers

Kawhi Leonard was drafted by the Indiana Pacers as the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft but was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night itself.

With his exceptional wingspan, Leonard immediately emerged as a physical specimen who could dominate on the defensive end. A seven-time All-NBA defensive team and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard's ability to lockdown speaks for itself.

He emerged as an efficient scorer and rebounder for the Spurs early in his career. By his third season, he would also help bring home a championship for the franchise.

Playing against the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals, Leonard was given the assignment of containing LeBron James. By successfully putting the clamps on LeBron, Kawhi Leonard ensured a win for the Spurs and won his first NBA Finals MVP.

Kawhi Leonard left the franchise in 2018 to join the Toronto Raptors, where he won his second NBA title and NBA Finals MVP. He currently plays with the LA Clippers.

#3 LeBron James

LeBron James has won NBA titles with three franchises including the LA Lakers

LeBron James was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron established himself as the face of the franchise early in his career and emerged as a perennial All-Star during his sophomore season.

After taking the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time since 1998 during the 2005-06 season, LeBron went to his first NBA Finals with the team in 2007. After being swept by the Spurs, LeBron didn't see another NBA Finals match with Cleveland until 2015.

Having left the Cavs to join the Miami Heat in 2010, LeBron won his first two rings in 2012 and 2013. He returned after a 2014 loss to the Spurs in hopes of bringing the NBA championship home to Cleveland.

In 2016, he would succeed in doing so. Coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, LeBron finally delivered on his promise to the franchise that drafted him in his 13th season in the league.

---

#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo brings the ball up court in the NBA Finals

Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA Draft. Giannis joined the NBA as a skilled player with a lanky build. However, he would develop his body and game to become one of the most dominant forces in the league.

After growing almost five inches since being drafted, Giannis added the pounds to accompany his growth in height. As a raw physical specimen, he learned to dominate on both ends of the floor. Winning the Most-Improved Player award in the 2016-17 season, Giannis emerged as a perennial All-Star for the Bucks.

He won the NBA MVP award back-to-back in 2018-19 and 2019-20, winning Defensive Player of the Year in the 2019-20 season as well.

Giannis Antetokounmpo brought home the NBA title to Milwaukee in 2021. After a stellar performance in the NBA Finals, the Bucks overcame the Phoenix Suns in six games. Giannis also won the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 points in Game Six.

---

#1 Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry averaged 43.7% from beyond the arc in his rookie season itself.

Stephen Curry was drafted as the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Playing in the point guard position, with his unique style of play and prolific shooting ability, Curry immediately showed signs of a future superstar.

Becoming an integral member of the Warriors offense in his rookie season itself, Curry would be part of the 2009-10 All-Rookie team. However, it was only in his fifth season where he enjoyed his first of many consecutive All-Star appearances.

Stephen Curry put the league on notice in the 2013-14 postseason and by the 2014-15 season, Curry and the Golden State Warriors had become a force to be reckoned with. Winning their first NBA title in the 2014-15 season, the Warriors also won consecutive titles in 2017 and 2018.

Stephen Curry is still in the running to win more championships with the franchise. Paired with fellow teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, who were also drafted by the Warriors, the trio have brought home the title on multiple occasions and look to do so again in upcoming seasons.