The best picks at each lottery slot since 1985

It's difficult for small-market teams to land marquee free agents, so nailing the NBA draft is one of the few ways to elevate their standing and grow into a legitimate title contender.

A lottery pick provides the perfect opportunity to do that, with several of today's biggest names having lifted their current or former team out of no man's land.

Related: The worst picks at each lottery slot since 1985

Here's a look at the best players selected with each of the first 14 picks since the lottery was introduced in 1985:

No. 1

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (2003)

The King currently sits high atop his throne as the NBA's best player. James means more to Cleveland than perhaps any other professional athlete does to the North American city he or she competes for, and bringing the city its first major championship would be the defining moment of his already legendary career.

Honorable mentions: Shaquille O'Neal (1992), Tim Duncan (1997)

No. 2

Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks (1994)

Before Jason Kidd was intentionally spilling drinks on the sidelines as an NBA head coach, he was a triple-double floor general for four teams over 19 seasons.

Named co-Rookie of the Year with Grant Hill in 1995, it took Kidd 16 years to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy, winning his only title during his second stint with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

Honorable mentions: Gary Payton (1990), Kevin Durant (2007)

No. 3

Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies (2001)

This Spaniard's career truly blossomed after being dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008, as he won two NBA championships as the Robin to Kobe Bryant's Batman.

Without Gasol's services, the Lakers would have lacked scoring around the basket, mobility in the frontcourt, a willing No. 2, and probably two banners at the Staples Center.

Honorable mentions: Carmelo Anthony (2003), James Harden (2009)

No. 4

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (2005)

The Point God has never been the biggest dog in the yard, with a 6-foot, 175-pound frame. He's not as athletic as Russell Westbrook or flashy as Stephen Curry, which almost keeps Paul under the radar.

But his numbers speak for themselves. He's led the NBA in assists and steals on multiple occasions and garnered plenty of accolades. He may be the point guard of this generation.

Honorable mentions: Chris Bosh (2003), Russell Westbrook (2008)

No. 5

Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves (1995)

Kevin Garnett has always been a scary dude, competing on both ends of the floor with a passion and tenacity that few can match.

He was a big fish in a small pond with the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting up killer numbers without postseason success. That changed in 2008 as a member of The Big Three, when he assisted the Boston Celtics in winning their first title since 1986.

Honorable mentions: Scottie Pippen (1987), Dwyane Wade (2003)

No. 6

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (2012)

Is there a shot Damian Lillard won't take?

Clutch doesn't even begin to describe his gutsy play, as only a special type of player would willingly shoulder that kind of burden and consistently hit game-winners like he does.

Honorable mentions: Hersey Hawkins (1988), Brandon Roy (2006)

No. 7

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (2009)

The Chef had his moment in the spotlight during the 2014-15 season, winning NBA MVP and helping lead the Warriors to their first championship in 40 years.

NBA icons have already endorsed the 27-year-old as the greatest shooter ever, with Curry's 44-percent mark from 3-point range ranking third in league history.

Honorable mentions: Chris Mullin (1985), Kevin Johnson (1987)

No. 8

Detlef Schrempf, Dallas Mavericks (1985)

Schrempf won two Sixth Man of the Year awards with the Indiana Pacers, one of only four players to earn the honor on multiple occasions. He was a very reliable shooter with an underrated passing game, never needing to be at the center of the offense to be effective.

Honorable mentions: Vin Baker (1993), Jamal Crawford (2000)

No. 9

Dirk Nowitzki, Milwaukee Bucks (1998)

The Germanator is the greatest Dallas Mavericks player in franchise history, the greatest European player in league history, and the greatest Deutschland export since gummi bears.

The 2007 MVP has revolutionized what can be achieved at the four, stretching the floor as a 7-footer with a career 38.3 3-point percentage.

Honorable mentions: Tracy McGrady (1997), Shawn Marion (1999)

No. 10

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (1998)

The Truth has been setting opposing NBA arenas free for nearly two decades. You either love Pierce or hate him, with most fans choosing the latter due to his arrogant nature and in-your-face confidence, but he backs it all up on the hardwood.

Honorable mentions: Joe Johnson (2001), Paul George (2010)

No. 11

Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers (1987)

While viewers love to poke fun at his questionable skills as a commentator for TNT, all you have to do is ask Knicks fans (especially Spike Lee) how cold-blooded a shooter Reggie Miller was during his prime years to get an honest assessment of the mark he left on the game.

Honorable mentions: Allan Houston (1993), Klay Thompson (2011)

No. 12

Mookie Blaylock, New Jersey Nets (1989)

The No. 12 pick doesn't historically yield much star power, with defensive-minded guard Mookie Blaylock being perhaps the most noteworthy name of the bunch.

Blaylock is 11th all-time in steals with 2,075 and has two selections to the All-NBA Defensive First Team on his résumé.

Honorable mentions: Muggsy Bogues (1987), Thaddeus Young (2007)

No. 13

Kobe Bryant, Charlotte Hornets (1996)

"We might've got the No. 1 player in the draft (at No. 13)," former Lakers executive Jerry West told Jerry Buss after completing a draft-night trade to acquire Kobe Bryant.

Starting center Vlade Divac was all it took to land the rights to the league's most prolific one-man scoring machine since Michael Jordan. Need a refresher course on the Black Mamba's excellence? Just count to five.

Honorable mentions: Karl Malone (1985), Jalen Rose (1994)

No. 14

Tim Hardaway, Golden State Warriors (1989)

As one-third of Run TMC with Mullin and Mitch Richmond, Hardaway electrified NBA fans with a killer crossover that left defenders in a state of confusion.

His legacy includes five All-Star appearances and three nods on the All-NBA Second Team. It also carries on through son Tim Hardaway Jr. of the New York Knicks.

Honorable mentions: Dan Majerle (1988), Peja Stojakovic (1996)