CLEVELAND, Ohio — The NBA Draft is designed to help the league’s worst teams improve, but a handful of defending champions still found ways to make a splash shortly after their title victories.
Whether it is via trade — such as the Lakers’ addition of James Worthy in 1982 — or a second-round sleeper, here are 10 of the best draft picks made by NBA champions.
They are listed in inverse order.
By Matt Goul, cleveland.com
The Celtics were in flux entering White’s rookie season. Bill Russell and Sam Jones retired. Boston drafted White with the ninth pick in the 15-team first round and picked so high because of a 48-34 record, good for the last playoff spot in the East.