As the NBA Conference Finals heat up, one storyline stands out beyond the court: elite basketball talent can emerge from virtually anywhere in the draft — or even outside of it. The current Final Four — the Timberwolves, Thunder, Knicks, and Pacers — serve as a case study in the unpredictable nature of player development and the art of roster construction.
Draft Position Breakdown
Of the 20 starters across the four conference finalists, the average draft position is 19th overall. Remarkably, four players were either second-round picks or undrafted, nearly equaling the six who were top-10 selections. The numbers highlight that star-caliber performance isn’t confined to lottery picks — a reality that NBA front offices are embracing more than ever.
Team-by-Team Starter Origins
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards (No. 1, 2020)
- Mike Conley (No. 4, 2007)
- Julius Randle (No. 7, 2014)
- Rudy Gobert (No. 27, 2013)
- Jaden McDaniels (No. 28, 2020)
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Chet Holmgren (No. 2, 2022)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 11, 2018)
- Jalen Williams (No. 12, 2022)
- Isaiah Hartenstein (No. 43, 2017)
- Lu Dort (Undrafted, 2019)
New York Knicks
- Karl-Anthony Towns (No. 1, 2015)
- Mikal Bridges (No. 10, 2018)
- OG Anunoby (No. 23, 2017)
- Josh Hart (No. 30, 2017)
- Jalen Brunson (No. 33, 2018)
Indiana Pacers
- Myles Turner (No. 11, 2015)
- Tyrese Haliburton (No. 12, 2020)
- Aaron Nesmith (No. 14, 2020)
- Pascal Siakam (No. 27, 2016)
- Andrew Nembhard (No. 31, 2022)
Draft Position Trends
Interestingly, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder — known for hoarding draft picks in recent years — actually have the lowest average starter draft position, at 26th, factoring in undrafted standout Lu Dort as the 61st pick. Meanwhile, the Knicks and Pacers sit at 19th, and the Timberwolves lead with an average pick of 13th.
Roster-Building Strategies
Team-building approaches also vary widely:
- The Knicks didn’t draft any of their starters, relying solely on trades (four players) and free agency (one).
- The Pacers, Thunder, and Timberwolves each drafted two of their current starters, supplementing the rest via trades.
The Big Picture
This year’s Final Four offers a clear message: championship contenders aren’t built solely on high lottery picks. Smart scouting, savvy trades, and strong player development can be just as valuable — if not more so — than owning a top-five pick. As these teams vie for a place in the NBA Finals, they’re proving that greatness can be found at any number on the draft board.