The 2007 NBA draft class is a legendary one. The infamous Durant vs Oden argument. Before we get into the dear diary of the 2007 NBA draft, lets list the order below:
2007 NBA Draft Order: Each Draft Pick, College, & NBA Team
- Greg Oden (Ohio State) – Portland Trail Blazers
- Kevin Durant (Texas) – Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Al Horford (Florida) – Atlanta Hawks
- Mike Conley Jr. (Ohio State) – Memphis Grizzlies
- Jeff Green (Georgetown) – Boston Celtics (via trade with Seattle SuperSonics)
- Yi Jianlian (China) – Milwaukee Bucks
- Corey Brewer (Florida) – Minnesota Timberwolves
- Brandan Wright (North Carolina) – Charlotte Bobcats (via trade with Golden State Warriors)
- Joakim Noah (Florida) – Chicago Bulls
- Spencer Hawes (Washington) – Sacramento Kings (via trade with Atlanta Hawks)
- Acie Law IV (Texas A&M) – Atlanta Hawks (via trade with Indiana Pacers)
- Julian Wright (Kansas) – New Orleans Hornets
- Al Thornton (Florida State) – Los Angeles Clippers
- Rodney Stuckey (Eastern Washington) – Detroit Pistons
- Nick Young (USC) – Washington Wizards
- Thaddeus Young (Georgia Tech) – Philadelphia 76ers
- Marco Belinelli (Italy) – Golden State Warriors
- Wilson Chandler (DePaul) – New York Knicks
- Javaris Crittenton (Georgia Tech) – Los Angeles Lakers (via trade with Memphis Grizzlies)
- Jason Smith (Colorado State) – Miami Heat (via trade with Denver Nuggets)
- Daequan Cook (Ohio State) – Philadelphia 76ers (via trade with Orlando Magic)
- Jared Dudley (Boston College) – Charlotte Bobcats
- Carl Landry (Purdue) – Seattle SuperSonics (via trade with Houston Rockets)
- Aaron Brooks (Oregon) – Houston Rockets (via trade with Denver Nuggets)
- Morris Almond (Rice) – Utah Jazz
- Glen Davis (LSU) – Seattle SuperSonics (via trade with Boston Celtics)
- Petteri Koponen (Finland) – Philadelphia 76ers (via trade with Denver Nuggets)
- Gabe Pruitt (USC) – Boston Celtics
- Aaron Gray (Pittsburgh) – Chicago Bulls (via trade with Toronto Raptors)
- Rudy Fernandez (Spain) – Portland Trail Blazers (via trade with Phoenix Suns)
Let’s Revisit what exactly happened at this infamous draft from ’07. Never since Bowie or Olajuwon had we seen this a car crash of a draft decision in such slow motion. Surely the lessons of Bowie over Olajuwon would be learned, right? Oden had a chance to be a top 10 all time center *drooling GM’s* everywhere start blushing. And yet, Durant seemed to possess a chance to become a top 10 all time player.
Conjuring memories of their much-maligned Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan draft decision in the 1980s, the Portland Trail Blazers’ like-minded selection of injury-plagued big man Greg Oden over superstar small forward Kevin Durant with the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft will forever live in infamy.
Oden’s career spanned…parts of three NBA seasons. Durant won an MVP award and four scoring titles while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder (still the Seattle Supersonics when they drafted him) to four appearances in the Western Conference Finals and one in the NBA Finals.
But a lot can happen in nine years, and although the Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks got great production out of their top 3 draft picks in 2007—Durant and big man Al Horford, respectively—they just lost both stars for nothing in free agency during the 2016 offseason. In that sense, the “winner” of the 2007 draft isn’t so clear-cut. In fact, if you look at today’s Trail Blazers, they’re in fairly similar shape as the Thunder despite choosing Oden over Durant.
Nine years later, we grade the top 10 picks of the 2007 NBA Draft, identify some hidden gems, and reflect on some lessons we learned. The big question: Do this summer’s free agency departures of Durant, Horford, and Joakim Noah “re-write” the history of good draft picks for their former teams?
2007 NBA DRAFT GRADES: TOP 10 PICKS
1. Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden
Grade: D
Why not an F for the Blazers here, given that Oden couldn’t stay on the court and the guy they passed up, Durant, at one time was considered an undisputed top-2 player in the league before the rise of Stephen Curry? Well, while you can blame Portland for choosing the wrong player in the Oden vs. Durant pre-draft debate, it wasn’t an outlandish selection at the time. The Blazers made the pick in an era—unlike today’s NBA—when elite big men were still presumed to be a ticket to the championship. So their pick doesn’t get the lowest-possible grade.
2. Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder): Kevin Durant
Grade: A
KD put Oklahoma City on the NBA map with career averages of 27.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Will his departure to the Golden State Warriors in free agency, in turn, crush OKC? The Thunder were able to extend fellow superstar Russell Westbrook’s contract this summer, thus maintaining some character from the Durant era and charting a new course for the franchise that might still lead to contender status down the road. As for the 2007 draft pick itself, although they’re now left with nothing, they got nine great years out of Durant.
3. Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
Grade: A
Just like Durant, Horford left the only NBA team he ever knew this offseason after nine productive years—14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Those stats don’t really do Horford justice, as they don’t reveal his impact on defense, his development of an effective outside shot in recent years, and his broader contributions towards making the Hawks a perennial playoff team in the Eastern Conference. Despite Horford leaving for Boston, the Hawks—who replaced him at center with Dwight Howard—should remain a playoff team in the East. For that, they can thank the culture of success they built during the Horford era.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley, Jr.
Grade: A
Akin to Horford, Conley’s career stats with Memphis—13.6 points and 5.6 assists per game—don’t tell the whole story of his contributions to the franchise, which has found stability at the point guard spot and has become a perennial playoff team just like the Hawks. Unlike the Hawks with Horford and the Thunder with Durant, Memphis will benefit from further continuity from their successful 2007 draft pick after re-signing Conley to a long-term contract this offseason. The Grizzlies also deserve credit for being patient with Conley during a few leaner years for team and player alike earlier in his career, allowing Memphis to maximize its asset in the long run.
5. Boston Celtics: Jeff Green (traded to Seattle for Ray Allen)
Grade for Boston: A+
Grade for Seattle (now Oklahoma City): B+
This one gets a bit complicated. The Celtics drafted Green and then traded him as part of a package to get Ray Allen, who teamed with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to win a championship in the star trio’s first season together. Just for that one championship, the trade was well worth it for Boston, especially because Green—while not a bust—has never developed into a star. You also can’t blame the Thunder (then Supersonics) for that trade, given that Allen didn’t fit into the team’s youth/rebuilding movement at the time. Green had a few productive seasons as part of the Thunder’s core before they traded him—ironically, to Boston—for center Kendrick Perkins, who had an up-and-down tenure with OKC but was part of their team that reached the 2012 NBA Finals. A Finals appearance isn’t a championship, so the Celtics won the 2007 trade. The question for the Thunder is, could they have gotten more for Ray Allen?
6. Milwaukee Bucks: Yi Jianlian
Grade: D
Perhaps looking for the next Yao Ming, Milwaukee gambled on Chinese big man Yi, who only played one season for the Bucks and five seasons in the NBA (with career averages of 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game). A safer big man choice for Milwaukee in this draft could’ve been Joakim Noah, who was coming off back-to-back national championships with the Florida Gators, or even Spencer Hawes. They did display some courage with the Yi pick, so for that, they avoid an F grade.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Corey Brewer
Grade: B-
The lanky Brewer, though not a star, did turn into a good role player and defender at the swingman positions. Unfortunately for Minnesota, his skills were ultimately more valuable to a contender than to a rebuilding franchise. But when you look at the players selected after him, you can’t really say the Wolves missed out on much by choosing Brewer.
8. Charlotte Bobcats: Brandan Wright (traded to Golden State for Jason Richardson)
Grade for Charlotte: C
Grade for Golden State: C
In another trade within the 2007 draft’s top 10, both teams weren’t vastly affected. The Bobcats wanted an established scorer and got one in Richardson, though he didn’t translate into more wins and was traded again in just his second year with Charlotte. The Warriors, coming off an epic upset of the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, couldn’t find enough minutes and touches for all their wing scorers, so they dealt one of them for what they hoped would be added dimensions of defense and athleticism in their frontcourt. But Wright, the high-upside North Carolina product, could never stay healthy. You can’t blame either team for their logic in making the trade, but the move just didn’t move the needle for anyone.
9. Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah
Grade: A
Like Durant and Horford, Noah left the only team he had played for in free agency this summer. But also like Durant and Horford, he spent nine season as the heart and soul of a franchise. Chicago scored a couple of top seeds in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but not a Finals appearance, during the Noah era—largely thanks to the center’s defensive intensity and all-around game. Like former Bulls teammate and now Knicks teammate Derrick Rose, Noah was eventually derailed by injuries. But his time with Chicago will be remembered fondly, and he was a good value pick at No. 9.
10. Sacramento Kings: Spencer Hawes
Grade: C+
The offensive-minded big man spent three mildly productive seasons in Sacramento (peaking at 11.4 points and 7 rebounds a game in year two) before the Kings traded him to Philadelphia. He has never averaged more than 13.5 points per game, but has improved his 3-point shot over time, making him a potential asset coming off the bench for contending teams. The center the Kings traded him for, Sam Dalembert, was an improvement on the defensive end but only spent one season in Sacramento. Perhaps the Kings could’ve gotten more out of the Hawes pick.
2007 NBA DRAFT PICK HIDDEN GEMS
27. Arron Afflalo: The 3-and-D shooting guard started slow but has ended up with a productive career, averaging 11.6 points per game and 38.5 percent shooting from deep for five teams. Joined his sixth team, Sacramento, this offseason.
28. Tiago Splitter: In typical Spurs fashion, San Antonio found a solid international player with a relatively low draft pick. The Brazilian center started for the Spurs’ 2013-14 championship team, but was eventually traded to Atlanta to make room for the signing of LaMarcus Aldridge.
31. Carl Landry: This journeyman power forward can score—10.8 points in 22.5 minutes per game for his career—but has seen his relevance drop in recent years with losing teams in Sacramento and Philadelphia.
35. Glen Davis: “Big Baby” won a championship with Boston as a rookie and contributed to subsequent contending Celtics squads, including 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 2010-11, before he was traded to Orlando for Brandon Bass in a lateral move for both teams. The rest of his career was plagued by injuries.
48. Marc Gasol: The true hidden gem of this draft was an afterthought while getting traded to Memphis as part of a package for his own brother, Pau. But the younger Gasol’s career is hardly an afterthought, as Marc developed into one of the best two-way centers in the league, a franchise cornerstone for the Grizzlies, and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
2007 NBA DRAFT ANALYSIS: LESSONS LEARNED
A good draft pick can change a franchise—even if the player eventually leaves
Durant (Thunder), Horford (Hawks), and Noah (Bulls) all left their teams in 2016 free agency, leaving the squads that drafted them with nothing in return. But they all gave their initial franchises nine solid years and changed the cultures of those teams for the better. The Thunder, Hawks, and Bulls are all better off for having those players—even in their current absence. In that sense, free agency departures years later don’t re-write the history of a good draft pick.
It’s no longer a big man’s league
What if Greg Oden actually stayed healthy? Would he have been the right pick over Durant? Doubtful. During Oden’s brief time on the court, he showed glimpses of potential, but nothing near the superstardom of KD. Durant, as it turns out, would have been a better pick for the Blazers not just because of his health, but because of his significance as an elite wing scorer in an era that has increasingly de-emphasized offensively challenged big men like Oden.
Time can heal the wounds of a bad draft pick
Yes, the Blazers were set back by choosing Oden over Durant, but nine years later they’re in essentially the same position as the team that scored KD. Portland weathered the free agency loss of LaMarcus Aldridge to make a surprising run to the second round of the playoffs this past season. Oklahoma City, coming off a Conference Finals appearance, lost Durant to Golden State and now actually seems to be in the same boat as Portland talent-wise. That being said, not picking Durant in 2007 is still a haunting “What if?” scenario for the Blazers.
Who was the best player from the 2007 NBA Draft?
Unfortunately for the Blazers, we all know that it was NOT Greg Oden.
The best player from the 2007 NBA draft is widely considered to be Kevin Durant, who was selected second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder). Durant has had a successful and illustrious career, winning numerous awards, including the NBA Rookie of the Year, four scoring titles, and the 2014 MVP award. He has also won two championships, one with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and another with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021.
What about the combine? Did NBA scouts learn anything from the 2007 NBA draft combine?
The 2007 NBA draft combine was a pre-draft showcase event for NBA prospects to showcase their skills and abilities in front of NBA team executives and coaches. The combine featured physical and athletic testing, including drills such as the vertical jump, lane agility, and 3-point shooting. It also included 5-on-5 games and individual interviews with teams. The 2007 draft class included notable players such as Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Mike Conley Jr.
In addition to the physical testing, players also had interviews with NBA teams. This was an opportunity for teams to get to know the players better, both on and off the court. The interviews also allowed teams to gather more information about the players’ backgrounds, work ethic, and basketball IQ.
The 2007 NBA Draft Combine was an important event for many players as it provided them with a platform to showcase their skills and abilities in front of NBA teams. It was also a crucial event for NBA teams, as it helped them make informed decisions about which players to draft.
- The Boston Celtics traded their fifth overall pick, Jeff Green, to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Ray Allen and the 35th overall pick.
- The Portland Trail Blazers traded the rights to the fourth overall pick, Brandon Roy, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the rights to the sixth overall pick, Randy Foye, and the draft rights to the 35th overall pick, Sergio Rodriguez.
- The Charlotte Bobcats traded the rights to the eighth overall pick, Brandan Wright, to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jason Richardson.
- The Orlando Magic traded the rights to the 15th overall pick, Courtney Lee, to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Vince Carter.
How does the ’07 draft compare to the drafts from: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009?
- In comparison to the 2005 NBA Draft, it is considered to be stronger. The 2005 draft class produced fewer All-Stars and fewer players who have had long, successful careers in the league.
- In comparison to the 2006 NBA Draft, it is considered to be on par. Both drafts produced a number of All-Stars and players who have had long, successful careers in the league.
- In comparison to the 2008 NBA Draft, it is considered to be stronger. The 2008 draft class produced fewer All-Stars and fewer players who have had long, successful careers in the league.
- In comparison to the 2009 NBA Draft, it is considered to be stronger. The 2009 draft class produced fewer All-Stars and fewer players who have had long, successful careers in the league.
A quick analysis of each NBA team’s first round draft pick and their effect on the team’s performance in the 2007-2008 season:
- Greg Oden (Portland Trail Blazers) – Oden was considered to be a potential franchise player and the top prospect in the draft, but injuries limited his career and he never lived up to the expectations set for him. He played for the Blazers for two seasons before being waived in 2012.
- Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics) – Durant is widely considered to be one of the best players of his generation and one of the best scorers in NBA history. He played for the SuperSonics for one season before the team moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. He played for the Thunder for eight seasons before moving to the Golden State Warriors in 2016. He has won two NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, and the regular season MVP award in 2014.
- Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks) – Horford is a four-time NBA All-Star who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the Hawks for nine seasons before moving to the Boston Celtics in 2016. He has been considered as one of the best big men in the league, providing great defense and a solid scoring touch. Possible hall of famer.
- Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies) – Conley is a seven-time NBA All-Star who has been the Grizzlies’ starting point guard since he was drafted. He has been one of the most consistent point guards in the league, providing excellent leadership and great scoring and passing ability. He got a lot of money. Was above average for a few years; now just generic.
- Jeff Green (Boston Celtics) – Green was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics on draft night for Ray Allen. He played for the Oklahoma City Thunder for four seasons before moving to the Boston Celtics in 2011. He has been a solid role player throughout his career, providing scoring and versatility off the bench. Never became an All Star, but could play in big playoff games.
- Yi Jianlian (Milwaukee Bucks) – Jianlian never lived up to the expectations set for him after being selected as the sixth overall pick. He played for the Bucks for one season before moving to the New Jersey Nets. He also played for the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks before returning to China to continue his career. Or as Bill Simmons calls him, The Chairman, because he posted up against a chair during a workout. Based on his draft position, we think he scored against the chair.
- Corey Brewer (Minnesota Timberwolves) – Brewer has had a solid career as a role player in the league, providing defense and energy off the bench. He played for the Timberwolves for four seasons before moving to the Dallas Mavericks. He has also played for the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Fun player but feels like a dissapointment.
- Brandan Wright (Charlotte Bobcats) – Wright was traded to the Golden State Warriors on draft night for Jason Richardson. He has been a solid role player throughout his career, providing scoring and defense off the bench. He has played for the Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets. Would thrive in today’s NBA.
- Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls) – Noah is a two-time NBA All-Star who has had a successful career as a defensive-minded center. He played for the Bulls for nine seasons before moving to the New York Knicks in 2016. He is known for his energy, intensity, and leadership.
- Spencer Hawes (Sacramento Kings) – Hawes has had a solid career as a role player, providing scoring, rebounding, and defense off the bench. He played for the Kings for three seasons before moving to the Philadelphia 76ers. He has also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and Milwaukee Bucks.
- Acie Law IV (Atlanta Hawks) – Law had a solid college career but didn’t make much of an impact in the NBA. He played for the Hawks for two seasons before moving to the Golden State Warriors, where he played for one season. He also played for the Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Bobcats, and Memphis Grizzlies before finishing his career in Europe. His name was way better than his career.
- Julian Wright (New Orleans Hornets) – Wright never lived up to the expectations set for him after being selected as the twelfth overall pick. He played for the Hornets for two seasons before moving to the Toronto Raptors. He also played for the Kansas City Kings and Houston Rockets before finishing his career in Europe.
- Al Thornton (Los Angeles Clippers) – Thornton had a solid rookie season, but his career never took off. He played for the Clippers for three seasons before moving to the Washington Wizards. He also played for the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Denver Nuggets before finishing his career in Europe. Al can score when he tries.
- Rodney Stuckey (Detroit Pistons) – Stuckey is a solid role player who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the Pistons for seven seasons before moving to the Indiana Pacers. He also played for the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves before finishing his career in China. Reliable point guard, kept the game focused.
- Courtney Lee (Orlando Magic) – Lee is a solid role player who has had a successful career in the league. He was traded to the New Jersey Nets on draft night for Vince Carter, and played for the Nets for one season. He also played for the Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Charlotte Hornets, and Dallas Mavericks. Shortcoming as a scorer.
- Nick Young (Washington Wizards) – Young is a solid role player who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the Wizards for four seasons before moving to the Los Angeles Clippers. He also played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and Brooklyn Nets. Buffoon, immature, but won a ring with Steph.
- Thaddeus Young (Philadelphia 76ers) – Young is a solid role player who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the 76ers for seven seasons before moving to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also played for the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls. Still playing. Can score a little.
- Javaris Crittenton (Los Angeles Lakers) – Crittenton never lived up to the expectations set for him after being selected as the 18th overall pick. He played for the Lakers for one season before moving to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played for one season. He also played for the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats before finishing his career in China. He was later arrested and sentenced to 23 years in jail.
- Marco Belinelli (Golden State Warriors) – Belinelli is a solid role player who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the Warriors for one season before moving to the Toronto Raptors. He also played for the New Orleans Hornets, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and San Antonio Spurs again. He could catch fire and give you 15 points in a quarter. The European Jannero Pargo.
- Jason Smith (Philadelphia 76ers) – Smith had a solid career as a role player, providing scoring, rebounding and defense off the bench. He played for the 76ers for two seasons before moving to the New Orleans Hornets. He also played for the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks.
- Jared Dudley (Charlotte Bobcats) – Dudley is an okay veteran player who has had a decent career in the league. He played for the Bobcats for two seasons before moving to the Phoenix Suns. He also played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics before finishing his career with the Brooklyn Nets. He won a ring with the Lakers. He belonged in the YMCA.
- Morris Almond (Utah Jazz) – Almond never lived up to the expectations set for him after being selected as the 22nd overall pick. He played for the Jazz for one season before moving to the Washington Wizards, where he played for one season. He also played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets before finishing his career in Europe. Bust.
- Carl Landry (Houston Rockets) – Landry is an above average spot starter who has had a decently successful career in the league. He played for the Rockets for two seasons before moving to the Sacramento Kings. He also played for the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, and Minnesota Timberwolves before finishing his career in China. He didn’t intimidate anyone. But he didn’t back down either.
- Glen Davis (Seattle SuperSonics) – Davis is a solid bench player who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the SuperSonics for one season before the team moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. He played for the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and LA Clippers. He won a championship in 2008 with the Celtcs. But he was considered to be very annoying.
- Ramon Sessions (Milwaukee Bucks) – Sessions is a reliable role player who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the Bucks for two seasons before moving to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Bobcats, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards. Classic table setter point guard,
- Petteri Koponen (Philadelphia 76ers) – Koponen never played in the NBA. He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and then to the Portland Trail Blazers before returning to Europe to continue his career. The Mavs always have to have a convo with a European, see: Dirk, Luca.
- Taurean Green (Portland Trail Blazers) – Green never played in the NBA, he went back to Europe to continue his career.
- Gabe Pruitt (Boston Celtics) – Pruitt never lived up to the expectations set for him after being selected as the 28th overall pick. He played for the Celtics for two seasons before moving to the D-League. He also played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders, Iowa Energy, and Rio Grande Valley Vipers before finishing his career in Europe.
- Aaron Gray (Chicago Bulls) – Gray is a solid role player who has had a successful career in the league. He played for the Bulls for two seasons before moving to the New Orleans Hornets. He also played for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, and Detroit Pistons before finishing his career in Europe. Never got much respect.
- Giorgos Printezis (San Antonio Spurs) – Printezis never played in the NBA, he returned to Europe to continue his career. The Spurs WHIFFED on this one!
Any notable scandals or stories surrounding the 2007 draft? Final Takeaways?
There were several notable controversies and storylines surrounding the 2007 NBA draft. One of the most notable was the debate over whether Greg Oden or Kevin Durant should be selected first overall. Many experts believed that Oden, a 7-foot center from Ohio State, had the potential to be a dominant force in the league, but Durant, a small forward from Texas, had a more polished offensive game and was considered a better pure scorer. In the end, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Oden with the first overall pick, while the Seattle SuperSonics selected Durant second.
Another notable controversy surrounded the draft status of Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian. There was some debate over whether Yi, who was considered one of the top prospects in the draft, would be able to make the transition to the NBA and live up to his potential. Ultimately, he was selected sixth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, but his NBA career was considered a disappointment.
Additionally, there were question marks around the readiness of some players in the draft, such as Al Horford, Jeff Green, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah, many of which turned out to be solid pro players. Green and Brewer never became stars. Noah stayed in Uni for an additional year and although he won the title he fell in the draft to #7 despite being projected to go #2 the year prior. His slipping in the draft was quite interesting, as he indeed went on to have a relatively elite NBA career.
Overall, the 2007 NBA draft was considered to be one of the more interesting and unpredictable in recent history!!
BONUS ROUND: Popular Questions from the 2007 NBA Draft:
Greg Oden vs Kevin Durant:
Greg Oden and Kevin Durant are both former NBA players who were highly touted as prospects coming out of college.
Greg Oden was selected as the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was considered one of the most dominant big men to come out of college in recent memory, with his size and athleticism giving him the potential to be a dominant force in the league. However, his career was derailed by a series of injuries and he was only able to play in 105 NBA games over the course of five seasons.
Kevin Durant, on the other hand, was selected as the second overall pick in the same draft by the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder). He went on to have a much more successful career, winning two NBA championships and earning four NBA scoring titles. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the league and one of the greatest scorers of all time.
Overall, while both players had high expectations coming into the league, Kevin Durant was able to fulfill his potential and become a dominant player, while Greg Oden’s career was ultimately limited by his injuries.
How many future hall of famers were drafted in ’07?
Kevin Durant: Not even a question if he will make the hall of fame, but rather will he be a unanimous decision? The number 2 pick from the 2007 NBA draft might end up being a top 10 all time player.
Al Horford: Most likely. 5 time all star and has played 142 playoff games, and there will be plenty more of them. Sure, he made a mistake when he left Boston to Philly and then languished on a minor league team, until Boston brought him back. He also won a staggering 2 championships with Florida. He will make the hall just not right away.
Joakim Noah: It’s a tough call on Joakim Noah’s fate as a Hall of Famer, cuz the Bulls big man definitely had a shot with only 672 career games under his belt. He became a fan fave in Chicago with his high-energy play, snagging a DPOY award and coming in 4th for MVP in 2014. Those accolades show how ballin’ Noah was during his time with the Bulls, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the Hall. Even with the two college championships he won with Florida, Noah falls short of the requirements.
Marc Gasol: Drafted 48th in the ’07 draft, Gasol took some time to develop as a project. He was traded for brother Pau, and then soon after the Grizzlies made history by winning their first playoff series ever, as an 8-seed upsetting the No. 1 San Antonio Spurs in 2011. In 2013, Marc helped the Grizz reach the Western Conference Finals before losing to the Spurs. During his 10 full seasons, the Grizzlies made the playoffs a total of 6 times.
So what’s the likelihood of Marc making it to the Hall of Fame? It all comes down to combining his NBA and international careers. With Spain’s national team, Marc won Olympic silver in 2008 and 2012 and gold at the FIBA World Cup in 2006 and 2019. He also has two golds, a silver, and a bronze from the FIBA Eurobasket championships. In Spain’s top pro league, ACB, Marc won a championship in 2004 and was MVP in 2008. When you add that to his NBA accomplishments, I think Marc’s got a solid shot at the Hall. His resume stacks up with – if not surpasses – recent inductees Vlade Divac, Dino Radja, and Sarunas Marciulionis, whose international careers were heavily considered compared to their NBA careers.
Rudy Fernandez: Yes, we know that Rudy’s NBA career left a bit to be desired. Despite being drafted 24th in the 2007 NBA draft, Rudy didn’t have a spectacular NBA career. But there is a bigger, international picture here similar to Marc Gasol. Spain won EuroBasket 2022, making it 4 out of the last 6 editions and Fernandez was there for all 4 of them. Rudy brought veteran leadership to the young Spanish squad. He put up 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. His 4th gold medal ties him for 2nd all-time in EuroBasket history, with only Gennadi Volnov from the Soviet Union having more. Along with his EuroBasket golds, Fernandez also won gold twice at the FIBA World Cup and has 2 silvers and a bronze from the Olympics. He’s had almost unparalleled success on the international stage among Europeans, making for an impressive career. On the club level, he’s won the EuroLeague twice with Real Madrid and even claimed last year that the team could hold their own in the NBA. Will he make the HOF? Probably not, but interesting to discuss his international career.
Will Kevin Durant’s Sonics Stay in Seattle?
Why did Joakim Noah Stay in College for an Extra Year?
Joakim Noah chose to play two seasons in college before entering the 2007 NBA draft because he wanted to develop his skills and gain experience playing against high-level competition. NCAA basketball is widely considered to be a proving ground for young players, and many top prospects choose to play in college for a few years before making the jump to the pros.
Noah was a standout player at the University of Florida, where he helped lead the Gators to two national championships in 2006 and 2007. By playing in college, Noah was able to work on his game and build his confidence, which in turn helped prepare him for the challenges of playing in the NBA.
In addition to the on-court benefits of playing in college, Noah was also able to get a college education, which is important to many young players and their families. Overall, playing two seasons in college was a wise choice for Noah, as it allowed him to develop as a player and as a person before making the jump to the pros.
But let’s cut the BS here. In 2006 he was projected to go 2nd overall, so from a money and draft standpoint he made a mistake. However, the reason he wasn’t pressured to enter the draft ASAP after his freshman year is because his family was wealthy; he did not have the financial pressure that other draftees had.
The Birth of ‘Trader’ Danny Ainge, After the KG Draft Night Trade
The 07 draft was also notable for a major trade that took place on draft night. Before the 2007-08 season, the Boston Celtics went out and got their star player, Paul Pierce, some much needed veteran help. First, they traded for future hall of famer Ray Allen of the Seattle SuperSonics on draft night. And then three days later, Ainge picked up Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Boston Celtics traded All-Star forward Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, and Sebastian Telfair to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett. The trade would help set the stage for the Celtics’ championship run in 2008. And also gave birth to a now infamous and still relevant nickname: Trader.
Here are 10 interesting facts about the 2007 NBA draft:
- Greg Oden was selected 1st overall by the Portland Trail Blazers over Kevin Durant. Oden had an injury-plagued career while Durant became an NBA superstar and MVP.
- Al Horford was drafted 3rd by the Atlanta Hawks and went on to become a 5-time NBA All-Star.
- Mike Conley Jr. was drafted 4th by the Memphis Grizzlies. He has spent his entire career with the Grizzlies, becoming their all-time leader in games, points and assists.
- Kevin Durant was drafted 2nd overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, right before the team relocated to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. He won Rookie of the Year.
- Marco Belinelli was picked 18th by the Golden State Warriors and became the first Italian player to win an NBA championship in 2014 with the Spurs.
- Carl Landry won NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011 after being drafted in the 2nd round, 31st overall by the Seattle SuperSonics.
- Chandler Parsons was picked 38th in the second round by the Houston Rockets and went on to start most of his career, averaging 12.8 PPG.
- Marc Gasol was drafted 48th overall by the Lakers, but had his rights traded to Memphis where he spent most of his career.
- DeAndre Jordan was picked 35th by the Clippers and made an All-NBA First Team in 2016 and won 2 rebounding titles.
- Tiago Splitter, Petteri Koponen and Kyrylo Fesenko were the only international players drafted in 2007.
10 MUST-SEE statistics from the 2007 NBA Draft:
- 63 players were selected in the 2007 NBA draft, with 30 picks in the first round and 33 picks in the second round. (Source: )
- Kevin Durant has scored the most career points of any player drafted in 2007 with 26,946 points so far. (Source: )
- Al Horford has the most career rebounds of any 2007 draftee with 7,989 rebounds. (Source: )
- Only one player from the 2007 draft has won NBA MVP – Derrick Rose in 2011. (Source: )
- Joakim Noah leads the 2007 draft class with 711 career blocks. (Source: )
- Thaddeus Young has played the most NBA games of anyone drafted in 2007 with 1,050 games. (Source: )
- Only 3 players from the 2007 draft have made an All-NBA First Team: Durant, Rose, Marc Gasol. (Source🙂
- Durant was Rookie of the Year, averaging 20.3 PPG his first season. (Source: )
- Carl Landry scored a career-high 31 points in his first NBA start on March 9, 2009. (Source)
- Luis Scola scored the most total points (1,082) of any second-round pick in 2007. (Source)
Are there any players from the 2007 draft who are still active in the NBA?
Here are some players from the 2007 NBA draft who are still active in the league:
- Kevin Durant (2nd pick) – Currently playing for the Brooklyn Nets after stints with Seattle/OKC and Golden State. A 12-time All-Star and 4-time scoring champion.
- Al Horford (3rd pick) – Now with the Boston Celtics after time in Atlanta and Philadelphia. A 5-time All-Star.
- Mike Conley Jr. (4th pick) – Has spent entire career with Memphis Grizzlies. One-time All-Star.
- Joakim Noah (9th pick) – Currently a free agent after playing for Bulls, Knicks, Grizzlies, and Clippers. Two-time All-Star and 2014 Defensive Player of the Year.
- Thaddeus Young (12th pick) – Playing for the Toronto Raptors after stints with several teams. A veteran role player.
- Jared Dudley (22nd pick) – Now with the Dallas Mavericks after playing for numerous teams over 15 seasons. A respected role player.
- Aaron Gray (49th pick) – Hasn’t played since 2018 but hasn’t officially retired. Last played for Detroit Pistons.
- Ramon Sessions (56th pick) – Currently playing overseas after stints with 8 different NBA teams.
So in summary, Durant and Horford are the biggest active stars remaining from the 2007 draft, with Conley Jr. and Noah also still contributing as veterans. Most picks are out of the league by 2022.
Here are some additional details on the active players from the 2007 NBA draft:
- Kevin Durant is still one of the NBA’s biggest superstars. He has won 4 NBA scoring titles, 1 MVP award, and 2 NBA championships. He missed the 2019-2020 season due to injury but came back strong. At age 33, he’s still playing at an All-Star level.
- Al Horford made the All-Star team as recently as the 2017-2018 season with the Celtics. He signed a big contract with the 76ers in 2019 but was traded back to Boston in 2021. Despite being 35 years old, Horford is still a key veteran presence.
- Mike Conley Jr. has increased his scoring and efficiency in recent years, averaging over 16 PPG in his last 3 seasons with Memphis. He made his first All-Star appearance in 2021. Conley signed with the Jazz in 2019.
- Joakim Noah was an All-Star in 2013 and 2014 with Chicago. Injuries derailed his career in his 30s but he provided veteran depth for the Clippers in 2021 at age 36 before being waived. His status is currently uncertain.
- Thaddeus Young has successfully transitioned to a bench role player later in his career. He averaged 12-6 with Chicago in 2018 at age 30. He is now with Toronto providing his experience at age 34.
- Jared Dudley has evolved into a respected veteran locker room presence. Despite minimal stats, he continues getting contracts for his leadership. He won a championship with the Lakers in 2020.
So in summary, Durant is still a superstar, Horford and Conley are still contributing veterans, and Dudley makes a lot of noise as a head coach in summer league.
Why is the 2007 NBA Draft referred to as: The Kevin Durant Draft Class?
There are 16 incredible reasons why the 2007 NBA draft class is often referred to as the “Kevin Durant draft class”:
- Kevin Durant was selected 2nd overall in 2007 and has gone on to become one of the NBA’s greatest players from that draft class. He is a 12-time All-Star, 4-time scoring champion, league MVP, and 2-time NBA champion.
- Durant was the standout rookie from the 2007 NBA draft class, winning Rookie of the Year by averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game. He led all rookies in scoring average that season.
- The player drafted before Durant, Greg Oden at #1 overall, had an injury-plagued career and is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history. This made Durant’s success stand out even more and more so why it is called the Kevin Durant Draft Class – he was drafted second but was the best guy by a mile!
- Other draft classmates like Al Horford and Mike Conley Jr. have had solid careers, but none have come close to achieving Durant’s superstardom and status as one of the best players of his generation.
- Durant quickly became the franchise cornerstone for the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder organization and led them to the NBA Finals in 2012 at just age 23. Truly the draft class of a man named Kevin Durant.
- His productivity and consistency throughout his career have far exceeded his peers from the 2007 draft. He has career averages of 27 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists per game.
- Durant’s career accolades and dominance cement the 2007 draft as known primarily for producing one of the NBA’s greatest ever players in Kevin Durant.
- Durant was the first freshman to be named Naismith College Player of the Year in 2007, displaying his talent before entering the NBA.
- He scored 25+ points per game in his rookie season, the first teenager to do so since LeBron James. This early scoring prowess was a sign of what was to come.
- Durant has led the league in scoring 4 times (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014). The only active player with more scoring titles is James Harden with 3.
- He won the MVP award in the 2013-14 season after averaging 32 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while leading the Thunder to the #2 seed in the West.
- Durant has been named to the All-NBA First Team 6 times, showing his elite status among the league’s best players over the years.
- He was named MVP of the 2012 All-Star Game after scoring 36 points in a showcase of his incredible scoring ability.
- Durant’s career high is 54 points, which he has achieved twice. His career average of 27 PPG ranks among the NBA’s all-time highest.
- While plagued by injuries later in his career, a healthy Durant is still considered one of the most lethal and unstoppable scorers in the NBA.
- His combination of elite scoring ability, size, shooting range, and efficiency make him a once-in-a-generation talent that defines the 2007 draft class.
