u/nbastar03

LeBron took Cleveland to the NBA Finals in 2007.

Russell Westbrook wasn’t drafted until 2008.

Westbrook then had enough time to play 18 seasons, win MVP, become a 9x All-Star, break the career triple-double record, play for multiple generations of NBA teams, and retire.

And LeBron is still an active NBA player heading into 2026-27.

It’s one thing to say LeBron has played forever. It’s another to realize that players drafted after he had already made a Finals run have now completed full Hall of Fame careers and retired before him.

Drafted by the Knicks:
Mitchell Robinson
Pacôme Dadiet

Draft rights acquired on draft night:
Miles McBride
Tyler Kolek
Kevin McCullar Jr.
Mohamed Diawara
Ariel Hukporti

Acquired via trade:
Karl-Anthony Towns
Mikal Bridges
OG Anunoby
Josh Hart
Jose Alvarado

Acquired via free agency/signing:
Jalen Brunson
Jordan Clarkson
Landry Shamet
Trey Jemison III
Dillon Jones
Jeremy Sochan

Honestly one of the most impressive roster builds in NBA history considering their entire core was built through trades and free agency rather than lottery picks, a homegrown drafted superstar, or acquiring a reigning MVP/First Team All-NBA caliber player.