Top 5 NBA draft picks in Utah Jazz history

1. Karl Malone

In 1985, the Utah Jazz selected Karl Malone with the 13th overall selection. The Louisiana Tech product quickly made his presence felt in his rookie season, averaging 14.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 81 games of play.

The 6-foot-9 forward would only improve from there and become known as one of the best power forwards in the game. Malone earned the nickname “the Mailman” because he “always delivered” for the Jazz.

Through 18 seasons with Utah, Malone averaged 25.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 1,434 games for the Jazz. The big man finished as a 14-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA first team, two-time MVP winner, and ranks third in career points scored, trailing only LeBron James and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Not only does Malone ranks third in all-time scoring in the NBA, but he’s also the points leader in Jazz history.

Another reason that the Jazz’s former first-round selection holds not only the top spot on this list but is so beloved by Utah fans. Many argue that Malone is the best player in Utah Jazz history, and understandably so.

Malone comes in at number one on the list.