1. Al Jefferson
2. Rozier
3. Tony Allen
4. Perk
5. Avery Bradley
Am I missing anyone?
I like a Ainge and he hit big with the J’s, but that’s not a great list considering he’s been the GM for 18 years. I would put Rondo #1 even though that was a draft night trade.
You've got to include Rondo, as you say. And you have to consider where the picks were made and the typical player that comes out of such picks.
For example:
Rajon Rondo is the best player EVER taken at #21 in the modern-era NBA draft. The best ever.
Here's the list:
2019 Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga – Oklahoma City Thunder
2018 Grayson Allen, Duke – Utah Jazz
2017 Terrance Ferguson, Australia – Oklahoma City Thunder
2016 DeAndre’ Bembry, St. Joseph’s – Atlanta Hawks
2015 Justin Anderson, Virginia – Dallas Mavericks
2014 Mitch McGary, Michigan – Oklahoma City Thunder
2013 Gorgui Dieng, Louisville – Utah Jazz
2012 Jared Sullinger, Ohio State – Boston Celtics
2011 Nolan Smith, Duke University – Portland Trail Blazers
2010 Craig Brackins, Iowa State University – Oklahoma City Thunder
2000’s
2009 Darren Collison, University of California, Los Angeles – New Orleans Hornets
2008 Ryan Anderson, Cal – New Jersey Nets
2007 Daequan Cook, Ohio State – Miami HEAT
2006 Rajon Rondo, Kentucky – Phoenix Suns
2005 Nate Robinson, Washington – Phoenix Suns
2004 Pavel Podkolzin, Varese (Italy) – Utah Jazz
2003 Boris Diaw, France – Atlanta Hawks
2002 Qyntel Woods, Northeast Mississippi CC – Portland Trail Blazers
2001 Joseph Forte, North Carolina – Boston Celtics
2000 Morris Peterson, Michigan State – Toronto Raptors
1990’s
1999 Jeff Foster, Southwest Texas State – Golden State Warriors
1998 Ricky Davis, Iowa – Charlotte Hornets
1997 Anthony Parker, Bradley – New Jersey Nets
1996 Dontae’ Jones, Mississippi State – New York Knicks
1995 Michael Finley, Wisconsin – Phoenix Suns
1994 Dickey Simpkins, Providence – Chicago Bulls
1993 James Robinson, Alabama – Portland Trail Blazers
1992 Jon Barry, Georgia Tech – Boston Celtics
1991 Eric Murdock, Providence – Utah Jazz
1990 Jayson Williams, St. John’s – Phoenix Suns
1980’s
1989 Blue Edwards, East Carolina – Utah Jazz
1988 Mark Bryant, Seton Hall – Portland Trail Blazers
1987 Dallas Comegys, DePaul – Atlanta Hawks
1986 Anthony Jones, UNLV – Washington Bullets
1985 Terry Catledge, South Alabama – Philadelphia 76ers
1984 Kenny Fields, UCLA – Milwaukee Bucks
1983 Greg Kite, Brigham Young – Boston Celtics
1982 Eddie Phillips, Alabama – New Jersey Nets
1981 Alton Lister, Arizona State – Milwaukee Bucks
1980 Monti Davis, Tennessee State – Philadelphia 76ers
Who's better - Finley? I'd say not. No one else is even close.
Even Jefferson at #15 - there are probably not 5 players better than him taken at that pick since 1980.