Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James

It seemed like once the Cavaliers drafted LeBron James in 2003, he had already become the franchise's best player ever. LeBron re-energized the Cleveland fan base and led the Cavs to their first Eastern Conference title ever. Now that he's returned to Cleveland, James looks to give the Cavs their first NBA championship in franchise history.

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Boston Celtics: Bill Russell

The Celtics are arguably the best franchise in the history of the NBA, so there are plenty of franchise players to choose from. Bill Russell, one of the greatest centers ever, was part of bringing 11 titles to Boston. Russell was a man among boys as he averaged 15 points and 22 rebounds a game in his career.

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Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry has emerged as not only the greatest shooter in NBA history, but also the Warriors' best player ever. Curry is able to combine his master ball-handling skills and unparalleled shooting into the kind of wizardry the NBA may never see again. Quite simply: Curry is one of the best and most unique players ever.

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Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant

One of the greatest debates in the NBA continues to be, "Who is the best Laker ever?" Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, James Worthy and Shaquille O'Neal all put up valid arguments, but the best Laker is Kobe Bryant. Magic, Shaq and West have all said as much.

Bryant is the franchise's leading scorer and is tied for most championships with five. The Black Mamba will have spent his entire 20-year career with Los Angeles.

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Philadelphia 76ers: Julius Erving

Before joining the 76ers, Julius Erving was dominating the ABA. Once he became a Sixer, things didn't change.

The high-flying superstar made the All-Star team every year he was in the league. He also won an NBA MVP and NBA championship.

Not to mention, Dr. J made slam dunking cool. Like really cool.

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Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash

Steve Nash could do it all with the Suns. He was a two-time MVP who could shoot almost as well as he could pass.

Nash led the Suns' impressive "Seven Seconds Or Less" offense that's been a precursor to the pace the game is played at today.

It's just a matter of time until Nash is welcomed into the Hall of Fame.

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Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade

The Heat franchise has had many superstar players, but none were more important to Miami than Dwyane Wade. The future Hall of Fame guard has won three NBA titles with the Heat, an NBA Finals MVP and a gold medal from the 2008 Summer Olympics.

LeBron James might be the better player, but Wade's impact on the franchise has been much bigger.

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Indiana Pacers: Reggie Miller

There might not be a bigger trash talker in NBA history. But Reggie Miller backed it up.

A nightmare for defenses every night, Miller was a knockdown shooter who set the record for most 3-pointers made in 2005.

Miller's most famous sequence might be when he scored eight points in nine seconds against the Knicks in 1995.

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Utah Jazz: Karl Malone

Karl Malone versus John Stockton was one of the hardest decisions on the list. In the end, the Mailman got the nod over his point guard.

Malone has the edge over Stockton in MVPs and All-Star appearances, and he's the second all-time leading scorer in NBA history. The two brought the Bulls to the brink in the late '90s, but the duo could never win an NBA title.

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Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant

Remember: The Thunder franchise was formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, so greats like Gary Payton have an argument, but Kevin Durant takes the cake.

Durant is an explosive scorer who is a mismatch every time he's playing. Durant is a four-time NBA scoring champion, and he was named the 2014 NBA MVP.

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Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Paul

Chris Paul has been a Clipper since 2011, and he's already the franchise's best player ever. CP3 is an assassin at point guard who can take over the game at any moment.

He's an excellent leader, scorer, passer and defender. Since joining the Clips, CP3 has made the All-Star team every season.

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Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon

There might not be another center in NBA history who has had as big an impact as Hakeem Olajuwon. He's the first player to ever win an NBA title, MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.

The two-time NBA champ's impact can still be felt in the game today, with many stars using Olajuwon's post moves.

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New York Knicks: Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing could never deliver a much-anticipated title to Knicks faithful, but the big man is still the franchise's best player to date.

Ewing was the star of the Knicks in the '90s, as he averaged 21 points per game in his career. He retired as the Knicks' all-time leading scorer.

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San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan

He doesn't get the headlines, but Tim Duncan is one of the best players in NBA history. Duncan has helped turn the Spurs into a model franchise, while winning five NBA titles.

Duncan will never be mistaken for flashy, that's for sure. But he's arguably the best power forward in NBA history.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett was the savior of the Timberwolves. The franchise had little success before the Big Ticket arrived, but Garnett quickly helped Minnesota turn it around.

Behind Garnett, the T-Wolves made eight consecutive playoff appearances. Garnett is an NBA MVP and 15-time All Star who was recently traded back to the T'Wolves.

Rumor has it, Garnett loves the T-Wolves so much, he might be an owner when he retires.

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Detroit Pistons: Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas was the leader behind the "Bad Boys" Pistons in the 1980s. Before Michael Jordan became an unstoppable force, Thomas' Pistons beat the Bulls en route to back-to-back NBA titles.

Thomas was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

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Milwaukee Bucks: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Many will remember Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a Laker, but he spent his first six seasons in Milwaukee. In his stint with the Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar won three NBA MVPs and an NBA title. KAJ holds the Bucks franchise records for most points and rebounds. He's also the NBA's all-time points leader with 38,387.

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Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki

There's little doubt Dirk Nowitzi is the Mavericks' best and most important player of all time.

Nowitzki, a Mav since 1998, is a 12-time All Star and the franchise's leading scorer.

In 2011, Nowitzki and the Mavericks won their first title in the team's history.

The German star is widely considered the greatest foreign-born player in NBA history.

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Brooklyn Nets: Jason Kidd

Despite not winning a title with the Nets, Jason Kidd is the franchise's best player. Kidd played with the Nets and led the squad to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances.

Kidd finished his career with the second most assists in NBA history, behind John Stockton.

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Sacramento Kings: Oscar Robertson

Before they were Kings, the Sacramento players were merely Cincinnati Royals. With the Royals, Oscar Robertson put on a show every night.

Robertson is the Kings' all-time leading scorer to this day. Robertson also led the NBA in assists all six seasons with the Royals.

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Atlanta Hawks: Dominique Wilkins

Known as the Human Highlight Reel, Dominique Wilkins made jaws drop in Atlanta every night. Wilkins was a high-flying act who made the All-Star team nine times with the Hawks. He is still the Hawks' all-time leading scorer.

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Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard spent eight seasons with the Magic before being traded to the Lakers in 2012. The former No. 1 pick turned the lowly Magic into a perennial contender, thanks in part to an NBA Finals appearance in 2009.

Howard also won NBA Defensive Player of the Year three times in Orlando.

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Portland Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler

Clyde "The Glide" Drexler is the all-time leading scorer in Trail Blazers history. While with Portland, Drexler led the Blazers to a Western Conference title.

Drexler is one of the best two-guards in NBA history, but he was usually in the shadow of the great MJ.

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Toronto Raptors: Vince Carter

It would be insane not to crown Vince Carter as the Raptors' best player ever. While the Raptors have never had enormous success, Carter made the Raptors fun to watch.

In his prime, Vinsanity could jump out of the building, and the Toronto fans loved him.

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Washington Wizards: Elvin Hayes

Elvin Hayes was the Washington Bullets' best player on the team's lone championship squad.

Hayes leads the franchise in points scored and blocks. While in Washington, Hayes was an eight-time All Star.

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Memphis Grizzlies: Pau Gasol

The battle for the Grizzlies' best player in franchise history comes down to brothers, Pau Gasol against Marc Gasol.

Pau was the Grizzlies' first real star. He won the 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year and helped Memphis taste success for the first time in the franchise's history.

Unfortunately for the Gasols, they were traded for each other in a deal that sent Pau to the Lakers.

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Denver Nuggets: Alex English

If it wasn't for the Carmelo Anthony trade to the Knicks, Melo might top this list. But that honor belongs to NBA scoring champion Alex English.

English was part of a high-octane Nuggets offense in the 1980s. English finished his career with eight All-Star appearances, while averaging 21.5 points per game.

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New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis

There's a strong argument to be made that Chris Paul is the best player in the Hornets/Pelicans franchise, but Anthony Davis slightly edges him out.

The former No. 1 pick is a dynamic player who can hurt you on offense or defense. In his short career, Davis has given New Orleans a star to root for.

Davis is a two-time All Star and was recently voted to his first All-NBA First Team.

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Charlotte Hornets: Larry Johnson

Former Rookie of the Year, Larry Johnson is the Hornets' best player in franchise history.

The former top pick was the first player in the team's history to be voted as a starter in the All-Star game.

Needless to say, the Hornets are desperate for a new star, like Charlotte native Stephen Curry.

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