The biggest steals in NBA draft history: Kobe Bryant, Jokic, Antetokounmpo...

Kobe Bryant

In the 1996 NBA Draft, Kobe Bryant was chosen as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets. However, he was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite being a high school prospect, the Lakers took a chance on him, which proved to be a great steal. Kobe became one of the NBA’s greatest players, with five championships, 18 All-Star appearances, and over 33,000 points scored throughout his exceptional career.

Nikola Jokic

In the 2014 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets selected Nikola Jokic as the 41st overall pick. Despite being relatively unknown to many NBA fans and scouts, the Nuggets saw incredible potential in him. Over time, Jokic has emerged as one of the league’s most skilled and versatile big men. He made history by becoming the first second-round pick to win the NBA MVP award in 2021 and win it again one year later. Jokic’s exceptional passing skills, scoring ability, and basketball IQ have earned him a spot as a perennial All-Star and a cornerstone player for the Nuggets and their first NBA Championship title in 2023.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo, also known as the “Greek Freak,” was the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Hailing from Greece, Antetokounmpo possessed immense physical talent but lacked refinement and experience. Nonetheless, he quickly emerged as a dominant force in the league. Antetokounmpo’s back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2019 and 2020 and his leadership in leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 2021 are testaments to his remarkable growth and abilities. His unique blend of size, athleticism, and skill has made him one of the most captivating players to observe in recent times.

Tony Parker

Tony Parker, a talented French basketball player, was drafted in the late first round of 2001. He achieved great success with the team that picked him, the Spurs, winning four championships, a Finals MVP, and making six All-Star and four All-NBA teams. Parker’s success almost set a trend of late-draft steals for San Antonio during their period of excellence in the 2000s and 2010s. As a 19-year-old, he became the starting point guard for the Spurs by the fifth game of his rookie year, which was almost unheard of in the early 2000s and remains a rare feat today, especially for lead guards.

Dennis Rodman

It may come as a surprise, but Dennis Rodman was selected as the 27th overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft. Despite this, he became a legend in the sport, winning the rebounding championship seven years in a row with an impressive average of 16.7 rebounds per game. Rodman was also renowned for his exceptional defensive skills and was recognized as one of the best defenders of his generation, earning the Defensive Player of the Year award twice. On top of that, he won five championships, two with the Detroit Pistons and three with the Chicago Bulls, cementing his place in basketball history.

Draymond Green

Undoubtedly, Draymond Green stands out as one of the most exceptional defenders in the NBA over the past decade. He has earned All-Defensive team honors seven times, making him a crucial asset to the Golden State Warriors’ four championship victories. He has consistently averaged 11.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game in the playoffs. It’s hard to believe that despite his remarkable defending skills, he was actually the 35th overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Kawhi Leonard

In the 2011 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers picked Kawhi Leonard as the 15th overall pick. However, in exchange for George Hill, he was quickly traded to the San Antonio Spurs along with Dāvis Bertāns and Erazem Lorbek. Although he had a slow start in the NBA, Kawhi gradually improved and became one of the best players of his generation. He has achieved great success, winning two NBA championships and being awarded the Finals MVP both times. He has also been named the Defensive Player of the Year twice and selected to the All-NBA First Team three times.

Manu Ginóbili

It’s impressive that Manu Ginóbili, selected as the 57th overall pick in the 1999 draft, ultimately became the highest VORP player in his class, scoring 47.1. Throughout his career, he accumulated over 14,000 points, 4,000 assists, 3,500 rebounds, and 1,300 steals, and became Olympic champion with his home nation Argentina. Perhaps most notably, Ginobili earned four championship rings, was later inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame, and has his jersey number retired at San Antonio.