Top 10 Biggest Draft STEALS In NBA History

Here we are going to discuss the biggest steals in the draft, and the players who yielded the best return relative to their low draft position.

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The NBA draft is just like any type of betting. The outcome depends on the human factor and luck - which makes the job of a general manager extremely hard at times. Even the most celebrated college players can turn into busts, and sometimes the rawest prospects develop into All-Stars and MVPs.

Top 10 Biggest Draft STEALS In NBA History

[mikeevans]

At this point, Jokic is the greatest Draft Steal of all time. A second round Draft pick who is a back to back MVP, the best center in the game and has a good chance of bringing the first championship to Denver.

[TheTrueJayMacc]

As a Spurs fan, this list makes me happy.

While we’re not much of a threat anymore, we had a superb run, and Manu and Parker were driving the bus along with Timmy.

Definitely two of the most underrated acquisitions in basketball history.

[Nomorechannel-te]

Still crazy how Jokic was a second round pick

[sasarasasarasa]

Ginobili 's 57th pick is just hilarious, seriously 😁

[andreasgamperl]

Nowitzki remains underrated and underappreciated

[belld.s]

I feel like Stockton's assist record is getting close to unbreakable. 19 years and averaged more than 10apg per season. Dunno if we'll see anyone with that sort of consistency again.

[charleswynpulmano]

Having Parker and Ginobili on the list makes it the perfect list.

[PabloSolim]

Nikola Jokic will be an even bigger draft steal when the season is over, as he is most likely gonna win MVP.

[kunaljoshi]

Jokic is cracked out of his mind still can't believe it lol played 2K using him dropped 70 points

[eriknamoca]

Steve Nash was selected 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns. 2x MVP (2005, 2006) 8x NBA All-star

[jameslegendre]

No Ben Wallace? He went in drafted and ended up 4 time DPOY and NBA champ. Only undrafted player even considered for the HoF.

[MrPhilbautista]

Steve Nash was drafted after Kobe, won 2 MVPs, and not even an honorable mention is criminal oversight.

[arrownoir]

Don't forget Cleveland getting LeBron at #1, that was highway robbery.

[kombatcyn]

I feel like what San Antonio is really good because people who are drafted late are gonna try they’re hardest at all times to prove themselves

[Itcjmane]

You forgot that Marc won a championship with Toronto 2019

[nixondelacruz]

Manu Ginobili will always be my favorite player of all time

[riadanabtawi]

Parker of Spurs was 18 years of age when he joined the Spurs .
Drafted at #28.
Ginobili was # 56
Both proved to be great team players winning many NBA Champioships together.
Both of them were 'a big steal' by the Spurs.

[michaelmorgan]

As much as I rooted against Kobe he was quite frankly a legendary player by all accounts, why I don't think he belongs in this list though is because it wasn't that anybody whiffed and missed by not picking him, he was picked where he was because everyone was afraid to draft him due to him saying he would only play for the Lakers, more or less. It's also why I don't consider him being traded one of the worst trades of all time, the Hornets drafted him with the expectation to get a veteran player from the Lakers instead of letting the Lakers have a free and clear Kobe Bryant when they came up to pick their draft pick.

[richdouglas]

Larry Bird. Because he missed a year transferring from Indiana to Indiana State (it was more complicated than that), Bird was eligible for the draft after his junior season. (At Indiana State, where he averaged 30 pts but was still relatively unknown). Red Auerbach, with the 6th pick in the draft (and a dismal Celtics team), selected Bird even though Larry had already announced he was going back to the Sycamores for his senior season. Of course, he had a spectacular season, taking the team all the way to the NCAA finals, where Magic and Michigan State ended their undefeated season. Well, Auerbach was looking pretty smart, having already drafted Bird. But....Red had to sign Larry before the next NBA draft or Bird would go back into the draft and the Celtic's pick would have gone wasted. But Larry ended up signing the largest rookie contract in the history of SPORTS and the rest is both legend and history.

Red took this chance even though 5 other teams passed on Bird (for the risks described above). Larry Legend, indeed.

[tylerheinsius]

Look at what San Antonio did they always find great players late and cant forget khawi too with them