The NBA Draft is designed to ensure the best talent is selected early, and top picks often meet expectations. However, some fail to deliver, while true stars emerge from later selections.
It’s surprising to see legendary players drafted outside the top 10 or even beyond the top 20. Overlooked by scouts who underestimated their potential, these athletes defied the odds and proved everyone wrong.

Here Are The 5 Best NBA Draft Steals

Nikola Jokic: Denver Nuggets (2014 Round 2, Pick 41)

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is the greatest second-round pick in NBA history and the league’s biggest draft steal. Selected 41st overall in 2014, he took a year to join the Denver Nuggets but has been rewriting history ever since.

While legends like Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan were top-three picks, Jokic, despite being drafted 41st, is the NBA’s best player today. He recently secured his third MVP award, and his versatility makes triple-doubles almost routine.

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Jokic dominates inside with elite touch and strength but is also a reliable outside shooter. With a Finals MVP to his name, the Serbian star shows no signs of slowing down. Once just grateful for an NBA opportunity, he is now on a Hall of Fame path, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time great centers.

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Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast

CLPod 026: The AB Trade, Jayson Tatum Is A Boss, Signings Around The NBA

Mark and Topher break down the unfortunate departure of fan favorite Avery Bradley and how/why it came to be, Jayson Tatum rocking the summer league both in Utah and now Las Vegas, and the flurry of moves that have gone down across the NBA in the past week. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/celtics-lab-nba-basketball-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast

A Boston Celtics Festivus for the rest of us to get some gripes off of our chests

The Boston Celtics are seemingly stuck at around .500 midway through yet another season that was supposed to be the campaign that saw them finally ascend to contender status while a large part of the roster (and for that matter, the NBA) is in the league’s health and safety protocol after testing positive for COVID-19 despite the majority of the team being vaccinated. Between all this, the political zoo appearing on our televisions and cell phones on a daily basis, and a host of other disappointing to downright frightening things going on in the world at the moment, there is no limit to the things fans of the Celtics could — and should — be complaining about. To that end, on this week’s episode of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast, hosts Justin Quinn, Alex Goldberg, and Cameron Tabatabaie host a Festivus-inspired airing of the grievances for all things Boston Celtics, NBA, and beyond. We try to keep it mostly light in a bit of a dark patch in the NBA schedule with all the COVID-related news currently gripping the league (and put most of the pandemic related talk further towards the end), and touch on the team’s recent play and signing of former No. 10 pick Joe Johnson to keep things balanced. So, be sure to check out the clip embedded above to hear all there is to gripe about in the Celtics media sphere on up with your three favorite NBA curmudgeons. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/celtics-lab-nba-basketball-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast

Talking about Boston’s contender status, KG’s jersey retirement and more with Jason Terry

As the Boston Celtics inch towards contender status with improved play on both ends of the court at the same time the Brooklyn Nets are trying to find enough health to compete for a title, the two teams could very well be on a postseason collision course. One that began almost a decade ago when a fateful trade sent Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to Brooklyn, and, given that it is just weeks before Garnett will have his Celtics jersey raised up to the rafters, we couldn’t think of a better person to talk about it with on the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast than the JET himself. In this episode, Cameron Tabatabaie and Justin Quinn are joined by Terry to talk about his time in Boston in their last era of contention, what it was like playing with KG, how he thinks of the Celtics and Nets’ short and medium-term futures, what’s keeping him busy these days and plenty more. This was a very fun pod that even has a Big Ticket in a helicopter story, so be sure to check it out. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/celtics-lab-nba-basketball-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celtics Lab NBA Basketball Podcast

On just how scared Boston should be of the Philadelphia 76ers with Ky Carlin

With the tilt against the Milwaukee Bucks in the rearview mirror, the Boston Celtics train their sights on the last marquee matchup remaining in the 2022-23 regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers. Though some of the suspense of the regular season has been dimmed by the Celtics’ failure to deliver against eminently beatable opponents late in the stretch run, a win over the Sixers would go a long way toward preventing a slide to the third seed while throwing some much-needed momentum Boston’s way. And Philly could very well be an obstacle between the Celtics and a return to the 2023 NBA Finals, too, depending on how they are playing and the health they are in once the postseason is underway. How dangerous are the 76ers in the playoffs for Boston? Are they trending towards full health for a change at the end of the season? What else should Celtics fans want to know about this iteration of their Atlantic Division foes? To answer all of these questions and more, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast — powered by Fan Duel and Better Help — linked up with Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire to get us up to speed on everything we need to know about Philly ahead of their Tuesday meeting and potential playoff series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also Read: NBA Hall Of Famer Claims Nikola Jokic Is Outplaying Everyone, Even MVP Favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Manu Ginobili: San Antonio Spurs (1999 Round 2, Pick 57)

Before the rise of another all-time steal, Manu Ginobili was widely considered the biggest draft steal in NBA history. The Spurs, known for finding gems late in the draft, selected him with the second-to-last pick in 1999, making him their greatest draft-day success.

San Antonio consistently drafted near the end of the first round yet landed key contributors like Tony Parker (28th in 2001), Dejounte Murray (29th in 2016), and Kawhi Leonard (15th in 2011 via trade). Ginobili, however, stands above them all.

A smooth lefty, he helped popularize the euro-step and redefined success for international players, proving skill and fundamentals could outweigh pure athleticism. Considered the best sixth man ever, Ginobili played a crucial role in San Antonio’s dynasty.

While many teams chase titles through trades and free agency, the Spurs built sustained success by mastering the draft, proving the value of homegrown talent.

Isaiah Thomas: Sacramento Kings (2011 Round 2, Pick 60)

Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas was the final pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, making his rise one of the greatest draft steals ever. While the “Mr. Irrelevant” label is more common in the NFL, a few last picks in the NBA have found success—Thomas was the rare exception.

Standing just 5-foot-9, he quickly proved doubters wrong, becoming one of the league’s top scorers and even finishing in the top five of MVP voting one season.

Undersized guards rarely thrive in the NBA, so his late selection wasn’t surprising. But Thomas far exceeded expectations, solidifying himself as one of the greatest steals in draft history.

Also Read: Isaiah Thomas is Fed Up With Jordan Fans Blasting Him, Thinking He’s Pistons’ Isiah Thomas (TWEETS)

Kobe Bryant: Charlotte Hornets (1996 Round 1, Pick 13)

NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s draft-day steal status isn’t just about being picked 13th—it’s also about how he landed with the Lakers. Originally selected by the Hornets in 1996, he was shockingly traded on draft night for Vlade Divac, a move now considered one of the biggest mistakes in NBA history.

Bryant spent all 20 seasons with the Lakers, a rare loyalty in today’s NBA. He won five championships, the 2008 MVP, and made 18 All-Star and 12 All-Defensive teams. Twice the league’s scoring leader, his accolades only scratch the surface of his legendary career.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Milwaukee Bucks (2013 Round 1, Pick 15)

The 15th pick in 2013, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was considered a risky choice due to his raw skills and undeveloped frame. But the Bucks’ gamble paid off, as he transformed into a dominant two-time MVP and NBA champion.

A near seven-footer with guard-like agility, Antetokounmpo is unstoppable at the rim and an elite defender. An eight-time All-Star and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, he’s now one of the league’s best.

Also Read: Top 5 Suggestions For Next Year’s NBA All-Star Game