Top 10 Best NBA Draft Steals in History: Ranked

Identifying value is the ultimate goal, and teams that master this art often build lasting dynasties. Over decades of professional basketball, certain selections stand out for the sheer disparity between where they were drafted and what they ultimately achieved. These are the best low draft picks NBA franchises ever made—the steals that made 29 other teams regret their evaluations.

Here is the definitive ranking of the top 10 greatest draft steals in basketball history.

Quick Comparison: Top 10 NBA Draft Steals at a Glance

10. Draymond Green (Round 2, Pick 35 — 2012)

When the Golden State Warriors selected Draymond Green 35th overall, few predicted he would become the defensive heartbeat of a modern dynasty. Green lacked an "ideal" position coming out of Michigan State and didn't possess traditional athleticism for an NBA forward.

However, his basketball IQ, competitive intensity, and positional versatility allowed him to anchor one of the most efficient defenses in league history. As the key playmaker and defensive captain for four championship teams (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) and the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Green became the modern blueprint for the multi-positional "point forward." His impact far exceeded expectations for an early second-round pick.

9. Dennis Rodman (Round 2, Pick 27 — 1986)

Drafted 27th overall by the Detroit Pistons out of Southeastern Oklahoma State, Dennis Rodman entered the league as a 25-year-old rookie unknown to mainstream analysts. What he brought was an unprecedented motor and a scientific approach to rebounding.

"The Worm" became the premier rebounder and perimeter defender of his era. He earned two Defensive Player of the Year awards (1990, 1991) and led the league in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons. His contributions were essential to five NBA championships—two with the "Bad Boys" Pistons and three with the Chicago Bulls. Finding a Hall of Fame defensive anchor at pick 27 makes Rodman one of the best low draft picks in NBA history.

8. Tony Parker (Round 1, Pick 28 — 2001)

The San Antonio Spurs faced skepticism when they selected an 18-year-old, undersized point guard from France with the 28th pick in 2001. Tony Parker quickly silenced critics using his end-to-end speed and signature tear-drop float shot to slice through NBA defenses.

Parker served as the primary engine of the Spurs' offense for over a decade. A six-time All-Star, he won four championships in San Antonio and earned the 2007 Finals MVP award—becoming the first European player to capture the honor. Landing a franchise point guard at pick 28 set the standard for international scouting value.

7. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Round 1, Pick 15 — 2013)

Heading into the 2013 NBA Draft, international scouting was growing, but Giannis Antetokounmpo remained a raw, unproven prospect. At 18 years old, he was playing in Greece’s second division. Fourteen teams passed on his combination of wingspan and open-court athleticism.

The Milwaukee Bucks took a chance at pick 15, resulting in a franchise transformation. The "Greek Freak" developed into a two-time NBA MVP (2019, 2020), Defensive Player of the Year, and 2021 NBA Champion—highlighted by a historic 50-point performance in Game 6 of the Finals. Selecting a top-tier superstar outside the lottery remains a landmark draft pick.

6. Manu Ginóbili (Round 2, Pick 57 — 1999)

In terms of draft position relative to career achievement, few picks rival Manu Ginóbili. Selected 57th overall—second-to-last in the 1999 draft—and not making his NBA debut until 2002, the Argentine guard became a core pillar of the San Antonio Spurs dynasty.

Ginóbili popularized the "Euro Step" in American basketball and redefined the role of a elite sixth man. His creative passing, clutch shot-making, and fiery play helped secure four NBA championships (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) and a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

5. Nikola Jokić (Round 2, Pick 41 — 2014)

The Nikola Jokic draft pick rewritten the metrics of draft value. Drafted 41st overall by the Denver Nuggets during a broadcast commercial, the Serbian center was initially overlooked due to concerns regarding his speed and conditioning.

Jokić did not just adapt to the NBA; he fundamentally changed how the center position is played. He is a three-time NBA MVP (2021, 2022, 2024) and led the Nuggets to their first franchise championship in 2023, earning Finals MVP honors. As the lowest-drafted player ever to win an MVP award, Jokić stands as the single greatest second-round draft pick in modern sports history.

4. Isaiah Thomas (Round 2, Pick 60 — 2011)

At 5’9”, Isaiah Thomas was selected 60th overall in 2011—literally the final pick of the draft. Most Mr. Irrelevant picks struggle to make an opening-night roster, but Thomas turned his opportunity into an All-NBA career.

His peak came during the 2016–17 season with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 28.9 points per game and earned the nickname "King of the Fourth." He finished top-5 in MVP voting and led Boston to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Generating All-NBA production and MVP consideration from the last pick in the draft represents an unprecedented return on investment.

3. Ben Wallace (Undrafted — 1996)

The ultimate example of draft value is paying zero draft assets to acquire a Hall of Fame defensive centerpiece. After going unselected out of Virginia Union in the famous 1996 draft class, Ben Wallace carved out a career as the dominant interior defender of his era.

Wallace was the anchor of the 2004 "Goin' to Work" Detroit Pistons, who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. A record-tying four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), Wallace dominated the glass and rim protection despite being undersized for a center. His Hall of Fame induction confirmed his legacy as the premier undrafted player in league history.

2. Steve Nash (Round 1, Pick 15 — 1996)

Selected 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1996, Steve Nash's full potential emerged after returning to Phoenix in 2004. Under head coach Mike D'Antoni, Nash orchestrated the legendary "Seven Seconds or Less" offense that revolutionized league-wide spacing and pace.

Nash won back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2005 and 2006, leading offenses that topped the league in efficiency for consecutive years. His elite shooting percentages (joining the 50-40-90 club four times) and court vision transformed guard play in the modern era. Landing a two-time MVP at pick 15 remains an incredible draft result.

1. Kobe Bryant (Round 1, Pick 13 — 1996)

While Kobe Bryant was selected in the lottery at pick 13, the disparity between a mid-lottery pick and an all-time legend makes this the top NBA draft steal in history.

The Charlotte Hornets drafted Bryant in 1996 and immediately traded his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac. Twelve other franchises passed on the high school star. Bryant proceeded to deliver a 20-year career featuring five NBA championships, an MVP award (2008), two Finals MVPs, and 18 All-Star selections. Acquiring an all-time great at pick 13 represents the highest possible return on a single draft asset.

The Lasting Impact of Late Draft Value

While draft day media coverage focuses heavily on top-three picks, historical analysis shows that championship rosters are frequently completed in the late first round and second round. Whether it is a second-round center like Nikola Jokić developing into a multi-time MVP or a mid-first-round pick like Kobe Bryant becoming a global icon, identifying elite talent outside the top picks remains the primary differentiator for elite NBA front offices.

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