Biggest NBA Draft Steal of All Time

1.

John Stockton

By: beej     69 votes

The 1984 draft had some serious star power but the clubs that passed on Stockton in favor of players like Sam Bowie and Lancaster Gordon no doubt regret it. Stockton went on to become one of the game's greatest players and the prototypical "pass first" point guard. Pick 16 was a bargain and a half for Utah.

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2.

Karl Malone

By: beej     48 votes

Taken 13th in 1985, Malone would become a two time league MVP, a 13 time all-star and be named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time team. Oh yeah, and he's second all time in NBA history in scoring.

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3.

Manu Ginobili

By: beej     50 votes

The second to last selection in the 1999 draft has certainly shown he can do it in the NBA. It took him a while to get over to the United States, but since he's come, he's been doing nothing but lighting up the league.

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4.

Gilbert Arenas

By: beej     50 votes

Selected 31st overall in 2001, Arenas was told he was too small to play shooter and too unaware to play point. A three time NBA All-Star, Arenas has proven the critics wrong and has shown himself to be one of the best in the business today. Just ask him.

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5.

Steve Nash

By: beej     41 votes

Picked 15th overall in 1996, Nash followed picks like Samaki Walker, Todd Fuller and Vitaly Potapenko. Over the past 12 seasons, he's proven himself to be one of the league's finest players, picking up two consecutive league MVP awards along the way.

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6.

Dennis Rodman

By: beej     44 votes

Colorful, freakish characters aside, Rodman was a heckuva basketball player. Selected 27th overall in 1986, "The Worm" would go on to win five NBA championships, be named Defensive Player of the Year twice and wear a wedding dress to promote his autobiography once.

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7.

Kobe Bryant

By: beej     55 votes

It should be noted that Kobe Bryant refused to play for Charlotte, hence why he was dealt. However, that doesn't let the other 12 teams that didn't draft him in 1996 off the hook. While five of the top six picks in the draft have been All-Stars, the next six certainly weren't, and it's tough (though, admittedly arguable) to say that anybody in the world is better than Kobe today.

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8.

Clyde Drexler

By: beej     38 votes

In 1983, 13 teams passed on "The Glide" It was certainly 13 too many. Steve Stipanovich, Rodney McCray and Russell Cross highlight those selected before Drexler, who on his way to the Hall of Fame, would amass ten All-Star appearances and is one of only three players with 20,000 points, 6,000 assists and 6,0000 rebounds.

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9.

Tony Parker

By: beej     37 votes

In 2001, Tony Parker was a 19 year old rookie point guard with just about zero expectations. Seven years later, he's won three NBA titles, a Finals MVP and a Desperate Housewife. Not bad.

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10.

Michael Redd

By: beej     42 votes

Redd was picked 43rd overall in 2000 in a very weak draft class. So weak, in fact, that only three All-Stars, including Redd have come out of it. Though picked behind the likes of Jerome Moiso, Jason Collier and Mamadou N'Diaye, Redd is already 10th all time in Milwaukee Bucks history for points scored and 5th for scoring average.

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