The 10 biggest NBA Draft steals from the last 10 years

Every year, we get top players in the NBA draft class, many All-Stars are available outside of the top-10, and often future Hall of Famers can be found. With the NBA draft, just a few days away let’s look at 10 of the biggest steals selected over the last 10 years in the NBA Draft.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The two-time MVP and five-time All-Star was selected 15th in the 2013 draft. And then he signed his rookie scale contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. He played a key role for the Bucks. Giannis led the Milwaukee Bucks to the conference finals on two occasions. His ability to attack offense and also in defense make him a very valuable player.

Also, in the 2016-17 season, he led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories and became the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in all five statistics of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He also won back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2019 and 2020.

Jimmy Butler

A five-time NBA All-Star, a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree, Jimmy Butler was drafted with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. In 2015, he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. He had a very good season in Miami. Butler’s journey is very inspiring. And everyone has is impressed with his work ethic.

Before the 2011 draft, NBA general manager said, “Butler’s story is one of the most remarkable I’ve seen in all my years of basketball. There were so many times in his life where he was set up to fail. Every time, he overcame just enormous odds. When you talk to him and he’s hesitant to talk about his life, you just have this feeling that this kid has greatness in him.”

Devin Booker

Devin was drafted 13th overall in the 2015 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He had a magical run with the Suns. He was also a two-time All-Star. And, in 2017 Booker, became the youngest player to score over 60 points in a game, finishing with 70 against the Boston Celtics. And in the Summer League games, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.

Draymond Green

A three-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA All-Star, Green was drafted 35th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Green has great match awareness. He played a key role for the Warriors in their winning campaigns (2015, 2017, 2018). In 2017, he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected in All-NBA Defensive team six times.

Rudy Gobert

A two-time NBA All-Star, Rudy was drafted 27th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. He averaged double digits in rebounds in six of his eight NBA seasons. Gobert is known for his defensive ability. He was also the NBA blocks leader in the 2016–17 season. And he has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award three times. He was also a three-time All-NBA Team member, five-time All-Defensive Team member.

Kawhi Leonard

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time Finals MVP, Leonard was drafted 15th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by Indiana Pacers before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night. He played a key role with the Spurs. Leonard won an NBA championship in 2014, where he was named the Finals Most Valuable Player. A five-time All-Star, Leonard was also the MVP of the 2020 All-Star game. He has been named All-NBA First Team three times, and also won NBA All-Defensive First Team honors on three occasions.

Nikola Jokic

The three-time NBA All-Star, Jokic was selected by the Nuggets in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft. And since then he had played a vital role in Nuggets campaigns. Recently, in the 2020-21 season, he won his first Most Valuable Player award, and he was the first Serbian to take home the honor and the lowest-drafted player (41st overall) to do it. He was also voted to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2016. Jokic has been named to the All-NBA Team on three occasions. He also holds the record for fastest triple-double (achieved in 14 minutes and 33 seconds)

Khris Middleton

The two-time All-Star, Middleton was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 39th overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft. Since then, Middleton has started in 510 of 585 regular-season games, averaging 31.7 minutes in the last 9 NBA seasons. In the first season (2012-13), Middleton played all 82 games. And then in 2013-14, he averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes per game. He also received his first All-Star selection in 2019.

Donovan Mitchell

A two-time NBA All-Star, Donovan Mitchell was selected 13th overall in the 2017 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets and was traded on draft night to the Utah Jazz. ANd he had a great season with Utah. During his rookie season, Mitchell was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and won the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest. Mitchell is considered one of the most dynamic scorers.

Klay Thompson

A five-time NBA All-Star, Klay Thompson was drafted 11th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by Golden State. Klay is regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He has won three championships with the Warriors. In 2015, Thompson played a key role and took the Warriors to their first NBA Championship since 1975, and was also a vital contributor in the Warriors’ 2017 and 2018 titles. He has also been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.