The NBA Draft Lottery has become a night of hope and heartbreak. As the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery unfolds tonight, May 12, half the league’s franchises are hanging on the bounce of a pingpong ball.
With future superstars waiting in the wings, this process could alter the league’s balance for years to come. The lottery isn’t based purely on standings—it’s a system designed to reduce tanking and keep the competitive spirit alive. But even with odds and projections, some of the greatest NBA players slipped far below where they should have gone.
NBA’s All-Time Draft Steals
These are the top all-time NBA Draft Lottery steals—players who shattered expectations and redefined greatness.
10. Jalen Brunson – 33rd Pick, 2018 NBA Draft
Jalen Brunson has blossomed into a star with the New York Knicks, but it was the Dallas Mavericks who first saw his potential. He helped lead the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in the 2021–22 season.
Now with the Knicks, he’s showcasing his true talent, averaging 26.0 points and 7.3 assists per game in the 2024–25 regular season.
9. Tony Parker – 28th Pick, 2001 NBA Draft
Tony Parker was instrumental in the San Antonio Spurs’ four championships during his tenure. The French point guard earned Finals MVP in 2007 and averaged 15.5 points and 5.6 assists over his career.
8. Donovan Mitchell – 13th Pick, 2017 NBA Draft
Donovan Mitchell has been a scoring machine since day one. Drafted by the Denver Nuggets and traded to the Utah Jazz, he now stars for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This regular season, he helped Cleveland finish with a 64–18 record and has led the team to the second round of the playoffs, averaging 28.9 points and 4.3 assists this postseason.
7. Draymond Green – 35th Pick, 2012 NBA Draft
Draymond Green is the emotional and defensive backbone of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. With four championships and a Defensive Player of the Year award, his versatility remains unmatched. He has averaged 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists over his career.
6. Steve Nash – 15th Pick, 1996 NBA Draft
Drafted by the Suns, Steve Nash eventually won two MVPs and became one of the greatest point guards ever. With career averages of 14.3 points and 8.5 assists, Nash revolutionized offensive efficiency and the pick-and-roll game.
5. Jimmy Butler – 30th Pick, 2011 NBA Draft
Taken with the last pick in the first round by the Chicago Bulls, Jimmy Butler turned himself into a gritty two-way superstar. He led the Miami Heat to two NBA Finals appearances.
In a blockbuster trade on Feb. 6, 2025, the Heat sent Butler to the Golden State Warriors. In just 30 regular-season games with Golden State, Butler helped the team to 23 wins. He’s currently averaging 20.0 points in the postseason.
4. Dennis Rodman – 27th Pick, 1986 NBA Draft
Dennis Rodman went deep in the second round but became a defensive and rebounding force. He led the league in rebounds for seven straight seasons and was pivotal in championship runs with the Pistons and Bulls. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rodman averaged 13.1 rebounds per game in his career.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 15th Pick, 2013 NBA Draft
When the Milwaukee Bucks gambled on the lanky Greek teenager, few imagined he’d become the MVP force that he did. Giannis Antetokounmpo has two MVP awards (2019, 2020), a Defensive Player of the Year, and led the Bucks to a title in 2021.
2. Nikola Jokić – 41st Pick, 2014 NBA Draft
Nikola Jokić is arguably the greatest second-round pick in NBA history. Drafted during a Taco Bell commercial, the Denver Nuggets center has won three MVPs (2021, 2022, 2024) and secured an NBA championship in 2023.
An elite playmaker and scorer, Jokić is averaging 24.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists in the 2024–25 playoffs and is widely regarded as one of the best centers in league history.
1. Michael Jordan – 3rd Pick, 1984 NBA Draft
While a No. 3 pick isn’t usually considered a “steal,” Michael Jordan is a special case. The Portland Trail Blazers famously passed on him to select Sam Bowie at No. 2.
The Chicago Bulls grabbed Jordan at third, and the rest is history: six-time NBA champion, five-time MVP, and a career average of 30.1 points per game. He revolutionized basketball globally and became the sport’s ultimate icon.
As the NBA Lottery drama unfolds tonight at 7 p.m. ET, franchises across the league will dream of landing their own version of Jokic, Giannis, or Jordan. Fans can watch the live broadcast on ESPN or stream it on NBA Hub.