The Greatest 2nd-Round Picks In NBA History, Ranked
Teams always hope the No. 1 pick turns into a Hall of Famer. But many of the most surprising careers have started much later, after the 30th pick. The second round is where overlooked prospects have gone on to defy expectations and change NBA history.
Here are the headline-grabbers who left a massive mark.
Khris Middleton – 2012, 39th overall
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Middleton’s composure and clutch shooting were imperative in Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run. He is a three-time All-Star who scores, passes, and defends, and has delivered in important games.
Jalen Brunson – 2018, 33rd overall
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Jalen Brunson, taken 33rd in 2018, began his career as a role player in Dallas before emerging as a lead guard in New York. His strong playoff performance in 2023 showed he could carry an offense, and he has since established himself as a cornerstone for the Knicks.
Rashard Lewis – 1998, 32nd overall
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Before stretch fours became standard, Lewis was bending defenses with his range. His three-point touch was central to Orlando’s Finals push in 2009, and he grabbed a ring in Miami by spacing the floor for LeBron. He was also a two-time All-Star.
Norm Van Lier – 1969, 34th overall
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Norm Van Lier, drafted 34th in 1969, was a three-time All-Star and made eight All-Defensive teams. He anchored Chicago’s backcourt in the 1970s with his aggressive defense and competitive style. Although he never won a championship, his toughness left a lasting impression.
Jeff Hornacek – 1986, 46th overall
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Jeff Hornacek spent 14 years in the NBA as a reliable guard with a reputation for smart decision-making and accurate shooting. He shot just over 40% from three across his career and fit well with playoff teams in Phoenix and Utah. He became an All-Star in 1992, and later moved into coaching.
Spencer Haywood – 1971, 30th overall
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Spencer Haywood won a Supreme Court case that allowed underclassmen to enter the NBA draft. He was a four-time All-Star member of the Lakers’ 1980 championship team.
Maurice Cheeks – 1978, 36th overall
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Maurice Cheeks ran the floor for Philadelphia’s 1983 title team and set up scorers like Julius Erving while keeping turnovers low. He made four All-Star teams, ranked among the all-time steals leaders when he retired, and later moved into coaching.
Dennis Johnson – 1976, 29th overall
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“DJ” once dropped 32 points in an NBA Finals Game 7, then shifted into the role of defensive wizard for Boston. He won three titles and earned praise from Larry Bird as “the best I ever played with.” That’s not a bad arc for a guy who started out selling orange juice.
Alex English – 1976, 23rd overall
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English was the NBA’s most prolific scorer of the 1980s, with eight straight 2,000-point seasons and 31 Denver franchise records. He was an eight-time All-Star and retired as one of the leading forwards in NBA history.
Gilbert Arenas – 2001, 31st overall
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Arenas averaged over 25 points in multiple seasons and made three All-Star teams. His offensive outbursts defined mid-2000s Washington basketball, though injuries shortened his prime. At his best, he was among the league’s most feared shooters.
Marc Gasol – 2007, 48th overall
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Gasol was traded for his brother before he played an NBA game, and he grew into Memphis’s soul. He was the rare player who could quarterback an offense and anchor a defense. Late in his career, he brought a title to Toronto.
Dennis Rodman – 1986, 27th overall
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Dennis Rodman won two titles with Detroit and three with Chicago. He led the NBA in rebounding for seven straight seasons from 1992 to 1998, often grabbing double-digit boards despite being undersized for his position. He earned two Defensive Player of the Year awards and made seven All-Defensive First Teams.
Draymond Green – 2012, 35th overall
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Green plays like a center, talks like a point guard, and defends like five guys at once. He is the emotional meter of the Warriors dynasty. His resume includes four rings and a Defensive Player of the Year, but it’s his unpredictable playmaking and chaotic brilliance that make him the most irreplaceable “glue guy” of his era.
Manu Ginobili – 1999, 57th overall
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Ginóbili, a four-time champion and Hall of Famer, was a key piece of the Spurs’ success. He introduced a crafty Euro-step that became a staple in today’s game, and he was known for his unselfish play. His quick reactions even showed up off the court, like the time he swatted a bat during a game.
Nikola Jokic – 2014, 41st overall
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Jokic’s rise is unmatched. He went from a sleeper to the NBA’s most unpredictable MVP who flipped the center position inside out. With a Finals MVP, three league MVPs, and Denver’s first title under his belt, he’s a once-in-a-generation outlier who made GMs regret blinking.