NBA Draft Steals: The Best Players Ever Selected After The 30th Overall Pick
No first-round pick? No worries
While the Warriors battle the Rockets and the Celtics take on LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyle Korver, and a pack of warmish bodies in the 2018 conference finals, fans of the NBA’s other 26 teams are looking forward to the NBA draft on June 21. But as things stand, the Rockets and five of those teams — the Pistons, Pelicans, Heat, Raptors, and Thunder — won’t get a chance to pick in the draft’s first round. Fortunately, there are always diamonds in the rough. Here’s a list of the best NBA draft steals to be taken off the board after the 30th overall pick. (Players who opted not to come to the NBA from the ABA don’t count; sorry, George Gervin.)22. Nick Van Exel
A point guard who rarely met a shot he didn’t like, Nick the Quick was named to the 1998 Western Conference All-Star team five years into his NBA tenure. Over his 13-year career, the 37th overall pick in 1993 averaged 14.4 points and 6.
6 assists per game, and reached the Western Conference Finals with the Mavericks in 2003.
21. Monta Ellis
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The Mississippi Bullet had the mentality to match his moniker, finishing in the top seven in field goals missed seven times in his career. During his five-year peak, the 40th pick of the 2005 draft averaged 22.2 points, five assists, and 1.
8 steals per game, earning Most Improved Player honors in 2008.
20. Carlos Boozer
One of the louder players ever to take an NBA court, Boozer treated fans to shouts of “and one!” for 13 seasons, reaching All-Star status in 2007 and 2008. Over those two seasons, the 35th overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.
9 assists per game for the Utah Jazz.
19. Lou Williams
The 76ers selected the guard out of high school with the 45th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. In 2017-18, Sweet Lou narrowly missed his first All-Star selection despite averaging an efficient 22.6 points per game, so he’ll have to settle for his inevitable second Sixth Man of the Year award.