1. Nikola Jokic, 2014, 41st overall
It’s almost impossible to argue against Nikola Jokic checking in at No. 1 as the biggest NBA Draft steal in the last 10 years. Out of Serbia, Jokic was the 41st draft pick in the 2014 draft. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets and is now considered the team’s best player and one of the five-best big men in the league.
Since becoming a full-time starter, Jokic has emerged as one of the best bigs in the NBA. Before the NBA’s hiatus, Jokic was well on his way to the best statistical season of his career. He was averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists on 53 percent shooting from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range.
He helped lead the Nuggets to the second seed in the Western Conference last season and carried the team to within one game of the Western Conference Finals.
The Nuggets have quickly become one of the most promising young teams in the NBA recently, and it all started with the emergence of Nikola Jokic a few seasons ago. He’s now a key part of their future and will almost certainly be a big part of any success the team will experience in the immediate future.