Lakers Draft: Biggest Draft Steals of All Time
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as the names of the first round draft picks are displayed above the stage during the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
When we are talking about Jahlil Okafor, D’Angleo Russell and Kristaps Porzingis, it is acceptable that Lakers fans are pretty much ignoring the others two picks in the draft. The Lakers also have the 27th and 34th picks, and will be looking to grab the steal of the draft for the second year in a row. Sure the odds aren’t so great that the Lakers will select two future All-Stars this Thursday, but based on the history of the NBA, there is a chance.
-== Best Lakers Draft Pick & Free Agent Pairings ==-
Sometimes it’s the players without the hype, that don’t have as much pressure, that end up becoming dominant players in this league. I’m not here to assure you that the Lakers will get a future Hall of Famer with the 27th and 34th picks, but to show that there is always a chance that they can get a gem.
What is a steal? Technically, Michael Jordan was a steal in the 1984 draft as the third overall pick. The Bulls got more than they could hope for with a third pick. Kevin Durant can also be considered a steal, as he was clearly the best player out of his draft class, and was not selected with the first pick. There is no set draft position as to where a player would be considered a “steal”, so for the sake of this article, we will consider anything 27th overall (the Lakers second pick) or lower a steal.
Dennis Rodman: 27th Overall Pick 1986
A guy like Dennis Rodman is a perfect example of how a team could get a steal later in the draft. Some guys with a limited skillset won’t impress in pre-draft workouts, but play with non-stop energy and heart that can only be seen in a real game situation. Rodman was never a good shooter, post player, or dribbler, but he was still able to become a member of the basketball Hall of Fame. For him it was pretty simple: he just played harder than anybody else. Guys that are drafted late feel like they have something to prove, and play with a chip on their shoulder.
Not every prospect can be evaluated by how many threes he can make in a workout, or how high his vertical leap is. Rodman defied all odds, entering the league at 25 years old out of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Rodman was a pivotal part to the Isiah Thomas-led Detroit Pistons in the late 80s, and the second three-peat of Michael Jordan’s career. Rodman led the league in rebounding seven times, won five championships, and was a two-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
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