Who was it? In a sense, Oden is a rookie, so the Blazers are effectively adding him as if he were a draft pick. But I don't think that counts
Scottie Pippen for Olden Polynice. Hard to top a Hall of Famer for a mediocre role-player. I'd disqualify Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac, because Bryant making it clear to the Hornets that he wouldn't sign with them played a major role in them trading him to LA. Otherwise, that would be up there.
John Stockton dropping to #16 comes to mind Ginobilli was #57 and of Course Jordan going #3 (although Hakeem going 1st is totally understandable)
It would have to be the Bulls drafting MJ at #3. I know this isn't a trade but it has to be the biggest steal IMO. It would be the biggest steal because MJ was the best player to ever play in the NBA IMO.
Nothing in the modern (just two rounds) age of the NBA can be considered that big of a steal. The draft used to be 19 rounds. If anyone that was picked in the 19th round that ended up an all-star (or even a decent starter) that's gotta be the biggest steal in draft history. Chuck Taylor was taken in the 10th round by Chicago back in 1972. Maybe he was the biggest steal. Edit: oops, wrong Chuck Taylor. THE Chuck Taylor died in 1969.
My bad, I meant this past draft, but this is a great thread anyway. Do you think it matters if it's a championship caliber team that somehow gets a top draft choice? If so, Len Bias would be a first order steal for the Celtics, in spite of his untimely death. Tim Duncan to the Spurs would be another.
On a similar note, a trivia question: who drafted Dr J (NBA)? Then think of how great that team would have been.
From this years draft I think the Blazers getting Bayless was a huge steal. I think Bayless will end up in the top 2 or 3 players from this draft.
Milwaukee it was. He'd have joined Kareem and Oscar Robertson to form an incredible 3x HOFer team. I seriously doubt Kareem would have been traded after that.
what about Clyde at #14?? big steal right there. there's not a single player ahead of him who would argueably have been okay to draft before him, unlike Jordan being drafted After Hakeem. It's hard to pass on a great big man like that IMO. of course the Blazers having Clyde is what prompted them to draft Sam Bowie over Jordan I would imagine... ouch. Clyde + Jordan.. whoooa
The Lakers also used a top draft choice to grab James Worthy, at a time when they were already a championship-caliber team.
Rodman led the nation in scoring (of all things) in college, but he went to a small college. Drafting where the Pistons picked, he was a gamble that obviously paid off huge.
The Bulls had 6th pick in the 1989 draft and big man Stacey King was a sure thing to be picked top 3, but fell to them. In spite of his failure in the long run as a player, I thought that was a huge steal of a pick. He led the nation in scoring, and could have been the #1 pick overall. Not sure why his stock dropped so much. He was stuck on the Bulls behind Ho Grant and never got the kind of PT to develop like he should. He was a valuable contributor to at least one championship season, though.
Terry was a first rounder (toward end of the first round) Duck was second round, and Uncle Cliffy. As to the question of the thread (FWIW I understood you meant this year) it is really too hard to say as nobody has played yet, but, if I had to guess my short list would be: Bayless Anthony Randolph Donte Green Chalmers If you weight it for draft position, then I would say Green.
I loved the Chalmers pick. The Heat had two glaring holes (PG, C) and Chalmers will get all the PT he can earn there.
