Not every draft pick gets universal praise on Day 1. Some players are questioned for their size, school, or whether their game would translate to the NBA, and then they shut everyone up in the best way possible.
These guys didn’t prove the doubters wrong; they made it look easy. Whether they were late picks, under-the-radar prospects, or just unfairly criticized, here are 15 NBA players who turned draft night skepticism into full-on career redemption.
15. Tyrese Haliburton
Teams worried he wasn’t athletic enough to be a true NBA point guard. Now he’s an All-Star and one of the most efficient floor generals in the game.
14. Draymond Green
Green was seen as too small for a forward and too slow for a wing. All he did was become the defensive backbone of a dynasty and rack up rings in Golden State.
13. Jalen Brunson
He slipped to the second round because he wasn’t flashy or explosive. But Brunson’s leadership, clutch scoring, and gritty mentality have made him a franchise cornerstone in New York.
12. Bam Adebayo
Critics weren’t sure what position he’d play or if his offensive game would develop. Bam responded by becoming a defensive monster and a key piece of a Finals team.
11. Kawhi Leonard
People thought he’d just be a defensive specialist who couldn’t shoot. Now he’s a two-time Finals MVP and one of his era’s most complete two-way players.
10. Jimmy Butler
Butler came into the league with limited expectations and zero hype. His rise from role player to team-carrying playoff star is one of the league’s best stories.
9. Nikola Jokic
He was picked during a Taco Bell commercial. The Nuggets drafted a generational passing big man and back-to-back MVP who changed how we look at centers.
8. Pascal Siakam
Drafted late in the first round, Siakam was seen as a raw project with a long way to go. He became an All-NBA forward and a champion in Toronto.
7. Paul George
Some thought he was a reach in the lottery because he came from a mid-major school. But George blossomed into a multi-time All-Star and elite two-way wing.
6. C.J. McCollum
Coming from Lehigh, he was labeled undersized and unproven. All he’s done is become one of the league’s most consistent scorers and leaders.
5. Donovan Mitchell
Some teams questioned his shot selection and decision-making, but Mitchell quickly became a scoring machine and perennial All-Star.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
On draft night, he was just a lanky mystery from Greece. Now he’s a two-time MVP, NBA champion, and one of the most unstoppable forces in the league.
3. Stephen Curry
Many thought his size and style wouldn’t hold up in the NBA. However, with a smile and a shimmy, he revolutionized the game and built a Hall of Fame resume.
2. Damian Lillard
Drafted out of Weber State, some doubted his competition level and upside. Dame brought deep-range dominance and icy playoff moments, becoming one of the league’s most feared closers.
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1. Dwyane Wade
Wade wasn’t the biggest name in his draft class, and some didn’t see him as a top-five pick. He went on to win three rings and become one of the most respected shooting guards ever.
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