NBA officials announced the East-West All-Star bench lineup today, and the Warriors forward Who regrettably lost the All-Star starter Dream Green was finally selected. As a 12-year second-round show, Dream Green has achieved more than too many experts predict. In fact, it is not just chasing the dream of Green, the NBA has a lot of famous second-round shows. So in this article, I will rank the top ten second-round shows in my eyes according to the size of the contract.
10th place: Jordan Clarkson (current contract 4 years 51.52 million)
Clarkson was the 16th pick in the second round in 2014. As an older rookie, Clarkson showed super strength in his rookie season. Throughout his rookie season, Clarkson made a total of 59 appearances for the Lakers, including 38 starts, averaging 11.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.2 blocks per game. Because of the star-studded Los Angeles, Clarkson is even a little more famous than the All-Stars of other teams.
During his fourth season with the Lakers, Clarkson was traded to the Cavaliers as a planner. There, he became LeBron James' helper. In the 18-19 season, Clarkson had his first peak season, averaging 16.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks per game.
In the middle of the 19-20 season, Clarkson was traded by the Cavaliers to the Jazz. In Salt Lake City, he was on a real peak. Last season, Clarkson made 68 appearances, including 67 as a substitute, averaging 18.4 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks per game, and he was undisputedly named sixth man of the year. Clarkson's performance has slipped slightly this season, but he is still the first firepower point on the Jazz bench.
This year is the second year of Clarkson's four-year contract, considering he is currently only 29 years old. If nothing else, his next contract will still reach more than ten million.
Ninth place: Gary Trent Jr. (current contract 3-year 51.84 million)
Trent was the 7th pick in the second round of 2018, and his rookie season began with the Portland Trail Blazers. With two outstanding strikers, Aminu and Hacklis, Trent didn't have many opportunities to play in his rookie season. In the second year of his career, Trent gradually sat on the bench of the Blazers, averaging 8.9 points per game. In his third year, Trent has proven himself worthy to start, averaging 15 points per game.
Under huge salary pressure, the Blazers couldn't offer Trent too much of a contract, so they chose to trade Trent to the Raptors. In his first season with the Raptors, Trent played a total of 17 games and averaged 16.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. With outstanding performances, Trent reached a 3-year, 51.84 million contract with the Raptors in the summer of 21 years.
So far this season, Trent, who is sitting firmly on the Raptors' starting lineup, can average 18.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.2 blocks per game. On the offensive end, Trent has a precise three-pointer. On the defensive end, Trent's steals are excellent.
Considering Trent is only 23 years old, I expect his cap to reach all-Star edge level. As for the next contract, the probability can exceed 80 million in 4 years.
8th place: Spencer Dinwiddie (current contract 3 years 54 million)
Like Clarkson, Dinwiddie was a second-round pick in 2014. Dinwiddie, 21, began his NBA journey at the Pistons. For the first two seasons of his career, Dinwiddie was just a bench edge player, averaging just five points per game.
After leaving the Pistons to join the Nets, Dinwiddie's growth was rapid. In the 16-17 season, Dinwiddie made 59 appearances and averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. In the 17-18 season, his stats rose to 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists. In the 18-19 season, Dinwiddie not only changed his status from a bench player to a starter, he also achieved a personal improvement. Throughout the season, Dinwiddie averaged 16.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and the Nets made it to the playoffs that season. In the 19-20 season, Dinwiddie averaged more than 20 points per game for the first time, and it looks like the All-Star's door has been opened to him.
Unfortunately, Dinwiddie suffered a serious injury in the 20-21 season. After returning from injury, Dinwiddie Lion opened his mouth to ask Boss Cai for a contract of hundreds of millions. After being rejected by Boss Cai, a disheartened Dinwiddie joined the Wizards on a 3-year, $54 million contract. So far this season, Dinwiddie has averaged 13 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Although Dinwiddie's performance is also worthy of the contract, we can also feel that he is indeed not as good as before.
The 28-year-old Dinwiddie can still play in the NBA for many years, but he may never get a big contract of 100 million yuan.
7th place: Jeremy Grant (current contract 3 years 60 million)
Grant was born into a basketball family, and he contributed to several NBA players throughout his family. In the 2014 Draft, Grant was selected by the 76ers with the 9th pick in the second round. In the swing of the 76ers, although it was a second-round show, Grant still got a lot of playing time. After playing 144 games for the 76ers, Grant came to the Thunder. Around Westbrook, Grant has excellent running and jumping skills and excellent defense. In the 18-19 season, Grant played well with Anthony Wester George, averaging 13.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
After Paul George left the Clippers, the Thunder moved into a rebuild, and Grant moved to the Nuggets. In the 19-20 season, the Nuggets made it all the way to the division finals. Compared to Jokic and Murray, Grant has not contributed much on the offensive end, but his mobility and flexibility shine on the defensive end. In the summer of 2020, the Nuggets, who aspire to win the championship, intended to renew Grant's contract, and they gave Grant a contract full of sincerity. Sadly, Grant chose the Pistons in order to get more shots.
Coming to the Pistons, Grant got the shot he wanted, averaging more than 20 points per game. It seems that Grant is betting right, and his next big contract is coming.
However, an accident happened. Although Grant has still played well this season, he has been watching for a long time due to injury problems. If Grant can be revived in full blood, his next contract can reach the level of 100 million yuan. But if you are not in good shape after your comeback, it is not easy to say.
6th place: Bojan Bogdanovic (currently on 4-year contract, 73.1 million)
Bojan was the first pick in the second round in 2011. In his rookie season, Bojan is 25 years old. As an over-aged rookie, Bojan has average potential, but it is expensive to have a high degree of maturity. Throughout the 14-15 season, Bojan had nine points and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Nets. The following year, Bojan steadily improved, averaging 11.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. In his third year, Bojan was traded to the Wizards after playing 54 games for the Nets. Boyang, who came to the Wizards, was not satisfied, and his performance was a little lower than before.
In the 17-18 season, Bojan came to the Pacers. Here, he achieved his metamorphosis. In the Pacers' second year, Bojan was pushed into the boss position, and he also gave back the team's trust with an average of 18 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2 assists per game.
In the 19-20 season, Bojan came to the Jazz, and he ushered in his personal peak season, averaging 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. For the next two seasons, Bojan remained a starter for the Jazz, and he became mitchell and Gobert's best helper.
Today, the 32-year-old Bojan is paid $18.67 million a year, and his contract is in the penultimate year. Considering the age problem, Bojan's next contract will not be too long, but the amount of tens of millions is not a big problem.
5th place: Malcolm Brogdon (current 4-year, 85 million)
Unlike the vast majority of NBA players, Brogdon entered the NBA as a graduate student. In the 2016 draft, the 24-year-old Brogdon was selected by the Bucks with the 6th pick in the second round. Brogdon's immediate combat is satisfactory, averaging 10.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.2 blocks per game in his rookie year. With steady scoring, solid passes and fierce defense, Brogdon proved he belonged to the NBA.
In the Bucks' three seasons, Brogdon has steadily improved, and he has gradually grown into a quality point guard. In the 18-19 season, Brogg averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks, including 50.5% from the field, 42.6% from three-point range and 92.8% from the free throw line. In other words, Brogdon became a member of the "180 Club".
Because of the excessive salary pressure, the Bucks let Brogdon go. In the summer of 2019, Brogdon joined the Pacers on a four-year, $85 million contract. Stylistically, he and the Pacers are a match made in heaven. After coming to the Pacers, Brogdon improved quickly, averaging 21.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks per game in 20-21. After losing the all-Star bench that year, many media outlets complained about Brogdon.
Brogdon has played a quasi-All-Star performance this season, with an annual salary of 21.74 million yuan appearing to be worth the money. After next season, Brogdon will be a free agent, and I believe he can get a billion-dollar contract relatively easily.
4th place: Norman Powell (current contract 5 years 90 million)
Powell was the 16th pick in the second round in 2015. Powell, 22, averaged 5.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for the Raptors in his rookie season. Because of the high degree of overlap with DeRozan's positions, Powell has not made much playing time in the first three seasons of his career, averaging only 10 points per game. In the 18-19 season, DeRozan was gone, but Leonard was. So Powell still didn't get much of the shot. In the Raptors' championship season, Powell averaged just 8.6 points per game in the regular season. In the playoffs, as the small card playing time soared, Powell, who had fewer performance opportunities, could only average 6.5 points per game.
As the saying goes, opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared. After surviving DeRozan and Leonard, Powell finally gained a lot of playing time in the 19-20 season, averaging 16 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. In the 20-21 season, Powell went one step further, averaging nearly 20 points per game. The outperforming Powell was traded to the Trail Blazers in the middle of that year. In Portland, although Powell played more time, because of the double gun in the team, Powell's shooting power declined.
Last summer, Powell reached a five-year, 90-million-dollar contract extension with the Trail Blazers, and this season is the first year the new contract takes effect. While the Blazers struggled to make the playoffs this year, Powell's performance was outstanding. Averaging 18.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, Bocoby became a reliable scorer for Portland.
By the end of Powell's big contract, he was only 33 years old, so I'm sure his next contract will certainly not be small.
3rd place: Dream Green (current contract 4 years 100 million)
Dream Green is from Michigan State University, magic Johnson's alma mater. In college, he was an all-round warrior who played triple-doubles many times. However, due to embarrassing positioning problems, Chasing Dreams was looked down upon at the 2012 draft. After 34 names were read out, Dream Green finally heard his name.
"I remember every player name in front of me and I'll prove you wrong to the teams that gave up on me." Dream Green is not only fierce, but also fierce enough.
In the first two years of the Warriors, Dream Green's name had not yet resounded in the NBA. But in the third year, with the injury of David Lee and the appointment of Kerr, Dream Green became an NBA star player. Averaging 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, Dream Green repaid Kerr's trust with offensive and defensive data.
In the following seasons, Dream Green not only helped the team win two more championships, but also won personal honors. All-Star, Best Team Three, Best Defensive Team First Team, Steal King, Best Defensive Player, Dream Green all got them one by one.
Durant chose to leave the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 19, which helped Dream Green stay in the team to some extent. 4 years and 100 million US dollars, Dream Green knows how to receive good.
This season, the Warriors can achieve the league's first defensive efficiency, and Dream Green is the biggest contributor. From the basic data, chasing dreams is not worthy of an annual salary of 24.03 million US dollars. But from the real level, the dream chasing is worth the money.
Dream Green, 31, could opt for the jump-out player option to become a free agent next summer. If he can maintain his current state next year, then a large contract of 100 million yuan is not a problem.
2nd place: Nikola Jokic (current contract 5 years 147 million)
Honestly, it's really not easy for a big fat guy who doesn't run fast, doesn't jump high, and moves slowly to be selected in the second round. At the 2014 draft, when the Denver Nuggets selected Jokic with the 11th pick in the second round, not many people cared. However, when Jokic landed in the NBA, the teams that missed Jokic in front of him regretted it. In his rookie season, Jokic was able to steadily output 10+7 stats. The following year, 16.7+9.8. Third year, 18.5+10.7. In just three seasons, Jokic has grown into a top center in the NBA.
In order to show their sincerity, the Nuggets chose not to execute Jokic's fourth-year contract of cheap child labor, and instead handed him a five-year, $147 million maximum salary contract. The contract proved to be too good value.
In the 18-19 season, Jokic gained a lot, his average score per game reached 20 points for the first time, he played all the games as a starter for the first time, broke through the first round of the playoffs for the first time, and appeared on the All-Star stage for the first time. In the 19-20 season, Jokic went one step further. While Jokic paddled in the regular season, he was on fire in the playoffs. Under his leadership, the Denver Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals. If the Lakers hadn't had Howard, Jokic could have really done wonders.
In the 20-21 season, Jokic conquered the demanding media people. Averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, Jokic played monster-like stats and he eventually won the MVP by an absolute margin. This season, Jokic carried the Nuggets to the top six in the West. While Embiid in the East also played at the MVP level, more and more media people are beginning to realize that Jokic is the better player.
Jokic is not yet 27 years old, and his next contract is destined to be astronomical. I believe the Denver Nuggets would have become the laughing stock of the league if they hadn't chosen to extend Jokic's super-salary contract early.
1st place: Chris Middleton (currently 178 million under 5 years contract)
The 2012 draft was full of talent, and compared to the popular rookie Anthony Davis, Middleton can be said to be unknown. With the 9th pick in the second round, this was the starting point for Middleton's NBA. In his rookie season at the Pistons, Middleton had few chances, making just 27 appearances in his entire season and averaging 6.1 points per game.
The following year, Middleton came to Milwaukee, where he quickly proved himself capable. Throughout the regular season, Middleton did not lack a game, he can average 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. In the 14-15 season, Middleton made steady progress. In the 15-16 season, Middleton ushered in his first personal peak, averaging 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Before the birth of Alphabet Brother, Middleton was the Deer King.
Sadly, Middleton suffered a severe hamstring strain the following year, so he made only 29 appearances in the entire season, and his average per game slipped to 14.7 points. In the 18-19 season, Middleton was revived with full blood, averaging more than 20 points per game and being selected as an All-Star for the first time. In the summer of 2019, the Bucks gave Middleton a five-year, $178 million contract extension. At the time, while many people thought the contract was slightly premium, it was generally acceptable.
In the 19-20 season, Middleton averaged a career-high 20.9 points per game, but the team was swept by the Heat gentlemen in the semifinals. In the playoffs last season, Middleton became a reliable scorer. Throughout the playoffs, Middleton scored all of his games in double figures, including five 30+.
Today, Middleton, who is 30 years old, has been named an All-Star again, the third all-star of his career. Two years later, in 2024, Middleton will expire his contract to become a free agent. I believe that at that time, Middleton received a contract of 100 million yuan easily.
Write at the back:
Not all superstars are as young as LeBron James, and the NBA has some "inspirational" stars who have a low starting point but have achieved a lot. Seeing the growth process of these stars, I was deeply touched. Heroes do not ask the source, I hope that all readers who have not yet succeeded can finally make a career like Jokic, Dream Green and other stars!