Preface
In the nearly 10-year draft, the Class of 2014 has had an outstanding talent percentage, with not only excellent role players like Lee Kyle, but also league superstars of Embiid's level. However, not every high-pick rookie in that class could play well, such as the top-notch Parker, although he also had a period of highlights after entering the league, he was quickly eliminated by the NBA due to injuries. In contrast, there were some second-round picks that completed the counterattack.
10. Nurkic
The 16th pick in the original first round
He averaged 11.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in his career
After Nurkic was drafted, his team status was also unstable, and he could only play off the bench most of the time, and Jokic got better and better, and the Nuggets didn't need to develop him, so they traded him to the Trail Blazers. However, Nurkic still gained a foothold in the NBA with his rebounding, covering, and rim protection capabilities, and even in the two years when small ball was at its most popular, he still had consistent playing time. Until now, Nurkic's role in the Suns has been crucial, but unfortunately they have little chance of winning the championship this year, and may even be eliminated in the first round.
9. Capella
The 25th pick in the original first round
He averaged 12.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.5 blocks per game in his career
When Capela first entered the league, the Rockets' starting center was still Howard, so he naturally didn't have much opportunity at that time. However, since the second season, Capela has gradually been reused by the team, and he is more fortunate to meet Harden and Paul, the two big passers, so he can also average 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game at his peak.
In addition to Capela's cake and rebounding, his defensive area is also quite good, and it is because of his mobility that the Rockets can defend the Warriors with infinite rotation at that time. Later, Capela was traded to the Hawks, and he also won the rebounding king in the 2020-2021 season, although with the decline in physical fitness, he can no longer compare with his peak, but playing 20 minutes per game is more than enough.
8. Grant
The 9th pick in the original second round
He averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1 block per game in his career
Grant's early career style of play is a 3-and-D type of role player, whether it is in the 76ers, Thunder, or Nuggets, he does not have much ball, and only needs to be responsible for defense and grasp open opportunities on the court. However, Grant is more motivated, he joined the Pistons in 2020, where his ball-handling ability has improved by leaps and bounds, so his statistics have also improved significantly, and even because of this, he also got a 5-year $160 million contract, now it seems that Grant is really smart, if he continues to stay in the Nuggets, even if he can win the championship, it is estimated that he may not be able to get a 160 million contract in his entire career.
7. Gordon
The 4th pick in the original first round
He averaged 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in his career
After Gordon was drafted by the Magic, the team also cultivated him as the core of the team, but he has been tepid for several years, averaging only 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in his best year, so the team still gave up on him. However, after joining the Nuggets, Gordon has found the most suitable style of play for himself, and next to Jokic, he only needs to be responsible for defense and eating cakes, which is simple and efficient.
But compared to being too one-dimensional role player, Gordon also has a passing hand, and the Nuggets were able to win the championship last year, and his role is even second only to Jokic and Murray. Gordon is averaging 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season, although the statistics have declined, it can be seen that his role in the playoffs is still more critical.
6. Smart
The original 6th pick in the first round
He averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game in his career
When Smart entered the draft that year, his template was hailed as Harden, but unfortunately his performance after entering the league fell far short of expectations. But fortunately, Smart adjusted his style of play in time, and since focusing on offense doesn't work, he will focus more on defense. As a result, Smart has gradually become one of the best defensive players in the league, and although he is only 1.93m, his switching flexibility is very good.
In the 2021-2022 season, Smart was elected DPOY, which is also the first guard to win the DPOY since Payton, and to be able to get such an honor, in addition to excellent defensive skills, a positive "don't die" defensive attitude is also very important, which is why Smart was able to win three Best Fight Awards, and his type of player also helps to shape the team's winning culture.
5. Laven
The 13th pick in the original first round
He averaged 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in his career
LaVine was with the Timberwolves at the time, and he played off the bench for a long time, and he didn't settle for the starting spot until his third season, but he was sent to the Bulls because the team took a fancy to Butler in 2017. But it's also a good thing for LaVine, where he has become the heart of the team's backline, so his progress has been quite rapid.
In the 2020-2021 season, LaVine averaged 27.4 points, 5 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, and he finally became an All-Star this year, but in the playoffs, he also exposed his shortcomings. LaVine has only played 25 games this season due to injury, and his performance has struggled, but considering that he is not yet 30 years old, the probability of a recovery in form is still very high.
4. Wiggins
The original first round 1st pick
He averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1 steal per game in his career
Wiggins, as the No. 1 pick that year, was naturally the core of the team for the Timberwolves, averaging 23.6 points, 4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in his best season there. However, Wiggins has no ambition as a player, and it doesn't matter to him if he doesn't make the playoffs or is an All-Star, so the Timberwolves later gave up the idea of building a team with him as the core, and finally traded him to the Warriors.
When it comes to the Warriors, Wiggins finally doesn't have to take on the pressure of the team's boss, and his positioning has shifted, where he focuses more on defense and off-ball offense, which also helped him bring the Warriors a championship in 2022. If you rearrange the top ten, Wiggins is a more embarrassing player, he gives people the feeling that he has strength, but he can't play.
3. Randall
The 7th pick in the original first round
He averaged 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in his career
Many people may be puzzled to see Randle ahead of Wiggins and others, but if you look at their respective strengths at the moment, Randle is undoubtedly a better player than Wiggins and others, and in recent years he has been selected three All-Stars and twice to the All-Star team, and he is far behind other players just by looking at these honors.
Some fans will say that Randle's playoff performance is not good, but the NBA is not only about the playoffs, the regular season is also important, Randle is the second best player in the East like the Knicks, and he led the Knicks back to the playoffs even before Brunson arrived. And Randle still has a chance to prove himself later, and he can't be completely dismissed as a player because of his two playoff experiences, so if he starts over, he will undoubtedly be selected with the top three picks.
2. Embiid
The original third pick in the first round
He averaged 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 blocks per game in his career
After Embiid was drafted in 2014, he delayed two years before he officially landed in the NBA, but fortunately he did not disappoint the 76ers, playing 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 blocks in 25.4 minutes in his rookie season. Later, Embiid also played better and better, and slowly he became one of the best interior players in the league, and last year he also won the MVP with an average of 30+10+4 per game.
Embiid continued to evolve in the regular season this season, averaging 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. Although many people will also complain about Embiid's performance in the playoffs, he is also compared to himself in the playoffs, and just one MVP basically "crushes" other players, even if he never wins the championship in the future, he is also a sure leader.
1. Jokic
The 11th pick in the original second round
He averaged 21 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game in his career
Jokic's career is arguably the greatest comeback in history, when he was drafted with the 11th pick in the second round and was delayed for a year to enter the NBA, but even then he quickly established himself in the league. Since his fourth season, Jokic has far exceeded expectations, but his performance is already at the level of MVP, but the team's record has not improved at that time.
In 2021 and 2022, Jokic was elected MVP for two consecutive seasons, and then in 2023, he successfully helped the Nuggets win the first championship in team history, and the honors of 2 MVP+1FMVP are enough to rank in the top 30 in history. Now Jokic is likely to get his third MVP trophy, although it is difficult to defend the title, but the chance is still relatively large, with their current strength, it seems that the Celtics can compete with it.