The second round of the NBA draft has long been a place where teams search for overlooked talent, developmental upside and roster value. While first-round picks typically draw the most attention, the league’s history shows that impact players can emerge well beyond the opening 30 selections.
Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokić are among the clearest examples of second-round picks who became far more than draft-night afterthoughts. Their success underscores how scouting, player development and opportunity can reshape the trajectory of a player’s career after entering the league outside the first round.
Second-Round Picks Continue to Shape the League
The second round has produced some of the NBA’s best talent, with players using that draft position as a starting point rather than a limitation. For front offices, those selections remain an important part of roster construction, offering a chance to find contributors without the cost or expectations attached to lottery picks.
Brunson and Jokić stand as prominent reminders that draft position does not define a player’s ceiling. Their rise reflects a broader truth across the NBA: valuable talent can be found throughout the draft, and second-round selections can become central figures at the highest level of the sport.