Draft Slot History: Best Players Ever Selected At Picks 50 Through 41

Five days until the NBA Draft, which means it’s time to continue our countdown of the best players selected at every draft position in NBA history. Why? Because I wanted to know, I wanted to do the thought exercise…and it sure was an exercise. But along the way, I learned some things I did not know, and am here to report back what I have found.

Recapping yesterday, here is where we currently sit for the players drafted 60 through 51:

Today, we move to the middle of the second round, examining picks 41 through 50. In today’s NBA, this area of the draft is often viewed as a place to find developmental prospects, stash players on two-way contracts, or take low-risk swings on upside. Yet there’s still value to be found here. As I worked through the history of these draft slots, one thing became clear. That wasn’t always the case.

For much of NBA history, players selected in this range often never made an NBA roster. Once upon a time, the draft stretched far beyond two rounds, and there simply weren’t enough roster spots available for everyone selected. The league was different then. There was no G League to absorb developmental talent. There wasn’t a structured pipeline for player growth. Teams drafted prospects and hoped things worked out, but many players either never received an opportunity or chose to continue their careers overseas.

That’s no longer the reality. The modern NBA has created far more avenues for player development, and as you’ll see throughout this list, there are still plenty of hidden gems to be found in the middle of the second round. In fact, one of the players we’ll discuss is, in my opinion, the most impactful second-round pick in NBA history.

So let’s get into it. Picks 50 through 41, and the best player selected at each spot in NBA Draft history.

50. Steve Kerr (1988)

Honorable Mentions:

• Larry Kenon (1973)
• Georges Niang (2016)

Suns Taken at 50:

• Steve Kerr (1988)
• Milos Babic (1990)*
• Joey Wright (1991)
• Charles Claxton (1994)
• Alton Ford (2001)
• Alec Brown (2014)

*traded to Cleveland for Stefano Rusconi

There aren’t a ton of names drafted 50th overall who truly move the needle, which made this one unbelievably easy. The greatest player ever selected at No. 50 is former Sun player and GM Steve Kerr.

Coming out of the University of Arizona, Kerr was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1988. His rookie season in Phoenix was modest, as he averaged 2.1 points per game while trying to find his footing in the NBA. The Suns ultimately traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989 for a second-round pick.

From there, Kerr bounced around the league for a few years as a role player, steadily carving out a niche for himself. Then came 1993 and a move that changed everything. Kerr joined the Chicago Bulls. What followed was one of the most successful runs any role player has ever experienced.

Over the next four seasons, Kerr played all 82 games each year for Chicago. He didn’t start a single game during that stretch, but his impact was undeniable. While he wasn’t a high-volume three-point shooter by modern standards, he was one of the most efficient shooters the league had ever seen. In 1994-95, Kerr led the NBA in three-point percentage, knocking down an absurd 52.4% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

He won three championships with the Bulls before the franchise dismantled its dynasty in 1999. Kerr then landed with the San Antonio Spurs, where the winning continued. He captured two more championships in San Antonio, bringing his total to five as a player.

When it was all said and done, Kerr played 15 seasons in the NBA, won five championships, and retired as the most accurate three-point shooter in league history. His career mark of 45.4% from beyond the arc remains one of the greatest shooting accomplishments the game has ever seen.

49. Eddie Johnson (1977)

Honorable Mentions:

• James Jones (2003)
• Haywoode Workman (1989)

Suns Taken at 49:

• Rich Jones (1968)*
• Earl Williams (1974)
• Ron Ellis (1992)
• Mark Buford (1993)

*opted to go to the ABA

Former Suns player and executive James Jones was drafted 49th overall, but he isn’t the best player ever selected at that spot. That honor belongs to Eddie Johnson. And no, not the Eddie Johnson Suns fans know and love as the longtime Phoenix Suns broadcaster, who was drafted four years later. We’re talking about Edward Lee Johnson Jr., better known as ‘Fast Eddie’.

The 6’2″ shooting guard out of Auburn was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in 1977 and quickly established himself as a productive two-way player. Johnson spent the majority of his career with Atlanta, becoming one of the better guards in the Eastern Conference during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

His accomplishments speak for themselves. Johnson earned All-Star selections in both 1980 and 1981 while also receiving All-Defensive Team honors in 1979 and 1980. Over the course of a 10-year NBA career, he averaged 15.1 points per game and developed a reputation as a player who could impact the game on both ends of the floor.

There’s also a Suns connection. Johnson was the older brother of Frank Johnson, who spent parts of seven seasons with Phoenix and later served as the team’s head coach from 2002 through 2004.

On the court, Eddie Johnson’s résumé makes him a clear choice as the best player ever selected 49th overall. Unfortunately, that’s not the entire story. His life after basketball became defined by legal troubles and controversy. Over the years, Johnson was arrested and convicted on numerous charges, including burglary, battery, robbery, drug possession, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest. It’s an unfortunate chapter that forever impacts how his career is remembered.

When evaluating the 49th pick, the basketball accomplishments are undeniable. The career that followed, however, complicates the legacy of the most accomplished player ever selected in that draft slot.

48. Marc Gasol (2007)

Honorable Mentions:

• Cedric Ceballos (1990)
• Craig Ehlo (1983)

Suns Taken at 48:

• Vann Williford (1970)*
• Dennis “Mo” Layton (1971)
• Cedric Ceballos (1990)
• Brian Davis (1992)
• Malik Hairston (2008)**
• Taylor Griffin (2009)

*opted to go to the ABA
**traded to San Antonio for Goran Dragic

Oooo, I wanted to go with Ceddy in this spot. But as I looked down the list and started comparing career accolades, it’s clear that one guy stood above the rest. Easily. Your older brother is a dominant big man, yet despite standing 6’11”, you still find yourself selected in the second round, 48th overall. That was the story of Marc Gasol.

The Lakers drafted him in 2007, but the then 23-year-old opted to remain in Spain for another season with CB Girona. It turned out to be a wise decision. Gasol won MVP honors in the Spanish League, further cementing himself as one of the best players outside of the NBA.

Then everything changed. The Lakers traded his rights to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the deal that brought his older brother, Pau Gasol, to Los Angeles. It’s one of those rare trades that worked out beautifully for both organizations. The move helped open the door for multiple championships in Los Angeles. It also opened the door for a long and prosperous career in Memphis.

Gasol finished eighth in Rookie of the Year voting and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most skilled centers. By his fourth season, he had earned the first of what would become three All-Star appearances with the Grizzlies. His breakthrough came in 2012-13. That season, Gasol was named Defensive Player of the Year while also earning All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive Team honors. Two years later, he elevated his game even further, landing on the All-NBA First Team in 2014-15.

As the years passed, Gasol became one of the defining players of the Grizzlies’ Grit and Grind era, serving as the anchor of one of the toughest teams in basketball. Eventually, Memphis traded him to the Toronto Raptors in 2019 in a deal that included Jonas Valanciunas, C.J. Miles, and Delon Wright. The move paid immediate dividends. Gasol helped Toronto capture its first NBA championship, adding a title to an already impressive résumé.

For the 48th overall pick, it’s hard to ask for much more. Gasol was a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, a Defensive Player of the Year, an All-Defensive Team member, and an NBA champion. The pedigree was always there. He simply needed the opportunity to prove it.

47. Paul Millsap (2006)

Honorable Mentions:

• Mo Williams (2003)
• Gerald Wilkins (1985)
• Alvin Williams (1997)

Suns Taken at 47:

• 2026 will be the Suns first ever pick at No. 47

Paul Millsap is one of those players who always seemed to be around, providing a physical presence and steady production no matter where he played. He’s also one of those players who, in my opinion, benefited from the explosion in NBA salaries that came with the new television rights deals. When he landed his massive contract in 2017, he was getting paid as much for what he had already accomplished as for what he was expected to do moving forward.

And what he accomplished prior to that payday was impressive.

Millsap was a four-time All-Star, a member of the 2007 All-Rookie Team, and an All-Defensive Team selection in 2016. Over the course of a 16-year career, he played for five different organizations and established himself as one of the most dependable power forwards of his era.

His best years came after signing with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent in 2013. Over the next four seasons, Millsap earned four consecutive All-Star appearances while serving as one of the foundational pieces of a Hawks team that consistently won games and challenged the top teams in the Eastern Conference. During that stretch, he averaged 17.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He impacted every area of the floor. He could score. He could defend. He could rebound. He could create turnovers.

Simply put, he was a problem. Opposing teams had to account for him every night because he affected the game in so many different ways.

When his career finally came to an end, Millsap had played 16 NBA seasons, scored more than 14,000 points, and grabbed over 7,600 rebounds. Those are remarkable numbers for a player selected 47th overall. For someone drafted this late, Millsap wasn’t merely a success story. He became a star.

46. Jeff Hornacek (1986)

Honorable Mentions:

• Jerome Kersey (1984)
• Danny Green (2009)
• Norman Powell (2015)
• James Edwards (1977)

Suns Taken at 46:

• Jeff Hornacek (1986)
• Bruce Dalrymple (1987)
• Ricky Blanton (1989)
• Richard Dumas (1991)
• Gani Lawal (2010)

The 46th overall pick has produced some pretty impressive players over the years. For the Phoenix Suns, it was the draft slot that yielded both Jeff Hornacek and Richard Dumas. You could certainly make the argument that Jerome Kersey is the correct answer here. He won a championship in 1999 and enjoyed an outstanding NBA career. But not for me. I’m going with Jeff Hornacek.

Part of that is admittedly personal. Hornacek is one of the first players I remember watching as a kid when I became a Suns fan. He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t overwhelmingly athletic. He was simply efficient. Everything he did looked under control.

Hornacek was built in the mold of the old school shooting guard, before the three-point revolution changed the sport. He could shoot it, facilitate, and make smart decisions. During his six seasons with Phoenix, he became one of the most reliable players on the roster, earning an All-Star appearance in 1992 after averaging 20.1 points per game.

That’s a pretty strong résumé for the 46th pick. He’s also one of those players who reminds me a little bit of Mikal Bridges. Not because they played the same way, but because they represent the type of player fans become attached to. The type of player you hate to lose, even when the return is a superstar. The Suns ultimately traded Hornacek to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the deal that brought Charles Barkley to Phoenix. It was absolutely the right basketball move, but that didn’t make it any easier to say goodbye.

Hornacek would later continue his success with the Utah Jazz, helping the franchise reach the NBA Finals in both 1997 and 1998 alongside Karl Malone and John Stockton. When it was all said and done, Hornacek played 14 seasons in the NBA, averaging 14.5 points and 4.9 assists per game. He shot 40.3% from beyond the arc for his career, an impressive mark considering he averaged fewer than two three-point attempts per game during an era when teams simply didn’t prioritize that shot.

For the Suns, he was a fantastic selection out of Iowa State in the 1986 NBA Draft. And for me, he’s the best player ever selected 46th overall.

45. Bob Dandridge (1969)

Honorable Mentions:

• Antonio Davis (1990)
• Lou Williams (2005)
• Goran Dragic (2008)
• Hot Rod Williams (1985)

Suns Taken at 45:

• Ira Terrell (1976)
• Paul Williams (1983)

A couple of players who made an impact in Phoenix were drafted 45th overall, including Goran Dragic and Hot Rod Williams. But this one isn’t particularly difficult. The answer is Bob Dandridge.

The Milwaukee Bucks had themselves quite a draft in 1969. With the first overall pick, they selected Lew Alcindor out of UCLA. Then, when the fourth round arrived, they used the second pick of that round, 45th overall, to select Bob Dandridge out of Norfolk State. Not bad. Dandridge had also been selected by the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA Draft, but he chose the NBA and the Bucks. It proved to be a pretty smart decision for everyone involved.

What Milwaukee received was a player who became one of the foundational pieces of the franchise for more than a decade.

When people think about the Bucks’ 1971 championship team, they naturally remember Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Those are the names that dominate the conversation. But Dandridge was a massive contributor to that title run as well. In the NBA Finals against the Baltimore Bullets, he averaged 20.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, helping Milwaukee capture the championship.

Years later, he would find himself on the other side of the equation. After joining the Washington Bullets, Dandridge played a key role on the 1978 championship team that defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. He finished second on the team in scoring during that playoff run, averaging 20.4 points and 7.0 rebounds. To this day, it remains the only championship in franchise history for Washington.

Dandridge spent 13 seasons in the NBA and put together a résumé that is remarkably strong for a player selected 45th overall. He averaged 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game during his career. The 6’6″ forward earned four All-Star selections, an All-NBA nod in 1979, and First Team All-Defensive honors that same season.

The final piece of recognition came in 2021, when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For a fourth-round pick, that’s an incredible legacy. And when you’re discussing the greatest player ever selected 45th overall, Bob Dandridge stands in a class of his own.

44. Malik Rose (1996)

Honorable Mentions:

• Mike Muscala (2013)
• Brian Cardinal (2000)

Suns Taken at 44:

• Dennis Stewart (1969)
• Greg McDivitt (1970)
• Andrew Harrison (2015)*

*traded to Memphis for Jon Leuer

We go from a draft slot that produced a Hall of Famer to one that doesn’t offer a particularly impressive list of candidates. The best player ever selected 44th overall is Malik Rose. And while that might not jump off the page, Rose carved out a long and productive NBA career for himself.

Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 before being dealt to the San Antonio Spurs, Rose became one of those players every good team needs. He wasn’t a star. He wasn’t someone you built a franchise around. But he understood his role and played it well. That’s why he lasted 13 years in the NBA.

The majority of his career was spent in San Antonio, where he played eight seasons and became part of one of the most successful organizations of the era. Along the way, he helped the Spurs capture championships in both 1999 and 2003. Those title teams were built around Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and eventually Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. But Rose was one of the role players who helped make everything work.

His best individual seasons came in the early 2000s when he established himself as one of the better reserve big men in basketball. He finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2002 and sixth in 2003, recognition that reflected the impact he was providing off the bench.

When his career came to a close, Rose had appeared in more than 800 NBA games while averaging 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds. Those numbers won’t overwhelm anybody. But when you’re evaluating the 44th overall pick, longevity matters. Championships matter. Finding a player who can contribute to winning basketball for more than a decade matters. Malik Rose did all of those things.

43. Michael Redd (2000)

Honorable Mentions:

• Trevor Ariza (2004)
• Eric Snow (1995)
• Isaiah Hartenstein (2017)

Suns Taken at 43:

• Steve Mitchell (1973)
• Ben Davis (1996)

Hey, another guy who spent some time in Phoenix.

Michael Redd was selected 43rd overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, and they got themselves a hell of a player. Redd was a sniper. Over the course of his career, he shot 38.0% from beyond the arc on 4.4 attempts per game, a number that would be even more impressive if he played in today’s NBA. At his peak, he was one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, earning an All-Star selection and an All-NBA Third Team nod in 2004.

What I remember most about Redd is how quickly he could fill up the stat sheet. He was one of those players you feared when your team was playing Milwaukee because he could explode at any moment. In November 2006, he dropped 57 points on the Utah Jazz. Later that same season, he hung 52 on the Chicago Bulls. When he got hot, there wasn’t much you could do about it.

For most of his career, Redd was the face of the Bucks franchise. He spent 11 seasons in Milwaukee and developed into one of the most prolific scorers of the 2000s. Unfortunately, injuries changed everything. In 2009, Redd tore both his ACL and MCL. He worked his way back and returned the following season, only to suffer another ACL and MCL tear in 2010. At that point, the injuries had taken a significant toll on both his athleticism and availability. That’s what ultimately derailed a career that looked destined for even greater heights.

By the time he arrived in Phoenix for the final season of his career in 2011-12, he was 32 years old and no longer the player he had once been. He still averaged 8.2 points per game for the Suns, but shot only 31.8% from three, a far cry from the elite shooter who had terrorized defenses throughout his prime.

42. Stephen Jackson (1997)

Honorable Mentions:

• Zaza Pachulia (2003)
• Patrick Beverley (2009)
• Davis Bertans (2011)

Suns Taken at 42:

• Claude Terry (1972)*
• Joe Reaves (1973)
• Kimberly Belton (1980)
• Stephen Jackson (1997)**

*opted to go to the ABA
**waived before the start of the 1997 season

The 42nd overall pick is a draft slot seemingly defined by agitators. You have Zaza Pachulia, whose closeout on Kawhi Leonard became so infamous that it helped accelerate the league’s emphasis on protecting a shooter’s landing space. You have Patrick Beverley, who built an entire career around getting under opponents’ skin. And then there’s Stephen Jackson, who quite literally went into the stands during the Malice at the Palace and started fighting fans. So yes, this draft slot has a type.

Jackson’s story is an interesting one because even his draft position comes with a little controversy. Basketball Reference lists him as the 43rd overall pick, while NBA.com and Wikipedia list him as the 42nd overall selection. So for the purposes of this exercise, I’m putting him at No. 42.

Jackson was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns, who promptly waived him. He then played internationally before returning to the NBA with the New Jersey Nets in 2000.

From there, he steadily developed into a productive player. At his peak, Jackson could do a little bit of everything. His best statistical season came in 2008-09 when he averaged 20.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. He was a versatile wing who could score, facilitate, defend, and provide a level of toughness every team covets.

Of course, no discussion of Jackson’s career is complete without mentioning the Malice at the Palace.

The 2004-05 Indiana Pacers looked like one of the best teams in basketball and appeared capable of making a serious championship run. Instead, the infamous brawl in Detroit changed everything. Jackson was suspended for 30 games for his role in the incident and placed on probation for a year. The event became one of the defining moments of his career. But it didn’t define his entire career.

Jackson continued playing at a high level for years afterward, ultimately spending 14 seasons in the NBA with eight different franchises. Along the way, he won a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003 and established himself as one of the league’s toughest players. That’s probably why the Spurs loved him. He was physical. He was fearless. He was confrontational. He embraced the dirty work and never backed down from anybody.

Honestly, when you think about it, Stephen Jackson was the perfect Spur, wasn’t he?

41. Nikola Jokic (2014)

Honorable Mentions:

• Cuttino Mobley (1998)
• TR Dunn (1977)
• Jarred Vanderbilt (2018)

Suns Taken at 41:

• Phoenix has technically never drafted from this position, although Koby Brea was selected in 2025 via Golden State

We close out today with not only the best player ever drafted 41st overall, but quite possibly the greatest second-round pick in NBA history. And his career isn’t even over yet.

Nikola Jokic has already redefined what a second-round selection can become. In many ways, he’s shattered every expectation that comes with hearing a player’s name called after the first round has ended. Only two second-round picks have ever won the NBA MVP award. One is Willis Reed. The other is Nikola Jokic. The difference is that Jokic has done it three times.

Only four second-round picks have ever won Finals MVP. Willis Reed did it twice. Dennis Johnson did it once. Jalen Brunson added his name to the list this season with the New York Knicks. And then there’s Jokic, who earned Finals MVP honors in 2023 while leading the Denver Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history.

That’s merely scratching the surface of what he’s accomplished. This past season, Jokic led the NBA in total rebounds and total assists, a statistical feat that feels almost impossible for a center. He’s an eight-time All-Star, an eight-time All-NBA selection, a three-time MVP, an NBA champion, and a Finals MVP. And he’s only 31 years old.

What’s remarkable is that we’re still adding chapters to his story. He has played only 11 seasons in the NBA, yet he’s already forced his way into conversations about the greatest centers ever, the greatest international players ever, and eventually, perhaps, the greatest players ever. Who knows where he’ll ultimately land on those all-time lists?

What we do know is this. There has never been a better player selected 41st overall. And there may never be a better player drafted in the second round.

Some pretty impressive names in there, aren’t there? It’s a reminder that no draft pick should ever be viewed as a throwaway pick. Sure, second round selections don’t typically carry the same expectations as lottery picks or first rounders. The odds of finding a star are significantly lower. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be found.

This exercise has shown that organizations can still uncover meaningful contributors in the second round. Rotational players, starters, and in rare cases, even stars. The key is having the infrastructure to support them once they arrive. You need player development. You need patience. You need a system that gives those players an opportunity to grow and succeed. When those pieces are in place, the draft slot matters a little less. 

Talent can emerge from anywhere. And as we’ve seen throughout this portion of the countdown, there are plenty of examples of players who far exceeded the expectations attached to their draft position.

Tomorrow, we continue the journey and wrap up the second round as we explore the best players ever selected from picks 40 through 31.