The 15 Best Late NBA Draft Picks In The Past 20 Years!

- He was drafted in 1993 out of Cincinnati by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 37th overall pick.  He would spend five seasons in L.A. and moved around to five other teams in his career.  Nick the Quick averaged 14.4 points per game in his career. 

Cedric Ceballos - He was drafted in 1990 out of Cal St. Fullerton by the Phoenix Suns with the 48th overall pick.  He had a career average of 14.3 points per game that was highlighted by two seasons with the LA Lakers in which he averaged 21.7 and 21.2 points per game respectively.

Tony Kukoc- He was drafted in 1990 out of Yugoslavia by the Chicago Bulls with the 29th overall pick.  Kukoc didn't actually report to the Bulls until 1993 and while there he showed his versatility by playing all five positions.  He has a career average of 11.6 points per game but averaged a career high of 18.8 in the 1998-1999 season.

Dino Radja - He was drafted in 1989 out of Yugoslavia by the Boston Celtics with the 40th overall pick.   He joined the Celtics in 1993 and in his first season averaged 15.1 points and 7.2 rebounds, earning All-NBA Rookie Second Team honors.  He would only play four seasons in Boston and averaged 16.7 points per game. 

Anthony Mason- He was drafted in 1988 out of Tennessee St. by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 53rd overall pick but was later cut.  He would play in the CBA and USBL before signing with the New York Knicks in 1991.  His career would turn around with Pat Riley as head coach and he would go on to play 13 seasons and average 10.9 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Sarunas Marciulionis - He was drafted in 1987 out of the Soviet Union by the Golden St. Warriors with the 127th pick in the 6th round.  He started playing for the Warriors in 1989 and would play seven seasons in the NBA.  His first four in Golden St. saw him average nearly 15 points per game.  He would end his career in Denver and had a career average of 12.8 points per game.

My honorable mention team would be:

Daniel Gibson - He was drafted in 2006 out of the University of Texas by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 42nd pick.  This season he averaged 10.4 points per game.

Leon Powe - He was drafted in 2006 out of Cal by the Denver Nuggets with the 49th pick.  Scored 21 points in 15 minutes during game three of the NBA finals and was called Leon Powell by Phil Jackson.

Ronny Turiaf - He was drafted in 2005 out of Gonzaga by the LA Lakers with the 37th pick.  He started 21 games this season and averaged 6.6 points in 18.7 minutes.

Luke Walton - He was drafted in 2003 out of Arizona by the LA Lakers with the 32nd pick.  He averaged 11.4 points per game two seasons ago but this season saw his minutes drop.  Key contributor averaged 7.2 points per game.

Kyle Korver

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?