A list of the six most powerful second round picks in active service, Brunson is on the list, Jokic leads

In the NBA draft, players with higher picks usually have better talent than players who are ranked behind, but this does not mean that they will definitely perform better than rookies with lower picks after entering the league, otherwise there will not be so many top picks and second-place winners in history. Looking back at the NBA's previous drafts, there are basically second-round picks that make a comeback every year. Next, we will take stock of the six strongest second-round picks in the NBA, among which Jokic has become a historical superstar.

6. Zubac, who participated in the NBA draft in 2016, was selected by the Lakers in the second round. He has been running around the NBA and the Development League in the early stage of his career. In the 2018-2019 season, Zubac saw that he had made significant progress, but the team suddenly traded him to the Clippers, which has become one of the most failed deals for the Lakers in recent years, especially considering that the Muscala they exchanged for was completely unable to play their value, which made the Lakers even more lose.

In contrast, Zubac is playing better and better in the Clippers. He squeezed into the core rotation step by step from the edge of rotation, and then in the 2021-2022 season, he has completely secured his starting position. Zubac has made another obvious progress this season. He averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in the regular season, and shot 62.8%, and was also selected for the All-Defensive Second Team. Among the active group of non-All-star inside players, Zubac is definitely one of the best, and he once again confirmed this in the series against Jokic in the playoffs this year.

5. Powell, who entered the league one year earlier than Zubac, entered the NBA as the No. 16 pick in the second round in 2015. Because he was an older rookie, Powell got a certain playing time at the beginning, but his performance was unstable at that time, so he failed to score in double digits for many years. It was not until the reorganization of the Raptors' lineup in 2019-2020 that Powell got more opportunities, and now he finally made a name for himself, and his data has improved significantly.

In 2021, Powell signed a five-year, 90 million contract with the Trail Blazers, and then he was traded to the Clippers. At the age of 32 this season, he suddenly made the second spring of his career. With an average of 21.8 points per game, he averaged 3 three-pointers with a shooting rate of 41.8%, which undoubtedly allowed Powell to gain more chips in the subsequent contract renewal negotiations with the Clippers. However, considering his age and performance in the playoffs, it is still difficult for his contract to exceed 90 million.

4. Middleton

In 2012, Middleton was selected at the 9th pick in the second round, and then he was traded to the Bucks after playing for a season with the Pistons. Then his personal performance immediately changed, and his average game data from 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds the previous year to 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1 steal. Later, the Bucks determined the positioning of Middleton's core team on the outside. During this period, his personal progress proved that the team's decision was correct. With his team's joint efforts with Antetokounmpo, the Bucks gradually became a strong team in the league.

The Bucks successfully won the championship in 2021. Middleton played better this year than before. During the entire playoffs, he averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.6 three-pointers. His shooting ability greatly alleviated the Bucks' insufficient scoring methods at critical moments. Unfortunately, after winning the championship, Middleton's competitive state continued to decline due to injury. In the end, the Bucks decided to trade him this season. However, considering Middleton's contribution to this team, after he retired, the Bucks have a high probability of retiring his jersey.

3. Green

In 2012, the Warriors selected Green at the fifth pick in the second round. He was not optimistic at the beginning, but after Cole became the head coach of the Warriors, he thoroughly tapped Green's potential. Under his coach, Green firmly started and had more tactical participation and the right to dominate the ball. Cole's coaching team obviously achieved very successful results. They won the championship in 2015. That year, Green averaged 13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

Later, Green has always been the core of the Warriors' offensive and defensive system. His pick-and-roll, support and defense are crucial to the team. Therefore, even though his offensive level declined severely in the later period, his starting position was always very stable. Green, 35, averaged 9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block per game, and he was selected for the Best Defensive Team after 4 years. Overall, it is not an exaggeration to say that Green is the top five center in this small ball era.

2.Brunson

In the 2018 draft, in addition to winning Doncic, the talented core of the ball, the Mavericks also selected older rookie Brunson with the first pick in the second round. Due to his mediocre physical talent, Brunson did not receive much attention, but after entering the league, he quickly adapted to the pace of the game. He averaged 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in the rookie season. Later, Kidd took office, Brunson won his absolute trust, so his playing time and ball rights became more.

Brunson averaged 21.6 points per game in the 2022 playoffs, and the Mavericks successfully entered the Western Conference Finals. But it was this year's playoff that made Brunson's net worth soar, and in the end he was able to sign a contract with the Knicks for 100 million yuan.. What was unexpected was that it was not Brunson's upper limit. He has been selected into the All-Star and Best Team many times in recent years, and his playoff performance has also improved qualitatively compared to before. Brunson, who averaged 29.4 points and 7 assists in the playoffs this year, led the Knicks to reach the division finals again after 25 years.

1. Jokic

Finally, of course, it is the well-known Jokic. He was selected by the Nuggets with the 11th pick in the second round in 2014. He officially entered the NBA in the 2015-2016 season, and it didn't take long to squeeze out the first round pick Nurkic and become the Nuggets' starting center. Jokic has never stopped improving. In the 2018-2019 season, he was selected for the first All-Team. That year, he averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

After entering the 20s, Jokic completely ushered in the peak. So far, he has won three MVP trophys and successfully led the Nuggets to win the first championship in team history in 2023. Therefore, he was elected as FMVP without any suspense. This season, Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game in the regular season. He has become the first player to achieve a season-average triple-double feat since Robertson and Westbrook. Judging from the current situation, he is also a well-deserved first in the league.