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4 second-round NBA rookies that already look like steals

By Dallin Duffy

Nov 6, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (12) drives to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (12) drives to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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4 second-round NBA rookies that already look like steals
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #50 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 01, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement, NBA Rookies. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

The second round of the NBA draft is where teams can really swing for the fences. The sure-fire prospects are long gone and it’s time to take a flier on a player who’s talented, but unproven.

The hit rate is low, but when a front office can successfully find a star in the bottom 30 picks, it can completely change the franchise’s future.

Just a quarter into the 2021-22 season, there have been a handful of second-round selections that already look to be steals.

Here, we’ll be picking the four best, starting with one of many Oklahoma City youngsters.

2021 second-round NBA rookies that already look like steals: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

The man with three first names, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was taken just outside the first round, drafted by the Knicks at 32. He was promptly traded to Oklahoma City, where he’s carved out a solid start to his career.

Over the Thunder’s first 20 games of the season, the Villanova product made 13 starts and averaged over 20 minutes per contest. In that time, he proved to be a more-than-serviceable wing, hitting nearly 40 percent of his triples, and flexing his muscle on the boards.

The rookie has three performances with double-digit rebounds, including a 14-board outing vs. Sacramento on November 12th.

Coming off a stellar collegiate career, in which he earned Big East Player of the Year honors, he was thought to be one of the most pro-ready prospects in the draft. With a sizeable role in the rotation already, he’s proving that to be true, and looking like a steal for OKC.