NBA Draft: Top 30 draft steals in league history

Best NBA Draft steals of all time: Lou Williams, Philadelphia 76ers

With the 45th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers took a second-round chance on Lou Williams, who came to the NBA as an 18-year-old fresh out of high school.

In his rookie campaign with Philadelphia, Williams appeared in 30 games logging 1.9 points per game on 44 percent shooting, looking like a typical second-round selection who would not be able to contribute in the league.

Fast forward to 2019. Williams has enjoyed a 13-year NBA career, with more to come.

While the journeyman combo guard who has played for six NBA franchises (76ers, the Atlanta Hawks, the Toronto Raptors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers) has never made an NBA All-Star Game, he has become one of the best sixth men in NBA history.

Throughout his career, Williams has been an explosive scorer off the bench, averaging 14.2 points per game, while only starting in 11.7 percent of his 936 games.

What may be even more impressive is how Williams has aged. His highest points per game totals, free throw attempts per game totals and minutes per game totals have all come while he is in his 30s.

It is rare that a second-round player has an impactful NBA career. It’s also rare when a second-round pick has a lengthy NBA career. While it didn’t look to happen early on, Williams has experienced both, making him one of the best draft steals in league history.