NBA Draft: Top 30 draft steals in league history

Best NBA Draft steals of all time: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls selected Jimmy Butler with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Four teams possessed multiple first-round picks in 2011 and passed on Butler each time. In his rookie campaign, the three-year college prospect didn’t do much to make those teams second guess themselves.

Then, Butler exploded on the scene. He quickly became a Bulls’ fan favorite alongside Derrick Rose. Butler’s gritty, hard-nosed, high-energy play helped him become a rotation player in his second year, then a full-time starter in his third season.

Throughout the peak of his career, Butler continually found himself in the conversation for the best two-way player in the game, earning four NBA All-Star appearances, two selections to the All-NBA team and a four-time All-Defensive team performer.

It would be safe to say that teams with a first-round selection in the 2011 NBA Draft may now regret passing on Butler, especially considering that only five of the 29 picks before him have been voted in as an NBA All-Star.

While Butler’s most efficient days may be behind him, he still has plenty of gas left in the tank and expects to sign a long-term contract this summer.

In order to solidify yourself as a draft steal, it is essential to outperform many of the players taken before you. In Butler’s case, there are few of his 2011 NBA Draft peers that he hasn’t.