The 2014 NBA Draft was a highly anticipated event, filled with promising young talents. But with high-profile names such as Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid and Julius Randle, the best player to come out of this draft class was the unheralded Nikola Jokic from Serbia, the 41st pick of the draft.
Today, we will discuss who were the top 40 players selected before Nikola Jokic and where they are now.
Yes, 40 players were somehow drafted before Nikola Jokic.
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40. Glenn Robinson III – Minnesota Timberwolves
The only highlight in Robinson’s career was winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2017.
Where is he today?
He now plays in the G-League.
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39. Jerami Grant – Philadelphia 76ers (Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)
After a slow start, Grant has now emerged as one of the best and most reliable two-way players in the league.
Where is he today?
Grant just signed a lucrative 5-year $160 million extension with Portland in 2023.
38. Spencer Dinwiddie – Detroit Pistons
Dinwiddie has become a solid contributor for all the teams he has played in the NBA.
Where is he today?
He now plays for the Lakers.
37. DeAndre Daniels – Toronto Raptors
Daniels never played in the NBA but had a few stints in the G-League.
Where is he today?
His last stint was in Australia in 2022.
36. Johnny O'Bryant III – Milwaukee Bucks
Yes, Johnny O’Bryant III was drafted before Nikola Jokic. O’Bryant had a brief NBA career before pursuing opportunities outside of the league.
Where is he today?
He has been playing in Japan since 2023.
35. Jarnell Stokes – Utah Jazz (Traded to Memphis Grizzlies)
Stokes failed to capitalize on the hype that surrounded him since high school and lasted just a few seasons in the NBA.
Where is he today?
He hasn’t played basketball since 2020.
34. Cleanthony Early – New York Knicks
Injuries hindered Early’s career in the NBA. He has since embarked on an international career.
Where is he today?
He now plays in Lebanon.
33. Joe Harris – Cleveland Cavaliers
Harris has become one of the NBA’s premier three-point shooters in recent years. His skills are a valuable commodity in today’s era.
Where is he today?
After seven years with Brooklyn, Harris was traded to Detroit this offseason. He is now a free agent.
32. K.J. McDaniels – Philadelphia 76ers
McDaniels played for multiple NBA teams before pursuing international opportunities.
Where is he today?
McDaniels has been plying his trade in Asia, particularly in the Philippines and Indonesia.
31. Damien Inglis – Milwaukee Bucks
Inglis transitioned to playing overseas after two years in the NBA.
Where is he today?
He has a steady career in Europe and now plays in Spain.
30. Kyle Anderson – San Antonio Spurs
Anderson has carved out a nice career in the association with his steady play and savvy basketball IQ.
Where is he today?
Anderson has been a solid contributor for Minnesota since 2022.
29. Josh Huestis – Oklahoma City Thunder
Huestis’ NBA career didn’t pan out as expected despite a solid college career.
Where is he today?
He last played in the G-League in 2022.
28. C.J. Wilcox – Los Angeles Clippers
Wilcox had a couple of stints in the NBA but played mostly in the G-League.
Where is he today?
He last played in the G-League in 2020.
27. Bogdan Bogdanovic – Phoenix Suns (Traded to Sacramento Kings)
Bogdanovic has earned a reputation as one of the NBA’s top European talents today.
Where is he today?
He’s been with the Hawks since 2020.
26. P.J. Hairston – Miami Heat (Traded to Charlotte Hornets)
Hairston’s time in the NBA was marked by inconsistency and underwhelming performances.
Where is he today?
Hairston officially retired in 2018.
25. Clint Capela – Houston Rockets
Capela has established himself as one of the NBA’s best rim protectors and rebounders.
Where is he today?
The Swiss big man now plays for Atlanta.
24. Shabazz Napier – Charlotte Hornets (Traded to Miami Heat)
Yes, Shabazz Napier was drafted before Nikola Jokic. Napier had a journeyman career, showcasing his skills as a backup point guard.
Where is he today?
Napier now plays in Italy.
23. Rodney Hood – Utah Jazz
Hood has played for several teams and contributed as a valuable role player.
Where is he today?
Hood now plays in the G-League.
22. Jordan Adams – Memphis Grizzlies
Adams was waived by Memphis in 2016 after suffering various injuries early in his career.
Where is he today?
Adams embarked on a South American career but has since made the move to Indonesia in 2023.
21. Mitch McGary – Oklahoma City Thunder
McGary failed multiple drug tests in 2016 and the Thunder waived him after.
Where is he today?
He has stopped playing basketball since 2016.
20. Bruno Caboclo – Toronto Raptors
Caboclo has had limited playing time in his NBA career.
Where is he today?
Caboclo now plays in Serbia and the Euroleague.
19. Gary Harris – Chicago Bulls (Traded to Denver Nuggets)
Harris has been a steady contributor on both ends of the floor for Denver early in his career.
Where is he today?
He’s now with Orlando but has suffered multiple injuries in the past few years.
18. Tyler Ennis – Phoenix Suns
Ennis has played for several teams in the league but eventually embarked on an international career in 2018.
Where is he today?
Ennis now plays for Napoli Basket in Italy.
17. James Young – Boston Celtics
Young never really found his footing in the league.
Where is he today?
He last played in Italy in 2023.
16. Jusuf Nurkic – Chicago Bulls (Traded to Denver Nuggets)
With Nikola Jokic’s rise in Denver, Nurkic was traded to Portland in 2017.
Where is he today?
Nurkic now plays for the Phoenix Suns.
15. Adreian Payne – Atlanta Hawks
Payne had a brief NBA career before taking his career overseas.
Where is he today?
Payne was shot and killed in 2022 after trying to prevent a domestic dispute.
14. T.J. Warren – Phoenix Suns
Warren became a reliable scoring option for each team he’s played with in his career.
Where is he today?
He now plays for the Timberwolves after his 10-day deals were converted into a standard contract in 2024.
13. Zach LaVine – Minnesota Timberwolves
Aside from being one of the league’s premier scorers, LaVine won two Slam Dunk Contest titles.
Where is he today?
LaVine is currently Chicago’s franchise player.
12. Dario Saric – Orlando Magic (Traded to Philadelphia 76ers)
Yes, Dario Saric was drafted before Nikola Jokic. Saric made his NBA debut in 2016 but dealt with injuries shortly after.
Where is he today?
Saric is now looking for a fresh start with Golden State.
11. Doug McDermott – Denver Nuggets (Traded to Chicago Bulls)
Yes, Doug McDermott was drafted before Nikola Jokic. McDermott has become a valuable scorer off the bench for several teams.
Where is he today?
McDermott is now playing for the Pacers.
10. Elfrid Payton – Philadelphia 76ers (Traded to Orlando Magic)
Payton is a good player but his lack of three-point shooting made him a liability on offense.
Where is he today?
Payton now plays in the G-League.
9. Noah Vonleh – Charlotte Hornets
Vonleh has had a journeyman career in the NBA, mostly serving as a backup.
Where is he today?
Vonleh took his act to China and now plays for the Shanghai Sharks.
8. Nik Stauskas – Sacramento Kings
Stauskas had stints with several teams before transitioning to the G-League and overseas.
Where is he today?
He last played for the Celtics in 2022.
7. Julius Randle – Los Angeles Lakers
Randle found success with the Knicks, earning a couple of All-Star selections due to his improved play.
Where is he today?
Randle continues to be the cornerstone of the Knicks.
6. Marcus Smart – Boston Celtics
Smart was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Where is he today?
After nine years with Boston, Smart was traded to the Grizzlies this offseason.
5. Dante Exum – Utah Jazz
Exum’s career has been marred by injuries in his time in the NBA.
Where is he today?
After a couple of years in Europe, Exum is now back in the league, playing for Dallas.
4. Aaron Gordon – Orlando Magic
Gordon spent several years in Orlando before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2021.
Where is he today?
Gordon won his first championship with the Nuggets last season.
3. Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid has emerged as one of the NBA’s best players. Embiid won the league MVP in 2023.
Where is he today?
Embiid is still with Philadelphia, trying to win a title for the city.
2. Jabari Parker – Milwaukee Bucks
Parker showed flashes of brilliance with the Bucks but struggled with injuries.
Where is he today?
Parker now plays for FC Barcelona of the Spanish Liga ACB.
1. Andrew Wiggins – Cleveland Cavaliers (Traded to Minnesota Timberwolves)
Wiggins was traded to Minnesota in a deal that sent Kevin Love to Cleveland. He won the Rookie of the Year in 2015.
Where is he today?
Wiggins is now a solid contributor for the Warriors and has won a championship with them in 2022.
