Goran Dragić
PG · 2008 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #45 (SAS)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #53 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#45). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.8% of the time (765 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
22.1 years old on draft night (born 1986-05-06).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.9% of the time (339 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
International prospect, born in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 41.7% of the time (151 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
PG (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (499 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 946 games over 15 NBA seasons (~77% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 15 |
| Games | 946 |
| Minutes / game | 27.1 |
| Points / game | 13.3 |
| Rebounds / game | 3.0 |
| Assists / game | 4.7 |
| Win Shares (career) | 56.7 |
| VORP | 15.9 |
| Box Plus/Minus | 0.5 |
The 2008 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2008 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within 10 picks of ESPN's rank | 51.8% n=765 | |
| Age 22 | 51.9% n=339 | |
| Path to the draft International | 41.7% n=151 | |
| Position Guard | 48.9% n=499 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 4", 200 lbs |
| Age on draft night | 22.1 |
| Born | Ljubljana, Slovenia |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #53 overall (#9 PG) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 42 | Sean Singletary | redraft #50 |
| 43 | Patrick Ewing | redraft #47 |
| 44 | Ante Tomić | redraft #52 |
| 46 | Trent Plaisted | redraft #53 |
| 47 | Henry Walker | redraft #34 |
| 48 | Malik Hairston | redraft #41 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.