The Worst Draft Busts In NBA History
NBA talent sometimes is easy to spot. Other times, well you misevaluate talent. Especially with first round picks, promise can turn to disaster. These are the worst NBA first round busts.
25. Austin Rivers- New Orleans Hornets
He was picked 10th overall in 2012. While he was not a complete bust. Rivers never lived up to expectations to being a Duke Blue Devil and Doc River's son.
24. Chris Wilcox - Los Angeles Clippers
He was picked 8th overall by the Clippers. He had a long career but never justified his spot. He bounced around the league as a big.
23. Ed O'Bannon- New Jersey Nets
The NCAA tournament star was picked 9th overall. He lasted two seasons in the NBA and was out of the league.
22. Dennis Hopson- New Jersey Nets
He was picked 3rd overall in 1987. He was drafted ahead of Pippen and Reggie Miller. He was out of the league in five years.
21. Stromile Swift- Vancouver Grizzlies
He was an amazing athlete. So he was picked 2nd overall by the Grizzlies. He averaged under 9 points a game in his career.
20. Shawn Bradly- Philadelphia 76ers
He was 7 foot 6 and was picked number 2 overall. He had some shot-blocking skills but never lived up to being number 2 overall.
19. William Bedford- Phoenix Suns
The 1987 draft was loaded with risky picks. Bedford was one of the biggest flops. He played only three seasons in the league despite being drafted 6th overall.
18. Chris Washburn - Golden State Warriors
He is considered one of the worst draft decisions in history. Drafted 3rd overall by the Warriors and played just 72 games.
17. Yi Jianlian- Milwaukee Bucks
He looked so good in pre-draft workouts against chairs. He was picked 6th overall and had a brief tenure in the NBA.
16. Darius Miles- Los Angeles Clippers
He was drafted 3rd overall and came in the league with hype and flash. He never matured. He was an off-court distraction.
15. Jimmer Fredette- Sacramento Kings
Jimmermania never translated to the NBA. He was picked 10th by the Kings but then ended up having a long career in China.
14. Joe Alexander- Milwaukee Bucks
Picked 8th overall by the Bucks. He was an athletic freak. But he was out of the league in two years and never averaged more than 2 points.
13. Thomas Robinson- Sacramento Kings
Robinson was picked 5th overall and looked like an NBA power forward in Kansas. He was out of the league in no time.
12. Marvin Williams-Atlanta Hawks
He was picked number 2 overall for a guy who never even started in college. He had a solid but underwhelming career and never became an All-Star.
11. Jonny Flynn- Minnesota Timberwolves
He was picked 6th overall and famously or infamously ahead of Steph Curry. He was out of the league by his 4th season.
10. Robert Swift- Seattle SuperSonics
The Sonics drafted Swift straight out of college. They thought his size and upside would translate to being great. Instead he never started 20 games in a season and had off court issues and was out of the league quick.
9. Adam Morrison- Charlotte Bobcats
He was a star at Gonzaga so he was picked 3rd overall by Charlotte. His lack of athleticism exposed him quickly.
8. Nikoloz Tskitishvili- Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets drafted him out of Europe 5th overall. He averaged just 2.9 points per game. And was one of the worst international whiffs of all time.
7. Michael Olowokandi- Los Angeles Clippers
The "Kandi Man" was drafted first overall. He was raw and never developed. And the worst part? He was drafted first overall.
6. Sam Bowie- Portland Trail Blazers
He was picked 2nd overall. He will always be remembered for being the guy who was picked before Michael Jordan.
5. Greg Oden- Portland Trail Blazers
Oden had all the tools to be a franchise center. But the injuries destroyed his career. He was picked 1st overall before Kevin Durant.
4. Kwame Brown- Washington Wizards
He became the first high schooler to be picked first overall. He became a poster child for draft busts.
3. Hasheem Thabeet- Memphis Grizzlies
He was taken ahead of James Harden, Steph Curry and others. He was picked 2nd overall. He had size but no skill.
2. Darko Milicic- Detroit Pistons
He was drafted before Carmelo, Bosh and D-Wade. 2nd overall! He never averaged double digit points.
1. Anthony Bennett- Cleveland Cavaliers
Nobody saw it coming. And the Cavaliers drafted Bennett first overall. He was out of the league within four seasons.