Top 10 Unsuccessful Draft Pick in NBA History

What’s an Unsuccessful Draft Pick?

The NBA Draft is a critical event for teams looking to build their rosters with young talent. However, not every high draft pick lives up to expectations. Here are some of the most notable unsuccessful draft pick in NBA history, often referred to as “draft busts”

What’s an unsuccessful draft pick? It’s when a team chooses a player they think will be amazing, but that player doesn’t do well. This can happen for lots of reasons. Maybe the player gets hurt. Or they might not fit in with the team. Sometimes, they just can’t handle the pressure of pro basketball.

These picks are often called “draft busts.” They’re the players who don’t live up to the hype. Let’s look at some of the biggest draft busts in NBA history. These stories show us how tricky it can be to predict a player’s future in professional sports.

The Top 10 List

1. LaRue Martin (1972, 1st Overall)

The Portland Trail Blazers thought they struck gold when they picked LaRue Martin first in the 1972 draft. But things didn’t go as planned. Martin’s time in the NBA was short and forgettable.

Why was he unsuccessful? Martin just couldn’t make a splash in the big leagues. He averaged only 5.3 points per game in his four-year career. That’s not what you want from your top pick!

Martin’s career was a letdown compared to other players picked that year. Julius Erving, picked later, became a basketball legend. Martin’s story shows how hard it is to guess who’ll be a star.

The Blazers learned a tough lesson. A high draft pick doesn’t always mean a great player. Martin’s case is a reminder that the draft process isn’t perfect. Even scouts and team bosses can make mistakes when trying to assess a player’s potential.

2. Sam Bowie (1984, 2nd Overall)

Sam Bowie’s story is one of “what could have been.” The Portland Trail Blazers picked him second overall in 1984. But Bowie’s name is now linked to one of the biggest “oops” moments in NBA history.

Why? Because the player picked right after Bowie was Michael Jordan. Yep, that Michael Jordan. The greatest basketball player ever.

Bowie’s career was derailed by injuries. He had a lot of potential, but his body kept letting him down. He played for 10 seasons but never became the star the Blazers hoped for.

Bowie averaged 10.9 points per game in his career. Not bad, but not great for a second pick. His legacy is more about who was picked after him than what he did on the court.

This pick shows how injuries can mess up a promising career. It also proves that even high draft picks can be risky. The Blazers’ choice changed NBA history, but not in the way they wanted.

3. Kwame Brown (2001, 1st Overall)

Kwame Brown made history as the first high school player picked first overall in the NBA draft. The Washington Wizards took a big chance on him in 2001. But Brown’s NBA journey didn’t go as planned.

Brown struggled from the start. He couldn’t keep up with the fast pace and tough competition of the NBA. His stats were disappointing for a top pick. He averaged just 6.6 points per game over his career.

Why was Brown unsuccessful? Some say he wasn’t ready for the NBA straight out of high school. Others point to the pressure of being a top pick. Whatever the reason, Brown never became the star player everyone expected.

Brown played for 12 seasons, bouncing around different teams. But he never shook off the “draft bust” label. His story shows how hard it is for young athletes to adapt to the professional level. It also highlights the risks of drafting players straight from high school.

4. Greg Oden (2007, 1st Overall)

Greg Oden’s story is one of the saddest in NBA draft history. The Portland Trail Blazers picked him first overall in 2007. They thought he’d be their franchise center for years to come. But fate had other plans.

Oden’s career was wrecked by injuries. He missed his entire rookie season due to knee surgery. When he did play, he showed flashes of greatness. But he just couldn’t stay healthy.

In the end, Oden only played 105 games over three seasons. He averaged 8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Those aren’t bad numbers, but they’re not what you expect from a top pick.

What makes Oden’s story even tougher? Kevin Durant was picked right after him. Durant became one of the best players in NBA history. This pick shows how injuries can derail even the most promising careers.

Oden’s case is a reminder of the risks in the draft process. Even players with great potential can fall victim to bad luck. It’s a lesson in how unpredictable sports can be.

5. Anthony Bennett (2013, 1st Overall)

Anthony Bennett’s selection as the first overall pick in 2013 surprised many. The Cleveland Cavaliers took a chance on him. But Bennett’s NBA career was short and disappointing.

Bennett struggled from day one. He averaged just 4.2 points per game in his rookie year. That’s the lowest ever for a number one pick. He had trouble staying in shape and keeping up with the NBA’s fast pace.

Why was Bennett unsuccessful? Some say he wasn’t ready for the NBA. Others point to a poor fit with the team’s system. Whatever the reason, Bennett never found his footing in the league.

He played for four teams in four years before leaving the NBA. Bennett’s story shows how even top picks can struggle to adapt to professional sports. It’s a reminder that the draft is always a gamble, no matter how high the pick.

6. Darko Miličić (2003, 2nd Overall)

Darko Miličić’s name often comes up when talking about draft busts. The Detroit Pistons picked him second overall in 2003. They passed on future stars like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.

Miličić never lived up to the hype. He averaged just 6 points per game over his career. He bounced around the league, playing for six teams in ten years.

Why was Miličić unsuccessful? Some say he was too young and raw when he entered the NBA. Others point to a lack of playing time early in his career. Whatever the reason, he never became the star player the Pistons hoped for.

Miličić’s story shows how hard it is to predict success in the NBA. It also highlights the risks of drafting international players. Sometimes, the transition to the NBA can be too tough, even for talented players.

7. Michael Olowokandi (1998, 1st Overall)

Michael Olowokandi was supposed to be the next great NBA center. The Los Angeles Clippers picked him first overall in 1998. But Olowokandi’s career never took off like many expected.

Olowokandi averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over his career. Those aren’t terrible numbers, but they’re not what you want from a top pick. He never made an All-Star team or led his team to playoff success.

Why was Olowokandi unsuccessful? Some say he lacked the skills to dominate in the NBA. Others point to injuries that slowed him down. Whatever the reason, he never became the franchise player the Clippers hoped for.

What makes Olowokandi’s pick look worse? Players like Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce were picked later in the same draft. Both became NBA legends. Olowokandi’s story shows how hard it is to evaluate talent in the draft process.

8. Adam Morrison (2006, 3rd Overall)

Adam Morrison was a college basketball star. The Charlotte Bobcats picked him third overall in 2006. They thought his scoring touch would transfer to the NBA. But things didn’t work out that way.

Morrison’s NBA career was short and disappointing. He averaged just 7.5 points per game over four seasons. He struggled with injuries and never found his rhythm in the pro game.

Why was Morrison unsuccessful? Some say his playing style didn’t fit the NBA. Others point to a lack of athleticism. Whatever the reason, Morrison couldn’t replicate his college success in the pros.

Morrison’s story shows how college success doesn’t always lead to NBA stardom. It’s a reminder that the transition to professional sports can be tough, even for talented players.

9. Hasheem Thabeet (2009, 2nd Overall)

Hasheem Thabeet was supposed to be a defensive force in the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies picked him second overall in 2009. But Thabeet’s NBA career was short and unimpressive.

Thabeet averaged just 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game over five seasons. He bounced around the league, never finding a permanent home. He ended up playing more games in the NBA’s development league than in the NBA itself.

Why was Thabeet unsuccessful? Some say he lacked the offensive skills to stay on the court. Others point to a poor basketball IQ. Whatever the reason, Thabeet never became the defensive anchor the Grizzlies hoped for.

Thabeet’s story shows the risks of drafting players based on physical traits alone. It’s a reminder that success in the NBA requires more than just size and athleticism.

10. Jay Williams (2002, 2nd Overall)

Jay Williams’ story is different from the others on this list. The Chicago Bulls picked him second overall in 2002. Williams showed promise in his rookie year, averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 assists per game.

But tragedy struck after Williams’ first season. He was in a serious motorcycle accident that ended his NBA career. He never played another game in the league.

Williams’ case shows how off-court issues can derail a promising career. It’s a reminder that a player’s success depends on more than just their on-court skills. Sometimes, life can throw unexpected challenges that change everything.

Williams’ story is one of the most unfortunate in draft history. It shows how quickly a career can be cut short, even for talented players.

Conclusion

These stories show us how tricky the NBA draft can be. Even the smartest basketball minds can’t always predict who’ll become a star. Injuries, team fit, and personal challenges can all affect a player’s career.

What can we learn from these unsuccessful draft pick? First, that no pick is a sure thing. Even top picks can struggle. Second, that player development is crucial. Teams need to help their young players grow and adapt to the NBA.

Lastly, these stories remind us that sports are unpredictable. That’s part of what makes them exciting. For every unsuccessful pick, there’s a surprise success story. A player picked late in the draft who becomes a star.

So next time you watch the NBA draft, remember these stories. They show us that in sports, like in life, nothing is guaranteed. But that’s what makes the journey so interesting.

Want to learn more about the NBA draft? Check out the league’s official website or read up on draft history. Who knows? You might spot the next big star before anyone else!