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All 30 teams in the NBA have made some great draft selections. However, all 30 teams have also failed miserably. These are the best and worst decisions in league history. Do you agree?
Atlanta Hawks: Best Pick — Bob Pettit (No. 2, 1954)
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Kicking it off with a two-time MVP and 11-time All-Star, Bob Pettit was one of the best players the game has ever seen. Pettit was selected second overall out of LSU and made an instant impact for the Hawks. After spending one season in Milwaukee, the Hawks moved to St. Louis where Pettit became an even bigger star. Pettit played his entire career with the Hawks (11 seasons) and is tied with Kobe Bryant for the most All-Star Game MVPs ever (four).
Worst Pick — Marvin Williams (No. 2, 2005)
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The Hawks have had the No. 2 pick three times in franchise history. The team selected Bob Pettit the first time around, and then two years later used the No. 2 selection on a guy named Bill Russell (who was immediately shipped off to Boston for two Hall of Famers in Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley). Atlanta had to wait another 50 years until they had another No. 2 pick, and the team opted to utilize it on North Carolina super-sub Marvin Williams.
The versatile forward has enjoyed a fairly solid career as a role player — 10.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG in 1072 career games — but hasn’t lived up to the billing of a second overall pick. Atlanta would have been better off taking one of the top point guards in the pool. Deron Williams and Chris Paul were selected third and fourth, respectively.
Boston Celtics: Best Pick — Larry Bird (No. 6, 1978)
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The “Hick from French Lick” slipped a bit in the draft despite being regarded as one of the top collegiate players in the nation. Seizing the opportunity, the Celtics scooped up Bird sixth overall and wound up with one of the greatest players of all-time. Bird led Boston to three NBA titles while collecting three regular season MVP trophies along the way. While Bird’s value to the franchise is virtually unmatched (by anybody not named Bill Russell), the selections of Paul Pierce (No. 10, 1998) and Jayson Tatum (No. 3, 2017) have helped usher in new eras of Celtics basketball in their own right.
Worst Pick — Ron Mercer (No. 6, 1997)
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The Celtics aren’t a team that typically drafts near the top of the order. In the few instances the Celtics have selected in the top-10, they’ve proven to have a good track record in terms of evaluating potential prospects. Among their handful of blunders, selecting Ron Mercer sixth overall in 1997 is likely one the franchise would like to have back. Mercer was a quality starting shooting guard for eight seasons in the league, but only lasted two years in Boston before being traded for a group of role players and a future first-round pick (which later became first-round bust Kedrick Brown). The Celtics could have had Tracy McGrady with this selection, who was taken three picks later at No. 9.
Brooklyn Nets: Best Pick — Buck Williams (No. 3, 1981)
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The draft hasn’t been terribly kind to the Nets over the years. Brooklyn (previously New Jersey) has mostly acquired its star players through free agency (Kevin Durant, Julius Irving, Kyrie Irving) or via trade (Jason Kidd, Vince Carter). Their two No. 1 overall picks wound up having solid, yet unspectacular careers (Derrick Coleman and Kenyon Martin). The best player they’ve ever drafted is perhaps Bernard King, who played for the Nets for just two years before going on to become a New York Knicks legend. In terms of drafted players who contributed most to the Nets, Buck Williams is head and shoulders above the rest. Williams was a three-time All-Star in New Jersey and missed just one game in his first six seasons.
Worst Pick — Ed O’Bannon (No. 9, 1995)
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Fans of the NCAA video game titles are all too familiar with Ed O’Bannon. In 2009, O’Bannon filed a lawsuit against the NCAA claiming that he deserved financial compensation for his likeness being used in NCAA Basketball 09. O’Bannon was a member of the UCLA Bruins squad which won the NCAA Title in 1995. Following a stellar collegiate career, the lanky wing was selected ninth overall in the NBA Draft. O’Bannon would last just two years in the Association before taking his talents overseas.
Charlotte Hornets: Best Pick — Alonzo Mourning (No. 2, 1992)
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The Hornets’ past draft results can be a bit confusing, as the team reclaimed its history after changing its name from the Bobcats in 2014. Luckily for this exercise, the Bobcats didn’t do a good job of drafting quality talent (aside from Kemba Walker). When examining Charlotte’s draft history, three names stand out: Larry Johnson, Baron Davis and Alonzo Mourning. Johnson and Davis became recognized for their thunderous slams and impressive athleticism, but Mourning was arguably the most impactful of the bunch. In three seasons in Charlotte, Mourning averaged 21 PPG, 10 RPG, and 3 BPG.
Worst Pick — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (No. 2, 2012)
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Unfortunately for Hornets fans, the team has plenty of draft busts to choose from. Adam Morrison was selected third overall in 2006 and failed to blossom into the offensive threat he was projected to become at Gonzaga. Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh, and Frank Kaminsky all left something to be desired. However, none were as disappointing as Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Selected one spot after college teammate Anthony Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist has developed into nothing more than a defensive-minded reserve. Not exactly what you expect out of a No. 2 overall pick, especially when Bradley Beal (No. 3) and Damian Lillard (No. 6) were taken shortly after.
Chicago Bulls: Best Pick — Michael Jordan (No. 3, 1984)
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Is there really anything to say here? The Chicago Bulls drafted arguably the greatest player of all-time with the No. 3 overall pick. Jordan instantly dominated the league from a scoring perspective, eventually capturing 10 scoring titles throughout his career. As he matured, he became more of a team player who would do whatever it took to win games. Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA titles and one of the greatest runs for a club in sports history.
Worst Pick — Jay Williams (No. 2, 2002)
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When your No. 2 overall pick plays in just 75 games in his career, it’s safe to say the selection was a mistake. That was the case with former Duke point guard Jay William. His NBA career was cut short after just one season. Following a respectable rookie campaign, Williams was involved in a motorcycle accident which led to several significant injuries. He was never able to make his return to an NBA floor and was waived by the Bulls shortly after the crash. A tragic story, though Williams has rebounded well as a motivational speaker and television analyst for ESPN.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Best Pick — LeBron James (No. 1, 2003)
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We feel the need to include “arguably” when mentioning Jordan being the greatest player of all-time. That is because Akron’s own LeBron James certainly has a case of his own. There was no question who the Cavaliers were taking No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft. As soon as Cleveland won the Draft Lottery, the writing was on the wall. James went with the first pick in what ended up being one of the greatest draft classes ever. The four-time NBA MVP won two titles in Miami before returning to Cleveland and delivering one of the most iconic Finals performances of all-time. Facing a 3-1 deficit to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors, James led the Cavs to an improbable comeback victory for the franchise’s first NBA title.
Worst Pick — Anthony Bennett (No. 1, 2013)
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One all-time great No. 1 pick deserves an all-time bust No. 1 pick. A decade after selecting LeBron James first overall, the Cavaliers were left to be a cellar-dweller when their franchise cornerstone bolted to South Beach. As a result, Cleveland won the lottery in three of four seasons. It worked out pretty well the first time (Kyrie Irving, 2011), and in ’14 they shipped off the No. 1 pick (Andrew Wiggins) to Minnesota for Kevin Love. However, Cavalier fans don’t like to mention what happened in 2013.
The team shocked the world by selecting UNLV forward Anthony Bennett in what has become one of the biggest draft blunders in recent NBA history. Bennett played for four teams in four years before making his last NBA appearance in 2017.
Dallas Mavericks: Best Pick — Jason Kidd (No. 2, 1994)
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If the Mavericks originally owned the pick which was used on Dirk Nowitzki, the German big man would easily be the name included on this list. However, Nowitzki was originally a Milwaukee Bucks selection before being traded on draft day for Robert “Tractor” Traylor. Instead, we’ll need to look at another member of Dallas’ 2011 title-winning club. Jason Kidd began his career with the Mavericks where he shared Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill. After memorable stints in Phoenix and New Jersey, Kidd made his way back to Dallas as a seasoned veteran in Year 14. The Hall of Fame point guard started all 21 postseason games for the Mavericks during their miraculous run to a championship.
Worst Pick — Bill Garnett (No. 4, 1982)
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Dallas has enjoyed sustained success over the years, which has prevented them from selecting atop the draft more often than not. Their lone No. 1 overall selection was used on Mark Aguirre, a hard-nosed wing who averaged 20 PPG and won two titles with the Detroit Pistons. Their most memorable top-5 blunder is easily Bill Garnett, who played just four seasons in the NBA (two with Dallas) before being ousted from the league. Garnett averaged 5.5 PPG over his career.
Denver Nuggets: Best Pick — Nikola Jokic (No. 41, 2014)
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In terms of raw value, it’s difficult to do much better than selecting an MVP with the No. 41 overall selection. The Nuggets uncovered a gem in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. The Serbian savant wasn’t even the first center acquired by Denver that night — the Nuggets executed a deal with the Bulls to acquire the right of Jusuf Nurkic. It was clear early on that Jokic was the better of the two bigs, and Nurkic was promptly shipped off to Portland. Jokic has now developed into one of the league’s top talents and arguably the greatest passing big man of all-time. With apologies to Carmelo Anthony, Jokic is the best Nuggets draft pick in team history.
Worst Pick — Nikoloz Tskitishvili (No. 5, 2002)
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A 7-foot forward with guard skills, Georgia national Nikoloz Tskitishvili may have been too far ahead of his time. Stuck in a rut, the Nuggets opted to swing for the fences with the European product with the No. 5 overall pick in 2002. Tskitishvili wasn’t able to find his footing in the NBA, appearing in just 172 games (16 starts) before calling it a career. Fortunately for the Nuggets, its awful ’03 season led to another high draft pick the following year — which the team used on the No. 9 all-time scoring leader Carmelo Anthony.
Detroit Pistons: Best Pick — Isiah Thomas (No. 2, 1981)
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The Pistons weren’t dubbed the “Bad Boys” until the late 80s when they began winning titles, but the memorable era began with the selection of Isiah Thomas in 1981. Thomas quickly became one of the top point guards in the league thanks to his lighting-quick handle and fearless approach. Leading the way for two title-winning teams, Thomas was named a 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and was named the 1990 NBA Finals MVP. He is widely regarded as one of the five best point guards to ever play.
Worst Pick — Darko Milicic (No. 2, 2003)
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A pick the mid-2000s Pistons would surely like to have back, selecting Darko Milicic No. 2 overall was an all-time blunder. At the time, Detroit already boasted one of the best rosters in the league. The Pistons had acquired this pick six years prior from the Vancouver Grizzlies in a deal for Otis Thorpe. The team opted for Milicic after the Serbian native dazzled in pre-draft workouts. Though the Pistons went on to win the NBA title the following year, it was no thanks to Milicic’s contributions. Detroit could have extended its title-winning window with selections of Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh. Yikes.
Golden State Warriors: Best Pick — Stephen Curry (No. 7, 2009)
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Stephen Curry falling to the No. 7 pick was puzzling at the moment and an even bigger surprise looking back on it. The two-time MVP has blossomed into the game’s greatest shooter ever and delivered countless moments for the franchise he has stuck with throughout his entire career. The last part of that is what separates Curry from Wilt Chamberlain — Golden State’s second-greatest draft pick. Chamberlain played for three teams in his career and lasted just five years with the Warriors. As it currently stands, it doesn’t seem like Curry will ever be wearing another team’s uniform throughout his playing career.
Worst Pick — Chris Washburn (No. 3, 1986)
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Chris Washburn went from being the No. 3 overall pick to being banned from the league in the blink of an eye. The Golden State Warriors had high hopes for Washburn following his remarkable sophomore season at NC State. The team chose to overlook Washburn’s reportedly poor work ethic and checkered past (Washburn was caught stealing a stereo and was sentenced to 46 hours of jail time and a five-year probationary period). The 6-foot-11 center was a tremendous athlete, but could never get on the right path.
Houston Rockets: Best Pick — Hakeem Olajuwon (No. 1, 1984)
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There aren’t too many players in NBA history who could be selected ahead of Michael Jordan and still feel as if it was the correct pick. This is the case with Hakeem Olajuwon, who went first overall in one of the most stacked drafts in NBA history (which included Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton). Olajuwon was the original unicorn. He could dribble the ball and move his feet like a guard but coupled this gracefulness with the overwhelming size of a legitimate big man. Hakeem captured glory with back-to-back championships in Houston, blocked the most shots in NBA history (3,830), and his patented “Dream Shake” move is still used by players today.
Worst Pick — Royce White (No. 16, 2012)
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The Rockets are another team that has done mostly well as it pertains to the draft. Their history does not include any memorable busts selected near the top. In terms of players who didn’t pan out, Royce White is among a group of highly-touted prospects who could never make it work at the NBA level. White’s lack of production in the league can be attributed to his uneasy relationship with Rockets management. Former Rockets GM Daryl Morey even said that White could be “the worst first-round pick ever”. White played in just three games — all with the Kings — and hasn’t returned to the NBA.
Indiana Pacers: Best Pick — Reggie Miller (No. 11, 1987)
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One of the greatest clutch shooters in NBA history, Reggie Miller is easily the best drat pick in Pacers history (sorry, Paul George). Miller spent the entirety of his 18-year NBA career with the Pacers. Indiana missed the playoffs just once from 1990 to 2005 (Miller’s final season), and made five trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2000, Indiana reached the Finals for the first time since the team joined the NBA in 1976. He missed just 55 games over his entire career and was a stalwart within the organization and the city for nearly two decades.
Worst Pick — Jonathan Bender (No. 5, 1999)
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We’re going to cheat a little bit here and go with a player who wasn’t technically drafted by Indiana but spent nearly his entire professional career with the Pacers. Jonathan Bender was taken fifth overall in 1999 by the Toronto Raptors but was traded to the Pacers just a day later for Antonio Davis. Bender was an athletic anomaly who dominated the high school basketball scene in his home state of Mississippi. Unfortunately, Bender was never able to put it together in the league — primarily due to his inability to stay on the floor. Injuries zapped the 6-foot-10 forward of his athleticism, as he appeared in just 262 games over an eight-year career.
Los Angeles Clippers: Best Pick — Bob McAdoo (No. 2, 1972)
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The Clippers/Braves have had a tumultuous run since moving from Buffalo in 1978. Over the years, the Clippers have been a lightning rod for draft busts and disappointing players. Blake Griffin (No. 1, 2009) offered the Clippers some hope, though the team was never able to win anything substantial during his tenure. McAdoo is considered to be the top Clipper/Brave in team history. McAdoo left for the Knicks before the Braves moved to San Diego and re-branded, but he was an excellent player for the Buffalo Braves. The bruising big man had three-straight seasons averaging 30-plus PPG. He was also named league MVP in just the third year of his career.
Worst Pick — Michael Olowokandi (No. 1, 1998)
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Among LA’s list of blunders, Michael Olowokandi’s name is atop the list. The first overall pick in 1998 was selected ahead of names like Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, and Paul Pierce — all of whom are sure-fire Hall of Famers. Pierce was even in the Clippers’ backyard having been raised in Inglewood. The list of other Clipper busts includes Danny Ferry, Darius Miles, Bo Kimble and Chris Wilcox.
Los Angeles Lakers: Best Pick — Magic Johnson (No. 2, 1979)
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How could we pick against the man who brought “Showtime” to Los Angeles? The Lakers have a lengthy history of great centers — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain — all of whom were drafted by other teams before making their way out West. Kobe Bryant, while arguably the greatest Laker of all-time, was originally a Hornets selection — though he was dealt on draft day for Vlade Divac. Johnson, on the other hand, was a Lakers selection from the very beginning — and is inarguably the greatest point guard in NBA history. A five-time NBA Champion and three-time MVP, Magic truly revolutionized the sport.
Worst Pick — Jim Paxson (No. 3, 1956)
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A team that has been to 32 NBA Finals isn’t going to concern itself with the Draft Lottery all too often. Though, LA has done well over the years with top draft picks. In addition to selecting Johnson, Elgin Baylor and James Worthy No. 1 overall, the Lakers have had a slew of top-10 picks in recent years (which have mostly panned out). D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle have all been named All-Stars in their careers, while Lonzo Ball has developed into one of the league’s top two-way guards.
To find a more disastrous example, we have to go back to 1956 when the Lakers took Jim Paxson Sr. — whose two sons (Jim and John) both played in the league — third overall. In that same year, the Celtics ended up with Tommy Heinsohn and K.C. Jones before pulling off a draft-day trade with St. Louis for a player named Bill Russell. Advantage, Boston.
Memphis Grizzlies: Best Pick — Ja Morant (No. 2, 2019)
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Is it a bit too early to dub Ja Morant as the best pick in Grizzlies history? Possibly, but we certainly want to heap some praise on the 24-year-old All-Star who has improved each year since he was drafted. While players like Mike Conley Jr., Shane Battier and Shareef Abdur-Rahim were all quality players, none boast the superstar upside of Morant. Perhaps most importantly, Morant has injected a sense of excitement within the fanbase which simply cannot be measured by a few counting stats. He represents the future for a team that is still awaiting its first NBA Finals appearance.
Worst Pick — Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2, 2009)
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Memphis has a pair of poor No. 2 picks in its history. The first came in 2000 when the Vancouver Grizzlies selected athletic forward Stromile Swift second overall out of LSU. To be fair, the Grizzlies get a bit of a pass considering how poor the 2000 draft class was overall. Glancing through their other potential options, the team didn’t pass up on any potential superstar. However, that wasn’t the case in 2009 when the Grizzlies infamously selected 7-foot-2 center Hasheem Thabeet over names like James Harden and Stephen Curry. Other players the Grizzlies skipped over in favor of Thabeet include DeMar DeRozan and Jrue Holiday.
Miami Heat: Best Pick — Dwyane Wade (No. 5, 2003)
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Miami got a whole lot more than a consolation prize with the No. 5 pick in 2003. With LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh off the board, the Heat “settled” for a speedy guard out of Chicago. Wade confirmed the team’s faith in him by delivering the city an NBA title in his third season. A few years later, Wade convinced James and Bosh to join forces in South Florida, and the three-headed monster led the Heat to four-straight NBA Finals appearances and a pair of titles. After bouncing around to Chicago and Cleveland, Wade returned to the Heat in 2017 and retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, points, assists, and steals.
Worst Pick — Michael Beasley (No. 2, 2008)
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Following the worst season in franchise history (15-67), the 2008 Draft Lottery was unkind to the Heat. The 33-49 Bulls leaped Miami in the order, and selected budding superstar Derrick Rose with the No. 1 overall pick. With a handful of potential candidates on the board, Miami chose Michael Beasley — a rangy wing who put up monstrous numbers at Kansas State. While Beasley found a niche in the league as a sparkplug scorer, he never quite lived up to the hype as a No. 2 pick. Miami would have been better off taking Russell Westbrook or Kevin Love instead.
Milwaukee Bucks: Best Pick — Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 15, 2013)
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Now, we aren’t saying Giannis Antetokounmpo is a better player than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — who was drafted first overall by the Bucks back in 1969. Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and it will take another decade for Giannis to even come close to matching his accomplishments. That being said, it can be argued that Antetokounmpo was the more valuable draft pick. The Bucks managed to draft a multi-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA Finals MVP outside of the lottery. Both players won a title for the franchise. And, it doesn’t look like Antetokounmpo is going to be skipping town for one of the marquee cities anytime soon.
Worst Pick — Joe Alexander (No. 8, 2008)
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Australian-born Joe Alexander was one of the rare misses among 2008 draftees. A draft that included Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon and Brook Lopez, the Bucks wound up with one of the few players who contributed virtually nothing. Though guys like Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo never managed to live up to their draft spot, both stuck around in the league for quite some time before calling it quits. Alexander, on the other hand, played just two seasons in the NBA. In fact, the only first-round pick who managed to appear in fewer games than Alexander was the 30th overall selection, J.R. Giddens. Alexander made 67 appearances (0 starts) in two years.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Best Pick — Kevin Garnett (No. 5, 1995)
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Kevin Garnett is the best pick in Minnesota Timberwolves history by a wide margin. After foregoing college, Garnett entered the NBA Draft and was selected fifth overall. Up until then, the Timberwolves had never even won 30-plus games in a season. Garnett led Minnesota to a playoff berth in Year 2 — the first of eight-straight playoff appearances. In 2004, Garnett and the T’Wolves finally broke through as the energetic power forward was awarded MVP honors en route to a Western Conference Finals appearance.
Worst Pick — Jonny Flynn (No. 6, 2009)
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The 2009 NBA Draft was an unbridled disaster for the Timberwolves. Equipped with three first-round picks, Minnesota failed miserably in acquiring a star talent. With picks No. 5 and No. 6, the T’Wolves drafted two point guards — Spain’s Ricky Rubio and Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn. The Warriors selected Stephen Curry with the seventh overall selection. Minnesota drafted Ty Lawson with the 18th overall pick, as well, but shipped off the future All-Star to Denver for a pick that would later be used on Luke Babbit. While Rubio developed into a solid contributor, Flynn did not enjoy the same amount of success. After a solid rookie campaign, Flynn failed to develop and was eventually playing professionally in Australia, China and Italy.
New Orleans Pelicans: Best Pick — Chris Paul (No. 4, 2005)
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While Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson are more impressive athletes, there’s no question who is the best draft pick in Pelicans history. Chris Paul was selected when the team was still going by the “Hornets”, spending most of his first two seasons playing in Oklahoma City. It quickly became apparent that Paul was going to become one of the top point guards in the league. He turned New Orleans into an instant competitor and remains one of the league’s best players at age 36. Paul will go down as one of the greatest point guards in league history.
Worst Pick — Hilton Armstrong (No. 12, 2006)
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The Pels haven’t done a bad job of drafting over the years but did hit a rough patch between 2006-07. Their 2007 first-round pick, Julian Wright, didn’t exactly blossom into a star. The year prior, New Orleans drafted big man Hilton Armstrong out of Connecticut. The clumsy big man spent four seasons in New Orleans before he was shipped off to the Sacramento Kings for a second-round pick. Hardly the return you’d expect out of a former lottery pick.
New York Knicks: Best Pick — Patrick Ewing (No. 1, 1985)
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The prize of the famed “Frozen Envelope” fiasco from the 1985 Draft Lottery, Patrick Ewing is the best draft pick in New York Knicks history. Though, it’s not by a wide margin. Walt Frazier and Willis Reed helped deliver New York’s two title wins back in the 70s. A championship eluded Ewing’s grasp, but his impact cannot be understated. An 11-time All-Star and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Ewing was one of the league’s most dominant centers during a time when the position was stacked with elite talent.
Worst Pick — Mike Sweetney (No. 9, 2003)
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Since the Ewing Era concluded, the Knicks have had their fair share of draft day blunders to sift through. New York spent a top-15 pick on Frederic Weis — who never played in the NBA with his claim to fame being he was the guy who Vince Carter jumped over during the Olympics in one of the most iconic dunks in basketball history. The very next pick after Weis was New York native and future Defensive Player of the Year Ron Artest (now Metta Sandiford-Artest). After Weis, it’s a pick-em between Sweetney and 2009 No. 8 pick Jordan Hill as the worst Knicks selection. Both bigs were considerable busts in loaded draft classes. Hill stuck around for nearly a decade, while Sweetney lasted just parts of four seasons before calling it a career.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Best Pick — Kevin Durant (No. 2, 2007)
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The Thunder (previously Sonics) have a star-studded set of options to choose from. When the team was still in Seattle, they wound up with Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton in back-to-back drafts. The pair led the Sonics to an NBA Finals appearance and provided plenty of highlights along the way. Fast-forward two decades later and the team went on possibly the greatest run of first-round picks in NBA history — selecting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden in consecutive drafts. Durant is the best of the bunch. He played nine years with the club, earning seven All-Star nods and MVP honors in 2014.
Worst Pick — Mouhamed Sene (No. 10, 2006)
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Before their historic three-year run of lottery picks, the Sonics fumbled their 2006 pick. Mouhamed Sene was a 6-foot-11 center out of Senegal whom the Sonics selected ahead of J.J. Redick, Rajon Rondo and Kyle Lowry. Sene didn’t have the requisite skill set to flourish at the NBA level. Given his offensive limitations, it was difficult for Sene to find playing time as a young player. With just 47 NBA appearances under his belt, Sene has been out of the league since 2009.
Orlando Magic: Best Pick — Shaquille O’Neal (No. 1, 1992)
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Shaquille O’Neal brought legitimacy to a young Magic franchise. After winning the 1992 Draft Lottery, it was clear who the Magic would be spending the No. 1 pick on. O’Neal lived up to the hype, and then some. In his first year with the team, Orlando increased its win total by 20 games from the previous season. By Year 3, O’Neal had led the Magic to the NBA Finals — which included knocking off Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The enigmatic big man lasted just four seasons with the Magic, but his imprint was greatly felt. Dwight Howard also received consideration for this spot, though O’Neal was the far superior player who made a bigger impact for the franchise on and off the floor.
Worst Pick — Mario Hezonja (No. 5, 2015)
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Entering the 2015 NBA Draft, Croatia native Mario Hezonja was garnering considerable hype. The 6-foot-8 prospect boasted the ideal skillset of a modern-day wing. Teams lauded his athleticism and three-point shooting ability. Following an exciting Summer League performance, Hezonja sputtered out of the gates. It’s never a good sign when a player receives fewer minutes as a sophomore than he did as a rookie. That typically means the team doesn’t trust said player. Hezonja bounced around to New York and Portland before being traded to Memphis in 2020. Most recently, Hezonja was playing in Russia before the league suspended play.
Philadelphia 76ers: Best Pick — Allen Iverson (No. 1, 1996)
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Iverson is one of the most unique players the NBA has ever seen. Generously listed at 6-feet tall, the diminutive guard had a relentless demeanor which allowed him to overcome his vertical deficiencies. He was able to wiggle his way to the rim whenever he wanted. Iverson scored over bigger players with ease and shook them with his patented crossover dribble. Though the 76ers have a rich history of Hall of Fame talent, none had the impact culturally that Iverson did. The 2001 MVP is one of the all-time greats.
Worst Pick — Markelle Fultz (No. 1, 2017)
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Fultz’s career could still go in any number of directions, but the former No. 1 pick faces a steep uphill battle. It started rocky when videos of Fultz’s broken jumper surfaced on the internet, and it has seemingly spiraled out of control ever since. Fultz appeared in just 33 games over his first two seasons in Philadelphia before being shipped to Orlando during the 2019 trade deadline. While he has shown some signs as a playmaker, spending a No. 1 pick (and moving other assets to move up in the draft) for Fultz severely stunted the 76ers’ growth as a team. Imagine if they had just taken Jayson Tatum instead…
Phoenix Suns: Best Pick — Steve Nash (No. 15, 1996)
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Back-to-back MVPs solidified Steve Nash as the greatest Phoenix draft pick of all-time. Nash was taken 15th overall by Phoenix in 1996 and spent the first portion of his career backing up Jason Kidd. Nash eventually made the move to Dallas where he blossomed into an All-Star. After 2004, Nash returned to Phoenix with a new sense of confidence and experience. In his first year back, the Suns won 62 games (won 29 the year prior) and Nash earned MVP honors. He was named MVP yet again in 2006 after leading the team to 54 wins with co-star Amare Stoudamire on the mend. Nash’s vision and shooting ability endeared him to the fanbase and made him a nightmare to defend for opposing guards.
Worst Pick — Dragan Bender (No. 4, 2016)
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Phoenix’s worst draft picks came in back-to-back years and were both No. 4 picks — Dragan Bender (2016) and (2017) Josh Jackson. Bender was drafted a year earlier, though he is (surprisingly) still nearly a year younger than Jackson. Both players have had putrid NBA careers, but Jackson has shown some signs of improvement over the last couple of seasons. Bender hasn’t appeared on an NBA court since 2020 and is basically out of the league at just 26 years old. Other potential options the Suns could have opted for include Jamal Murray, Domantas Sabonis and Buddy Hield.
Portland Trail Blazers: Best Pick — Damian Lillard (No. 6, 2012)
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Damian Lillard’s down 2022 season shouldn’t make anyone forget just how dominant of a player he has been. Since being drafted in 2012, Lillard has carried himself with the swagger and bravado of an elite talent. The Oakland native has lived up to those expectations while becoming one of the league’s most potent offensive players. While the lifelong Blazer has yet to reach an NBA Finals, it’s to no fault of his own. He has been one of the few constants for a franchise that has made considerable mistakes at every turn. Lillard kept the team afloat and consistently in the hunt. Named one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players earlier this year, Lillard deserves all the praise.
Worst Pick — Sam Bowie (No. 2, 1984)
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Greg Oden has a solid case to be in this spot instead of Bowie. Oden was the No. 1 overall pick (Bowie was drafted second behind Hakeem Olajuwon) and appeared in fewer games than his counterpart (105 career games for Oden to 511 for Bowie). However, when you are selected one pick ahead of the greatest basketball player of all-time, it’s going to be difficult to keep you off this list. Bowie went one spot ahead of Michael Jordan, a pick that has haunted the Portland franchise for decades.
Sacramento Kings: Best Pick — Oscar Robertson (No. 1, 1960)
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Though many remember Robertson playing alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a member of the Bucks, the versatile guard made a name for himself on the Cincinnati Royals. In his second year with the club, Robertson became the first player to average a triple-double throughout a season. He was a gifted player in all facets of the game, utilizing his size (6-foot-5) and skill to overwhelm opponents. Since moving to Sacramento, the Kings haven’t been terribly fortunate with their draft selections. Their best pick? Snagging Peja Stojakovic with the 14th pick in 1996.
Worst Pick — Pervis Ellison (No. 1, 1989)
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Marvin Bagley fans can let out a sigh of relief — the former Duke Blue Devil is not the worst draft pick in team history. Though drafting Bagley over Luka Doncic and Trae Young wasn’t a wise decision, it pales in comparison to spending a No. 1 overall pick on a player who appeared in just 34 games for the franchise. Ellison was plagued by injuries throughout his career and was traded after his rookie season for Eric Leckner, Bob Hansen and future draft picks. He earned the nickname “Out of Service Pervis” for his inability to stay on the floor.
San Antonio Spurs: Best Pick — Tim Duncan (No. 1, 1997)
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With all due respect to the great David Robinson, it’s Tim Duncan who is the greatest Spurs draft pick of all-time — without question. The Wake Forest product solidified himself as the greatest power forward the game has ever seen. Though fellow draftees Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili certainly aided in the effort, the Spurs’ dynasty was built around Duncan’s brilliance. The consistent contributor was one of the league’s top players for nearly two decades and helped deliver five championships to the famed franchise.
Worst Pick — Alfredrick Hughes (No. 14, 1985)
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The Spurs’ draft record is about as spotless as you’ll find across the league. San Antonio has been in the lottery just six times since 1973 (first year joining the NBA), and have done an excellent job of uncovering gems later in the draft. That being said, Alfredrick Hughes was not one of those gems. In fact, Hughes lasted just one season in the pros after starring at Loyola Chicago. It’s worth noting that Hughes played in 1,408 fewer regular season games than the No. 13 pick in the 1985 draft — Karl Malone.
Toronto Raptors: Best Pick — DeMar DeRozan (No. 9, 2009)
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Toronto started strong in the draft after entering the league in 1995. The team’s first three first-round picks were Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby and Tracy McGrady. Its fourth first-rounder was Antawn Jamison, who was quickly shipped off to Golden State in exchange for multi-time All-Star Vince Carter. Carter, of course, is arguably the most impactful Raptor of all-time given his overall popularity.
However, this spot belongs to DeMar DeRozan who played the first nine years of his career in Toronto and had no intention of leaving. DeRozan gave everything to the organization and brought the team back from the depths with multiple playoff appearances. The skilled shooting guard led Toronto to its most wins in franchise history (59) in his final season with the team.
Worst Pick — Rafael Araujo (No. 8, 2004)
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Some might have Andrea Bargnani filling this spot for the Raptors. However, the Italian-born sharpshooter was a legitimately good NBA player for several years — unlike Rafael Araujo. Perhaps the worst aspect of the Araujo pick was how unnecessary it was from Toronto. The Raptors had just selected a pretty good power forward the year prior (Chris Bosh), and certainly didn’t need another player at that position. Instead, the team desperately needed a wing to pair with Bosh — like Andre Iguodala who was selected with the very next pick after Brazil’s Araujo.
Utah Jazz: Best Pick — Karl Malone (No. 13, 1985)
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The league’s No. 3 all-time leading scorer slightly edges out the league’s No. 1 assist and steal leader. Malone and John Stockton were an electric pairing who carried the Jazz for nearly two decades. While Stockton is considered one of the game’s greatest point guards, Malone was the engine of Utah’s attack. During his prime, Malone scored nearly 30 points per game while hauling double-digit rebounds on a nightly basis. Though Malone doesn’t represent the current NBA power forward, he was the archetype during his era.
Worst Pick — Dante Exum (No. 5, 2014)
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Exum has had a string of rotten luck during his playing career, but that doesn’t exclude him from being the biggest draft bust in Utah’s history. When you look at the other competitors, it’s not all that close between Exum and the next-worst pick. The Jazz are a perennial playoff contender, and the Exum pick was one of just three top-5 picks Utah has made since 1980. The other two were Deron Williams — a perennial All-Star for the first half of his career — and Enes Kanter who has enjoyed a solid career as a reserve big man.
Washington Wizards: Best Pick — Wes Unseld (No. 2, 1968)
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Washington hasn’t had the greatest string of draft picks. However, it did get it right in 2010 and 2012 with its selections of John Wall and Bradley Beal. The Wizards had won just two playoff series from 1980-2009 — the year before Wall was drafted. The backcourt duo led Washington to three series wins in four seasons (from 2014-17) and was just one game away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals That being said, neither All-Star guard can hold a candle to Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld. After being selected second overall in 1968, Unseld went on to win the NBA MVP as a rookie. A decade later, Unseld led Washington to its first and only NBA Championship — earning Finals MVP honors for his efforts.
Worst Pick — Kwame Brown (No. 1, 2001)
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It doesn’t get much worse than arguably the biggest bust in NBA history. Though Michael Jordan garners rightful praise as being one of the best basketball players in history, his work as an executive has been mostly dreadful. The pinnacle of MJ’s managerial ineptitude was using the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft on Kwame Brown. It was clear from early on that Brown would never live up to the billing as the top pick. His small hands and inconsistent motor led to him being a liability on both ends of the floor. Though his career spanned 12 seasons, there is no question that Brown is the worst pick in Wizards history.
