With the 2020 NBA Draft on the horizon and a lot of uncertainty surrounding the draft order, which teams will trade, which players will rise and which will fall, it seems like a good time to look at other NBA Draft anomalies throughout recent history. Not every pick is a lock — in fact, not any picks are locks, as there are a few No. 1 overall picks on this list — and even the most highly-touted names can fall flat depending on the circumstances.
I've looked at every NBA team's first round of the past 20 NBA drafts in order to determine the worst player selected by each organization. It doesn't matter if they were traded immediately for a better pick — they still were objectively the worst player drafted by that team given the context of the draft position. The context of the draft position, along with the strength of players selected nearby or much later on in the draft, also plays a very strong role. A terrible player could have been taken at No. 16, for instance, but if an average player was also selected at No. 1, that pick is likely to be worse in the grand scheme of things.
Hopefully, the Timberwolves, Warriors, Hornets and company can make the right picks at the top of the board and avoid the inevitable busts — slightly oxymoronic, no? — that are bound to appear. As an aside, check out RADIO.COM Sports' writer Dan Mennella's latest mock draft.
Atlantic Division
Andrea Bargnani didn't provide the value expected from a No. 1 draft pick.
(Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics: Kedrick Brown (SF | 11th overall | 2001) and Joseph Forte (G | 21st overall | 2001)
What they did: The Celtics haven't had too many high draft picks to mess up, and they've made the most of their opportunities with selections of Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown, for example. However, Brown was not the lottery pick they were hoping for, as the small forward played for just two-and-a-half seasons in Boston, posting uninspiring numbers of 3.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 0.6 apg. It was a risk that didn't pay off, too, considering Brown attended junior college before making the leap to the NBA. Forte, on the other hand, very well could have been (and almost was) Tony Parker.
Who went after them: Richard Jefferson (13th), Zach Randolph (19th), Gerald Wallace (25th), Tony Parker (28th)
Honorable mentions: Jerome Moiso (11th overall | 2000), James Young (2014)
Brooklyn Nets: Eddie Griffin (PF/C | 7th overall | 2001)
What he did: Helped the Nets to land Brandon Armstrong, Jason Collins and Richard Jefferson on the night of the draft. Once touted as a potential No. 1 overall pick, the troubled Griffin's off-court issues continued throughout his short NBA career, and his value certainly was not that of a seventh overall pick. He sadly passed away in a drunk driving accident following his 2007 release from the Timberwolves.
Who went after him: Richard Jefferson (13th), Zach Randolph (19th), Gerald Wallace (25th)
Honorable mentions: Terrence Williams (11th overall | 2009), Antoine Wright (15th overall | 2005)
New York Knicks: Jordan Hill (PF/C | 8th overall | 2009)
What he did: Was an average big man for a number of teams throughout his eight-year NBA career. Was only a regular starter for one brief span — with an absolutely awful Lakers team — and was dealt during his rookie season in a three-team trade that sent Tracy McGrady and Sergio Rodriguez to New York.
Who went after him: DeMar DeRozan (9th), Jrue Holiday (17th), Jeff Teague (19th)
Honorable mentions: Mike Sweetney (9th overall | 2003), Frank Ntilikina (8th overall | 2017)
Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz (G | 1st overall | 2017)
What he did: Made Philadelphia fans go absolutely crazy over the pick. It's what he did and what he still does to this day as a member of the Orlando Magic — where he actually looks like a much better player. But with the entire draft board ahead of them, it's more about what could have been than anything else.
Who went after him: Jayson Tatum (3rd), Lonzo Ball (2nd), De'Aaron Fox (5th)
Honorable mentions: Jahlil Okafor (3rd overall | 2015), Evan Turner (2nd overall | 2010), Michael Carter-Williams (11th overall | 2013)
Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani (F/C | 1st overall | 2006)
What he did: Was a solid scorer, without too many other great skills, who would have been a nice draft pick had he gone, say, 10 picks later. He certainly wasn't a player that the Raptors could depend on to lead them to success, and any No. 1 overall pick who can't do that should be considered somewhat of a disappointment. But being a solid player and nothing else is more than slightly disappointing.
Who went after him: LaMarcus Aldridge (2nd), Brandon Roy (6th), Rudy Gay (8th)
Honorable mentions: Rafael Araujo (8th overall | 2004), Joey Graham (16th overall | 2005)
Central Division
Anthony Bennett was selected, much to fans' surprise, by the Cavaliers with their first overall pick in 2013.
(Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls: Jay Williams (G | 2nd overall | 2002)
What he did: Got in an unfortunate motorcycle accident after an up-and-down rookie campaign that would effectively end his professional basketball career. The 2002 Naismith College Player of the Year, Williams was drafted after only Yao Ming and showed a lot of promise early, including a triple-double (26 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) in his seventh career game. Admittedly, there weren't any dominant guards that the Bulls passed on, and this pick was a layup.
Who went after him: Mike Dunleavy (3rd), Amar'e Stoudemire (9th), Caron Butler (10th)
Honorable mentions: Marcus Fizer (4th overall | 2000), Chris Mihm (7th overall | 2000)
Cleveland Cavaliers: Anthony Bennett (F | 1st overall | 2013)
What he did: Raised eyebrows throughout the entire NBA universe after the Cavs selected him first overall. Performed on the opposite end of the spectrum as previous No. 1 Cavs picks LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, starting only four games in four years for four teams before playing his final game. If the Cavs were looking for a big man, though, this wasn't the draft to do so, considering the next bigs off the board were Cody Zeller, Alex Len and Nerlens Noel.
Who went after him: Victor Oladipo (2nd), Otto Porter (3rd), CJ McCollum (10th), Steven Adams (12th), Giannis Antetokounmpo (15th), Rudy Gobert (27th)
Honorable mentions: Dajuan Wagner (6th overall | 2006), Luke Jackson (10th overall | 10th), Andrew Wiggins (1st overall | 2014)
Detroit Pistons: Darko Milicic (F/C | 2nd overall | 2003)
What he did: Fit smack dab in the middle of the greatest first five picks in the history of an NBA draft, while performing as one of the most underwhelming second overall picks of all time. Started two games in his career as a Detroit Piston for being traded for what would eventually become Rodney Stuckey.
Who went after him: Carmelo Anthony (3rd), Chris Bosh (4th), Dwyane Wade (5th)
Honorable mentions: Stanley Johnson (8th overall | 2015), Rodney White (9th overall | 2001), Mateen Cleaves (14th overall | 2000)
Indiana Pacers: *Trading Kawhi Leonard* (2011)
What happened: Instead of a pick, here, we have to go with a trade. San Antonio appeared to believe in George Hill as the point guard of the future with Tony Parker's career nearing an end, but they instead opted to send him to Indiana in return for the rights to San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard. Do I need to explain any more?
Honorable mentions: Shawne Williams (F | 17th overall | 2006), Fred Jones (14th overall | 2002), Tyler Hansbrough (13th overall | 2009)
Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker (F | 2nd overall | 2014)
What he did: Was a solid scorer in Milwaukee, peaking at 20.1 ppg in 2016-17. However, his inability to play defense or provide much else besides for his scoring prowess, especially given his draft position and who went after him, makes it hard to see the pick as a good one.
Who went after him: Joel Embiid (3rd), Aaron Gordon (4th), Marcus Smart (6th), Julius Randle (7th), Zach LaVine (13th)
Honorable mentions: Joe Alexander (8th overall | 2008), Yi Jianlian (6th overall | 2007), Andrew Bogut (1st overall | 2005)
Southeast Division
Michael Beasley has had an up-and-down career in the NBA.
(Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks: Shelden Williams (F | 5th overall | 2006)
What he did: Played in Atlanta for one-and-a-half seasons, failing as a starting big and serving a limited role off the bench. His relatively small build (6-foot-9) didn't help him out down low, and he never recorded better numbers than the 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game that he averaged in his rookie season. There admittedly weren't too many strong bigs that went after him, however.
Who went after him: Brandon Roy (6th), Rudy Gay (8th), J.J. Redick (11th)
Honorable mentions: Marvin Williams (2nd overall | 2005), Pau Gasol trade, DeMarr Johnson (6th overall | 2000), Acie Law (11th overall | 2007)
Charlotte Hornets: Adam Morrison (F | 3rd overall | 2006)
What he did: Nothing well. He scored in double digits but with a terrible .422 effective field goal percentage in his rookie season. That was the only season he averaged over 15 minutes per game, as a knee injury kept him out of the 2007-08 season and he was traded to the Lakers in 2009 with Shannon Brown for Vladimir Radmanovic. He played his last NBA game with the Lakers in the 2009-10 season.
Who went after him: Brandon Roy (6th), Rudy Gay (8th), J.J. Redick (11th)
Honorable mentions: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2nd overall | 2012), Noah Vonleh (9th overall | 2014), Malik Monk (11th overall | 2017)
Miami Heat: Michael Beasley (F | 2nd overall | 2008)
What he did: Scored well with a nice three-point stroke (34.9 percent career shooter), but had a lot of off-court baggage that hindered his success. Was traded out of Miami after only two seasons for two second-round picks and some money. Hasn't been able to hold down a stable job in the NBA, playing for seven different teams throughout his career.
Who went after him: Russell Westbrook (4th), Kevin Love (5th), Danilo Gallinari (6th), Eric Gordon (7th)
Honorable mentions: None. The Heat have drafted remarkably well in the first round save for some late-round tossups.
Orlando Magic: Fran Vazquez (F/C | 11th overall | 2005)
What he did: Announced his retirement on May 7, 2020, never having played a game in the NBA. After the Magic selected him, he decided to remain in Europe for the remainder of his career and was quite good there, becoming the Spanish League's all-time leader in blocked shots.
Who went after him: Not too many big names, but NBA players nonetheless. Danny Granger (17th), David Lee (30th), Ersan Ilyasova (36th)
Honorable mentions: Reece Gaines (15th overall | 2003), Mario Hezonja (5th overall | 2015)
Washington Wizards: Kwame Brown (C | 1st overall | 2001)
What he did: Provided Stephen A. Smith with one of his most memorable moments ever some years down the road. What he did for Washington was provide suboptimal numbers for a starting big man, much less a first overall pick, before being traded to the Lakers. Many teams tried to use him as a starter, and many teams found out he was just a role player before he hung 'em up after 2013.
Who went after him: Tyson Chandler (2nd), Pau Gasol (3rd), Jason Richardson (5th), Zach Randolph (19th)
Honorable mentions: Jan Vesely (6th overall | 2014), Jarvis Hayes (10th overall | 2003)
Northwest Division
Johnny Flynn shakes David Stern's hand after the Timberwolves drafted him.
(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets: Nikoloz Tskitishvilli (F | 5th overall | 2002)
What he did: Scored a career-high 3.9 points per game in his rookie season, in which he appeared in all but one game. With a frame and skill set that reminded many of Dirk Nowitzki, his lack of experience didn't deter the Nuggets, and it really should have. He appeared in only 11 games for his Italian league team in a limited sample size, and the gamble on his future did not pay off.
Who went after him: Nene Hilario (7th), Amar'e Stoudemire (9th), Tayshaun Prince (23rd)
Honorable mentions: Emmanuel Mudiay (7th overall | 2015), Doug McDermott (11th — two picks before Zach LaVine | 2014)
Minnesota Timberwolves: Johnny Flynn (G | 6th overall | 2009)
What he did: He wasn't Steph Curry, who was taken with the next pick. It takes a lot to be considered the Timberwolves' biggest first-round bust of the past two decades, as you'll see from the long list of honorable mentions. But Flynn lasted a grand total of three seasons in the NBA, losing his starting role after his rookie season and watching the subsequent pick of the 2009 Draft become one of the greatest players of all time.
Who went after him: Steph Curry (7th), DeMar DeRozan (9th), Jrue Holiday (17th), Jeff Teague (19th)
Honorable mentions: Wesley Johnson (4th overall | 2010), Derrick Williams (2nd overall | 2011), O.J. Mayo (3rd overall | 2008)
Oklahoma City Thunder: Mouhamed Sene (F/C | 10th overall | 2006)
What he did: Followed the trend of many other early picks in the 2006 Draft, one chock-full of disappointing picks. Sene played in a whopping 47 games throughout his entire career, averaging around five minutes per contest and never doing much with the team. That sure doesn't sound like the career of a top-10 pick.
Who went after him: J.J. Redick (11th), Rajon Rondo (21st), Kyle Lowry (24th), P.J. Tucker (35th)
Honorable mentions: Cameron Payne (14th overall | 2015), Robert Swift (12th overall | 2004)
Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden (C | 1st overall | 2007)
What he did: Struggled with injuries more than any other top-tier draft pick in recent history, missing his entire rookie season and the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 campaigns. He played 105 games in his NBA career with promising numbers at a 36-minute rate but too many health issues to make it matter.
Who went after him: Kevin Durant (2nd), Al Horford (3rd), Mike Conley (4h), Jeff Green (5th)
Honorable mentions: Tyrus Thomas (4th overall | 2006 — though they traded him for LaMarcus Aldridge), Martell Webster (6th overall | 2005 — and was acquired after they traded away their No. 3 pick, who would become Deron Williams)
Utah Jazz: Dante Exum (G | 5th overall | 2014)
What he did: Fell well short of the lofty expectations that he'd become the next explosive point guard, on the same level of Russell Westbrook and similar guards. A career average of 5.7 points per game isn't what I or anyone would call explosive, and the Jazz eventually decided to move on from Exum and send him to Cleveland. He's still very young, at 25 years old, so there's still time for the Cavaliers to work on bringing out the star in him.
Who went after him: Marcus Smart (6th), Julius Randle (7th), Zach LaVine (13th), Gary Harris (19th)
Honorable mentions: Enes Kanter (3rd overall | 2011)
Pacific Division
Ekpe Udoh pictured with David Stern during the 2010 NBA Draft.
(Al Bello/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors: Ekpe Udoh (F/C | 6th overall | 2010)
What he did: Most importantly, was part of a trade that brought Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to the Bay Area. But before that, he was a low-scoring big man who could rebound well but never quite did enough to warrant a large role on any NBA team. He averaged 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in his best season, which he split between the Warriors and the Bucks.
Who went after him: Greg Monroe (7th), Gordon Hayward (9th), Paul George (10th)
Honorable mentions: Patrick O'Bryant (9th overall | 2006), Ike Diogu (9th overall | 2005), Anthony Randolph (14th overall | 2008)
Los Angeles Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu (F | 8th overall | 2010)
What he did: Put up serviceable numbers for the Clippers in a bench role as a rookie before getting sent to New Orleans in return for Chris Paul. Though the Paul acquisition was a game-changer for LA and led to a lot of regular season success, it never resulted in a Finals win. More importantly, however, is the fact that Aminu was followed by two studs at the same position on the draft board that could have helped out the Clippers much more.
Who went after him: Gordon Hayward (9th), Paul George (10th)
Honorable mentions: Yaroslav Korolev (12th overall | 2005), Darius Miles (3rd overall | 2000), Shaun Livingston (4th overall | 2004), Chris Wilcox (8th overall | 2002 — one pick before Amar'e Stoudemire)
Los Angeles Lakers: Javaris Crittenton (G | 19th overall | 2007)
What he did: Get locked up for manslaughter in 2011, three years after his final game as a Laker. He was out of the NBA after the 2008-09 season, demoted to other, lesser levels of competition, and is still serving his prison sentence.
Who went after him: Jared Dudley (22nd), Wilson Chandler (23rd), Aaron Afflalo (27th)
Honorable mentions: None.
Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson (G/F | 4th overall | 2017)
What he did: Put up solid numbers but certainly didn't do much to help the Suns win at all. Played for a Suns team that experienced some of its lowest points in franchise history. Was traded to Memphis along with some other assets for Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver, where he's been in and out of the G-League.
Who went after him: De'Aaron Fox (5th), Jonathan Isaac (6th), Lauri Markkanen (7th), Donovan Mitchell (13th), Bam Adebayo (14th)
Honorable mentions: Dragan Bender (4th overall | 2016), Zarko Carbarkapa (17th overall | 2003)
Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson (F | 5th overall | 2012)
What he did: Played 51 games for the Kings before being sent to the Rockets in a deal involving multiple unexciting players. Bounced around between the Rockets and four other teams before playing his final game in the NBA and embarking on a career in the Euroleague.
Who went after him: Damian Lillard (6th — ouch), Harrison Barnes (7th), Andre Drummond (9th)
Honorable mentions: Nik Stauskas (8th overall | 2014), Ben McLemore (7th overall | 2013), Quincy Douby (19th overall | 2006)
Southwest Division
Hasheem Thabeet reacts to his No. 2 overall selection in 2009.
(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith (G | 9th overall | 2017)
What he did: Performed pretty well for the Mavericks, until he seemingly wanted out at the end of his time there and got his wish. The Mavs certainly don't look back on this pick in anger, considering he was explosive as a rookie (15.2 ppg) and helped to bring in Kristaps Porzingis among other pieces. Now, however, he's a practically unplayable piece in New York who once again will likely seek another team, and isn't providing the value a top-10 pick should provide.
Who went after him: Donovan Mitchell (13th), Bam Adebayo (14th), John Collins (19th)
Honorable mentions: Etan Thomas (12th overall | 2000)
Houston Rockets: Marcus Morris (F | 14th overall | 2011)
What he did: Played exactly like how you'd want a late lottery pick to play. Has put together a good career with a number of organizations, though the Rockets lost patience with his lack of production early on and swapped him for a second-round pick. Was also drafted one pick before one of the greatest players of this millennium.
Who went after him: Kawhi Leonard (15th), Nikola Vucevic (16th), Tobias Harris (19th), Jimmy Butler (30th)
Honorable mentions: Royce White (16th overall | 2012), Joel Przybilla (9th overall | 2000)
Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet (C | 2nd overall | 2009)
What he did: Get drafted before two players who could have completely changed the trajectory of the Grizzlies for years and years to come. Thabeet, on the other hand, wasn't able to secure a significant role with any of the four teams who have taken a flier on him, and he last played in the 2013-14 season with the Thunder.
Who went after him: James Harden (3rd), Stephen Curry (7th), DeMar DeRozan (9th)
Honorable mentions: Kevin Love trade, Marcus Banks (13th overall | 2003), Xavier Henry (12th overall | 2010)
New Orleans Pelicans: Hilton Armstrong (F/C | 12th overall | 2006) and Cedric Simmons (F | 15th overall | 2006)
What they did: The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets had two swings in the first half of the 2006 NBA Draft, and they missed on both. Neither player was able to build a significant NBA career — Simmons only played in 75 games total, while Armstrong played 292 games in six seasons for six teams — and though the 2006 draft class wasn't all that strong, there were certainly better options available.
Who went after them: Thabo Sefolosha (13th), Ronnie Brewer (14th), Rajon Rondo (21st), Kyle Lowry (24th)
Honorable mentions: Julian Wright (13th overall | 2007), Cole Aldrich (11th overall | 2010)
San Antonio Spurs: James Anderson (G/F | 20th overall | 2010)
What he did: Played a bench role for the Spurs and moved in and out of the G-League until they eventually let him walk as a free agent, picked him back up and waived him again. The 20th overall pick is usually higher than the Spurs have been able to draft given their continual success, but they converted on many of their later picks while failing to hit on this one.
Who went after him: Greivis Vasquez (28th), Hassan Whiteside (33rd), Lance Stephenson (40th)
Honorable mentions: Livio Jean-Charles (28th), Nikola Milutinov (26th)
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