The NBA Draft is supposed to be a franchise-altering event—a night when teams land their future stars and build toward greatness. But sometimes, instead of lifting a franchise, a high draft pick leads to years of spinning in circles, watching the playoffs from home, and wondering what could’ve been.
This list is for those picks that didn’t just bust but actively stalled a team’s momentum for multiple seasons. These selections took the team nowhere, whether due to bad timing, poor development, or the wrong guy in the wrong situation.
15. Frank Ntilikina – New York Knicks (2017)
The Knicks thought they were getting a two-way floor general. Instead, they got years of waiting for a breakout that never arrived.
14. Anthony Bennett – Cleveland Cavaliers (2013)
The most infamous No. 1 overall pick in modern NBA history. Cleveland used their top selection on a player who didn’t look ready from day one and never found his footing.
13. Hasheem Thabeet – Memphis Grizzlies (2009)
Drafting a 7’3″ project over James Harden and Steph Curry still haunts Grizzlies fans. He was supposed to anchor the defense, but ended up buried at the end of the bench.
12. Marvin Williams – Atlanta Hawks (2005)
Atlanta picked Williams second overall despite already needing a point guard, and passed on Chris Paul and Deron Williams to do it. He had a long career, but not the kind that changes a franchise’s direction.
11. Wesley Johnson – Minnesota Timberwolves (2010)
He had the athleticism and the smile, but not the game to back it up. The Wolves were stuck in neutral during his run, and he was gone after just two seasons.
10. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2012)
His defense was solid, but his jumper never arrived. Charlotte spent years trying to make it work, but they were never more than a fringe playoff team with him as a key piece.
9. Dragan Bender – Phoenix Suns (2016)
The Suns were dreaming of the next international unicorn. They got four forgettable seasons and a lot of missed potential.
8. Jimmer Fredette – Sacramento Kings (2011)
The hype was unreal coming out of college, but the NBA game was not kind to Jimmer. Sacramento bet big on a scorer who couldn’t defend or keep up, which slowed their rebuild badly.
7. Jan Vesely – Washington Wizards (2011)
The Wizards swung for upside and got a guy who couldn’t shoot or stay on the floor. Washington lingered in mediocrity while Vesely struggled to find his place.
6. Derrick Williams – Minnesota Timberwolves (2011)
He was supposed to be the perfect modern forward. Instead, Minnesota got inconsistency, poor fit, and another detour in their never-ending rebuild.
5. Thomas Robinson – Sacramento Kings (2012)
He was gone before you could blink. The Kings took him fifth overall and traded him in the middle of his rookie year—never a great sign.
4. Darko Miličić – Detroit Pistons (2003)
The Pistons were a contender who somehow got the No. 2 pick. Instead of adding a future Hall of Famer, they got Darko and missed out on Carmelo, Bosh, and Wade.
3. Adam Morrison – Charlotte Bobcats (2006)
Morrison was a college scoring legend, but his game didn’t translate. His time in Charlotte was short, ineffective, and symbolic of the Bobcats’ early struggles.
2. Markelle Fultz – Philadelphia 76ers (2017)
The Sixers traded up to get him, thinking he was the final piece. Instead, a mysterious shoulder injury derailed everything and extended The Process even longer.
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1. Kwame Brown – Washington Wizards (2001)
He was the first high schooler to go No. 1, and the hype was massive. Unfortunately, so was the disappointment—Washington got nearly nothing from the pick and paid the price for years.
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