NBA Stats Center

💀 5 Biggest NBA Draft Busts of All Time

Anthony Bennett

#1 Overall (2013)

The worst #1 pick in NBA history. Averaged 4.2 points in his rookie year. Out of the NBA by age 23. Played in Turkey, Israel, and the G-League. The Cavaliers could have drafted Giannis (picked #15) or Oladipo (#2).

Darko Milicic

#2 Overall (2003)

Drafted ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. The 2003 draft had 4 Hall of Famers — Darko wasn't one of them. Averaged 6 points in 10 NBA seasons. Now a farmer in Serbia. Literally.

Kwame Brown

#1 Overall (2001)

Michael Jordan drafted him. Jordan also destroyed his confidence by screaming at him daily. Brown averaged 6.6 points in 12 seasons. Not terrible, but not #1 pick material. MJ's worst decision as an executive.

Greg Oden

#1 Overall (2007)

Drafted over Kevin Durant. Played 105 games in 9 years due to knee injuries. When healthy, he looked like a franchise center. He was never healthy. The saddest "what if" in NBA history.

Hasheem Thabeet

#2 Overall (2009)

Drafted ahead of James Harden (#3), Steph Curry (#7), and DeMar DeRozan (#9). Averaged 2.2 points in 5 NBA seasons. The 2009 draft is a masterclass in how NOT to evaluate talent.