NBA Draft: Every NBA team’s worst draft pick

19. Philadelphia 76ers – Shawn Bradley (1993)

Shawn Bradley was a 7-foot-6 tall center, and was a hell of a shot blocker but not much more. He entered the draft as a very intriguing prospect, but a gamble. However, the Sixers took that gamble and picked him second overall.

Despite spending a high pick on Bradley, they still felt it necessary to reacquire Moses Malone to serve as a mentor. While he set a franchise record for most blocks in a season, 274, in his second professional season, his scoring totals regressed. He was less of Dikembe Mutombo and more of Bismack Biyombo – while having size and being a rim protector are important, they’re not everything. You have to know how to shoot as well.

His play proved to be too inconsistent for the Sixers, so they felt it necessary to trade him. It wasn’t just his poor shooting that was a concern, he only averaged 7.6 rebounds which, for a guy who’s seven and a half feet tall, is a bit of a letdown. Bradley spent the rest of his career in New Jersey and Dallas, establishing himself as a cornerstone with the latter due to his close ties with Dirk Nowitzki.

He set a career high for points while with the Mavericks, but his high scoring games were so often the exception rather than the norm, while nagging injuries became more of a concern for him. Bradley may have succeeded in providing defensive support, but his offense left much to be desired and he remained an enigma. The fact that the Sixers had to give up on a second overall pick midway through their third season is why he’s considered a draft failure.

Next: 18: Washington Wizards