NBA Draft: Every NBA team’s worst draft pick

18. Washington Wizards – Kwame Brown (2001)

While no high schooler declaring for the draft can emulate LeBron James, upcoming prospect Thon Maker should at least hope to avoid Kwame Brown’s path. He is certainly regarded as one of the most popular draft busts ever, since right after he got picked first overall, two centers with immensely more talent in Tyson Chandler and Pau Gasol were selected.

Perhaps it was the fact he came out of high school, or the pressure of playing for a Michael Jordan-owned team, or the pre-draft hype that surrounded Kwame Brown that led to his downfall, but whatever it was, he had one of the worst rookie campaigns you could ever ask for in a first overall pick. 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds left much to be desired, although he steadily improved during his time with the Wizards to 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds. However, he proved to be too inconsistent and too much of a trouble-maker to keep around, so they traded him to the Lakers.

As if Washington wasn’t a big enough spectacle for Kwame, the media circus that was L.A. ate him alive. Every time he missed an open dunk or pass, it would be highlighted for all the world to see. Lakers fans became frustrated with his play and they booed him towards the end of his time there, while he had already made enemies with Wizards fans.

While he was once a first overall pick, Kwame Brown later became known as the guy on the other end of one-sided trades. The package the Wizards received for him included Caron Butler while the Lakers used Kwame to acquire Pau Gasol. Brown bounced around from team to team after the Lakers, playing with the Grizzlies, Pistons, Bobcats, Warriors, Bucks, and 76ers before finally calling it quits. While he tried to prove his worth multiple times, Kwame became entertainment value more than anything.

Next: 17: Sacramento Kings