NBA Draft: Every NBA team’s worst draft pick

13. Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet (2009)

Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet, James Harden, Tyreke Evans, Ricky Rubio. These are the top five picks of the 2009 NBA Draft. Which of these names doesn’t belong? There are no draft day trades here, this is the Grizzlies swinging and missing on their second overall selection only to see James Harden go with the next pick.

As a junior, Thabeet emerged as a star at UConn. He recorded a triple-double, and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year. His selection by a lottery team wasn’t shocking, but seeing him go second overall was. That said, when he made his NBA debut, he made history as the first Tanzanian-born player. But with an average of 3.1 points per game, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 0.2 assists, it didn’t take long for the Grizzlies to assign Thabeet to the D-League.

If you thought that a stint there would help him rediscover his game, you were wrong. Those above stats stood as his career highs. In a cruel twist of irony, Thabeet was eventually traded to the Rockets, where his and Harden’s talents could be compared firsthand. Thabeet lasted all of seven games with the Rockets, so it’s safe to say who they preferred.

If the Grizzlies wanted a defensive stopper – they are, after all, a team that’s nicknamed Grit n’ Grind – then it makes sense why they turned to Thabeet. He had the height and the stats to back it up, but you need more than just size to play good defense. A lot of teams have learned this the hard way, and with the adoption of small ball around the league, hopefully drafting players based on their height will be something that goes away altogether.

Next: 12: Utah Jazz