NBA Draft: Every NBA team’s worst draft pick

12. Utah Jazz – Dominique Wilkins (1982)

No, that is not a typo. Utah’s worst pick in franchise history is Dominique Wilkins. Why, you might ask? They certainly made the right call on draft day, but it’s what they did with the pick afterwards that will forever live on in infamy.

Wilkins outright refused to play for the Jazz as they had some issues with cash flow. He didn’t exactly put the team in a friendly position, but it was up to the Jazz to get as much as they could out of their third overall pick. Utah clearly coveted his talent, and thought he’d be a great player for years to come, so they should’ve gotten a much better return than John Drew, Freeman Willis and cash.

Willis averaged 5.1 points in his lone season with the Jazz along with less than one rebound and assist per game, and was more well-known for his role in White Men Can’t Jump as Duck Johnson than for his actual playing career. John Drew’s time in Utah was cut short by his drug addiction – he checked into rehab during his first season, won Comeback Player of the Year the following season, but quickly relapsed the year after, which cut his career short when he got hit with a lifetime ban.

I shouldn’t have to list Wilkins’ achievements here. He’s a legend, not just for his dunks, but as a prolific scorer as well. He never averaged less than 20 points per game except for during his rookie year and the twilight of his career. His dunk contest with Michael Jordan is one that still stands as the greatest in history, and he was a true pioneer of the game.

Even if Utah and Dominique were doomed from the start, they could’ve done a better job handling his departure.

Next: 11: Cleveland Cavaliers