Most Shocking NBA Lottery shakeups of all-time

Basketball: NBA Draft Lottery: NBA Commissioner David Stern holding up the envelope with the number one pick in the draft at Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Number one pick goes to the New York Knicks.New York, NY 5/12/1985CREDIT: George Tiedemann (Photo by George Tiedemann /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X31488 TK1 R1 F8 ) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – FEBUARY 24: A general view of the New Jersey Nets logo on the center court during a game between the New Jersey Nets and the Portland Trail Blazers at the Continental Airlines Arena on Febuary 24, 1999 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Trail Blazers won 94-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

21. Nets Select Dennis Hopson (1987)

In regards to where they wound up picking, there was nothing shocking or surprising about the New Jersey Jets having the No. 3 overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. The team finished with the third worst record in the league the season prior and then went into a quality draft class that was loaded with talent.

When the Nets’ pick came up after David Robinson and Armon Gilliam had gone off of the board, players like Reggie Williams, Scottie Pippen, Reggie Miller, Horace Grant, Kenny Smith, and Kevin Johnson were still on the board. While there were obvious risks with several of those players before they were drafted, most were still highly thought of coming into the draft and were well worth a lottery selection when it came down to it. That’s why it was a bit jarring that night to see the Nets take Dennis Hopson out of Ohio State with the No. 3 pick.

Hopson ultimately ended up being out of the league by 1992—though he did win a title as a member of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990-91 season. He was far from the player that many drafted behind him went on to be, making a curious decision look even worse.

Next: No. 20 Hornets Get Third Pick

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