Fansided

NBA Draft 2016: Every team’s most underrated pick ever

By Brad Rowland

Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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CENTURY CITY, CA – MAY 31: Baron Davis speaks onstage at the 2015 Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 31, 2015 in Century City, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Sports Spectacular)
CENTURY CITY, CA – MAY 31: Baron Davis speaks onstage at the 2015 Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 31, 2015 in Century City, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Sports Spectacular) /

Charlotte Hornets: Baron Davis, No. 3 pick, 1999 NBA Draft

It is fairly difficult to be underrated while coming off the board as the number three overall pick in the NBA Draft, but in a historical sense, Baron Davis manages to pull that off.

More than anything, selecting Davis remains underrated for the Hornets because he did not stay with the franchise for very long. The explosive and talented point guard left the organization after playing in only 381 games across five seasons, and Davis spent his most “famous” years with the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers.

Still, there is a real argument to be made that Davis was at his best with the Hornets, peaking in 2003-2004. During that campaign, Davis averaged 22.9 points and 7.5 assists per game, and on the defensive end, he led the NBA in steals per game with 2.4.

All told, Davis is one of the more dynamic players in the history of the Hornets franchise, yet he continues to fly under the radar during any discussion of the organization’s top players. With apologies to Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and, yes, Kobe Bryant, that makes Davis the best fit with this particular distinction.

Next: Chicago Bulls

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