Washington Wizards all-time draft bust starting 5

C: Kwame Brown

The Wizards won the lottery and had the number one overall pick in 2001 when they selected Brown. The 6’11 big man came straight out of high school, and the Wizards envisioned him as a dominant center with the ceiling of a multiple-time All-Star.

Instead, Brown was a journeyman in the NBA. He averaged 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game over his four seasons with the Wizards before being traded to the Lakers for Caron Butler. Brown spent 12 years in the league primarily as a backup center.

Pau Gasol and Tyson Chandler were the next two picks in the 2001 NBA Draft with eight All-Stars being taken in the class. Brown had a long career, but he was a total bust for the number one overall pick.

There was competition for this selection as the Wizards took Bill McGill first overall in 1962, and he struggled during his three-year NBA career. Brown took the spot because he never panned out and the success rate in the draft was much higher by 2001.

The Washington Wizards are likely back in the lottery this season, but can they change their recent draft fortunes? It could be their only chance of breaking out of mediocrity, so stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.