Luol Deng, Greg Oden: The biggest draft lottery mess ups – NBA Draft Special (Part 6)
Phoenix Suns: Trading Luol Deng
The Phoenix Suns selected the prolific small forward Luol Deng as the seventh overall pick during the 2004 draft. In order to infuse some offensive power in the team, the Suns traded Deng to the Chicago Bulls for the power forward
Jack Vroman and next year’s pick.
The Suns however regretted the decision. Luol not only proved himself as one of the best defenders in the league, he also powered the Bulls on the offence and has established himself as a constant double-double threat. On the other
hand, Vroman played only 10 games for Phoenix.
With the presence of Deng, the Suns could have shored up their defence to and could also have added the much needed offensive punch at the end of Steve Nash’s passes. Deng has simply been unstoppable this post season and his choking
act on LeBron James, showed that he can match even the best.
Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden
With the first overall pick in 2007, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted the 7 foot centre Greg Oden over Kevin Durant. It didn’t appear awkward at that time. However, in a time span of four years, Oden has undergone two micro-fracture
surgeries on his knee and a surgery to mend a fractured patella. He has not been able to contribute anything for Portland and over the years, he and his bloated contract has become a liability for the Trail Blazers.
In Contrast, Durant clinched has matured into one of the best shooters in the league and paced the league in scoring in the last two seasons. This year, he nearly led Oklahoma City to the Finals.
Sacramento Kings: Pervis Ellison
The Sacramento Kings had an opportunity to pick the first player in the 1989 draft but failed to make the most of it. The Kings procured Pervis Ellison. He averaged eight points and six boards in the rookie season and the franchise
decided to trade him after a year.
Sacramento also acquired Bob Hansen, Anthony Bonner, Walter Palmer, Eric Leckner and Mike Luzzolino that year. Bonner turned out to be the only player who scored more than 300 points and the rest failed to impress. The 1989 draft
featured a number of players who scored more than 10,000 points in their careers but the Kings missed the trick completely.
Toronto Raptors: Rafael Araujo
The Toronto Raptors got their hands on the eighth overall pick a year after they had drafted power forward Chris Bosh. The Raptors had the luxury of selecting Josh Smith, Al Jefferson or Andre Iguodala. However the franchise finished
off drafting Rafael Araujo.
All of the three players Jefferson, Smith and Andre turned out to be very good players whereas, Rafael Araujo failed to continue for a longer period in NBA and left after three years.
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