Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

5 Worst NBA Draft picks in Golden State Warriors history

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Ekpe Udoh #20 and Brandon Rush #4 of the Golden State Warriors go for a rebound against Marcus Camby #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena on February 15, 2012 in Oakland, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Ekpe Udoh #20 and Brandon Rush #4 of the Golden State Warriors go for a rebound against Marcus Camby #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena on February 15, 2012 in Oakland, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport /

1990s mistakes

The 90s were a bad time for the Golden State Warriors in terms of their NBA Draft success.

So bad, in fact, we have to list three instances in which the Dubs missed on a superstar — and this doesn’t even include trading Vince Carter and Penny Hardaway immediately after drafting them.

Adonal Foyle (8th pick), 1997 NBA Draft

Still on the board: Tracy McGrady 

The Dubs took Adonal Foyle, a 6’10” center with the No. 8 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.

Foyle had a long career, playing 13 seasons for various teams. He averaged 4.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in his time with the Dubs, bouncing in and out of the starting lineup.

Tragically, Tracy McGrady was one of the names still on the board when Golden State took Foyle. McGrady went on to be a seven-time All-NBA member and Hall of Famer.

Considering they selected and traded Vince Carter the next year, the Dubs were excruciatingly close to bringing Air Canada to the Bay Area.

Todd Fuller (11th pick), 1996 NBA Draft

Still on the board: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash

Another center, Todd Fuller went 11th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft to the Golden State Warriors

Fuller played two seasons in Golden State, posting 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He was promptly traded to the Utah Jazz for a second-round draft pick.

With this mistake, the Dubs cost themselves a chance to select Kobe Bryant or Steve Nash.

Joe Smith (1st pick), 1995 NBA Draft

Still on the board: Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace 

The Warriors really wanted to find a center during the 90s. Hence selecting three big men in consecutive years — all starting with the No. 1 overall pick of the 1995 NBA Draft, Joe Smith.

Aside from having the most generic name you could think of, Smith was a pretty decent NBA Player.

Smith was a member of the 1995-96 All-Rookie team, averaging 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds.

The high-scoring big man hit his career-high at 18.7 points per game in his sophomore season before he became disgruntled with the franchise and forced his way out via trade in his third year with the Dubs.

Still on the board? Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, two elite big-men who could have satisfied their need for a frontcourt star immediately.

Home/Warriors News