Washington Wizards: Five worst draft picks in team history
By Ben Palmer
2. Jan Vesely (2011) – Drafted No. 6 overall
Probably better known for the kiss he got from his girlfriend when he was drafted, Jan Vesely was picked number six overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2011 draft and never amounted to much.
The seven-foot-tall center out of the Czech Republic was billed as the “European Blake Griffin” and he never got even close to that level. Vesely started 20 games in his rookie season, averaging 4.7 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game, and that was the best he ever did.
Vesely spent two more years with the Wizards and never really started for them. Eventually, he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade that brought point guard Andre Miller to the Wizards.
After spending one year with the Nuggets, Vesely went to the European League and continues to play there today. The now-26-year-old earned an All EuroLeague First Team selection in 2016, so it seems like he’s doing well enough over there, but he never amounted to much in the NBA, certainly not what you’d expect from a number six overall pick.
Players drafted later: Kemba Walker (9th), Klay Thompson (11th), Kawhi Leonard (15th), Jimmy Butler (30th), Isaiah Thomas (60th)