6. Emeka Okafor
Okafor was the second overall pick in 2004 ahead of four future All-Stars. The 6’10 big man immediately became a starter for the Hornets and won Rookie of the Year. It turned out to be arguably the best season of his career.
Okafor was 21 years old on draft night after playing three seasons at UConn. The Huskie won the NCAA title in 2004, but injuries prevented him from becoming an NBA superstar.
He was far from a bust. Okafor was a starting big man for nine seasons where he averaged 12.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 30.9 minutes per game. The 6’11 big man did not live up to the hype, but being a productive rotation player for nearly a decade is a massive accomplishment.
Okafor missed four years with a neck injury before returning in 2017. He originally signed with the Philadelphia 76ers but did not make the regular season roster. The 35-year-old would play 26 games with the Pelicans in the 2017-18 season before being waived in the offseason. Okafor got one final training camp shot in Philadelphia in 2018 but again failed to make the roster.
Emeka Okafor never played a game for the 76ers in part because he was well past his prime by the time the franchise signed him.