The 2016 NBA Draft had great talent near the top, including hits in the top-three with the 76ers selecting future All-NBA guard Ben Simmons, the Lakers selecting future All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, and the Celtics selecting future All-NBA wing and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. However, many teams failed to find the same quality in their selections, leading to some of the worst whiffs of the 2016 NBA Draft.

Five Worst Whiffs in the 2016 NBA Draft
Dragan Bender (4th overall)

With the No. 4 overall pick, the Phoenix Suns decided to take a swing on Croatian big man Dragan Bender. After taking the chance on Kentucky guard Devin Booker with their 2015 lottery pick, the Suns were aiming to build a young core in Phoenix. Although he played very limited time internationally, many NBA scouts were willing to take a chance at Bender’s high upside. As an 18-year-old, Bender possessed versatility within his 7-foot-1 frame. Not to mention, he had the skill set of a great modern-day big man.

Bender displayed his stretch big potential and playmaking upside, which is where the NBA was heading for modern fours and fives. A big man prospect had to have upside as an offensive hub if they lacked defensive capability. For Bender, he had both. In addition, Bender benefitted from the immediate success of Latvian forward/center Kristaps Porzingis for the Knicks in his rookie season. After Porzingis silenced his doubters, the draft hype train returned for international prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft, specifically for the stretch big.

Bender would be the specific international prospect to keep an eye on heading into 2016. However, his draft hype became a draft night regret rather quickly as he disappointed throughout his three-year tenure with the Suns. In his four-year NBA career, Bender averaged 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds on sub-40% shooting, declaring him one of the worst whiffs in 2016.

Marquese Chriss (8th overall)

On draft night, the Suns weren’t done doiing business as they decided to trade up from No. 13 to No. 8 overall with the Sacramento Kings, selecting Washington forward Marquese Chriss. In his lone season with the Huskies, Chriss averaged 13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game on great all-around efficiency. The Suns had just selected Bender four picks earlier and were aiming to solve their problems by taking their front court duo of the future in a single draft.

This experiment would fail as both prospects were disappointing based on expectations. Particularly with Chriss, his efficiency became a real problem alongside Bender. He would average 9.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in his rookie season, qualifying for an All-Rookie team.

A year later, Phoenix would be gifted the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, where they would select Arizona center Deandre Ayton. The selection indicated the lack of trust the Suns had in Chriss becoming their long-term answer at the center position. Later that offseason, Chriss’ time in Phoenix ended when the team traded him to the Houston Rockets.

Thon Maker (10th overall)

With the No. 10 overall pick, the Milwaukee Bucks made history, helping Thon Maker become the first high school prospect selected the first round since 2005. Maker took a much different path than any ordinary prospect as coming out of high school. His draft hype stemmed from his impressive guard-like skills, elite athleticism, and unexpected journey.

With every question mark people had, the intrigue surrounding the South Sudanese prospect grew more on the type of player he could become. Prior to the draft, Maker’s claimed age of 19 was suspected to be misrepresented. This caused several teams to take him off their draft board entirely.

However, the Bucks were willing to take the chance in the top-10, hoping Maker could eventually complement their 2013 first-round swing in Giannis Antetokounmpo who was already developing into a rising superstar by 2016. In reality, Maker’s development never pieced together as he played little impact for Milwaukee, averaging less than 4.5 points per game in his short time with the Bucks before being traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2018 for 2015 NBA draft bust Stanley Johnson.

Georgios Papagiannis (13th overall)

The Kings’ draft night trade with the Suns led to Greek center Georgios Papagiannis going to Sacramento at No. 13. This was an unbelievable reach at the time and has remained the worst whiff of the 2016 NBA Draft. Papagiannis was seen as a late second-round prospect. However, the Kings took an unnecessary swing even though they had an elite ball-dominant big in DeMarcus Cousins.

Instead of finding help for Cousins, Sacramento drafted way out of their expertise by trying to identify the true value of an international prospect who barely played in his time overseas. The Kings traded Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans for 2016 No. 6 overall pick Buddy Hield midway through the 2016-17 season. Meanwhile, Papagiannis only lasted two seasons in the NBA, including just one full season in Sacramento.

Denzel Valentine (14th overall)

To end the lottery, the Chicago Bulls selected Michigan State wing Denzel Valentine with the No. 14 overall pick. In his senior season with the Spartans, Valentine became a true star, winning 2016 National Player of the Year and 2016 Big Ten Player of the Year while posting averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game on an elite 44.4% shooting from deep. Valentine showed all-around talent throughout his collegiate career.

Chicago expected an immediate contributor in wake of their playoff aspirations. However, for an NBA-ready prospect, he failed to produce at a high level during his rookie season, only averaging 5.1 points on insufficient shooting from all three levels. Valentine would improve significantly during his sophomore campaign. In 27 minutes, he increased his averages to 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game on 38.6% three-point shooting.

This would remain his best and only double-digit season as he failed to improve after an ankle injury ended his 2017-2018 season. The injury not only derailed the remainder of his Bulls tenure but also marked the beginning of the end to his five-year NBA career.

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