Eddie Griffin, Rockets (2001)
While the 2001 NBA Draft will have the dubious distinction of seeing Kwame Brown and Eddy Curry drafted among the top three picks, they weren’t the only major busts. The New Jersey Nets drafted Eddie Griffin with the seventh overall pick in the draft, three spots ahead of Joe Johnson (a seven-time All Star) and six spots ahead of Richard Jefferson (who’s still playing in the league). That draft also saw Zach Randolph and Tony Parker go in the first round as well — both of whom have made their current teams perennial playoff squads. Of course, the Nets, and the majority of the NBA, also passed on Gilbert Arenas in the first round, as he was taken with the second pick in the second round. Unfortunately, Griffin’s battles with alcoholism cut his NBA career short. In 2007, in the midst of an attempted comeback, Griffin was involved in a fatal car accident.