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Phoenix Suns: 10 Worst Draft Picks In Team History

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) and Phoenix Suns forward Marcus Morris (15) look at one another during the second half at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) and Phoenix Suns forward Marcus Morris (15) look at one another during the second half at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. Armen Gilliam

In the 1987 NBA Draft, the Suns moved all the way up from their projected spot at fifth to second overall in the draft lottery. Unfortunately, that meant another team — the San Antonio Spurs — was gifted the No. 1 overall pick…which they used on David Robinson.

Phoenix had to settle on Armen Gilliam, a 6’9″ power forward from UNLV. Once again, Gilliam had a decent NBA career, playing 13 years in the pros and finishing with career averages of 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Unfortunately for the Suns, he spent only two years of that career playing for Phoenix.

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    • Halfway through his third NBA season (after making the NBA All-Rookie Team in his first season), Gilliam was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Kurt Rambis and two second round picks. Gilliam, nicknamed “The Hammer” for his physical style of play, averaged 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during his time with the Suns.

    This one is probably on the front office for trading away another talented rookie too soon, and the decision to do so didn’t look good when Gilliam put up 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game immediately after being traded to Charlotte.

    But when you add his extremely short time with the Suns to the fact that he was picked ahead of future Hall of Famers and All-Stars like Scottie Pippen, Kenny Smith, Kevin Johnson, Horace Grant, Reggie Miller, Muggsy Bogues, Mark Jackson and Reggie Lewis, it’s hard to find many picks that went as poorly as this one.

    Next: No. 1

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