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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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Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez on the bench against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Robin Lopez

Isn’t it funny how being in the right situation makes all the difference in the world for some NBA players? Take Robin Lopez, Phoenix’s No. 15 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, as a pristine example of this.

In four seasons with the Suns, Lopez averaged a meager 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game. He was the best defensive option the Suns had to pair with Amar’e Stoudemire in the frontcourt, but that wasn’t saying much. He was offensively inept, he dropped too many passes and between injuries and the arrival of Marcin Gortat, he never found his stride in Phoenix.

The Suns wound up agreeing to a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Hornets in 2012. Lopez averaged 8.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game during the 2009-10 season, his best year in Phoenix.

Lopez isn’t a bad NBA player now, but he was not the defensive anchor Phoenix needed at the time. Considering the Suns drafted him ahead of Marreese Speights, Roy Hibbert, J.J. Hickson, Ryan Anderson, Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum, George Hill, Nikola Pekovic, Omer Asik, Mario Chalmers and DeAndre Jordan, it’s safe to say they’d like to have this one back.

Next: No. 8

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