The NBA Draft, a pivotal event in professional basketball, has produced both legendary stars and significant disappointments. This review highlights historically notable draft selections deemed "busts" due to unmet expectations or career trajectories falling short of projected potential. Sam Bowie, selected second overall in 1984 by the Portland Trail Blazers, is widely regarded as a cautionary tale. Though he played a decade in the NBA, his legacy is overshadowed by the player chosen later: Michael Jordan. A similar fate befell Darko Miličić (2003, 2nd to the Pistons), whose limited impact—despite a championship during his rookie season—pales in comparison to stars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, drafted shortly after. Injuries derailed Greg Oden (2007, 1st to the Trail Blazers), whose dominance at Ohio State failed to translate to the NBA. Chronic knee issues restricted his career to just 105 games over three seasons. Adam Morrison (2006, 3rd to the Bobcats) similarly fell short of hype, contributing modestly during a five-year NBA career before moving overseas. Robert Traylor’s 1998 sixth-overall selection by the Mavericks became infamous due to a trade that sent him and future picks to the Bucks in exchange for Dirk Nowitzki, a future NBA legend. Traylor’s inconsistent play and lack of development underscored the deal’s imbalance. Shawn Bradley (1993, 2nd to the 76ers), a 7’6” center, leveraged his height for defensive contributions but lacked offensive skill, limiting his impact despite a prolonged career. Hasheem Thabeet (2009, 2nd to the Grizzlies) was drafted for his defensive potential but proved ineffective, while the Memphis franchise missed opportunities to select Steph Curry or James Harden. Joe Barry Carroll (1980, 1st to the Warriors), despite being the top pick, earned the derisive nickname “Joe Barely Cares” due to perceived lackluster effort. Marvin Bagley III (2018, 2nd to the Kings) showed early promise on the All-Rookie First Team but failed to sustain productivity, prompting a trade to the Pistons. Pervis Ellison (1989, 1st to the Kings), a collegiate star at Louisville, saw his NBA career hindered by injuries, earning the nickname “Out of Service Pervis.” Dennis Hopson (1987, 3rd to the Nets) and Chris Washburn (1986, 3rd to the Warriors) similarly underperformed, both exiting the league within five years of being drafted. International prospects faced developmental challenges. Dragan Bender (2016, 4th to the Suns), modeled after Toni Kukoč, failed to translate potential into NBA success. Joe Alexander (2008, 8th to the Bucks) and Marvin Williams (2005, 2nd to the Hawks) also struggled to meet expectations, with Williams’ seven-year tenure in Atlanta yielding no All-Star appearances. Jay Williams (2002, 2nd to the Bulls), a Duke standout projected to lead a rebuild, never played professionally after a career-ending motorcycle accident in 2003. These selections highlight risks inherent in drafting: injuries, development curves, and the difficulty of projecting collegiate talent to the professional level. Each case underscores the enduring scrutiny of draft missteps, particularly when paired with the subsequent success of lower-picked peers.