Lakers Draft: The History of the Number Two Pick

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Jan 31, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

2012: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Kidd-Gilchrist still hasn’t lived up to his potential as the pick behind Anthony Davis. Last season MKG averaged only 10.9 points per game, which is a career high as an NBA player, but still is much lower than expected. He also averaged a mere 70% free throw percentage, and had a player efficiency rating of 15.1 last season, which is the league average. Unless Kidd-Gilchrist improves in many facets of his game such as his turnover ratios and his shooting, the bust tag might appear.

2011: Derrick Williams

Like Kidd-Gilchrist, Williams has never gotten a strong footing in the NBA. In Williams’ final year in college, he averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, leading the NCAA in true shooting percentage in the process with .690. These statistics did not translate to his NBA game, as he averaged a mere 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in 20 minutes of playing time with Sacramento. Side note: It is never a good sign for a team to trade their second overall pick for a veteran whose career PER is 11.2.

Next: It's Not Getting Any Better

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