3. Mark Madsen
Mad Dog was drafted by the Lakers in 2000 just after they won their first championship with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The 6’9 big man played four years at Stanford and was 24 years old when he was selected. His ceiling was limited, but the franchise believed he could quickly jump into the rotation and make an impact.
Madsen played in 70 games as a rookie but averaged just 9.2 minutes per contest. The 6’9 big man got run in 13 of their 16 playoff games. This time, he saw just 3.7 minutes each night, but the Lakers won their second championship.
Mad Dog played a bit more in year two and even made five starts, but the production was nothing to write home about. He was axed from the playoff rotation as the Lakers finished their three-peat.
Mark Madsen increased his playing time again in year three. It would be his best as a Laker as the 6’9 big man averaged 3.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game. He made 22 starts in his 54 games played. He stuck in the playoff rotation but left the Lakers in free agency in 2003.
Mad Dog played six years with the Minnesota Timberwolves to close his NBA career, but never got more than 17.3 minutes per game. The current University of California head coach had no business starting, but the Los Angeles Lakers gave him 30 over three years.