Orlando Magic Daily
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Last six sixth overall picks should give Orlando Magic hope for NBA Draft

By S.W. Guest

Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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2011 -– Jan Vesely (Washington Wizards)

Admittedly Jan Vesely’s presence on this list is hardly going to reassure anyone. His NBA career was a bust.

Taken sixth overall by the Washington Wizards in 2011, Vesely was nothing short of a NBAbust. He now plays for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Basketball Super League and the EuroLeague, where he is experiencing a bit of a basketball revival. Some guys are not cut for the NBA.

In three seasons with the Wizards, he made just 141 appearances, averaging 3.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 15.2 minutes per game before getting traded to the Denver Nuggets. Things did not get much better in the Mile High City either, as Vesely made just 21 appearances there before falling off the NBA map at the end of the 2014 season.

Still, what is reassuring is that in taking Vesely sixth overall, the Wizards missed out on Kemba Walker (who went ninth overall), Klay Thompson (11th), Kawhi Leonard (15th) and Jimmy Butler (30th).

All four of these players have subsequently gone on to become franchise cornerstones for their respective teams, having come out of what was perhaps the last draft class to truly offer the kind of depth this one has.

Proof if any were needed that you do not always need a top three pick to snag a game-changer. There is plenty of opportunity at pick No. 6.