Ranking the No. 2 overall NBA Draft picks in the lottery era

The defending champion Celtics drafted Bias to keep the future bright as it always has been in Beantown. However, Bias passed away two days after the draft of cardiac arrhythmia due to the use of cocaine.  His death sent shockwaves throughout sports and stunned the Celtics franchise. His talent was undeniable but since he tragically never played in the NBA, he sits at the bottom of this list.

Career: 0.0 pts, 0.0 rbs. 0.0 ast

Thabeet was an All-American at UConn prior to being drafted by the Grizzlies. That moment was the best of his NBA career. Thabeet struggled to see playing time and logged just 20 career starts before fizzling out of the league in 2014. He had the distinction of being the highest drafted player to be sent to the D-League (since surpassed by No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett).

Career: 2.2 pts, 2.7 rbs, 0.8 ast

Jay Williams had the dream college life at Duke, winning Player of the Year awards and a national championship. He was selected after Yao Ming and had a promising, albeit inconsistent, rookie season. A motorcycle accident that offseason ended his career and nearly ended his life. He only played one NBA season before becoming a mainstay on ESPN's college basketball coverage.

Career: 9.5 pts, 4.7 ast, 2.6 rbs

Milicic is regarded as one of the biggest busts in draft history, but it may be more about the draft he was in than anything. He was selected right after LeBron James and right before Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. The Pistons, who owned the No. 2 pick despite being an Eastern Conference finalist, could afford to wait on Milicic to develop but it didn't work out. Milicic did carve out a 10-year NBA career as a defensive center 

Career: 6.0 pts, 4.2 rbs, 1.3 blk

Ferry's pro career got off to a rough start when he refused to play for the Clippers and instead signed with a team in the Italian League. The Clippers would eventually deal his rights to the Cavaliers who signed Ferry to a 10-year contract. Ferry's NBA career floundered as he only averaged double figures twice in his career and finished out his career as a stretch four.

Career: 7.0 pts, 2.8 rbs, 1.3 ast

Williams' career hasn't really gotten off the ground. He had a solid second season in Minnesota but was traded to Sacramento early the following year. Since then he has bounced around the league (Knicks, Heat, Cavaliers). Currently he is a deep bench player for Cleveland, who now employs three of the top four picks in the 2011 draft (Kyrie Irving, Williams, Tristan Thompson).

Career: 8.9 pts, 4.0 rbs, 0.7 ast

Swift's athleticism vaulted him to the No. 2 pick in the somewhat disappointing 2000 draft. At times he looked promising, he didn't have the heft to bang down low nor the shooting chops to stretch the floor. He pretty much just floated around the NBA until fizzling out in 2009.

Career: 8.4 pts, 4.6 rbs, 1.2 blk 

Inconsistency and off court issues have plagued Beasley's career. He was traded from Miami to clear cap space for the LeBron-Wade-Bosh union, had a nice season in Minnesota before turning into a role guy in Phoenix, Miami (again), Houston and Milwaukee. He has been known for tearing up the Chinese hoops circuit.

Career: 12.6 pts, 4.7 rbs, 1.3 ast

After helping to lead Kentucky to a national championship, Kidd-Gilchrist went No. 2 overall to the Charlotte Bobcats. While he hasn't exploded into a big-time star (he still isn't a very good shooter), his defensive play and his role as a glue guy have been key to the renamed Hornets. 

Career: 9.1 pts, 6.4 rbs, 1.4 ast

Obviously, Ingram's career has been just one season and it was, as expected, an up-and-down campaign. Still, he is a huge part of the Lakers' future and one of the cornerstones to their post-Kobe Bryant era. His height and wingspan are great physical tools for a guy with his skill-set. 

Career: 9.4 pts, 4.0 rbs, 2.1 ast

The player of the year at Ohio State, Turner took a little time to get acclimated to the NBA style. He seemed to have turned the corner when he was traded to the Pacers in 2014. He clashed with teammate Lance Stephenson and fell out of favor and his minutes diminished. He has since played for the Celtics and Blazers as a role player and spot starter.

Career: 10.5 pts, 5.0 rbs, 3.7 ast

Bradley was known for his 7'6 height as well as his two years away from BYU on his Mormon mission. He's still one of the most debated draft picks in history as many felt his wiry frame wouldn't do well in the NBA. He turned out to be an elite shot blocker and solid rebounder who had a knack for getting dunked on. He found a home with the Mavericks as a situational player before retiring to spend time with his family.

Career: 8.1 pts, 6.3 rbs, 2.5 blk

Williams was a one-and-done for North Carolina's 2005 national championship team and shot up the draft boards. The Hawks ended up selecting him ahead of Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Williams has had a solid career as a starter with the Hawks, Jazz and Hornets though certainly not near an All-Star player. He's transitioned into a stretch four late in his career.

Career: 10.6 pts, 5.3 rbs, 1.3 ast

Russell's career has been all over the place. At times, the speed and scoring touch that he displayed at Ohio State was coming together in Los Angeles. At other times, he has brought up huge character concerns (like his dust up with Nick Young). Just two years after drafting him, the Lakers dealt him to the Nets.

Career: 14.3 pts, 4.0 ast, 1.4 stl

Gilliam rocketed right into the league as a scorer and rebounder. At the beginning of his third year in Phoenix, he was dealt to the Hornets where he had his most productive stretch of his career. After only 85 games in teal, he would be traded to the 76ers where he continued as a solid power forward. He would eventually play for the Nets, Bucks and Jazz before calling it a career.

Career: 13.7 pts, 6.9 rbs, 1.2 ast

The Dunking Dutchman is a rarity on this list. He played his entire career for one franchise and was a solid player during most of it. He would man the middle of Indiana's offense for over a decade and helped lead the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals. Foot injuries would hamper his play during most of his career and he would retire after the that Finals appearance.

Career: 14.8 pts, 6.1 rbs, 1.3 blk

"Kenny A" had a great high school and college career but his time in the NBA was very choppy. He ended up playing for nine different franchises and was known more for the women in his life than his play (not to say he wasn't productive). He'd reach one All-Star game and was a 15 pt-8 assist guy for the first half of his career but it never matriculated into team success. 

Career: 12.6 pts, 6.1 ast, 1.5 stl

Okafor went from NCAA champion at UConn to becoming the first ever draft pick for the Charlotte Bobcats. Okafor ended up winning the Rookie of the Year award. He has started nearly every game he played in his career as a defensive stopper and rebounder. His production went down after trades to New Orleans and Washington. A herniated disc prematurely ended his career in 2013.

Career: 12.3 pts, 9.9 rbs, 1.7 blk

Oladipo shot up the draft boards and became the No. 2 overall pick in what has proven to be a lackluster 2013 draft. With the Magic, Oladipo stepped into a rebuilding situation and took a lot of the scoring load. He was dealt to Oklahoma City in 2016 and started alongside Russell Westbrook all season, setting career highs in field goal shooting and three point shooting.

Career: 15.9 pts, 3.7 ast, 1.5 stl

McDyess was selected right before Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett (he would be dealt to the Nuggets prior to the season). His first six seasons were great, topped by his 2001 season where he averaged 20.8 pts and 12.1 boards. The following season, he blew out his knee and wasn't the same player the rest of his career. 

Career: 12.0 pts, 7.5 rbs, 1.1 blk

Parker was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in high school and led Duke in scoring and rebounding in his lone season in college. He has continued his success with Milwaukee, averaging 20 ppg in 2016-2017 until his season came to an end with a torn ACL. Injuries has been what's slowing Parker down as he missed 57 games his rookie season and 31 games in his third season. If they can keep Parker healthy, he could turn into an All-Star.

Career: 15.8 pts, 5.6 rbs, 2.1 ast

Camby went No. 2 in one of the most talented drafts of all time. He would spend just two seasons in Toronto before being dealt to the Knicks where an injury to Patrick Ewing allowed Camby to start and lead a surprise Finals appearance in 1999. He would move on to Denver where he led the league in blocks three times. Camby's career was as a defensive specialist (including a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2007) before retiring in 2013.

Career:  9.5 pts, 9.8 rbs, 2.4 blk

Tisdale was a beast in the paint on the court and beloved by friends and fans for his personality and his heart off it. In his prime with the Kings, Tisdale averaged around 20 points and 8 boards a game but may be one of the least known stars because those teams rarely made the playoffs. Tisdale's jazz music and label were just as much of a love as his hoops prowess. He passed away in 2009 of cancer.

Career: 15.3 pts, 6.1 rbs, 1.3 ast

Van Horn was drafted by the Sixers but was dealt to the Nets. He would average nearly 20 ppg during each of his first three seasons and helped New Jersey reach the 2002 NBA Finals. He would be dealt back to Philly for Dikembe Mutombo and his career really never got back to that level. He would spend the rest of his career constantly being traded to the Knicks, Bucks and Mavericks. He was usually productive as a role player before retiring.

Career: 16.0 pts, 6.8 rbs, 1.6 ast 

Bibby had a very productive career with both the Grizzlies and the Kings. After three years in Vancouver, Bibby was dealt to Sacramento and led them to their greatest heights, including the 2002 Western Conference Finals. He would bounce around with the Hawks, Wizards, Heat and Knicks before retiring.

Career: 14.7 pts, 5.5 ast, 3.1 ast

Francis' career got off to a rough start after refusing to play for Vancouver. He would get his wish and was dealt to the Rockets where he thrived as a scoring point guard and would be selected to three All Star games. He would eventually play for the Magic and Knicks before fading out of the league. He only went to the postseason once, a loss to the Lakers in 2004.

Career: 18.1 pts, 6.0 ast, 5.6 rbs

Chandler had his draft rights dealt immediately to the Bulls. He's since played for seven franchises but found a niche being a defensive presence and shotblocker. In 2011, he helped the Mavericks win their only NBA championship and won Defensive Player of the Year the following season. 

Career: 8.7 pts, 9.4 rbs, 1.2 blk

Aldridge was drafted by the Bulls but was immediately dealt to Portland for the draft rights to Tyrus Thomas. Aldridge is a five-time All Star who has also earned All-NBA honors four times and is the Blazers' all-time rebounding leader. His scoring has taken a dip since he signed with the Spurs, but he is still an All-Star.

Career: 19.1 pts, 8.3 rbs, 1.0 blk

The Charlotte Hornets drafted Mourning and created a budding rivalry with the Magic's Shaquille O'Neal (who went No. 1) during the mid-1990s.  Mourning was a defensive force but his  shot against the Celtics won the Hornets' first ever playoff series. He would eventually play for the Miami Heat and solidified his Hall of Fame career as one of the most intense competitors in the NBA.

Career: 17.1 pts, 8.5 rbs, 2.8 blks

"The Glove" was one of the best defensive point guards in NBA history. He was also one of the most durable, missing only 25 games in his career. His trash talk was legendary and his "Sonic Boom" teams brought exciting basketball to the NBA in the 1990s. He won two Olympic gold medals, one NBA title, 9 All-Star games and a Defensive Player of the Year award.

Career: 16.3 pts, 6.7 ast, 1.8 stl

Kidd only turned into a Hall Of Famer with 10 All-Star games, five All-NBA first teams, Defensive first team selections, co-Rookie of the Year award, five-time assists leader, three Finals appearances, two Olympic gold medals and an NBA championship. He is also 2nd all-time in assists and steals and only Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson had more career triple-doubles.

Career: 12.6 pts, 8.7 ast, 6.3 rbs

Durant has won an MVP, a Finals MVP and an NBA Championship. He has won four scoring titles, two Olympic gold medals and is regarded as one of the best players in the world and a certain Hall of Famer when he retires. When he signed with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent in 2016 it created a seismic shift in the NBA that will be felt for years to come. 

Career: 27.2 pts, 7.2 rbs, 3.8 ast