New Orleans Pelicans all-time draft bust starting 5

C: Hilton Armstrong

New Orleans made the playoffs in their first two years as a franchise, but they just missed for the second straight year in 2006 when they took Hilton Armstrong with the 12th overall pick. The 6’11 big man played four years at UConn where he helped the Huskies win an NCAA championship. Armstrong was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 as he averaged over three blocks per game.

The Pelicans were hoping to transform him into a dominant rim protector and pick-and-roll partner for Chris Paul, but Armstrong never panned out. He spent three and half years in New Orleans where he averaged 3.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game before being traded to the Kings in 2010 for a second-round pick.

Armstrong played six seasons in the NBA before finishing his career overseas. The 6’11 big man never lived up to the hype, but he was on the Greek Cup championship team in 2012.

The Pelicans passed on Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry, Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefolosha, and P.J. Tucker to select Hilton Armstrong in the lottery in 2006.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be looking to add to their talented roster in this summer’s draft. Will they find another star or a bust? The Pels track record in the draft is strong, so stay tuned to see how it shakes out.