Houston Rockets All-time draft bust starting 5

SF: John Turner

The Rockets had made the playoffs for seven straight years in 1991, but they were looking for reinforcements after four straight first-round exits. They used the 20th overall pick in the draft on John Turner, who played for three different colleges during his NCAA career. Turner was already 24 years old by his rookie season in the NBA, and Houston was hoping he could help them right away.

The 6’8 forward averaged 2.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game over 42 contests as a rookie in what would be his only season in the NBA. The American asked for his release, so he could go play in Europe where he played for more than a decade with 12 different international teams.

Houston passed on Rick Fox to select Turner. Instead, Fox was drafted 24th overall by the Celtics. He made the All-Rookie team in 1992 and went on to win three NBA championships with the Lakers playing next to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Fox and Turner played the same position, which made the bust sting a bit more for the Rockets.

John Turner was one of many forwards the Houston Rockets selected that did not pan out, and the next first-round pick lasted just three games before walking away from the NBA.