Atlanta Hawks worst lottery pick No. 4: Acie Law was supposed to be the point guard of the future
The 2007 NBA Draft introduced many in the world to Kevin Wayne Durant who many argue is the best player in the league today. But he wasn’t the only player to have a successful career with 17 of the 30 first-round picks playing for more than a decade. Acie Law, taken with the 11th pick, was not one of those players.
In fact, his NBA career lasted as long as his collegiate one; just four years.
Law saw his production increase every year at Texas A&M, going from 7.5 points per game as a rookie to 18.1 points per game as a senior leading A&M to the Sweet 16.
His NBA career, like the others before him on this list, would never reach those heights.
“I used to get benched for Acie Law. It happens. You got to be able to take those lumps in stride and learn the lessons you need to learn.”
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 19, 2021
Steph Curry on James Wiseman’s struggles pic.twitter.com/uHehelsAm1
The 2007-08 Hawks had a losing record, winning just 37 games. But they still made the postseason. They were bounced in the first round by the eventual champion Boston Celtics after seven games.
Law averaged just 4.2 points and 2.0 assists in a little over 15 minutes per game as a rookie. His numbers and playing time fell in his second season to 2.9 points and 1.6 assists in about 10 minutes per game.
He was traded after that second season for sixth-man extraordinaire, Jamal Crawford.
Over the next two seasons, the 6-foot-3 guard would average just 4.3 points and 1.4 assists per game while playing for four different franchises, including two separate stints with the Golden State Warriors. Then, Law headed overseas and had a successful career winning two EuroLeague championships.
Adding insult to injury, Thaddeus Young was taken just one pick later. He’s still playing and might be coming off of his best season yet.