NBA free agency: 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history

NBA Draft have come on gone and now with the focus on the NBA free agent signing period, which kicks off at 6:00 p.m. ET this Sunday. There are ton of big name free agents on the market like Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but that’s what why we’re here.</p> <p>The NBA free agency period is always ripe for overpaid offer sheets. In the past, some deals have come back to haunt certain teams in the league. Free agent signings are a lot more than players picking the right teams.</p> <p>At times, teams get overzealous and offer too much to the wrong players and it’s been known to happen repeatedly to NBA teams across the league. Players get away with overperforming in what’s called their “contract year”.</p> <p>Essentially, they’re in the final year of their deal and they know if they don’t perform at a high level, nobody will want to sign them. A number of players have gone this route is getting paydays.</p> <p>The other part of the equation has been beating good old “Father Time”. Once players hit a certain age, their bodies start breaking down faster than others. Whether it’s from a bad diet or bad luck, there have been a good number of bad free agent signings that have gone this way as well.</p> <p>A vast history produces a solid number of free agent signings to look through. Here’s a look at the 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 30 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358329" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358329 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1078,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F140004206.jpeg" alt="Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1078" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/140004206.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/140004206-768x517.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="30" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Jared Jeffries" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="New York Knicks" data-meta-b="5 years, $30 million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">30</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Jared Jeffries</h3> <h4>New York Knicks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 years, $30 million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png" alt="New York Knicks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 30. Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks</h2> <p>Jared Jeffries is one of a couple New York Knicks players to grace this list. If you’re sensing the trend, well, you’re probably correct in the thinking. The free agent market has been one of the worst places for the Knicks to find potential success.</p> <p>Jeffries was coming off his fourth season with the Washington Wizards in 2006 when it came time for him to hit the free agent market. He had just averaged 6.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in their starting rotation. Jeffries was also coming off a competitive playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers that went six games and a 4-2 series loss for Washington.</p> <p>The Knicks didn’t hesitate to toss Jeffries a five-year, $30 million deal after that. They were desperate to sign players and bring the Knicks back into playoff contention. It didn’t matter Jeffries was coming from a team that went 42-40 a year earlier.</p> <p>Jeffries’ signing didn’t quite pan out as planned. He put up just 4.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game during his first year. By his second season, he was mostly used as a reserve, appearing in 73 contests off the bench with 19 starts. He averaged just 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game during the 2009-10 NBA season before the team had seen enough.</p> <p>They traded Jeffries to the Houston Rockets prior to the 2010 NBA trade deadline during the fourth year of his deal. When he was waived by the Rockets in February 2011, he ironically re-signed with the Knicks on a cheaper deal during the 2011 NBA offseason. They traded him again to the Portland Trail Blazers. By April 2013, Portland waived him off the team.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 29 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358326" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358326 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1070,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1679923.jpeg" alt="Tim Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks" width="1600" height="1070" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1679923.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1679923-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Tim Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo by Garry Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="29" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Tim Thomas" data-team-id="89" data-meta-a="Milwaukee Bucks" data-meta-b="6 Years, $67 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">29</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Tim Thomas</h3> <h4>Milwaukee Bucks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $67 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbucks.png" alt="Milwaukee Bucks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 29. Tim Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks</h2> <p>Tim Thomas never really showed off elite level talent, but he showed flashes of his ability to be a solid reserve player in the rotation. During his rookie year, he put up 11.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on the wing for the Philadelphia 76ers. It was enough to get the attention of the Milwaukee Bucks, who traded for him during the 1998-99 NBA season.</p> <p>Milwaukee saw improvements in the early going and ended up signing Thomas to a six-year extension, worth $67 million. The Bucks were sold on Thomas’ versatility and potential to grow into a star after his performance on the floor from 1999-00. He put up 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in 80 appearances off the bench.</p> <p>Only his “off the bench” status would remain intact for the next two seasons. When he started in a total of 70 of 80 games during the 2002-03 NBA season, he averaged just 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, a minor boost from his numbers back in 1999-00.</p> <p>By then, it was clear Thomas wasn’t the elite player the Bucks thought he’d be. During the 2003-04 NBA season, Thomas was shipped away to the New York Knicks. After appearing in 131 games with the Knicks, the Knicks moved him to the Chicago Bulls.</p> <p>Thomas enjoyed quite the journeyman career after signing his lucrative deal. Through 385 games with the Bucks, he put up 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Safe to say, he at least got his money’s worth.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 28 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357358" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357358 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F518606620.jpeg" alt="Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/518606620.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/518606620-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="28" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Elton Brand" data-team-id="93" data-meta-a="Philadelphia 76ers" data-meta-b="5 Years, $80 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">28</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Elton Brand</h3> <h4>Philadelphia 76ers,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $80 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2F76ers.png" alt="Philadelphia 76ers"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 28. Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers</h2> <p>The Philadelphia 76ers took a big gamble during the 2008 NBA offseason on Elton Brand. Brand had emerged as quite the player during his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. He made two NBA All-Star appearances with the Clippers, while producing 20.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game as one of the premier big men in the NBA.</p> <p>During the 2007-08 NBA season, he missed all but eight games due to a left ruptured Achilles’. In the offseason, he became an unrestricted free agent. The Clippers weren’t willing to roll the dice, but Philadelphia was inking him to a five-year deal worth $80 million.</p> <p>Brand returned healthy for the 2008-09 NBA season, but he appeared in just 29 contests due to a shoulder injury. His longevity began to wear down at one of the most inopportune times. He returned healthy once again for the 2009-10 campaign, but his production dropped to just 13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.</p> <p>Philadelphia posted a 27-55 record that season. The next season, things improved to 41-41 as Brand averaged 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. His production dipped during the 2011-12 NBA season once again, however, forcing Philadelphia to trade him to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2012 NBA offseason.</p> <p>Brand finished his final season putting up 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 60 appearances with the 76ers. He did return to the team back in 2015-16 where he ultimately retired. Brand currently serves as the team’s general manager.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 27 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358299" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358299 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F97022864.jpeg" alt="Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans Hornets" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/97022864.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/97022864-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans Hornets. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="27" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Peja Stojakovic" data-team-id="-1" data-meta-a="New Orleans Hornets" data-meta-b="5 Years, $64 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">27</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Peja Stojakovic</h3> <h4>New Orleans Hornets,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $64 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnba.png" alt=" "> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 27. Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans Hornets</h2> <p>Peja Stojakovic would have had a better run with the then-New Orleans Hornets had it not been for a bad string of injuries. Prior to his arrival in New Orleans, Stojakovic lit it up from behind the arc for the Sacramento Kings from 1998 to 2005 before joining the Indiana Pacers during the 2005-06 NBA season.</p> <p>He made three NBA All-Star appearances with the Kings, while putting up 18.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 518 contests. He shot 39.8 percent from 3-point range, while average 2.1 3-pointers per game through eight seasons in Sacramento.</p> <p>He became a restricted free agent with the Pacers during the 2006 NBA offseason. It was clear they wanted to deal him at the age of 28. The Hornets wasted little time answering the call, acquiring him in a sign-and-trade that would pay him $64 million across five seasons.</p> <p>The first year into his deal though, Stojakovic missed 69 games due to a back injury. He did manage to put a career-high 42 points in his 13 appearances that season, but it was clear his body was wearing down.</p> <p>In 2007-08, he did manage to appear in 77 games, but his production dropped to 16.4 points per game, though he still made 44.1 percent of his 3-pointers. Each year after that, his production continued to decline. In his final season with the Hornets, he put up 12.6 points per game, his lowest total since the 1999-00 NBA season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 26 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358279" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358279 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2514,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F462749340.jpeg" alt="Jayson Williams, New Jersey Nets" width="3200" height="2514" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/462749340.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/462749340-768x603.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jayson Williams, New Jersey Nets. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="26" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Jayson Williams" data-team-id="147" data-meta-a="New Jersey Nets" data-meta-b="7 Years, $86 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">26</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Jayson Williams</h3> <h4>New Jersey Nets,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $86 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnets.png" alt="Brooklyn Nets"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 26. Jayson Williams, New Jersey Nets</h2> <p>Jayson Williams had built quite the name and career for himself by the time the 1998 NBA free agency period arrived. He had some seasons under his belt already when his free agency pay day finally came. After six seasons as a reserve, Williams emerged in the then-New Jersey Nets starting rotation during the 1996-97 NBA season, making 41 appearances and 40 starts.</p> <p>The following season, he started in a career-high 65 games, while averaging a double-double with 12.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per contest. He put together 39 double-doubles and 11 games with 20 rebounds or more. He made the lone NBA All-Star appearance of his career during the 1997-98 NBA season. With his contract expiring, it was time for New Jersey to make a move.</p> <p>They signed Williams to a seven-year deal worth $86 million during the free agency period. His deal, though monumental, would be short-lived. After 30 games, the wheels fell off for Williams and the Nets, as he broke his leg during the 1998-99 NBA season, which ended his career in the NBA.</p> <p>He didn’t play again after the 1998-99 NBA season, choosing to retire the following year. After that, his life took a turn for the worst after the accidental shooting of his limo driver Costas Christofi in 2002. Things could have ended better had Williams not tried to cover it up, but the case dragged on for another two years before he was sentenced to five years in prison for his role.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 25 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358266" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358266 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F287996.jpeg" alt="Juwan Howard, Washington Bullets" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/287996.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/287996-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Juwan Howard, Washington Bullets. (Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="25" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Juwan Howard" data-team-id="-1" data-meta-a="Washington Bullets" data-meta-b="7 Years, $105 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">25</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Juwan Howard</h3> <h4>Washington Bullets,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $105 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbullets.png" alt=" "> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 25. Juwan Howard, Washington Bullets</h2> <p>1996. It was the year NBA contracts went bonkers on the free agent front, as both Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning had inked seven-year deals upwards of $105 million. After two years with the then-Washington Bullets, the franchise had felt they’d seen enough from Juwan Howard to offer him his own lucrative payday.</p> <p>Howard had just made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team during the 1994-95 NBA season and All-NBA Third Team during the 1995-96 campaign. He also made an NBA All-Star appearance during the 1995-96 NBA season, while putting up a career-high 22.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.</p> <p>However, it looked like he reached his peak after signing the deal. He never made another NBA All-Star appearance in his time in Washington. Although he played and was relatively healthy, he was unable to lead the Bullets to the promised land.</p> <p>Even when paired with former Michigan Wolverines teammate Chris Webber, Washington only managed to make just one playoff appearance after signing Howard’s deal.</p> <p>From 1998 to 2000, the newly dubbed Wizards had won a combined 47 games before they decided to move on from Howard. With two years left on his deal, the Wizards shipped him off to the Dallas Mavericks, who after 130 games, shipped him off to the Denver Nuggets where he finished out his deal.</p> <p>After that, he enjoyed stints with then-Charlotte Bobcats, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Miami Heat before winning a title in his final season in 2012-13 and retiring. Howard finished averaging 18.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a member of the Bullets/Wizards organization.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 24 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358257" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358257 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1019,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F138025520.jpeg" alt="Travis Knight, Rick Pitino, Boston Celtics" width="1600" height="1019" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/138025520.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/138025520-768x489.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Travis Knight, Rick Pitino, Boston Celtics. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="24" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Travis Knight" data-team-id="18" data-meta-a="Boston Celtics" data-meta-b="7 Years, $22 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">24</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Travis Knight</h3> <h4>Boston Celtics,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $22 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fceltics.png" alt="Boston Celtics"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 24. Travis Knight, Boston Celtics</h2> <p>Travis Knight is an interesting case of jumping the gun in free agency. After being drafted No. 29 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1996 NBA Draft, he was cut by them by July. He signed a few days later as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers.</p> <p>He spent one season as a rookie with the Lakers before other suitors came calling for his services. Following a one-year stint with the Lakers back during the 1996-97 NBA season, Knight found himself with a well-paid offer on the table as an unrestricted free agent.</p> <p>He had just finished producing 4.8 points, 4.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds per contest through 71 appearances for the Lakers during the 1996-97 NBA season as a big man. It was enough to earn him NBA All-Rookie honors and the Celtics’ newly hired general manager and head coach Rick Pitino had seen enough to make a move.</p> <p>Pitino offered Knight a seven-year deal worth $22 million and right away Knight expressed his impulsive nature by expressing his feelings of disloyalty to the Lakers after signing in Boston.</p> <p>Knight lasted one season in Boston, producing 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game before requesting a trade. He was traded back to the Lakers by Boston for the services of Tony Battie.</p> <p>He managed to stick around during the 1999-00 NBA season to win an NBA Championship as a backup. After that season, he finished out the final years of his deal with the New York Knicks from 2000 to 2003.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 23 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358244" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358244 size-large" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F130280282-850x560.jpeg" alt="Jon Koncak, Atlanta Hawks" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Jon Koncak, Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="23" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Jon Koncak" data-team-id="125" data-meta-a="Atlanta Hawks" data-meta-b="6 Years, $13 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">23</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Jon Koncak</h3> <h4>Atlanta Hawks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $13 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhawks.png" alt="Atlanta Hawks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 23. Jon Koncak, Atlanta Hawks</h2> <p>Jon Koncak is a well-known name in SMU Mustangs history with his No. 53 jersey hanging in the rafters. His reputation carried him into the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, where he spent most of his career. He was selected as the No. 5 overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Hawks after making noise with the Mustangs on the college stage.</p> <p>As a rookie, he performed well, putting up 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. By his fourth season, he developed into quite the role player in the paint with rebounding and blocking ability and was a restricted free agent entering the 1989 NBA offseason.</p> <p>Back in 1989, million-dollar contracts were almost unheard of. So when the Hawks matched an offer of six years, $13 million from the Detroit Pistons, it took the league by storm. Koncak was then more of a reserve player than anything else as a member of the Hawks.</p> <p>It earned Koncak the new moniker “Jon Contract” for all the money he was making at the time. His salary made him a higher-paid NBA player than Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan at the time.</p> <p>For a player that hadn’t averaged more than 8.3 points per game, he was quite the defender during his time, but it came as a shock to many when the Hawks matched his offer sheet with the Pistons.</p> <p>Koncak would go on to play six more seasons for the Hawks and averaged 4.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game across 717 appearances. During the 1995-96 NBA season, he decided to sign with the Orlando Magic, where he appeared in 67 games. Following that stint in Central Florida, he retired from the NBA.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 22 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357334" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357334 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1070,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F56026417.jpeg" alt="Bobby Simmons, Milwaukee Bucks" width="1600" height="1070" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/56026417.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/56026417-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Bobby Simmons, Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="22" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Bobby Simmons" data-team-id="89" data-meta-a="Milwaukee Bucks" data-meta-b="5 Years, $47 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">22</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Bobby Simmons</h3> <h4>Milwaukee Bucks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $47 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbucks.png" alt="Milwaukee Bucks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 22. Bobby Simmons, Milwaukee Bucks</h2> <p>Bobby Simmons found himself in an interesting position after the 2004-05 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He posted 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game on the final year of his deal and he emerged as the NBA’s Most Improved Player that season.</p> <p>In the 2005 NBA free agency market, the Milwaukee Bucks came calling following his breakout year with the Clippers. He signed a five-year, $47 million deal and was believed to be a centerpiece for the franchise with his size and ability at 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds.</p> <p>His first season in though, his production dropped to 13.4 points, 4.4 points, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per contest, though he still managed to shoot 42 percent from 3-point range. The Bucks went 40-42 and squeaked into the 2006 NBA Playoffs, but it was clear Simmons may have reached his peak.</p> <p>The following season, Simmons missed all 82 games in their entirety due to a broken ankle. When he returned in 2007-08, it was clear he wasn’t himself. He put up 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game through 70 appearances in his return. However following that season, he was traded to the then-New Jersey Nets with Yi Jianlian for Richard Jefferson.</p> <p>Once his deal ran out with the Nets, he appeared in two games with the San Antonio Spurs (2010-11) and 28 with the Los Angeles Clippers (2011-12) before finding himself out of the league by 2012.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 21 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358069" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358069 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F163137713.jpeg" alt="Jim McIlvaine, Seattle SuperSonics" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/163137713.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/163137713-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jim McIlvaine, Seattle SuperSonics. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="21" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Jim McIlvaine" data-team-id="1308" data-meta-a="Seattle SuperSonics" data-meta-b="7 Years, $34 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">21</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Jim McIlvaine</h3> <h4>Seattle SuperSonics,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $34 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fsupersonics.png" alt=" Supersonics"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 21. Jim McIlvaine, Seattle SuperSonics</h2> <p>The then-Seattle SuperSonics made a few bad gambles that their franchise could never quite recover from. One of those gambles came during the 1996 NBA free agency period when they had a chance to sign a lucrative deal.</p> <p>After two seasons with the then-Washington Bullets in a backup role, Jim McIlvaine entered free agency. Through 135 appearances, he put up 2.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game with the Bullets, but it came as a shock to many when the SuperSonics offered and signed him to a seven-year, $34 million deal.</p> <p>For a guy who hadn’t put up more than 12 points or 11 rebounds in a game, he was given quite the deal (roughly $4.8 million/per year) by the SuperSonics. It quickly struck the ire of fans and even Shawn Kemp in particular.</p> <p>After leading Seattle to their third NBA Finals appearance in team history a franchise-record 64 wins, Kemp had requested a contract extension, but the collective bargaining agreement didn’t allow for one to happen until October 1997.</p> <p>McIlvaine’s signing had a domino effect on the demise of the SuperSonics franchise. After triggering the ire of Kemp, Seattle shipped him off to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal that secured them Vin Baker during the 1997 NBA offseason.</p> <p>After two seasons in Seattle and with five years left on his deal, McIlvaine was traded by the SuperSonics to the then-New Jersey Nets. After three seasons and 106 appearances in New Jersey, McIlvaine was out of the league after the 2000-01 NBA season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 20 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358211" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358211 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F854828930.jpeg" alt="Luol Deng, Los Angeles Lakers" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/854828930.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/854828930-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Luol Deng, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="20" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Luol Deng" data-team-id="20" data-meta-a="Los Angeles Lakers" data-meta-b="4 Years, $72 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">20</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Luol Deng</h3> <h4>Los Angeles Lakers,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 4 Years, $72 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Flakers.png" alt="Los Angeles Lakers"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 20. Luol Deng, Los Angeles Lakers</h2> <p>The Los Angeles Lakers are entering their final season of one of their more forgettable free agent signings in their history. Back during the 2016 NBA free agency period, after failed attempts at luring Paul George and other stars, their final choices became forward Luol Deng and big man Timofey Mozgov.</p> <p>Deng was believed to be the veteran scorer the Lakers needed with a young core of Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle to develop. He signed a four-year, $72 million deal during the 2016 NBA offseason after successful seasons with the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat.</p> <p>He made two NBA All-Star appearances with the Bulls, though they came back in 2012 and 2013, while averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game across 10 seasons. With the Heat, he averaged 13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest across 146 appearances.</p> <p>His age at 31 wasn’t an issue at the time for the Lakers front office, but 38 games into the season he began to show signs of wear and tear.  He appeared in just 56 games during his first year with Los Angeles, producing just 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while nursing an Achilles’ injury.</p> <p>During the 2017-18 NBA season, he attempted to make a comeback from the injury, but he managed to appear in just one game all season long, while the Lakers posted a 35-47 record. Following the season, halfway through his deal, he was waived by Los Angeles in a potential buyout.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 19 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358208" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358208 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F98046328.jpeg" alt="Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto Raptors" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/98046328.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/98046328-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="19" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Hedo Turkoglu" data-team-id="81" data-meta-a="Toronto Raptors" data-meta-b="5 Years, $53 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">19</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Hedo Turkoglu</h3> <h4>Toronto Raptors,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $53 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fraptors.png" alt="Toronto Raptors"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 19. Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto Raptors</h2> <p>Hedo Turkoglu had quite the run in the NBA during his 15-year career, playing with five different teams. His stint with the Toronto Raptors was a rather short one though, as one of those short-lived stories in free agent history.</p> <p>A run to the 2009 NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic turned into a huge payday in the free agent market for Turkoglu. He made a move as part of a sign-and-trade deal that would pay him $53 million across five seasons in Toronto.</p> <p>His time in Orlando yielded positive returns, especially during the 2008-09 NBA season, as he put up 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game and shooting 35.6 percent from 3-point range.</p> <p>The Turkish native was coming off back-to-back seasons of success, including the NBA’s Most Improved Player award after the 2007-08 campaign after raising his numbers to career-high status with 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per contest and a few playoff runs in Orlando. The Raptors saw an opportunity to cash in and secured him in a sign-and-trade deal.</p> <p>Turkoglu went 40-42 in his first year with the Raptors and lasted just a total of 74 games before the team decided to move in a different direction. His averages dropped 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, though he still managed to shoot 37.4 percent behind the arc.</p> <p>After trading Chris Bosh to the Miami Heat on July 10, 2010, four days later, they moved Turkoglu to the Phoenix Suns for Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 18 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358173" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358173 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1133294941.jpeg" alt="Ian Mahinmi, Washington Wizards" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1133294941.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1133294941-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Ian Mahinmi, Washington Wizards. (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="18" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Ian Mahinmi" data-team-id="142" data-meta-a="Washington Wizards" data-meta-b="4 Years, $64 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">18</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Ian Mahinmi</h3> <h4>Washington Wizards,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 4 Years, $64 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwizards.png" alt="Washington Wizards"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 18. Ian Mahinmi, Washington Wizards</h2> <p>The Washington Wizards are one team that’s struggling for cap space with 2019 NBA free agency right around the corner. They’re roughly $7.19 million under the cap with the free agent period approaching. One of the reasons is the current contract Ian Mahinmi has been on as he enters the final year of his deal.</p> <p>Mahinmi signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the Wizards back during the 2016 NBA free agency period. Since then, he’s been more of a burden than an asset for them. Mahinmi appeared in just 31 games during his first season in Washington, missing the season’s first 14 games due to a knee injury.</p> <p>It was assumed he could be brought into to man the starting center spot after doing well with the Indiana Pacers during the 2016-17 NBA season, but injuries have restricted him to 142 of a possible 246 games. In his final season with the Pacers in 2015-16, Mahinmi averaged 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game along with 1.1 blocks per contest.</p> <p>At roughly $16 million per year, the return on Mahinmi has been relatively low, as he’s started in just six games through three seasons and produced 4.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.</p> <p>Luckily for Washington, Mahinmi is entering the final year of his contract. The Wizards have since drafted Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Rui Hachimura and Tennessee Volunteers forward Admiral Schofield. They’ve also transitioned big man Thomas Bryant into the fold. It’s a cautionary tale for them, as they’re looking to improve what they currently have on the roster.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 17 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_342478" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-342478 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2019%2F03%2F113186250.jpeg" alt="Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2019/03/113186250.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2019/03/113186250-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="17" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Brandon Roy" data-team-id="-1" data-meta-a="Portland Trail Blazers" data-meta-b="5 Years, $82 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">17</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Brandon Roy</h3> <h4>Portland Trail Blazers,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $82 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Ftrailblazers.png" alt=" "> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 17. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers</h2> <p>Brandon Roy was one of the more well-known names back in the day for the Portland Trail Blazers. Before his arrival, the Trail Blazers went 21-61. With his arrival in a draft-day trade in 2006, things changed for the better. Roy went on to win NBA Rookie of the Year, averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.</p> <p>After the 2008-09 NBA season, it looked like Roy and the Trail Blazers were on their way to greener pastures. Roy had just led Portland to a 54-28 record and an appearance in the NBA Playoffs with LaMarcus Aldridge in tow. He was due for a contract extension.</p> <p>In August 2009, the extension came in the form of a five-year, $82 million deal from the Trail Blazers front office. They were reluctant at first, but in the end, Roy got his wish and proved to come through on his end of the bargain during the 2009-10 NBA season.</p> <p>Roy put up 21.5 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game for Portland. In the 2010 NBA playoffs though, he went down with a knee injury that would haunt him for the next year and then some.</p> <p>He attempted to return in 2010-11, appearing in 47 games but due to his failing knees, he was forced to retire early at the age of 27. He tried to make a comeback with the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2012-13 NBA season but after five games, he called it quits once again.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 16 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358156" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358156 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F74529277.jpeg" alt="Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/74529277.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/74529277-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="16" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Larry Hughes" data-team-id="156" data-meta-a="Cleveland Cavaliers" data-meta-b="5 Years, $70 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">16</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Larry Hughes</h3> <h4>Cleveland Cavaliers,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $70 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fcavaliers.png" alt="Cleveland Cavaliers"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 16. Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers</h2> <p>Injuries are something Larry Hughes had battled throughout much of his career. He appeared in a season-best 73 games during the 2001-02 with the Golden State Warriors. During his time with the Washington Wizards from 2002 to 2005, he emerged as quite the shooting guard.</p> <p>Hughes put up 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and a league-best 2.9 steals per game in 61 appearances with the Wizards at the combo guard spot during the 2004-05 campaign.</p> <p>Following that offseason, he became a highly sought-after free agent, especially given his performance during the 2005 NBA Playoffs, as he put up 20.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game through 10 games.</p> <p>He ended up signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2005 NBA offseason, as they looked for a star guard to pair with LeBron James. During his first year with the Cavaliers, Hughes appeared in just 36 contest, missing action due to a broken finger.</p> <p>Hughes returned the following season to produced 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game, but suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. He managed to return in two games in the 2007 NBA Finals, but the damage was done.</p> <p>Hughes would go on to be traded Chicago Bulls. From the Bulls, he would be sent to the New York Knicks and from the Knicks, Hughes went to the Sacramento Kings. By the end of his contract, he was waived by the Kings, ending one of the more unfortunate gambles in free agent history.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 15 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357165" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357165 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2124,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F72527298.jpeg" alt="Todd MacCulloch, New Jersey Nets" width="3200" height="2124" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/72527298.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/72527298-768x510.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Todd MacCulloch, New Jersey Nets. (Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="15" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Todd MacCulloch" data-team-id="147" data-meta-a="New Jersey Nets" data-meta-b="6 Years, $33.75 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">15</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Todd MacCulloch</h3> <h4>New Jersey Nets,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $33.75 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnets.png" alt="Brooklyn Nets"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 15. Todd MacCulloch, New Jersey Nets</h2> <p>There was no really no rhyme or reason behind the six-year, $33.75 million deal Todd MacCulloch signed with the then-New Jersey Nets back in the 2001 NBA offseason. As the No. 47 pick with the Philadelphia 76ers, MacCulloch put up 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game across two seasons with the team from 1999 to 2001.</p> <p>He didn’t start more than nine games, while appearing in 119 games and averaging just 9.4 minutes per game. The 7-foot center put a then career-high 21 points off the bench in an 8-of-10 shooting display towards the end of the season.</p> <p>MacCulloch did enough for the Nets to take a gamble on the reserve in hopes of turning him into a starter. He started in a career-best 61 games, appearing in 62, while averaging 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest.</p> <p>He managed to put up a career-high 29 points in the fifth game of the season, but he scored 20 points or more in just three games. He did post eight double-doubles, but it was clear the Nets investment was a failed one. They did get solid production out of him in their run to the 2002 NBA Finals, but it was clear they had to move on.</p> <p>During the 2002 NBA offseason, he was traded with Keith Van Horn to the Philadelphia 76ers for Dikembe Mutombo. It marked the return of MacCulloch to his old team but in the end, he had to retire due to a diagnosis of bilateral neuropathy, severe nerve damage in the feet.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 14 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357167" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357167 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1068,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F74176603.jpeg" alt="Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls" width="1600" height="1068" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/74176603.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/74176603-768x513.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="14" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Ben Wallace" data-team-id="24" data-meta-a="Chicago Bulls" data-meta-b="4 Years, $60 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">14</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Ben Wallace</h3> <h4>Chicago Bulls,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 4 Years, $60 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbulls.png" alt="Chicago Bulls"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 14. Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls</h2> <p>Ben Wallace was the ultimate defensive stopper during his career in the NBA. He emerged as an anchor in the paint for the Detroit Pistons from 2000 to 2006, carving his way into team lore as one of the most dominant defensive players in the league.</p> <p>He made four NBA All-Star appearances with Detroit and won the 2004 NBA Championship during their title run with Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton. When it came time to be a free agent, all the suitors came calling.</p> <p>In the end, the Chicago Bulls won the free agent sweepstakes. With 11 seasons under his belt and three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, the Bulls took a gamble on Wallace at 32 years of age, signing him to a four-year, $60 million deal in 2006.</p> <p>Chicago would end up going 49-33 with Wallace as their starting center. Ironically enough, they met the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals that season. The Bulls lost the series 4-2 and after that, things began to unravel in a hurry.</p> <p>Prior to the NBA Trade deadline, Wallace was moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers just 127 games into his career with the Bulls. Chicago went 33-49 the next season, while Wallace put up just 4.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 50 appearances.</p> <p>The 2007-08 NBA season snapped a streak of seven straight years of averaging double-figures in rebounds. He finished out the final two years of his deal in Cleveland before re-joining the Pistons where he retired after the 2011-12 NBA season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 13 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358140" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358140 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2125,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F56431097.jpeg" alt="Darius Miller, Portland Trail Blazers" width="3200" height="2125" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/56431097.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/56431097-768x510.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Darius Miller, Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="13" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Darius Miles" data-team-id="-1" data-meta-a="Portland Trail Blazers" data-meta-b="6 Years, $48 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">13</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Darius Miles</h3> <h4>Portland Trail Blazers,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $48 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Ftrailblazers.png" alt=" "> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>The worst free agency signing in Portland Trail Blazers history: 13. Darius Miles</h2> <p>Darius Miles had quite the run in the NBA, revolutionizing the Los Angeles Clippers as one of the “cool” franchises in the league alongside Quentin Richardson, though it never turned into success on the hardwood for them. At his peak, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a solid reserve for the Clippers.</p> <p>After being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, then to the Portland Trail Blazers, Miles signed a deal for six years and $48 million with Portland during the 2004 NBA offseason.</p> <p>It marked the peak of his from high school straight to the NBA story, though it also marked the downfall of his career. Miles put up 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per contest in 42 games, showing that the move for him looked like a solid one in the beginning though.</p> <p>In 2004-05, he appeared in 63 games, producing 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest. Then, things began to slow down for him. During the 2005-06 NBA season, Miles appeared in just 40 games before going down with a career-ending knee injury.</p> <p>Miles would go on to miss two full seasons from 2006 to 2008 due to his knee injury and never returned to his über form. His contract ran out after the 2007-08 NBA season allowing him to join a new squad. When he returned from injury, he lasted just 34 games with the Memphis Grizzlies before calling it quits after the 2008-09 NBA season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 12 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357349" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357349 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1063,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F317062.jpeg" alt="Vin Baker, Seattle SuperSonics" width="1600" height="1063" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/317062.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/317062-768x510.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Vin Baker, Seattle SuperSonics. (Brian Bahr /Allsport)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="12" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Vin Baker" data-team-id="1308" data-meta-a="Seattle SuperSonics" data-meta-b="7 Years, $87 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">12</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Vin Baker</h3> <h4>Seattle SuperSonics,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $87 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fsupersonics.png" alt=" Supersonics"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 12. Vin Baker, Seattle SuperSonics</h2> <p>Vin Baker was the face of the then-Seattle SuperSonics at one point during his career. He was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the SuperSonics after the 1996-97 NBA season in a blockbuster three-team deal that sent Shawn Kemp to Milwaukee.</p> <p>Baker made his fourth straight NBA All-Star appearance during the 1997-98 NBA season with Seattle. The NBA lockout during the 1998-99 campaign derailed his career a bit, as he showed up to training camp overweight and out of shape. He appeared in 34 games, averaging 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.</p> <p>It didn’t stop the Seattle front office from signing him to a seven-year max deal worth $87 million when he entered restricted free agency territory during the 1999 NBA offseason. Baker returned to form during the 1999-00 NBA season, putting up 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game across 79 appearances.</p> <p>His production dropped in 2000-01, when he averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest through 76 appearances, 27 of them being starts. Injuries woes and health issues kept him to just 55 games during the 2001-02 NBA season. By then, the SuperSonics front office had seen enough.</p> <p>Baker was traded to the Boston Celtics during the 2002 NBA offseason. The Celtics released him after 89 games, marking the sign of the end of his career from there. He appeared with two more teams before retiring after the 2005-06 NBA season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 11 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357360" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-357360" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2138,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F2827937.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2138" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/2827937.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/2827937-768x513.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="11" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Penny Hardaway" data-team-id="66" data-meta-a="Phoenix Suns" data-meta-b="7 Years, $87 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">11</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Penny Hardaway</h3> <h4>Phoenix Suns,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $87 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fsuns.png" alt="Phoenix Suns"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 11. Penny Hardaway, Phonenix Suns</h2> <p>The Orlando Magic were onto something when they took Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway as the No. 3 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. The Magic signed Hardaway to the most lucrative deal in team history and for five seasons, he made true on their predictions.</p> <p>Hardaway made four NBA All-Star appearances in five seasons in Orlando, while producing 19.0 points, 6.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest. Despite a devastating knee injury in 1997-98, he still managed to return for all 50 games of a lockout-plagued season. Coincidentally enough, it was the end of the contract for Hardaway.</p> <p>The Phoenix Suns, equipped already with Jason Kidd in the backcourt, came calling during the 1999 NBA offseason with a seven-year, $87 million deal that was too good for Hardaway to pass up.</p> <p>He signed and right away it like as though they’d get the Hardaway of old, as he put up 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals per contest through 60 games. The Suns made it to the Western Conference Semifinals in the playoffs, where they fell 4-1 to the Los Angeles Lakers.</p> <p>In 2000-01, Hardaway appeared in just four games due to two microfracture surgeries on his left knee. He returned healthy in 2001-02 to put up 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game, but the Suns went just 36-46 and missed the postseason.</p> <p>Prior to the 2004 NBA trade deadline, Hardaway was traded to the New York Knicks when it was clear he was on the decline. In his final 34 games, he was averaging 8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 25.8 minutes per contest. His glory days behind him, he finished out his contract in New York and retired after the 2007-08 NBA season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 10 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358115" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358115 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2154,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1652325.jpeg" alt="Brian Grant, Miami Heat" width="3200" height="2154" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1652325.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1652325-768x517.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Brian Grant, Miami Heat. (Photo by: Victor Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="10" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Brian Grant" data-team-id="110" data-meta-a="Miami Heat" data-meta-b="7 Years, $86 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">10</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Brian Grant</h3> <h4>Miami Heat,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $86 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fheat.png" alt="Miami Heat"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 10. Brian Grant, Miami Heat</h2> <p>Brian Grant had created quite the name for himself with the Portland Trail Blazers as a solid rebounder and energy guy in the rotation.  However, the arrival of Rasheed Wallace and injuries caused a few bumps in the road during the 1999-00 NBA season. Grant was a restricted free agent, but it was clear he was on his way out.</p> <p>Before leaving, he signed a seven-year, $86 million deal as part of a sign-and-trade deal to the Miami Heat, in hopes his addition alongside Alonzo Mourning and Anthony Mason would work out for him.</p> <p>In year one, he looked like his old self again, averaging 15.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in 82 appearances (79 starts). Miami posted a 50-32 record and made the 2001 NBA Playoffs, though they lost in the first round 3-0 to the Charlotte Hornets.</p> <p>In 2001-02, everything digressed for Grant and company. He put up just  9.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest, as the Heat went 36-46 on the year. In his third season, the Heat won just 25 games, though Grant averaged 10.3 points and a career-high 10.2 rebounds per contest.</p> <p>Despite his production, it seemed like Grant wasn’t the star the Heat thought he was. He managed to stay healthy for most of his time in Miami, but his production just didn’t seem to convert into wins.</p> <p>By the end of the 2003-04 NBA season, the Heat had seen enough and decided to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal for Shaquille O’Neal. Grant would finish out his contract with the Lakers before being waived in the 2006 NBA offseason.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 9 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358083" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358083 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F72818816.jpeg" alt="Eddy Curry, New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/72818816.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/72818816-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Eddy Curry, New York Knicks. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="9" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Eddy Curry" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="New York Knicks" data-meta-b="6 Years, $60 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">9</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Eddy Curry</h3> <h4>New York Knicks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $60 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png" alt="New York Knicks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 9. Eddy Curry, New York Knicks</h2> <p>Eddy Curry was part of the pre-one-and-done era back when it wasn’t a popular thing to go straight from high school to the NBA. Well before there was an age rule in place, Curry hit the NBA fresh out of Thornwood High School in Illinois.</p> <p>He originally committed to play at DePaul University before deciding to declare for the 2001 NBA Draft. He was selected No. 4 overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by Chicago Bulls. After playing sparingly as a rookie, Curry emerged as a factor during his second year, producing 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game through 81 appearances and leading the league in field goal percentage at 58.5 percent.</p> <p>After his fourth season with the Bulls, Curry had a tense battle with the front office over the condition of his heart. Curry was traded during the 2005 NBA offseason as part of a sign-and-trade deal to the New York Knicks.</p> <p>He signed a six-year, $60 million deal and it looked like things would work out for both sides. Curry averaged 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during his first season, though the Knicks won just 23 games. Curry had a career-high 19.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest during the 2006-07 NBA season in New York.</p> <p>Curry regressed in his third season and with a change of coaching from Larry Brown to Isiah Thomas. He put up just 13.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 59 appearances. Then when Mike D’Antoni took over in 2008-09, Curry really lost his way, appearing in just three contests.</p> <p>Curry appeared in just 10 games from 2008 to 2010 and was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2010-11 NBA season, who ended up buying out his contract. He would go on to play for the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks before retiring after the 2012-13 NBA season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 8 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_342484" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-342484 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2019%2F03%2F56712956.jpeg" alt="Grant Hill, Orlando Magic" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2019/03/56712956.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2019/03/56712956-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Grant Hill, Orlando Magic. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="8" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Grant Hill" data-team-id="38" data-meta-a="Orlando Magic" data-meta-b="7 Years, $93 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">8</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Grant Hill</h3> <h4>Orlando Magic,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $93 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmagic.png" alt="Orlando Magic"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 8. Grant Hill, Orlando Magic</h2> <p>Grant Hill is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame primarily for his play with the Detroit Pistons professionally and the Duke Blue Devils in college, but as a member of the Orlando Magic, he had a rather forgettable stint due to injury woes.</p> <p>Hill was entering the peak of his career during the 1999-00 NBA season and coming off his fifth NBA All-Star appearance in sixth seasons with Detroit when it came time to renew his contract.</p> <p>Hill had won the 1994-95 NBA Rookie of the Year award and made numerous appearances on All-NBA squads as a member of the Pistons. Detroit balked at the idea of re-signing though, trading Hill in a sign-and-trade deal to Orlando who then signed him to a seven-year, $93 million deal.</p> <p>Hill had just produced 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game through six seasons with the Pistons, so it was a no-brainer in shelling out the money for him.</p> <p>However, an ankle he suffered in the 2000 NBA Playoffs caused him to appear in just four games during his first year with the Magic, 14 during the 2001-02 NBA season, 29 during the 2002-03 NBA season and he missed the entire 2003-04 NBA season. Through the first four seasons with the Magic, he appeared in just 57 combined games.</p> <p>Hill did manage to get healthy and appear in 67 games during the 2004-05 campaign, making the NBA All-Star Game in the process. He put up 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals per contest, but in the following season, he appeared in just 21 contests.</p> <p>He managed to lead the Magic to just one playoff appearance after making it to four with the Pistons. Following the 2006-07 NBA season, he became a free agent and signed with the Phoenix Suns, where he did manage to put together a solid career as a reserve in the rotation.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 7 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358066" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358066 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F96591123.jpeg" alt="Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/96591123.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/96591123-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Christopher Ivey/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="7" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Erick Dampier" data-team-id="79" data-meta-a="Dallas Mavericks" data-meta-b="7 Years, $73 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">7</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Erick Dampier</h3> <h4>Dallas Mavericks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 7 Years, $73 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmavericks.png" alt="Dallas Mavericks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 7. Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks</h2> <p>Big man Erick Dampier was an interesting case during his NBA career. He’s one of the primary sources of the term “contract season” with the way he maneuvered his way into a lucrative free agent deal with the Dallas Mavericks.</p> <p>The term is reserved for those who use the final year of their contract to boost their production. In Dampier’s case, it worked wonders to extend his career longer than it should have.</p> <p>Dampier used the 2003-04 NBA season with the Golden State Warriors to parlay it into a seven-year, $73 million deal in the 2004 NBA offseason. He produced a career-high 12.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per contest and 1.9 blocks per game with the Warriors prior to signing the deal.</p> <p>Prior to the season, Dampier hadn’t averaged more than 11.8 points per game, which came during his rookie year back in 1997-98. He compiled a career-best 42 double-doubles, while earning a big payday in the long run. Though for the Mavericks, they would find out in a hurry it was fool’s gold.</p> <p>Dampier compiled a total of 50 double-doubles across six seasons with the Mavericks. He didn’t achieve more than 9.2 points or 8.5 rebounds per contest after his first season with Dallas either. In fact, his production declined each year or fluctuated during his time with the team.</p> <p>He averaged 6.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per contest through 424 appearances in the lineup. By his final season, he was traded to the Miami Heat in a five-player deal for Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 6 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_358033" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-358033 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2142,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F107164388.jpeg" alt="Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic" width="3200" height="2142" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/107164388.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/107164388-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="6" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Rashard Lewis" data-team-id="38" data-meta-a="Orlando Magic" data-meta-b="6 Years, $118.2 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">6</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Rashard Lewis</h3> <h4>Orlando Magic,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $118.2 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmagic.png" alt="Orlando Magic"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 6. Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic</h2> <p>Rashard Lewis has quite an interesting story with his tenure with the Orlando Magic. He emerged as a budding star with the then-Seattle SuperSonics during the 2006-07 NBA season, so much so the Magic got him in a sign-and-trade deal in the 2007 NBA offseason at six years for $118.2 million.</p> <p>Lewis’ first two seasons with the Orlando Magic produced positive returns. He made the second NBA All-Star appearance of his career during the 2008-09 NBA season, averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 39.7 percent from behind the arc.</p> <p>However, after the 2008-09 NBA season, Lewis tested positive for a banned substance (dehydroepiandrosterone) and was suspended for the first 10 games of the regular season. He became just the sixth player at the time to test positive for a performance-enhancing drug since testing began in 1999.</p> <p>Lewis’ suspension came at a time where the Magic, along with Dwight Howard, Rafer Alston and Hedo Turkoglu, made it to the 2009 NBA Finals. Although they lost, it looked as though the future was bright in Orlando. Oddly enough, when he returned, Lewis’ production dropped upon his return from suspension.</p> <p>After roughly four seasons in Orlando, the Magic front office had seen enough and traded him to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas. It wasn’t all bad for Lewis at the end of his career, however.</p> <p>He did manage to sign with the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA offseason and win a ring alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. With his massive contract behind him, things could have ended a lot worse.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357899" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357899 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1041,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F51897219.jpeg" alt="Allan Houston, New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1041" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/51897219.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/51897219-768x500.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Allan Houston, New York Knicks. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="5" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Allan Houston" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="New York Knicks" data-meta-b="6 Years, $100 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">5</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Allan Houston</h3> <h4>New York Knicks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $100 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png" alt="New York Knicks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 5. Allan Houston, New York Knicks</h2> <p>Allan Houston had the glory days of his career with the New York Knicks. It’s also where he saw the demise of his career. Houston put up back-to-back NBA All-Star seasons in 2000 and 2001, marking solid reasoning for his contract extension in 2001, which paid him $100 million across six years.</p> <p>He appeared in 77 contests in 2001-02, putting up 20.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while the Knicks finished with a 30-52 record. The following season, the Knicks went 37-45, despite seeing Houston average a career-high 22.5 points per game.</p> <p>Things got a little better in 2003-04 when the team made the playoffs, but that’s when Houston begin facing knee issues. He missed 32 games during the regular season and the entire postseason which saw the Knicks get swept 4-0 in the first round by the then-New Jersey Nets.</p> <p>Houston attempted to return in December of the 2004-05 NBA season, appearing in 20 games, but it looked like he was unable to recover from his lingering knee soreness in his left knee. He put up just 11.9 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 rebounds per game in his final year in the NBA.</p> <p>Houston retired from the league, hanging up his shoes for the Knicks with two years and $40 million left on his deal. He did manage to average 18.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 39.9 percent from the arc during his time in New York. However, injury woes made for a quick end for Houston.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357043" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357043 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1120,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F483952125.jpeg" alt="Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1120" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/483952125.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/483952125-768x538.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="4" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Amar'e Stoudemire" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="New York Knicks" data-meta-b="5 Years, $99.7 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">4</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Amar'e Stoudemire</h3> <h4>New York Knicks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $99.7 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png" alt="New York Knicks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 4. Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks</h2> <p>Amar’e Stoudemire got off to quite the start in his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns. He won the 2002-03 NBA Rookie of the Year award and made five NBA All-Star appearances in Phoenix. Stoudemire put up stellar numbers with the Suns and in 2010 as one of the most sought-after free agents in the offseason.</p> <p>Stoudemire signed a five-year, $99.7 million deal to be a centerpiece for the Knicks alongside Carmelo Anthony. His addition proved useful in year one, as he made an NBA All-Star appearance, while putting up 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 blocks per game through 78 appearances, as New York made its first playoff appearance since 2004.</p> <p>They were swept in the first round and the NBA lockout shortened the 2011-12 NBA season, which caused a dip in Stoudemire’s production to 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks per contest.</p> <p>The Knicks managed to make the playoffs again, but after a Game 2 loss to the Miami Heat, Stoudemire cut his hands after punching a fire extinguisher on the wall which required stitches and caused him to miss Game 3.</p> <p>He returned in Game 4 of the series to record 20 points and 10 rebounds and snap a 13-game playoff losing streak, but the damage was done as they went on to lose the series, 4-1.</p> <p>The injury bug jumped on him during the 2012-13 NBA season causing him to miss the first 30 games of the regular season due to a right knee injury. He returned for 29 games, but was sidelined once again to undergo a procedure to clean up his knee.</p> <p>Stoudemire managed to return for the 2013 NBA Playoffs, but he was never the same. He averaged 14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest that season.</p> <p>The next year, his numbers dipped even more to 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. During the 2014-15 NBA season, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, ending his run with the Knicks by having to move in the final year of his contract.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357039" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357039 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1139363286.jpeg" alt="Chandler Parsons, Memphis Grizzlies" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1139363286.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1139363286-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Chandler Parsons, Memphis Grizzlies. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="3" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Chandler Parsons" data-team-id="211" data-meta-a="Memphis Grizzlies" data-meta-b="4 Years, $94.5 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">3</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Chandler Parsons</h3> <h4>Memphis Grizzlies,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 4 Years, $94.5 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fgrizzlies.png" alt="Memphis Grizzlies"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 3. Chandler Parsons, Memphis Grizzlies</h2> <p>Chandler Parsons is making a nice sum from the Memphis Grizzlies. The only problem with it is he’s appeared 95 total games since signing with the team back in 2016.</p> <p>Parsons made quite the name for himself in seasons prior with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 39.5 percent from behind the arc and 47.5 percent from the field as a member of the Mavericks.</p> <p>He proved to be a solid player in the rotation, appearing in 127 games, 117 of them starts, as one of the Mavericks scoring options on the wing. During the 2016 NBA offseason, he signed a four-year deal with the Grizzlies worth $94.5 million, despite missing the end of the 2015-16 NBA season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.</p> <p>Since then, Parsons has had a hard time finding his bearings. He appeared in just 34 games during the 2016-17 NBA season with Memphis, averaging single-digits in points per game for the first time since his rookie season at 6.7 points per contest.</p> <p>In 2017-18, he managed to score a personal-best 24 points with the Grizzlies, but knee soreness would keep him out for an extended amount of time once again. Last season, he appeared in 25 contests, returning to the rotation on Feb. 22 while still battling knee soreness.</p> <p>Now, he’s on the back-end of his deal. He will come to the end of his contract after the end of the 2019-20 NBA season. It will be interesting to see where his career goes from here after the year.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357038" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357038 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F53449929.jpeg" alt="Jerome James, New York Knicks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/53449929.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/53449929-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jerome James, New York Knicks. (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="2" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Jerome James" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="New York Knicks" data-meta-b="5 Years, $30 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">2</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Jerome James</h3> <h4>New York Knicks,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 5 Years, $30 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png" alt="New York Knicks"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 2. Jerome James, New York Knicks</h2> <p>This is the last of the New York Knicks’ blunders in free agency, finally. It was president of basketball operations Isaiah Thomas who was the mastermind behind the signing of big man Jerome James. James had put on a memorable playoff performance prior to receiving a five-year, $30 million deal with the Knicks.</p> <p>James was a serviceable big man for the then-Seattle SuperSonics, appearing in 252 games, 160 starts, in his time there. He started in a season-high 80 contests in his final year with the team.</p> <p>He nearly tripled his regular season stats with Seattle in 11 playoff games against the Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs. He put up 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest during the 2005 NBA Playoffs, gaining the attention of Isaiah Thomas, but it didn’t exactly pan out in the end.</p> <p>James showed up to training camp the following season out of shape and out of sorts. He averaged just 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest across 45 games, nine of them being starts. The following season, he appeared in just 41 games, putting up just 1.9 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.</p> <p>He would play in his last playoff series with the SuperSonics, never making it to the playoffs again. It was one of the more head-scratching signings during a time when the Knicks were really trying to find their way. James used the “contract-year phenomenon” to his advantage in this instance, though in the end, it ended in his demise.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_357036" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-357036 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1120,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F596843148.jpeg" alt="Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards" width="1600" height="1120" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/596843148.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/596843148-768x538.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards. (Photo by Greg Ashman/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="1" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Gilbert Arenas" data-team-id="142" data-meta-a="Washington Wizards" data-meta-b="6 Years, $111 Million" data-inner-content=""> <div class="mock-draft"> <div class="mock-draft-head"> <div class="mock-draft-order-container"> <div class="mock-draft-order">1</div> </div> <div class="mock-draft-player-details"> <h3>Gilbert Arenas</h3> <h4>Washington Wizards,<span class="mock-draft-team-name"> 6 Years, $111 Million</span></h4> </div> <div class="mock-draft-team-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwizards.png" alt="Washington Wizards"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 1. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards</h2> <p>Point guard Gilbert Arenas had the Washington Wizards headed to greener pastures back in 2008, or at least before that. He signed a six-year, $60 million deal originally with the Wizards as a free agent in the 2003 NBA offseason.</p> <p>That’s when the “Gilbert Arenas Rule” was established, allowing teams to match offers to second-round picks. At the time, the Warriors were unable to match offer, which only accounted for first-round draft picks.</p> <p>In his first year with the Wizards, he put up 19.6 points, 5.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest then he really soared, making three straight NBA All-Star appearances from 2005 to 2007.</p> <div class="recent-posts"> <h4>More from <b>All-Time Lists</b></h4> <ul><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/14/ranking-nba-small-market-teams/">Ranking the NBA’s small market teams </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/13/los-angeles-lakers-mount-rushmore/">Selecting the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mount Rushmore </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/30/one-final-game-the-last-great-performance-for-nba-legends/">One Final Game: The last great performance for NBA legends </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/ranking-75-best-players-nba-history-75th-anniversary/">Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history for 75th anniversary </a></li><li> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/28/nba-one-player-forgot-played-favorite-team/">NBA: One player you forgot played for your favorite team </a></li></ul> </div> <p>Arenas produced a career-high 29.3 points per contest along with 6.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game during the 2005-06 campaign.</p> <p>After putting together stellar performances in both the playoffs and regular season, Arenas found himself sidelined with a knee injury.</p> <p>He had hit a rough patch himself on the injury front appearing in just 13 games during the 2007-08 season, but the Wizards found him worth the gamble during free agency.</p> <p>Arenas signed a six-year, $111 million deal to remain with the Wizards, but things quickly unraveled for him.</p> <p>Arenas would go onto appear in just 47 games from 2007 to 2010. During the 2009-10 NBA season, an unfortunate gun incident with teammate Javaris Crittendon led the Wizards to suspend Arenas when he made light of the situation during pre-game introductions and in-game celebrations.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Each team's worst free agent signing in franchise history" data-url="http://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/26/nba-free-agency-teams-worst-free-agent-signing-franchise-history/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/28/nba-free-agency-30-worst-free-agent-signings-nba-history/"http://hoopshabit.com/2019/06/26/nba-free-agency-teams-worst-free-agent-signing-franchise-history/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Each team's worst free agent signing in franchise history </a> </div> </div> <p>He was ultimately traded to the Orlando Magic during the 2010-11 NBA season, after appearing in just 21 games for Washington that year. He would finish out the season with the Memphis Grizzlies before finding himself out of the league after the 2011-12 NBA season.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">