The Worst NBA Contracts Of All Time
Some NBA contracts make fans cringe. Big money and big expectations. These are the worst NBA contracts of all time.
25. Deron Williams (Nets 2012)
When Williams became a free agent he might have been the best PG in free agency. Nets gave him a 5 year $98 million dollar deal. But chronic ankle issues derailed his career.
24. Chris Webber (Warriors 1993)
It was a weird situation. The Warriors drafted him 1st overall in 1993 and gave him a 15 year contract with a $74.4 million dollar deal with a 1 year opt out clause. After 1 year he threatened to opt out, they traded him, and the opt out kicked in.
23. Omer Asik (Pelicans 2015)
It was unnecessary. The Pelicans re-signed Asik to a 5 year deal worth $60 million. By year two his minutes plummeted.
22. Ben Wallace (Bulls 2006)
He was a four time DPOY but he was 31 when Bulls signed him. He never lived up to his 4 year $60 million dollar deal.
21. Todd MacCulloch (Nets 2001)
He had a good NBA finals with the 76ers the year before, the Nets gave him 6 years and $34 million. But he had a rare neurological disorder and was out of the league shortly after.
20. Darius Miles (2004 Blazers)
23 years old Miles signed a 6 year $48 million dollar deal with the Blazers. He clashed with coaches and was quickly out of Portland.
19. Bryant "Big Country" Reeves (Grizzlies 1997)
The Grizzlies were a new franchise still and locked him up to a six-year $61.8 million dollar extension. His weight ballooned to over 300 LBs.
18. Joe Smith (Timberwolves 1999)
It wasn't that the contract was bad. It was illegal. It was signed under the table. And the Twolves lost 4 1st round picks because of it.
17. Josh Smith (Pistons 2013)
Smith signed a four year $54 million deal. It was disastrously and he clashed in the locker room.
16. Elton Brand (76ers 2008)
Brand signed a 5 year deal worth $82 million. It fell out immediately. As he never recovered coming off an Achilles tear.
15. Bismack Biyombo (Magic 2016)
One stellar playoff series led to a huge deal from the Magic. He never lived up to the contract and was a role player at best.
14. Vin Baker (SuperSonics 1999)
The Sonics acquired Baker in a trade in 1997 for Shawn Kemp who was a fan favorite. They signed him a 7 year deal worth $86 million but it was a huge mistake. His first season was good but then it went downhill due to alcoholism and bad play.
13. Grant Hill (Magic 2000)
The Magic signed Hill to a seven year deal worth $93 in 2000. But a ankle injury hurt the deal big time as he played just 47 games in the first four seasons of the deal.
12. Penny Hardaway (Suns 1999)
He was a dynamic young star before a huge knee injury. The Suns still signed him in 1999 and gave him a max contract. The injuries derailed his career.
11. Shawn Kemp (Cavaliers 1997)
After being traded from Seattle to Cleveland, Kemp got a huge deal worth $107 million. The richest of its time. After the NBA lockout he showed up weighing 315 pounds.
10. Eddy Curry (Knicks, 2005)
Knicks signed Curry to a six year $60 million contract. He had a bad heart condition and never lived up to the deal.
9. Amar'e Stoudmire (Knicks 2010)
The first season of the contract was good. But after that knee injuries derailed his time in New York.
8. Jim Mcllvaine (SuperSonics 1996)
Fresh off making the NBA finals the Sonics splurged on the center. They signed him to a 7 year deal worth $33 million. He had been averaging just 3 points per game in his career. And this rubbed Shawn Kemp the wrong way forcing him to want out of Seattle.
7. Allan Houston (Knicks 2001)
The Knicks gave Allan superstar money. 6 years worth $100 at age of 30. He played OK at best.
6. Timofey Mozgov (Lakers 2016)
The Lakers splurged on Mozgov giving him a 4 year deal worth $64 million. He was a backup center at best.
5. Chandler Parsons (Grizzlies 2016)
He signed a four year deal worth $94 million. This was despite coming off a knee surgery and a underwhelming stint with the Mavs. He played 95 games total in 3 seasons.
4. Joakim Noah (Knicks 2016)
The Knicks gave a injured Noah $72 million for 4 years. He quickly broke down and never lived up to his contract.
3. Jon Koncak (Hawks 1989)
When he signed his deal for $13 million in 1989 it was more than Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. He had a stat line of 4.7 points and 6.1 rebounds.
2. Gilbert Arenas (Wizards 2008)
He had a huge injury before the deal. And then got 6 years for $111 to resign with the Wizards. His knee never fully recovered.
1. John Wall (Wizards 2017)
The Wizards gave Wall a 4 year supermax extension. He shortly after suffered from multiple injuries and never got back to his full potential.