These Are Worst NBA Contracts Ever

These Are Worst NBA Contracts Ever


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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Smith signed a four year $54 million deal. It was disastrously and he clashed in the locker room.

16. Elton Brand (76ers 2008)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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The first season of the contract was good. But after that knee injuries derailed his time in New York.

8. Jim Mcllvaine (SuperSonics 1996)


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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)


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The Knicks gave Allan superstar money. 6 years worth $100 at age of 30. He played OK at best. 

6. Timofey Mozgov (Lakers 2016)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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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)


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The Wizards gave Wall a 4 year supermax extension. He shortly after suffered from multiple injuries and never got back to his full potential.

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