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  • #36119
    marcusfizer21marcusfizer21
    marcusfizer21
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    It’s been a LONG time since I have written top tens of something… I just figured about writing another one tonight. I need to get these players off my chest because ever since teams went out and spend money extravagantly, these players were paid more than what they deserved. They are called FREE AGENT BUSTS… Normally, we associate busts with draft picks that went array… Kwame Brown, Michael Olowokandi, Marcus Fizer, Darko Milicic, Stromile Swift, Joe Alexander just to name a few. This list is not about draft busts but its about players who underachieved expectations given to them by fans, media and even the team they’ve signed on. These guys, at some point in their careers, have made a mark to earn their money only to disappoint the teams that they fooled. Here are my top 10 free agent busts

    10. Andres Nocioni – signed a 5 year $37.5 million contract with the Bulls (July 2007)

    One of my fave Bulls… One of those guys that will make you earn every point you score on the floor. Noce is a pest on both sides of the court. He can shoot, make plays, take a charge and is pretty coachable. I thought signing him to a contract that long was a good move but ever since he got traded to the Kings and then to the Sixers, he hardly made an impact to let us think that he deserved $8 million per year. He’s averaging 1.8 ppg this season.

    9. John Salmons – signed a 5 year $39 million contract with the Bucks (July 2010)

    Salmons can be considered a solid player and has had his moments in the NBA. He was part of the Bulls’ magical playoff run in 2009 and is known to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. What happened? Despite the fact that he had a solid career, his shooting has been pretty bad considering he just recently signed a 5 year deal with the Bucks. This is the second year of his contract (traded to the Kings) and his averages are way subpar than most people think… 7ppg on 35% FG shooting is bad.

    8. Tyrus Thomas – signed a 5 year $40 million contract with the Bobcats (July 2010)

    There is nothing wrong with believing in potential… But the Bobcats could have waited for more options in their free agency crop. Thomas has been injury prone throughout his career. Giving him that kind of money despite his productions is a risk. It’s unbelievable how he’s going for 21 and 13, 4 blocks then gives nothing in the next game…

    7. Ben Gordon – signed a 5 year $50 million contract with the Pistons (July 2009)

    Are one-dimensional players really worth that much? My guess is no. When the Chicago Bulls didn’t offer to re-sign Gordon, the Pistons walked in and grabbed the opportunity to go and get him without much to talk about. The result? It backfired on a team filled with scorers and tweeners. The Pistons already had Rip and Rodney Stuckey. BG’s numbers were lower than ever compared to his time with the Bulls. He went from averaging 20 ppg with Chicago in 2009 to 13.8 ppg with the Pistons in 2010. Blame it on the injuries? Perhaps but he continued to struggle again last season only averaging 11.3 ppg. Disappointing for a guy who used to be known as "clutch" with the Bulls.

    6. Brendan Haywood – signed a 6 year $55 million contract with the Mavericks (July 2010)

    For 11 years, Brendan has career averages of 7.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.4 bpg. Sounds solid for a guy taken 20th in the 2001 NBA Draft. But is he worth $55 million? It doesn’t take a genius for us to say no. Excuses can be made when we say size is a rarity in the NBA. Brendan has size. But he has never been an effective offensive player nor is he a mobile big man. Despite the fact that the Mavs won the 2011 NBA title, Haywood was non factor. He is the classic definition of overpaid yet unproductive. He averaged low numbers, 4.4 ppg and 5 rpg. What was Mark Cuban thinking??? He may be the starting center for the Mavs this year but he’s NO Tyson Chandler.

    5. Elton Brand – signed a 5 year $80 million contract with the Sixers (July 2008)

    The former number 1 overall pick and 21 and 10 guy has been lost on the Sixers’ offensive rotation. For some reasons, he’s been getting less touches compared to the years he had with the Bulls and Clippers. His first year with the Sixers was disappointing by the fact that he played only in 29 games. He tried to bounce back the following year and though his averages may be solid, it doesn’t really justify the $80 million dollar signing. He is currently averaging low numbers at 10.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg. The Sixers are winning though and nonetheless have team that could be gearing up for another playoff run. But EB has sure been a disappointment.

    4. Baron Davis – signed a 5 year $65 million contract with the Clippers (July 2008)

    Baron Davis was an essential piece to that magical run the Golden State Warriors had in 2007 when they beat the number 1 seed, Dallas Mavericks, in the first round of the playoffs. He continued to produce amazing stat line even until his free agency in 2008 where posted surreal numbers in 22 ppg, 7 apg and 5 rpg. He exercised his termination option for 2008-09 season and decided to come home and play for the Clippers. Many, including me, thought that the Clippers would become a playoff team with Davis leading the pack. What happened instead was another Clipper curse. After one season where he averaged 22, 7 and 5, it went to a dismal 15 7 and 3 on 37% FG shooting as the Clippers went from OK to bad to worse. It was then when they were bad that they were able to land the first pick in 2009 and selected Blake Griffin. Still, Baron Davis never became the dominant player he once was with the Warriors and Hornets amidst weight issues and inconsistencies in his play.

    3. Hedo Turkoglu – signed a 5 year $53 million contract with the Raptors (July 2009)

    After a season of flirting with All-Star numbers in 2008 and in 2009, Hedo helped Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic to a stint in the 2009 NBA Finals. Hedo’s clutch shooting and ability to create for his teammates has been valuable in many ways. Deservedly so that he wanted to be rewarded with a contract he thought he deserved, and rightfully so. Yet when Orlando decided to go to a different direction by acquiring Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson, it was clear that he had to look for other offers. The Toronto Raptors were willing to give him that. Bryan Colangelo added another international player to an already international-flavored Raptors team. The result was disappointing as he went from averaging 17 ppg to just 11 ppg for the Raptors not to mention him being benched in a game as a disciplinary action for the stomach virus excuse yet was seen by Toronto fans partying at a night club. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns after one year in Toronto and still produced disappointing results. He was traded again to Orlando where he thought he could get his game back. But Turk was never the same player that he once was in 2008 and 2009 as he struggled mightily to make an impact on the court.

    2. Rashard Lewis – signed and traded to the Magic with 7 year $120 million contract (July 2007)

    What comes to your mind if you see a player earning a whopping $120 million contract? You might think he’s a superstar averaging 26 ppg, 7 rpg, 7 apg… or a guy who consistently scores 30 ppg before he lights up for 50 on a night… But when you see a guy like Rashard Lewis getting the same amount only to average 18, 17, 14 and 12 in his first first 4 years off of that humongous contract is flat out crazy in a negative way. Lewis is a certified All-Star, one of those rare 6’10 guys that can shoot outside and can kill you on the offensive end but he is NOT worth the money that was given to him. It’s crazy to think that he gets paid MORE than LeBron James, Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant. He may be a solid pro but he is definitely OVERPAID. He is currently in Washington shooting bricks and adding woes to an already awful team.

    1. Gilbert Arenas – signed a 6 year $111 million contract with the Wizards (July 2008)

    Agent Zero aka Hibachi was one of those NBA stories you love to hear. A boy nobody thought could play in the NBA, who was downgraded by his first coach in high school, wore #0 because nobody thought he could get minutes but alas got drafted in the second round of the 2001 draft and proved that he is a lethal weapon to be reckoned with. Gilbert Arenas was living the dream while with the Wizards in 2003 until 2007 where he produced some of his best games a basketball player. He averaged a whopping 25.7 ppg including 41 3ptFG% in those 4 seasons. It was cut short though as he tore his MCL just as the 2007 has concluded. Despite the fact the he was still the Wizards’ best player, he never became the Gilbert Arenas we have known him to be. He signed a fresh $111 million contract with team right after the Warriors offered him a $100 million deal. The thing that made him number one on my list are so long that I just have to try and summarize it one by one.

    After signing the new contract, Arenas opted for surgery prior to the start of the 2008 season which made the Wizards management worry. He did not play until 2nd week of March of 2009. Arenas made a hopeful return for 2009-2010. While he showed that he can still score 30 or more points, it was obvious that he wasn’t as consistent as before. What made that season even worse was the gun incident with Javaris Crittenton and his handling of the matter as if it was a joke which eventually led him to be suspended for the rest of the year. The next season marked the end of his journey with Washington as he was traded to the Magic for Rashard Lewis. He went from worse to worst as he posted career low in points (8.0) and is shooting a dismal 34% FG. Disappointing is an understatement for a guy who was considered one of the best guards in the league at some point.

     

    There you have it… If you want to add a player that you consider a free agent bust/disappointment, feel free to add.

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  • #630753
    AvatarAvatar
    sammybuckeye13
    Participant

    Jerome James #1

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  • #630759
    AvatarAvatar
    Tongue-Out-Like-23
    Participant

    This is why the NBA needs non-guaranteed contracts.

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  • #630780
    r377r377
    r377
    Participant

    Nice list. 

     

    On July 8, 2010, Outlaw signed a 5-year deal worth $35 million with the Nets

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  • #630785
    AvatarAvatar
    omphalos
    Participant

    Nothing on Villanueva? I’d say he’s doing worse than Gordon. Good list though.

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  • #630801
    AvatarAvatar
    thparadox
    Participant

     

    I would put Rashard, Hedo, Gordon, Villanueva and Haywood at the top. The others on the list were more about injuries.

    The arenas contract was huge, but Arenas was killing it at the time… whereas Rashard was never close to being a max contract type of player.

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  • #630807
    AvatarAvatar
    surve
    Participant

     You know….I think the Rashard Lewis deal could be overstated at times.  He was coming off a career year in Seattle avg over 22ppg, 6rpg, and 2apg.  Pairing that kind of player with the center of the future was not a bad move.  As for giving him the max, I dont recall who else was available at that time, but you have to remember Hedo and Rashard were both under 28 years old at the time and Jameer Nelson was coming off of a good year.  The pieces seemed to be coming together and in Lewis’ 2nd year they were just a few games away from being NBA champions.  Looking at Lewis’ career after that, its easy to say it wasnt justifiable….but had they beat the Lakers, he likely would not be on this list.

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  • #630819
    AvatarAvatar
    JoeWolf1

     Remember when Jim McIlvaine got 35 million over 7 years ( it was more ourtrageous because it was 15 years ago ) after averaging 2 ppg 3 rpg and 2 bpg while shooting 42% from the feild?

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  • #630826
    AvatarAvatar
    F_DA_PO
    Participant

    Kwame Brown deserves to be on this list. Someone just gave the biggest bust of all time a 7 million dollar contract and he got hurt 9 games into the season. That contract had bust written all over it.

     

    I know it was only a 1 year deal, but c’mon at least the guys you named were productive NBA players at some point.

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  • #630828
    AvatarAvatar
    invalid
    Participant

    i like kenyon martin but i think his pricetag is too high. 92.5M in 7years. brian grant got 86M in 7 years too.

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  • #630890
    AvatarAvatar
    TallmanNYC
    Participant

     A lot of people could be on that list. Arenas in terms of money probably should be at the top, but Lewis might have big money but at least he has always been a legit starter and he continues to be a guy who can play. He shouldn’t be in the number two spot.

    The Outlaw signing was funny. It was like immediately after the signing the entire league (or at least the blogosphere) called up the Nets to inform them that you know Outlaw is kind of old and doesn’t really bring anything to the table. Is that guy even still in the league? (Just checked, yes he is, 11 minutes a game for Sacramento.) 

    Jerome James should be up there. Signed for huge contract by Knicks in 2005. They immediately decide to get Curry. They don’t play James (9 minutes a game in 2005, then 11 minutes a game in 2006), then he doesn’t touch the court for two years, gets traded, gets cut and out of league. He basically went from signing a huge long-term contract, to immediately not being able to play basketball with NBA players in any sort of a productive manner. Just an aweful free agent bust. 

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  • #630977
    AvatarAvatar
    ShekiruBoom
    Participant

     how about larry hughes? he was the one big free agent the Cavs got during the Lebron and he completely flopped. If he was what he was supposed to be Cavs might have won and Lebron wouldve stayed

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  • #631031
    AvatarAvatar
    NYK2010
    Participant

    Eddy Curry has to be top 5 didn’t he sign for 6/60 and they gave up picks too which cost team a chance to draft Lamarcus Aldridge.

    Haywood and Baron Davis contracts aren’t as bad because at least they give you some production.

    Cuban likes to over pay I’m not sure why the Clippers overpaid but at least they didn’t pay Brand 80 million.

    Anyway Baron Davis did average 7 and 8 asts a game for them the amnesty helped even though he still is paid.

    Turkoglu’s is bad contract but Nocioni and Salmons are worst because they are producting nothing almost.

    At least Turkoglu can get hot and make some 3’s and pass the ball.  He’s shooting 43% with 4.5 asts a game not exactly garbage numbers but still a terrible contract.

    Dont forget some of these a lot from 2000-2011.

    Jermain O’neal 7yrs 126 million

    Raef Lafrentz 7 yrs 70 mill, 9 ppg and 4.8 rebs high bottomed out to 1.7 ppg and 1.7 rebs a game

    Eddy Curry 6 yrs 60 mill and draft picks, played in 10 games the last 4 yrs.

    Darius Miles 6yrs 48 mill

    Mitch Richmond 4 yrs 40 mill, missed 45 games in his 2nd year, last 2 yrs was bought out

    Bobby Simmons 4 yrs 47 mill, from 16.4 ppg and 5.9 rebs to 21 games played and 2 games the following year.

    Peja 5 yrs 64 mill

    Ben Wallace 4 yrs 60 mill with the Bulls

    Briant Grant 7yrs 86 mill

    Juwan Howard 7yrs 105 mill

    Vin Bakers 7yrs 86 mill

    Allan Houston 6 yrs 100 mill

    Kenyon Martin 7 yrs max Nuggets and 3 draft picks

    Austin Croshere 7 yr 51 mill

    Jerome James 5 yrs 30 mill, played in 4 games in 07-09

    Jim McIlvaine 7 yrs 35 mill

     

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  • #631034
    AvatarAvatar
    BigD
    Participant

    DeSagana Diop has to be somewhere with his flop of a career for the most part.

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  • #631046
    AvatarAvatar
    For_Never_Ever
    Participant

    Michael Redd, could have been great injury after injury has pretty uch ended his career.

    Joe Johnson, Solid player even really good at times but well over paid for what he is really worth.

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  • #631073
    AvatarAvatar
    The Scare Crow Returns
    Participant

    And I’d like to agree with two in particular

    1. Elton Brand, although Brand has been a great role player and leader in Philadelphia, he was never worth the offer the Sixers made him, it was at a Time we were desperate to change the culture and get a player of value in Free Agency, but it was a huge mistake and is just now starting to pay off

    2. Andreas Nocioni, he was always a role player and some how got mid level Max money, he got the money you want to sign starters for …and The Sixers hold both these contracts currently…

    Now I’d like to turn a Lemon into Lemonade and say that Nocioni has a Team option next at 6.5 to 7 million dollars(the Sixers will not pick up that option thus freeing themselves of 6.5 to 7 million dollars in cap)

    Second, Elton Brand will be in the final year of a Massive Deal(one that we can use the Amnesty Clause on clearing up 18.5 million dollars)…Brand was only kept this year to help the young Sixers get wins,make a strong playoff Impact and Free up Cap next Year…He is doing all the above on schedule…That terrible waste of Cap space could land us Dwight Howard next summer…This is all hinging on Howard pulling his head out of his ass and realizing Philly is Built for Championship Glory, they just need a Super Star to lead the way…

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  • #631079
    AvatarAvatar
    BothTeamsPlayedHard
    Participant

    Who knows if it is true, but it is far and away the best free agent story in the history of sports.

    http://www.aolnews.com/2007/07/04/brian-cardinals-stupid-contract-explained/

    How big are Jerry West’s balls? Mark Montieth of the Indianapolis Star presents evidence:

    An exceptionally well-connected league insider once told me the story of how Brian Cardinal got his mid-level. Seems Memphis owner Michael Heisley, frustrated by general manager Jerry West’s lack of activity, walked into West’s office one day and asked why he hadn’t signed anyone yet. So an exasperated West picked up his phone, called Cardinal’s agent and offered the mid-level on the spot. Then he turned to Heisley and said something along the lines of "There, you happy now?"
     

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