Which Pick Was Worse – Hasheem Thabeet vs Greg Oden

 

NBA Draft week is always an exciting week. But it also serves as a time of reflection around the league. Who has nailed their previous picks and who has missed. Two prominent players who come up on every “all time busts” lists are Hasheem Thabeet and Greg Oden. The problem with both players, it’s not just that they didn’t have the necessary impact for their teams, it’s who they passed on. Three league MVPs were chosen immediately after these respective players and have had everlasting consequences to both the Grizzlies and Blazers franchises.

 

Hasheem Thabeet

• #2 overall pick in 2009 draft to the Grizzlies
• Career lasted 2009-2014
• Played 224 games (started 20)
• 2.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.8 bpg
• 56.7% FG, 57% FT
• 10.3 PER
• Uconn starts (averaged over 3 years)  – 10.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg
• Also played for the Rockets, Blazers, Thunder

2009 NBA Draft: Clippers chose Blake Griffin #1 and Grizzlies chose Thabeet 2. Grizzlies could have had James Harden (#3) or Steph Curry (#7). Harden is expected to win MVP in 2018 and Steph Curry won the award twice and a three-time NBA champion

Greg Oden 

• #1 overall pick in 2007
• Career lasted 2008-2014
• Played 105 games (started 66)
• Missed his rookie season in 2007-08 and missed 3 full seasons from 2010-2013
• Attempted comeback with Heat in 2013-14 but was cut short
• 8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg
• 57.4 %FG,
• 18.7 career PER
• Ohio State career – 1 season averae 15.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg

2007 NBA Draft: Portland chose Greg Oden over Kevin Durant. Durant has been to three NBA finals, won 2 titles, 2x NBA finals MVP, league MVP 2014, 9x all star

Caught in the Net: Revisionist History on Brooklyn’s Bad Trade Habits

 

2018 marks the third (and hopefully final) year that the Nets do not have their own lottery pick. Some really horrible decision making by the Nets front office has set them back as they have been unable to draft some of the top prospects. Not only the lack of picks, but the guys who have been picked with picks the Nets traded have mostly turned to stars.

Where would that team, made up of players drafted by a Nets pick traded by Billy King since 2010, rank in the eastern conference?

Starting 5:
Damian Lillard
Jaylen Brown
Kyle Kuzma
Jayson Tatum
Draymond Green

Bench:
Enes Kanter, Gorgi Dieng, Shane Larkin, Kelly Oubre

The problem started in 2011, the Nets first acquired Deron Williams followed by Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, then Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce (Wallace was traded for Pierce and Garnett, never played with them). The Nets mortgaged their future, and sacrificed the chance at above names to win a total of 10 playoff games over a three year stretch. The lineup that appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated (Williams, Johnson, Garnett, Pierce and Brook Lopez, coached by Jason Kidd) lasted just one year.

Nets/Celtics trade costs Brooklyn 4 years worth of first round picks
Full trade: In June 2014, Nets acquiredKevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and D.J. White from the Boston Celtics for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans, three first-round picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), plus the right to swap first-rounders in 2017.

Let’s start with the most recent and famous trade involving the Celtics back in 2014. The 2014 pick was a bust (James Young). But in 2016, the Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown third overall and in 2017, drafted Jason Tatum third overall. While Tatum was one of the top rookies in the 2018 class, the Celtics actually had the first pick and traded down with Philly, which means the Nets could have had their pick of Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Tatum or any other rookie. Both of those players are considered key core players to the Celtics future at the top of the east, although there is talk that at least one could also be used to acquire another all star (Kahwi Leonard). Either way, the Celtics have two incredibly gifted assets to move forward with.

The 2018 pick will be used by the Cavs. The Celtics traded it as part of a deal for Kyrie Irving last summer (note – Kyrie is not included in the trade above because it was a second hand trade made with a Nets pick, not a direct trade). Therefore, the book has officially closed on the Nets/Celtics components of this trade.

As for the trade details for Brooklyn – future hall of famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce never lived up to the championship hype. Garnett averaged career lows all across the board. In 2013-14 he played just 54 games, 20.5 minutes per game, 6.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg (all career lows) and his Nets career lasted just 89 games.

Paul Pierce lasted just one year in Brooklyn, playing 75 games, averaging 28 minutes per game, and 13.5 ppg – like Garnett, all career lows.

The rarely spoken Gerald Wallace Mistake
Full trade: In March 2012, Nets acquire Gerald Wallace from Blazers for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a 2012 first round pick (top 3 protected)

One of the players the Nets traded in the above Celtics deal, Gerald Wallace, was part of the deal mostly for salary matching purposes. Due to the enormity of the Celtics deal, this one often gets overlooked.
In 2012, after failing to acquire Dwight Howard, the Nets were looking to make a big move and pulled the trigger on Gerald Wallace. The draft pick they traded was protected only for top 3, and the Blazers would take Damian Lillard 6th overall. Wallace would be rewarded with a 4 year $40 million contract, which seemed a bit much at the team. Wallace’s numbers would not improve. He never fit in chemistry wise with the Nets, his numbers were down across the board and he was often injured, with injuries derailing the remainder of his career. He played just 85 games with the Nets.
Meanwhile, Lillard is a three time all-star in Portland

Before the Celtics blockbuster there was the Jazz blockbuster that cost three first round picks
Full trade: In February 2011, Nets acquired Deron Williams for Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, 2011 first round pick and 2013 first round pick.

Before the Celtics trade, there was the Jazz blockbuster that cost the Nets “only” three first rounds (they had to one up themselves with Boston). The acquisition of Williams set the tone for the franchise as he was the first building block.

While technically only two picks were dealt, Derrick Favors was halfway through his rookie season when he was traded to the Jazz. Favors lasted just 56 games as a Net and has spent his whole career with Utah. He has been a quality role player for the Jazz, averaging roughly 12 ppg and 7 rpg throughout his career.
The 2011 first round pick, #3 overall, turned into Enes Kanter. Kanter has bounced around a couple of teams (was with Knicks in 2018) and has averaged near a double double for his career but is a minus defender, which negatively impacts people’s perception of him. He can only score if he is a few feet away from the basket too.

The 2013 pick turned into Gorgui Dieng, now a member of the Timberwolves, another guy who is an excellent rebounder and good low post scorer.

As for Deron Williams? Mixed bag. Williams did play 277 games for the Nets. In 2012, he signed a 5 year, $99 million max contract. At the time, it was a huge deal for the Nets, literally and figuratively, because it showed their seriousness with winning and spending money to do so. Williams would last just three more seasons in Brooklyn, getting waived in 2015 with two years left on his deal. The Nets did make the playoff three times with Williams, but never got past the second round.
  
Iso Joe costs the Nets another two first round picks 
Full trade: In July 2012, Nets acquire Joe Johnson from Atlanta Hawks for Jordan Farmer, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams, and a 2013 first round pick

The Nets kicked off the summer of 2012 with this trade, and at the time raised some eye brows, but did make sense. After months of pursuing Dwight Howard, they wanted more star power in Brooklyn and traded a handful of players for “Iso Joe”. In 2010, with the Hawks, Johnson signed one of the craziest contracts in NBA history (at that time) signing a 6 year, $128 million deal. For the Hawks, this trade was a way to get out from under that contract. The Nets, really didn’t trade much as far as players and the draft picks didn’t pan out as stars.

In 2013, the Mavs (after this pick exchanged hands a couple times) drafted Shane Larkin 17th overall and in 2015 the Hawks drafted Kelly Ombre 15th overall (before trading him to the Wizards).
Johnson played 288 games for the Nets (starting all of them) from the time he was acquired in 2012 until 2016, when he was bought out mid season. Johnson averaged 15 ppg and despite the negativity around his contract was always a reliable and often clutch player for the Nets.
 
Draymond Green could have been a Net? 
This trade didn’t have major implications at the time and this trade is overlooked as it was made the same time as the Nets acquisition of Gerald Wallace. But in 2012, the Nets traded (what was hoped to be an innocent) second round pick and Troy Murphy to the Warriors for Dan Gadzuric and Brandon Wright. Not a horrible trade at the time, but that second round pick became, Draymond Green, a three time NBA champion and all star.

Saying good bye to the franchise
Brook Lopez was the true franchise of the Nets. He spent 8 years in New Jersey/Brooklyn and holds many franchise records. In the summer of 2017, two nights before the NBA draft, the Nets traded Brook Lopez and the 27th pick to the Lakers for D’angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. Russell was the 2nd overall pick in 2015 so it seemed like a good idea, but the Lakers used the 27th pick to draft Kyle Kuzma.

Kuzma played 30 mpg and averaged 16 ppg, 6 rpg for the Lakers and Russell played just 48 games due to injury, averaging 15.5 ppg and 5 apg. Mozgov was only included because the Lakers wanted to shed his salary and he was the price the Nets paid to acquire Russell. He started the first 13 games and played sparingly after that (31 games total, 2 years left on contract)

Since 2010, the year the Nets hired Billy King, their first round picks include:

• 2010 – #3 Derrick Favors (last 56 games before being traded for Derron Williams)
• 2010 – #27 – Jordan Crawford (traded to the Nets before ever playing a game)
• 2011 – #27 – JaJuan Johnson (traded to Celtics for Marshon Brooks – never had much of an NBA game)
• 2013- #22 Mason Plumlee (traded on draft night for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson)
• 2015 – #29 Chris McCullough (played 38 games for Nets, traded to Wizards in 2016)
• 2017 – #22 Jarrett Allen (played 72 games a rookie, averaged 8 ppg and showed potential!)
• Allen was the first first round draft pick made by new GM Sean Marks.

In summary, the Nets have 3 playoff appearances (1 series win) and an average record of 31-49, 148 games below .500.

Farewell Billy King and cheers to a brighter future in Brooklyn!

MikeDrop: UConn is to Blame for Struggles, Not AAC

 

It was announced over the weekend that the UConn Huskies would leave the American Athletic Conference for the Big East, effective 2020-21 seasons in all sports, except football.

This is huge news, and undoubtedly the right move, and a long time coming, for the Huskies basketball program. UConn belongs in the Big East because of it’s storied history there and because of it’s proximity to local teams like Providence, St John’s, Seton Hall.

But while everyone is focused on the positives and the excitement this brings to UConn and college basketball as a whole, people continue to slander the AAC and continue to praise UConn for the program they once were and not the program they have been the last few years.

I am sick and tired of hearing UConn fans and mainstream media blast the AAC and use it as a reason why UConn has struggled the last few years.

“We’re too good for this conference”

The last three years of Huskies basketball have been really disappointing, but rather than take ownership of the failures, people have been quick to blame AAC for UConn’s struggles.

Fans and media will have you believe that UConn was always “too good for the AAC”. Well here are some facts – Huskies never won won the AAC championship. They finished third in conference in 2014 but other than that never finished higher than sixth. In each of the last three years, UConn has finished below .500 (46-52 overall) and 22-32 in AAC play. They have a losing record vs Tulsa (3-6), SMU (4-8), Temple (6-7), to name a few.

And yes, I know about all of the National Championships from the past, including the most recent one in 2014. But fans and media have everyone believing UConn is too good for this conference and that could not be further from the truth. How can you be too good if you can’t win?

“We struggled because the conference stinks”

On one hand, UConn is too good for the AAC, despite their lack of success. But on the other hand, their lack of success is because the conference stinks. Excuses, excuses…

“The reason for their struggles was because of the conference, because you can’t recruit in the AAC.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. Here is UConn’s recruiting ranks each year in the AAC

• 21 in 2019
• 117 in 2018 (coaching transition year)
• 84 in 2017
• 8 in 2016
• 47 in 2015
• 46 in 2014

Those are pretty good recruiting classes, which means UConn should have been pretty good! But they weren’t because the conference stinks I guess, or something like that.

Cincinnati has not produced many highly ranked recruiting classes or even individual top recruits, yet they have made the tournament every year in the AAC. Good coaching means something. (yes, they didn’t have success in March, but making the tournament is still better than not…). Memphis has the #1 recruiting class in the country (IN THE COUNTRY!). Out of the AAC. Tell me again, what’s UConn’s excuse?

“No one wants to play in Tulsa on a Tuesday night”

I keep hearing Tulsa used as the dart board for reasons why the AAC geographically stinks. I get it, UConn wants local opponents from their past, they want to play at MSG.

Maybe the AAC does lack exciting opponents – I get why UConn fans wouldn’t be super psyched to see Tulsa, Tulane, and East Carolina come to Storrs/Hartford. But how come Cincinnati and Houston have been selling out their arenas against those opponents? Is it possible that it’s more than just the opponents and that attendance is down because the team has struggled?

As noted above, Tulsa has a winning record vs UConn since the start of the AAC. But keep telling me how they are beneath UConn.

Jim Calhoun is a legend

In hindsight, Jim Calhoun deserves so much more credit for what UConn was during his tenure. I don’t think being in the Big East will help UConn get back to the level they once were, though it should help a little bit. The level they once were is credited solely to Calhoun. Kevin Ollie and now Bobby Hurley have done what they can recruiting and it will definitely help Hurley to have a Big East logo on his chest, but this still isn’t the same Big East. And this isn’t the same UConn. And it never again will be.

“MSG has all the appeal”

Everyone points to “the mecca of basketball” New York City as a big draw for the Big East. But here’s the truth – many teams from all over the country play in NYC and Madison Square Garden. You don’t have to play at UConn or play in the Big East to play at MSG.

Here’s a list of teams that played at MSG in 2018 – West Virginia, Texas Tech, Florida, Oklahoma, Iowa, Oregon (among others). In recent years, AAC teams like Temple, Cincinnati, Memphis have all played at The Garden.

Bottom line is, there are many ways to play in Madison Square Garden, than to just play in the Big East.

AAC Will Survive and Thrive

AAC basketball has been very strong the past few years and will continue to move forward. Reminder, even though “the Big East is clearly superior to the AAC”, both conferences had the same amount of NCAA Tournament teams in 2019.

Despite the public’s perception, AAC will not struggle without UConn. Huskies have been irrelevant the last three years and outside of their first season in the conference, in 2013-14 when they won the National Championship as an 7 seed, they haven’t been a factor at all in the AAC race.

Sure. UConn represents a strong brand name. But Memphis also has a strong brand name and they enter 2019-20 with the #1 recruiting class and a big name coach in Penny Hardaway. Cincinnati has been to the NCAA Tournament 9 straight times and should be on track for #10. Houston is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019 and UCF and Temple both made the tournament as well. Wichita State took a step back, but they are a house hold name who should be back in the tourney picture in 2020.

Don’t disrespect the AAC – it’s a very strong, quality basketball conference who has survived the last three years without UConn and will now move forward without their brand name as well.

What about Football?

The consensus on twitter and social media seems that UConn will be Independent beginning in 2020. I think fans have a much different perception of how Independence works vs. the reality of the situation.

The reality is that it is not easy to be independent. UConn will struggle to find home-and-home series with 12 teams a year, because it will be hard to find teams that straight up want to come to Storrs and quite franky UConn doesn’t have the money to pay teams for “buy games”.

Also, what incentive is there for players to come to UConn now that there is no conference championship at stake. And now that the strength of schedule might take a serious dip. “Come to UConn – if we win 6 games, we’ll celebrate by playing a bowl game in St Petersburg or Boise.” That sounds like the saddest recruiting pitch of all time.

It’s a small sample size, yes, but UConn is not that much different from schools like UMass and New Mexico State (also Independents). UConn is incomparable to Notre Dame, BYU, and Army (despite folks’ best efforts to try).

There is no market, no audience for UConn football. Whatever television deal they got (something local, like SNY/MSG) wouldn’t gross one quarter of the revenue that the AAC TV deal would. And if they play half (or more) of their games on the road, what’s even the point?

UConn is simply better off simply folding the football program and putting all of their resources into basketball. It’s what’s best for the school.

2017 NBA Draft Regrets

 

Sixers decision to trade up to #1 

Coming into the 2017 draft, Markelle Fultz was the consensus #1 pick. Philly was still in their “trust the process” phase and finished with the third pick in the lottery. Celtics won the lottery, with the Nets pick and a week before the draft swapped #1 for #3 and Philly also included the Kings 2019 pick (#14 this year).

Celtics took Jayson Tatum at #3 who is certainly one of the top players from the draft. Fultz played a grand total of 33 games for Philly, starting 15 this past season and 0 as a rookie. This was a huge whiff for a team with a championship-level core of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Fultz was traded to the Magic at this past trade deadline, cutting the cord on this huge mistake.

The Celtics, meanwhile, value Tatum so much that they refused to include him in trade talks for Anthony Davis.

Knicks decision to draft Frank Ntilikina over Dennis Smith Jr

In Phil Jackson’s final move as Knicks team President, before being fired a week later, he drafted Frank Ntilikina out of Italy, one pick before the more polished and well-known Dennis Smith Jr, went one pick later to Dallas. I refuse to criticize the Knicks for passing on Donovan Mitchell, because I wasn’t a fan at the time and felt Malik Monk was higher on the wish list than Mitchell.

Anyways, Frank has played just 43 games this past season and has shown raw ability on the offensive end, averaging 5.9 ppg and 3.1 apg through two seasons. Dennis Smith Jr is now Frank’s Knicks teammate, following a trade this past February involving Kristaps Prozingis. The fact that Smith was the centerpiece of the players aspect of the trade has to hurt even more.

Hornets take Malik Monk over Donovan Mitchell 

I didn’t criticize the Knicks for passing on Mitchell, but I will criticize the Hornets. Malik Monk has averaged 7.9 ppg in 15.5 mpg through his first two seasons while Mitchell has led the Jazz to back-to-back playoff appearances while averaging 33 mpg and scoring 22 ppg

Bucks take DJ Wilson over John Collins 

DJ Wilson made virtually no contribution to the team with the NBA’s best record, while John Collins has developed into a very solid player for the Hawks, averaging 19.5 ppg and 9.8 rpg in 2018-19. Wilson has played just 70 games (only 22 as a rookie) through his first two years in the league.

6 NBA Draft Night Trade Regrets (last decade)

 

Every year there are dozens of trades the night of the NBA Draft. There is an oddity about the NBA Draft that trades are completed after the picks are made. That means some guys walk up on stage with one hat, and swap it out for a different one later in the evening.

But hat or not hat, these teams made a great pick – for some other team. A look back at 6 trades that have shook the landscape of the NBA over the past decade.

Nuggets trade Rudy Gobert to Jazz

In 2013, Nuggets picked Gobert 27th and traded him on draft night for the 46th pick (Erick Green) and cash. Gobert was Third Team All-NBA in 2019 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2018

Nuggets trade Donovan Mitchell to Jazz

Maybe Denver should stop trading with Utah on draft night? Nuggets took Mitchell 13th and sent him to Denver for Trey Lyles and the 24th pick (Tyler Lydon).

Magic acquire Serge Ibaka

In 2016, the Magic drafted Domantas Sabonis 11th overall. Minutes later, he was traded to the Thunder along with Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova for Ibaka, who played 56 games in Orlando. Magic traded Ibaka to the Raptors in 2017 for Terrence Ross. One year later, the Thunder would package Sabonis and Oladipo to the Thunder for Paul George.

Wolves trade several first round picks for Jimmy Butler

During the 2017 draft, Bulls traded Jimmy Butler to Minnesota for, what essentially amount to, three first round picks – they acquired the rights to #7 and draft Lauri Markannen, 2016 first round pick Kris Dunn, and 2014 first round pick Zach LaVine. Butler played 69 games for the Wolves and led them to one playoff game victory.

Pacers drafted Kawhi Leonard

In 2011, Pacers drafted Leonard and traded him immediately to the Spurs for George Hill. Hill spent 5 years with the Pacers on some good Indy teams. Leonard’s story is known – won the NBA Finals and Finals MVP in 2014 with the Spurs, knocking off the Heat and just did the same with the Raptors, knocking off the Warriors.

Thunder traded Eric Bledsoe to Clippers

Bledsoe was the #18 pick in the 2010 draft and traded immediately to the Thunder for a future first round pick. That pick was later used by the Thunder as part of a package with Jeff Green to the Celtics for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson.

Bobcats drafted Tobias Harris for the Bucks

This was such a weird trade – in 2011, the Bobcats, Kings, and Bucks completed a three team trade on draft night. Bobcats came away with Corey Maggette and the #7 pick, which was Bismack Biyombo, Kings got John Salmons and the #10 pick, which was Jimmer Fredette, and the Bucks came away with Beno Udrih, Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston, and the #18 pick, Tobias Harris.

Beyond the past decade

I could go on and on about various trades – Hornets drafted Kobe Bryant #13 in 1996 and traded him to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. The same year, Bucks traded #4 pick Stephon Marbury to the Wolves for #5 Ray Allen.

Two years later, another #4 for #5 trade occurred when the Warriors drafted Vince Carter 4th and traded him to the Raptors for his UNC teammate Antawn Jamison.

That same 1998 draft, Bucks drafted Dirk Nowitzki 9th overall and traded him to the Mavs that same night. He was swapped for Robert “Tractor” Traylor, who the Mavs picked 6th overall.

Nets Draft Picks Dream Team

 

The Brooklyn, and previously New Jersey, Nets deserve a lot of criticism for trades they have made over the years involving their draft picks.

Most of the media and fan laughter comes at the expense of the famous Celtics trade, but that’s not the worst thing the Nets did.

Here’s a look back at the guys who should have, could have been on the Nets

PG Damian Lillard
SG Jaylen Brown
SF Kyle Kuzma
PF Draymond Green
C Enes Kanter

Bench:
Gorgi Dieng, Shane Larkin, Kelly Oubre, Markelle Fultz

Trades

In June 2014, Nets acquired Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and D.J. White from the Boston Celtics for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans, three first-round picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), plus the right to swap first-rounders in 2017.

How draft picks were utilized:

• 2014 – James Young #18
• 2016 – Jaylen Brown #3
• 2017 – Markelle Fultz #1 to 76ers*
• 2018 – Collin Sexton #8 to Cavs

*Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum third overall in 2017, after trading down with the 76ers. Philly took Markelle Fultz #1. You could debate which one of these guys would have, should have been Nets, but we’ll give the nod to Fultz above since he was the consensus #1 pick coming into 2017 draft.

Celtics were able to use the final pick as part of the package they sent to Cleveland in 2017 for Kyrie Irving. Ironically, Irving may leaving Brown and Tatum to join the Nets in 2019.

In March 2012, Nets acquired Gerald Wallace from Blazers for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a 2012 first round pick (top 3 protected)

How draft pick was utilized:

• 2012 – Damian Lillard #6

In February 2011, Nets acquired Deron Williams for Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, 2011 first round pick and 2013 first round pick.

How draft picks were utilized:

• 2011 – Enes Kanter #3
• 2013 – Gorgui Dieng #21 to Wolves

*Dieng was drafted by the Timberwolves, who acquired this pick as part of a trade involving the Jazz drafting Trey Burke.

In July 2012, Nets acquire Joe Johnson from Atlanta Hawks for Jordan Farmer, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams, and a 2013 first-round pick, a 2017 second-round pick, the option to swap 2014 or 2015 first-round picks

How the draft picks were utilized:

• 2013 – Shane Larkin #18 to Mavs
• 2015 – Kelly Oubre #15 to Wizards
• 2017 – Frank Jackson #31 to Pelicans

Hawks traded Larkin to Mavs on draft night for #16 pick Lucas Nogueria, Jared Cunningham, and Mike Muscala

Hawks traded Oubre on draft night to the Wizards for the #19 pick, which was Jerian Grant. Grant was immediately traded by Atlanta to the Knicks for Tim Hardaway Jr

In 2012, Nets acquired Dan Gadzuric and Brandon Wright for Troy Murphy and a 2012 second round pick

How the draft pick was utilized:

• 2012 – Draymond Green #35

In June 2017, Nets acquired D’angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov from the Lakers for Brook Lopez and the #27 pick in 2017

How the draft pick was utilized:

• 2017 – Kyle Kuzma #27

Revisiting NBA Free Agency – Summer 2016

 

The summer of 2016 was a fascinating time for the NBA. A loophole in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, due to the influx in cash from the latest television negotiations, led to a huge spike in the salary cap. Essentially, every team in the league had near max cap space to work with. Teams wasted little time and plenty of money filling out their rosters.

Honorable Mentions:

Jeremy Lin, Brooklyn Nets – 3 years, $36 million

Cole Aldrich, Minnesota Timberwolves –  3 years $22 million

Solomon Hill, New Orleans Pelicans – 4 years, $34 million 

Andrew Nicholson, Washington Wizards –  4 years, $26 million 

Chicago Bulls – Dwayne Wade – 2 years, $47 million

13 Teams Who Made Horrible Contract Decisions

13. Jon Leuer, Detroit Pistons 

Contract details: 4 years, $42 million

Current situation: Traded to Bucks on draft night for #30 pick and Tony Snell

When Leuer signed with the Pistons, he was a career 6 points per game scorer. He did average a career high 10.8 ppg in his first season with Detroit but in 2019 averaged just 3.8 ppg in less than 10 mpg.

12. Nic Batum and Marvin Williams, Hornets

Contract details: Batum – 5 years, $130 million; Williams – 4 years, $54 million

Current situation: Batum’s contract runs through the end of the 2020-21 season; Williams picked up his $18 million option for 2019-20

In the Hornets’ defense, coming off a playoff appearance in 2016 this seemed like the right move. The problem was always going to be the long term implications on the salary cap, and that’s the issue facing Hornets entering the 2019 offseason. All Star/franchise player Kemba Walker is a free agent. He is likely to return to Charlotte, but the issue is the Hornets’ resources to surround Walker with talent is limited and these two crazy contracts are part of the reason.

Batum’s numbers have decreased each year of his contract and are below his career averages. A guy who succeeded early on with his athleticism, has lost a lot of it.

Williams has been consistent and steady. The problem with Williams is his consistency (10 ppg, 5 rpg) is below average for an $18 million man. He’s a solid role player who is paid like he should be one of the top players on the team.

11. Darrell Arthur, Denver Nuggets

Contract details: 3 years $23 million

Current situation: Did not play in NBA in 2018-19

Arthur’s career average is 6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, which was enough to earn him this contract I guess. He played 60 games over two years and was traded to the Nets last summer in a salary dump and immediately waived. He did not play in the NBA in 2018-19.

10. Dwight Howard and Kent Bazemore, Atlanta Hawks

Contract details: Dwight Howard – 3 years/$70 million; Kent Bazemore – 4 years/$70.5 million

Current situation: Dwight Howard spent 2018-19 with the Wizards; Bazemore has one more year remaining on his contract and is still (for now) with the Hawks

Howard’s 3 year deal spanned four teams – he was a solid contributor for the Hawks in 2016 and was traded to the Hornets for nothing in 2017. He averaged 16.6 ppg in 2017, his highest since 2014. In 2018, he was traded to the Nets and immediately waived before signing with the Wizards. He played just 9 games in 2019.

Bazemore averaged 11.6 ppg in 2019 and is only a career 8.7 ppg scorer. He never has and likely never will justify the contract the Hawks gave him and is currently a role player on a rebuilding team, that is impacting their potential cap space.

9. Tyler Johnson and Hassan Whiteside, Heat

Contract details: Johnson – 4 years, $50 million; Whiteside – 4 years, $98 million

Current situation: Heat traded Tyler Johnson in February to the Suns and he has one year left on his contract; Whiteside opted into his contract to remain with Heat for 2019-20

Blame the Nets for the inflated Johnson contract. Nets presented him with an absurd offer sheet and for some reason the Heat felt they just had to keep him at any cost. Johnson is not a bad player but the problem is the contract the Nets gave him was backloaded. Johnson made just $5 million each of the first two years, but made $19 million in 2018-19 and will make another $19 million in 2019-20.

Whiteside had a career resurgence in 2015-16, which was convenient timing for him to be eligible for free agency. That year, he averaged career highs in points (14.2 ppg), rebounds (11.8 rpg), and led the league in blocks (3.7 bpg), while also being the healthiest he has ever been, playing 73 games. He also averaged 12 ppg, 11 rpg in the playoffs that season. His numbers actually climbed to 17 ppg, 14 rpg in 2016-17 but have declined each of the last two years. In the 2017-18 playoffs, Whiteside averaged less than 20 minutes per game. His issue is his lack of athleticism and shooting ability.

8. Ian Mahimi, Wizards

Contract details: 4 years, $64 million

Current situation: 2019-20 will be the final year of his contract with the Wizards (pending a buyout this summer)

Ian Mahimi has started just 98 games in his 9 year career seasons, with career averages of 5.0 ppg and 4.3 rpg. He has maintained around those averages through three years in Washington, while playing less than 15 minutes per game the last two years. Mahimi is not just overpaid at $16 million per year, he is ruining the Wizards chances of finding outside improvements as a detriment to their cap sheet. Wizards might be best served buying him out via stretch provision to save some money and move on from this disaster.

7. Ryan Anderson, Houston Rockets

Contract Details: 4 years $80 million.

Current situation: Traded to the Suns at trade deadline

The Rockets tried to trade Anderson from the day he signed his contract and finally succeed in 2019, moving him to Phoenix. Anderson did average 17 ppg the year prior to signing this contract with the Pelicans, and the idea of having stretch four hitting threes off the bench for a team looking to run and shoot seemed like a good idea in theory.

6. Magic – Bismack Biyombo, Evan Fournier

Contract Details: Bismack Biyombo – 4 years, $72 million; Evan Fournier – 4 years, $85 million

Current situation: Both players are entering the final year of their contracts in 2019-20; Biyombo is currently on the Hornets; Fournier is still with the Magic

Magic are one of several teams on this list who made more than one terrible decision. Let’s start with Biyombo, who actually was coming off a very strong performance in the 2015-16 playoffs with the Raptors. But being a defensive rim stopper with minimal offensive ability is not worth anywhere near $18 million, especially in this era of the NBA. Even more especially, when you have Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic on the roster too.

Fournier is a quality player, who averaged 17 ppg each of the first two seasons and 15 ppg last season. I always viewed Fournier as a really solid contributor to a playoff team, which, finally, the Magic were again in 2018-19. Still, paying over $20 million to a role player, who can score and not do much else never seemed like a wise investment. Now that the Magic are on the upswing, their financial situation is complicated and the Fournier contract doesn’t help.

5. Joakim Noah, Knicks

Contract Details: 4 years, $72 million

Current situation: Was bought out before the 2018-19 season and spent the year with the Grizzlies. Will enter free agency in 2019

We excluded Courtney Lee (4 years, $50 million) from this list because he had been one of the Knicks best players over the last two and a half seasons.

Joakim Noah, on the other hand, was awful, if he ever played. His first season with the Knicks was injury-riddle. He started all 46 games he played, with averages dipping below his career numbers (5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 43% FT). Noah clashed with former coach Jeff Hornacek and played just 7 games in 2018, essentially being exiled for off-the-court issues, following a season opening drug suspension. Noah wasn’t welcomed back under new management in 2018-19 and ultimately bought out. He received every dollar, earning $74 million for 53 total games.

4. Bucks – Miles Plumlee, Matthew Dellavedova, Mirza Teletovic

Contract Details: Miles Plumlee – 4 years $52 million; Matthew Dellavedova – 4 years $38 million; Mirza Teletovic – 3 years, 31 million

Current situation:

Oy. Bucks didn’t do as poorly as the Lakers or other teams on this list, but none of these three players contributed to the Bucks playoff run in 2018 and all three are long gone by the time they finished 2019 with the best record.

Plumlee – traded in February 2017 to the Hornets and following the 2017 season traded to the Hawks, where he played 55 games this past season. Plumlee’s career averages of 5 ppg and 5 rpg made this contract a horrible decision from day one, but the Bucks felt like they could develop the young center and paid the price. Plumlee was initially acquired by the Bucks in 2015 as part of a deal that also included Michael Carter-Williams coming to the Bucks and Brandon Knight going to the Suns.

Dellavedova – coming off of a strong run with Cleveland, where he was considered a defensive specialist, and more of a nuisance to Steph Curry. “Delly” did average career highs in points (7.6 ppg) and assists (4.7) in 54 starts in 2016. But the emergence of 2016 rookie of the year Malcolm Brogdon and 2017 trade acquiree Eric Bledsoe bumped Delly down the depth chart. He only started 3 games last season and played in just 38. He still has two years remaining on his contract.

Teletovic – waved this past March. His 34% three point shooting was down from the year prior, but not too off base from his career averages. His overall 37% shooting was bad and the lowest of his career, he averaged just 6 ppg, down from 12 ppg the previous season.

3. Chandler Parson, Grizzlies

Contract Details: 4 years, $94 million

Current situation: Parsons has one year remaining on his contract with Grizzlies

There should be a rule against giving Parsons max deals. Several teams have now done it (Rockets, Mavs) and more have tried it (Portland was in hot pursuit at the time).

Since signing the contract, Parsons total games played each season has been 34, 36, 25 – he is making $24 million a year. His scoring average has dipped to 7.2 ppg in Memphis and he has shot just 39%, numbers that are all well below his career totals. It’s sad that injuries have derailed his once promising career, but the Grizzlies knew his injury history and yet chose to overpay him anyway.

2. Blazers – Allen Crabbe, Evan Turner, Meyers Leonard, Mo Harkless, Festus Ezeli

Contract Details: Allen Crabbe – 4 years $75 million; Evan Turner 4 years, $70 million; Meyers Leonard 4 years, $41 million; Mo Harkless 4 years, $40 million; Festus Ezeli 2 years, $15 million

Current situation: Crabbe, Turner, Leonard, Harkless all have one year remaining on their contracts; Crabbe was traded to the Nets after one year and enters 2019 on the Hawks; Turner, Leonard, Harkless remain with Portland, Ezeli hasn’t played since the 2015-16 season.

It’s amazing that the Blazers have finished in third place in the West each of the last two seasons, considering how high their cap sheet is, as a result of some highly questionable spending three years ago.

Before 2016, Crabbe had averaged 8.3 ppg and started 24 games. That earned him $18 million a year in a contract from the Nets. As a restricted free agent, the Blazers opted to match the contract but traded him to the Nets the next year for virtually nothing. While he’ll never be a team’s best player or (likely) even an All Star (most likely) he has performed well and showed promise as a role player.

Turner was largely considered a “bust” after being the second overall pick in the 2010 draft. Turner was reportedly the Blazers second option after Chandler Parsons took more money from the Grizzlies. You can almost call Turner a healthier Parsons. He has made some big plays here and there, but his career in Portland has been largely uneventful. Turner has played a big role off the bench, playing around 20 mpg. This description does not align with an $18 million player.

Leonard, a former first round pick, has seen his numbers remain consistent – he is a career 5.6 ppg scorer and has hauled in 3.7 rpg. Leonard has been so underwhelming that Portland acquired Jusef Nurkic last season and signed Enes Kanter this season, knowing that Leonard wasn’t going to elevate them.

Harkless fits the same exact description as Crabbe and Turner. A solid, nothing special player, who has been a good contibutor has been a decent role player for Portland. He averaged career highs in 2016-17 and played 77 games (starting 69). Harkless fits nicely with Lillard and McCollum and shot 41% from three in 2018. The Blazers need his outside shooting but they also need more all-around players.

After winning a championship and having a successful four year ollege career, Ezeli signed a big deal with the Blazers and never played a game for Portland due to injuries.

1. Lakers – Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov, Jordan Clarkson

Contract details: Luol Deng – 4 years, $72 million; Timofey Mozgov – 4 years, $64 million; Jordan Clarkson – 4 years $50 million

Current situation: Deng was bought out before 2018-19 and played for Timberwolves, will be free agent in 2019; Mozgov did not play in 2018-19 Clarkson on Cavs

I thought about just making the caption here “LOL” and not going in depth, but it might actually be funnier to spell this out.

Deng – in his first year, he averaged a career low 7.6 ppg (first time ever under 11 ppg) and played just 56 games, his fewest since 2012. Year 2, Deng played ONE game! Not because of injury, but because the Lakers essentially deactivated him. He was finally released last summer and spent 2018-19 with the Wolves, where he only played 22 games.

Mozgov – the jokes write themselves and nothing I can say, hasn’t already been said. Coming off of winning an NBA title with the Cavs (he wasn’t the reason though), Mozgov got PAID and returned the favor to the Lakers, playing 54 games (starting 52), averaging 7.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg. He spent 2017-18 with the Nets following a trade and didn’t play in 2018-19.

Clarkson – the good news for Clarkson is he averaged a career-high 16.8 ppg in 2018-19. But he did so with the Cavs. At the 2018 trade deadline, LA sent Clarkson and Larry Nance to the Cavs for Isaiah Thomas. He played all but one game last year. Clarkson is a quality role player on a good team, which the Lakers weren’t at the time of this contract nor were the Cavs this past year.