10 Worst Free Agent Signings In NBA History

The NBA is all about star power and as a result, we will see teams make extremely risky moves in free agency. Sometimes it pays off—and other times, well, it is a disaster.

Let’s check out the 10 worst free agent signings in NBA history.

Rashard Lewis

ORLANDO, FL – MAY 18: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 18, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

During the first leg of his career, Lewis was one of the best shooters in game, paired alongside Ray Allen in Seattle. The 6’ 10” shoot-first power forward enticed a lot of suitors in free agency and ended up signing with a promising young Magic team on a six-year $118 million dollar deal.

He showed some signs of life early on and was a key contributor during the Magic’s FinAs run alongside Dwight Howard, but he was never able to live up to the massive percentage of the cap he represented. So much so that he didn’t even finish the deal in Orlando, they ended up dealing him to Washington for pennies on the dollar.

Chandler Parsons

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 18: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The summer of 2016 was a special time for bad free agent signings and the deal that Memphis gave to Chandler Parsons is right up there with the worst of them.

In spite of the fact that Parsons never even earned an All-Star nod, they decided to give him $94 million over four years, thinking he could blossom into a star after averaging just under 14 PPG during his contract year in Dallas.

Memphis made a glorified role player into the 15^th-highest-paid player in the league and he rewarded them by averaging 7.1 PPG and missing a ton of time due to injury.

Jon Koncak

ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 3: Atlanta Hawks center Jon Koncak(L) and Tyronne Corbin(R) battle for a rebound against Detroit Pistons Rafael Addison(C) in first half action on 03 March in Atlnata. Atlanta defeated Detroit, 94-78. (COLOR KEY: Red letters on Pistsons jersey.) (Photo credit should read DAVID MURRAY JR./AFP via Getty Images)

$13.1 million over six years may not look like a huge figure, but in 1989 it sure was. Especially for a player like Jon Koncak, who averaged just 4.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a reserve for the Atlanta Hawks after getting the deal.

Darius Miles

ATLANTA – DECEMBER 17: Darius Miles #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers rests during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on December 17, 2004 at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Blazers won 100-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Coming out of high school Darius Miles was one of the most exciting young players in basketball, but he was struggling to fully recognize his potential with the Clippers.

Portland, eager to bring a superstar talent to the Pacific Northwest, threw a six-year 48 million deal at him, but unfortunately, knee injuries really limited his progression and ultimately his career.

Grant Hill

12 Dec 2000: Grant Hill #33 of the Orlando Magic smiles and looks on with Head Coach ”Doc” Rivers during the game against the Seattle SuperSonics at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The SuperSonics defeated the Magic 97-92. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport

The Orlando Magic deserve a pass on this one because, at the time they signed Grant Hill, he was one of the best and most complete players in the league. A nagging ankle injury, however, turned into something complex and devastating and turned Hill from a perennial All-NBA caliber player to scrappy contributor that didn’t exactly warrant a $93 million contract.

Larry Hughes

SAN ANTONIO – JUNE 10: Larry Hughes #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks across the court in Game Two against the San Antonio Spurs of the 2007 NBA Finals on June 10, 2007 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

When the Cavs signed Larry Hughes to a five-year $70 million contract in 2005, he was coming off a monster year in Washington. Cleveland had dreams that he might be LeBron’s “Scottie Pippen.”

Unfortunately, he never came close to hitting those highs again.

Elton Brand

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 01: Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles near the end of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Chicago Bulls during the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on May 1, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 109-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Elton Brand was a great player during his prime, no doubt, but it was rather curious when the 76ers gave him a nearly $80 million contract right after he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

He was a solid role player for Philly, but never fully regained form or lived up to the value of his contract.

Timofey Mozgov

LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 13: Timofey Mozgov #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court during a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sacramento won 116-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

For seemingly no reason, the Los Angeles Lakers gave lumbering center, Timofey Mozgov, a four-year $64 million contract during the 2016 offseason.

This one looked like a bad decision at the time and aged like milk in July. Within one year, Mozgov was chased out of town.

Ben Wallace

AUBURN HILLS, MI – JUNE 1: Portrait of Ben Wallace #3 of the Detroit Pistons in Game six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 1, 2004 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Pistons won 69-65 and won the series 4-2. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

During his time with the Detroit Pistons, Ben Wallace was one of the most electric defenders in the game.

Which is why the Chicago Bulls were willing to fork over $60 million over four years, despite Wallace having posted just 7.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game during his contract year in Detroit.       

The error in their ways, however, was that Wallace was already 32 years old and his high-impact, high-effort style of basketball didn’t age gracefully.

The undersized center didn’t even make it two full seasons in Chicago before the Bulls had to trade him at a loss.

Joakim Noah

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 30: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls reacts to their win in the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during the game at TD Garden on March 30, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

There are some unsuccessful signings that are tainted by misfortune or bad luck. Something goes wrong that’s outside of everyone’s control.

This was not the case when the Knicks signed Joakim Noah. There was no reason for them to fork over a four-year $72 million deal to the aging power forward, he was coming off a season with Chicago in which he averaged just 4.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

Granted, scoring was never his M.O. but still, it was clear he wasn’t the same player as he was during their heyday.

Noah, however, was old and injured and never amounted to anything in New York other than a series of depressing snapshots of him on the bench in street clothes.

10 Worst Free Agent Signings In NBA History
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