The NBA is full of missed opportunities, and some free agent signings haunt franchises to this day. These are the deals that make fans cringe and executives lose sleep at night. Let's take a look at some of the most infamous failed signings in NBA history
In 2001, the Knicks inked Houston to a six-year, $100 million contract. While Houston had shown promise earlier in his career, injuries plagued him, and his production declined rapidly. The Knicks were left with a hefty contract and an underperforming player
Allan Houston to the New York Knicks
The Wizards believed they had found their franchise player in Arenas when they signed him to a six-year, $111 million deal in 2008.
Gilbert Arenas: Washington Wizards
However, injuries and off-court issues derailed his career, and the Wizards were stuck with a massive contract for a player who couldn't deliver on the court
Gilbert Arenas: Washington Wizards
In 2010, the Nets made a splash by signing Johnson to a six-year, $123.7 million contract. While Johnson had been a consistent scorer throughout his career, his production declined significantly after joining the Nets.
Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets
The team struggled to build a contender around him, and the contract became an albatross
Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets
The Magic hoped that Lewis would be the missing piece alongside Dwight Howard when they signed him to a six-year, $118 million contract in 2007. However, Lewis failed to live up to expectations, and the team couldn't build a championship-caliber roster around him. The contract hampered their flexibility for years
Rashard Lewis to the Orlando Magic
The Grizzlies took a gamble on Parsons in 2016, signing him to a four-year, $94.4 million contract. Unfortunately, injuries severely limited Parsons' impact on the court, and the Grizzlies were left with a hefty salary for a player who couldn't contribute
Chandler Parsons: Memphis Grizzlies:
These failed signings serve as cautionary tales for NBA teams, reminding them of the risks involved in free agency. It's a reminder that not every big-name player can deliver on the expectations set by their contracts