Least Bang for the Buck NBA Players

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 5, 2009

Least Bang for the Buck NBA Players

Jemaine O'Neal, Heat

(All stats are through April 2.)<br><br>Acquired by the Raptors last summer to help Chris Bosh up front, O'Neal produced his worst offensive stats since becoming a regular starter in 2000. After a 21-34 start, Toronto traded O'Neal to Miami, where the 30-year-old center has maintained his disappointing production (13.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg).

Tracy McGrady, Rockets

After shooting a career-low 38.8 percent while shuffling in and out of the lineup with knee soreness, McGrady underwent season-ending microfracture surgery in February. The Rockets won 17 of their next 22 games without McGrady to move into contention for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Stephon Marbury, Celtics

Marbury didn't play a single minute this season for the Knicks, who finally agreed to a contract buyout with the point guard in late February. Since signing with the Celtics for a prorated portion of the veteran's minimum, Marbury hasn't contributed much off the bench.

Bobby Simmons, Nets

Simmons' production has sagged since he parlayed a career year with the Clippers into a six-year, $57 million deal with the Bucks. In his first year with the Nets, Simmons is averaging 7.8 points as a part-time starter.

Ben Wallace, Cavaliers

Big Ben has never been paid to score, but at age 34, he hasn't been quite as effective stopping others from doing the same. Though he continues to start when healthy (he's been out since breaking his leg Feb. 26), Wallace is averaging only 24 minutes a game.

Eddy Curry, Knicks

Curry arrived in training camp out of shape and quickly found himself in new coach Mike D'Antoni's doghouse. A knee injury and the tragic death of a former girlfriend and his 9-month-old daughter kept Curry out of action until late March. He's played only a handful of games all season.

Larry Hughes, Knicks

Unable to crack the Bulls' starting lineup at the beginning of the season, Hughes played inconsistently while complaining about his minutes and clashing with coach Vinny Del Negro. Hughes was benched for 10 games before he asked to be deactivated, a request the team granted before shipping him to New York. Hughes gained a starting spot with the Knicks but shot only 37.9 percent in his first 19 games.

Antoine Walker, free agent

After being told in training camp that he wasn't in the Grizzlies' plans, Walker was placed on the inactive list for the first month-and-a-half of the season. A few days before Christmas, Memphis gave Walker the gift of a contract buyout. Walker hasn't caught on with another team -- unless you count his upcoming appearance on the new season of Spike TV's <i>Pros vs. Joes</i>.

Jerome James, Bulls

James (top left) headlines the list of mid-level-exception mistakes, which includes (clockwise from top right) DeSagana Diop, Matt Carroll and Jared Jeffries. James, who was acquired from the Knicks before the trade deadline, has appeared in two games all season.

Baron Davis, Clippers

From his early-season disagreement with coach Mike Dunleavy to his 37.1 percent shooting to his quarterbacking of one of the NBA's worst teams, it's clear neither Davis nor the Clippers are very happy with last summer's marriage for five years and $65 million.

Gilbert Arenas, Wizards

A few months after signing a 6-year, $111-million extension to remain in Washington, Arenas was sidelined by his third knee surgery in two years. Arenas returned in late March to a team that is challenging for the worst record in the league.

Raef LaFrentz, Trail Blazers

The big man had surgery in September to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, ending his season before it began. While the Blazers were not able to turn LaFrentz's expiring contract into anything at the trade deadline, his injury allowed them to recoup most of his salary in insurance payments.