25 Worst NBA Contracts Ever

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Nov 16, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans small forward Josh Childress (8) against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of a game at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the 76ers 135-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans small forward Josh Childress (8) against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of a game at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the 76ers 135-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Josh Childress

Josh Childress started his career as a promising rookie with the Atlanta Hawks, but he spurned a five-year contract worth more than $30 million from the Hawks in order to chase a bigger payday overseas.

Childress played for Olympiacos Piraeus, of the Greek Basketball League and the Euroleague, signing for three years and $20 million.

Although less overall money, the tax breaks afforded him in Europe allowed Childress to rake in far more cash than the offer from Atlanta.

After a good, but not spectacular career in Europe, Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, fresh off letting general manager Steve Kerr walk due to a dispute on his potential contract extension, decided to play GM for a summer and handed Childress a lucrative five year, $33 million deal, along with a chance to return to the NBA.

Childress accepted, and then subsequently became unplayable, until he was finally put out to pasture via the NBA’s amnesty clause, following the latest labor dispute.

Next: 19 - Eddy Curry