50 Greatest NBA/ABA Players Not In the Hall Of Fame

(Photo by Bob Stowell/Getty Images)

Terry Cummings was an All-American, a Chicago product who starred at DePaul before he was selected second overall by the San Diego Clippers in the 1982 NBA Draft.

Cummings was the Rookie of the Year in 1982-83, but the Clippers — as they often did — went for the quick fix in September 1984, dealing Cummings along with Ricky Pierce and Craig Hodges to the Milwaukee Bucks for Marques Johnson, Junior Bridgeman, Harvey Catchings and cash.

Cummings was a two-time All-NBA selection with the Bucks. He was fifth in the MVP voting in 1984-85, as well.

But in May 1989 he was traded again, this time with a second-round pick in 1990 to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Alvin Robertson, Greg Anderson and a 1989 second-rounder.

His career changed drastically in the summer of 1992, when he severely injured his knee in a pickup game. He resumed his NBA career late in the 1992-93 season, but was never again a full-time starter.

He returned to Milwaukee as an unrestricted free agent in November 1995 and, after sitting out the first two months of the season, signed with the Seattle SuperSonics in January 1997.

Cummings signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in September 1997 and was dealt to the New York Knicks in February 1998 for Herb Williams and Ron Grandison.

After the lockout ended in January 1999, Cummings was sent with John Starks and Chris Mills to the Golden State Warriors for Latrell Sprewell and, on the eve of training camp before a 19th NBA season, Cummings retired in October 2000.

In his 18 seasons, Cummings averaged 16.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.7 minutes per game, shooting .484/.295/.706.

But in the 10 years before his knee injury, those averages were 21.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.1 minutes a game on .489/.293/.715 shooting.

Cummings is 45th in NBA history with 1,183 games and 50th with 19,460 points.