50 Greatest NBA Players Without A Championship (Updated Through 2015-16)
By Phil Watson
46. Terry Cummings
San Diego Clippers 1982-94; Milwaukee Bucks 1984-89, 1995-96; San Antonio Spurs 1989-95; Seattle SuperSonics 1996-97; Philadelphia 76ers 1997-98; New York Knicks 1998; Golden State Warriors 1998-2000
The well-traveled Terry Cummings was the No. 2 overall pick out of DePaul by the San Diego Clippers in 1982 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1982-83.
After two years without postseason play, Cummings was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks along with Craig Hodges and Ricky Pierce in September 1984 in exchange for Marques Johnson, Junior Bridgeman, Harvey Catchings and cash.
With the Bucks, Cummings was a two-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA pick, finishing fifth in the MVP voting in 1984-85. But Milwaukee could only advance as far as the conference finals once, in 1986.
In May 1989, Cummings was on the move again, this time along with a 1990 second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Alvin Robertson, Greg Anderson and a second-round selection in 1989.
The Spurs were in the conference finals in 1995, advancing no further.
Cummings then began the “jump-around” stage of his career. He signed with the Bucks in November 1995, went to the Seattle SuperSonics in January 1997, signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in September 1997, was traded to the New York Knicks for Herb Williams and Ron Grandison in February 1998, was dealt with Chris Mills and John Starks to the Golden State Warriors in January 1999 for Latrell Sprewell and retired in October 2000.
There were only two playoff appearances during that latter stage, both ending in the second round.
In retirement, he took a turn in music, releasing an album entitled T.C. Finally in 2007.
The final tally on Cummings’ playoff career:
NBA Finals: 0-0
Conference Finals: 0-2
Conference Semifinals: 2-7
First Round: 9-4
Next: 45. Agent Zero ... As In Titles