NBA free agency: Each team’s worst signing in franchise history

Worst free agent signing in Miami Heat history: Brian Grant

7 years, $86 million

Some players become bad contracts because they do not give their all after receiving a large payday, or because their ability declines. Brian Grant was no such player, giving his all throughout his Miami Heat tenure. He just simply wasn’t good enough to be paid as lofty as he was.

In 2000, Grant was coming off a run in the Western Conference Finals with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Heat, coming off a playoff loss and with money to spend wanted to add the pieces it needed to get over the hump. Grant was brought in to play in the frontcourt alongside Alonzo Mourning.

Grant’s play throughout his tenure was solid, and he never had major injury problems, nor pouted about being moved between center and power forward. Yet the contract he was given paid him like a star, which he was not at the time, nor did he develop into.

After four seasons as a starter in Miami, Grant’s contract finally helped the Heat, as his large salary number allowed them to meet Shaquille O’Neal’s contract for salary purposes and complete the trade. That was his legacy for the team that overpaid him and then shipped him out of town prior to winning their first title in 2006.