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

By Josh Cornelissen

Eddy Curry, New York Knicks, Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Eddy Curry, New York Knicks, Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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John Amaechi, Utah Jazz
John Amaechi, Utah Jazz (Photo credit should read NELL REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images) /

Worst free agent signing in Utah Jazz history: John Amaechi

4 Years, $12 million

The 6-foot-10 John Amaechi was used to being a unique person throughout his career. He is unique in being a British player in the NBA; he also became the first undrafted player to start his first game. Unfortunately for the Utah Jazz, he is also unique in how little positive value he provided on his contract.

After playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and later the Orlando Magic, Amaechi signed a four-year, $12 million contract. At first that seems like a reasonable number, but the problem is that he was completely dreadful for the Jazz.

After playing all 82 games for Orlando in 2000-01, Amaechi only appeared in 54 games the next year, and 50 in 2002-03. He averaged 2.6 points per game during his time on the Jazz, barely making it onto the floor. The following year, they moved him to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Glen Rice.

Amaechi did not have a huge scandal, nor a gruesome injury, nor drop off a cliff as a player. He just couldn’t play when he did get a chance.