NBA free agency: 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history
Larry Hughes. 16. player. 156. . Cleveland Cavaliers. 5 Years, $70 Million
Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 16. Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers
Injuries are something Larry Hughes had battled throughout much of his career. He appeared in a season-best 73 games during the 2001-02 with the Golden State Warriors. During his time with the Washington Wizards from 2002 to 2005, he emerged as quite the shooting guard.
Hughes put up 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and a league-best 2.9 steals per game in 61 appearances with the Wizards at the combo guard spot during the 2004-05 campaign.
Following that offseason, he became a highly sought-after free agent, especially given his performance during the 2005 NBA Playoffs, as he put up 20.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game through 10 games.
He ended up signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2005 NBA offseason, as they looked for a star guard to pair with LeBron James. During his first year with the Cavaliers, Hughes appeared in just 36 contest, missing action due to a broken finger.
Hughes returned the following season to produced 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game, but suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. He managed to return in two games in the 2007 NBA Finals, but the damage was done.
Hughes would go on to be traded Chicago Bulls. From the Bulls, he would be sent to the New York Knicks and from the Knicks, Hughes went to the Sacramento Kings. By the end of his contract, he was waived by the Kings, ending one of the more unfortunate gambles in free agent history.