NBA free agency: 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history
4 Years, $60 Million. Ben Wallace. 14. player. 24. . Chicago Bulls
Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 14. Ben Wallace, Chicago Bulls
Ben Wallace was the ultimate defensive stopper during his career in the NBA. He emerged as an anchor in the paint for the Detroit Pistons from 2000 to 2006, carving his way into team lore as one of the most dominant defensive players in the league.
He made four NBA All-Star appearances with Detroit and won the 2004 NBA Championship during their title run with Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton. When it came time to be a free agent, all the suitors came calling.
In the end, the Chicago Bulls won the free agent sweepstakes. With 11 seasons under his belt and three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, the Bulls took a gamble on Wallace at 32 years of age, signing him to a four-year, $60 million deal in 2006.
Chicago would end up going 49-33 with Wallace as their starting center. Ironically enough, they met the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals that season. The Bulls lost the series 4-2 and after that, things began to unravel in a hurry.
Prior to the NBA Trade deadline, Wallace was moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers just 127 games into his career with the Bulls. Chicago went 33-49 the next season, while Wallace put up just 4.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 50 appearances.
The 2007-08 NBA season snapped a streak of seven straight years of averaging double-figures in rebounds. He finished out the final two years of his deal in Cleveland before re-joining the Pistons where he retired after the 2011-12 NBA season.