Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 10. Brian Grant, Miami Heat
Brian Grant had created quite the name for himself with the Portland Trail Blazers as a solid rebounder and energy guy in the rotation. However, the arrival of Rasheed Wallace and injuries caused a few bumps in the road during the 1999-00 NBA season. Grant was a restricted free agent, but it was clear he was on his way out.
Before leaving, he signed a seven-year, $86 million deal as part of a sign-and-trade deal to the Miami Heat, in hopes his addition alongside Alonzo Mourning and Anthony Mason would work out for him.
In year one, he looked like his old self again, averaging 15.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in 82 appearances (79 starts). Miami posted a 50-32 record and made the 2001 NBA Playoffs, though they lost in the first round 3-0 to the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2001-02, everything digressed for Grant and company. He put up just 9.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest, as the Heat went 36-46 on the year. In his third season, the Heat won just 25 games, though Grant averaged 10.3 points and a career-high 10.2 rebounds per contest.
Despite his production, it seemed like Grant wasn’t the star the Heat thought he was. He managed to stay healthy for most of his time in Miami, but his production just didn’t seem to convert into wins.
By the end of the 2003-04 NBA season, the Heat had seen enough and decided to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal for Shaquille O’Neal. Grant would finish out his contract with the Lakers before being waived in the 2006 NBA offseason.