NBA free agency: 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history
6 Years, $118.2 Million. Rashard Lewis. 6. player. 38. . Orlando Magic
Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 6. Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic
Rashard Lewis has quite an interesting story with his tenure with the Orlando Magic. He emerged as a budding star with the then-Seattle SuperSonics during the 2006-07 NBA season, so much so the Magic got him in a sign-and-trade deal in the 2007 NBA offseason at six years for $118.2 million.
Lewis’ first two seasons with the Orlando Magic produced positive returns. He made the second NBA All-Star appearance of his career during the 2008-09 NBA season, averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 39.7 percent from behind the arc.
However, after the 2008-09 NBA season, Lewis tested positive for a banned substance (dehydroepiandrosterone) and was suspended for the first 10 games of the regular season. He became just the sixth player at the time to test positive for a performance-enhancing drug since testing began in 1999.
Lewis’ suspension came at a time where the Magic, along with Dwight Howard, Rafer Alston and Hedo Turkoglu, made it to the 2009 NBA Finals. Although they lost, it looked as though the future was bright in Orlando. Oddly enough, when he returned, Lewis’ production dropped upon his return from suspension.
After roughly four seasons in Orlando, the Magic front office had seen enough and traded him to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas. It wasn’t all bad for Lewis at the end of his career, however.
He did manage to sign with the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA offseason and win a ring alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. With his massive contract behind him, things could have ended a lot worse.