NBA free agency: 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history
7 Years, $86 Million. Jayson Williams. 26. player. 147. . New Jersey Nets
Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 26. Jayson Williams, New Jersey Nets
Jayson Williams had built quite the name and career for himself by the time the 1998 NBA free agency period arrived. He had some seasons under his belt already when his free agency pay day finally came. After six seasons as a reserve, Williams emerged in the then-New Jersey Nets starting rotation during the 1996-97 NBA season, making 41 appearances and 40 starts.
The following season, he started in a career-high 65 games, while averaging a double-double with 12.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per contest. He put together 39 double-doubles and 11 games with 20 rebounds or more. He made the lone NBA All-Star appearance of his career during the 1997-98 NBA season. With his contract expiring, it was time for New Jersey to make a move.
They signed Williams to a seven-year deal worth $86 million during the free agency period. His deal, though monumental, would be short-lived. After 30 games, the wheels fell off for Williams and the Nets, as he broke his leg during the 1998-99 NBA season, which ended his career in the NBA.
He didn’t play again after the 1998-99 NBA season, choosing to retire the following year. After that, his life took a turn for the worst after the accidental shooting of his limo driver Costas Christofi in 2002. Things could have ended better had Williams not tried to cover it up, but the case dragged on for another two years before he was sentenced to five years in prison for his role.