30 NBA players that got better after leaving their first team

30 NBA players who got better after leaving their first team: 15. Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas was ahead of his time. Perhaps that is why he slid all the way to the second round of the 2001 draft. He was the Most Improved Player in his second season in the league and hit restricted free agency after two seasons because he was taken in the second round. Averaging 18.3 points, 6.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, it was clear that Arenas was destined for bigger things. Unfortunately for the Golden State Warriors, it was not meant to be with them.

Arenas signed with the Washington Wizards and while he was often hampered by injuries, that did not stop the team from being successful. Arenas was one of the most explosive scorers in the league. Paired with Larry Hughes, the duo torched the league and powered the Wizards into the postseason. From 2004 to 2007, Arenas made three All-Star appearances and three All-NBA teams. At his peak, he averaged 29.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

Then, just as he was getting going, it was all over. Arenas suffered injuries and complications from them that limited him to 47 games over three seasons. This also encompasses him bringing a gun into the locker room in one of the most shameful incidents in recent NBA history.

Arenas was traded midway through the 2010-11 season to the Orlando Magic where he came off the bench. He played 17 games the following season for the Memphis Grizzlies and was out of the league at the age of 30.