The NBA has a whole lot of movement. Even Michael Jordan couldn’t finish his career with the Chicago Bulls. Even the most iconic multi-team NBA players have a short stint on a team you would swear they never played for. Here are some iconic NBA players in weird places.
Shaquille O’Neal, Boston Celtics
The only meaningful thing about his Celtics stint was the fact it completed the Shaq Rainbow.
Hakeem Olajuwon, Toronto Raptors
Who among us wouldn’t take a bag to spend a year in Canada?
Dwyane Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers
After coming home to Chicago for a year, Wade fulfilled some long-owed debt to LeBron James by playing alongside him in Ohio.
Allen Iverson, Memphis Grizzlies
A.I. hopped around a bit toward the end, but he played just over an hour’s worth of minutes for the Grizzles.
Jason Kidd, New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are notorious for giving geriatric stars a quick payday.
Carmelo Anthony, Houston Rockets
Scottie Pippen, Houston Rockets
In between Pippen’s historic Bulls run and late-career stint in Portland, he spent a quick 50 games playing for Houston.
Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards
Russ has bounced a lot in his late career, but no stop was weirder than this one season in Washington.
Dennis Rodman, Dallas Mavericks
Games played for the Mavericks: 12. Technical fouls earned during those games: 6.
Tracy McGrady, San Antonio Spurs
TMac’s only Finals appearance came with the Spurs. He played a combined 13 minutes in seven games.
Brandon Roy, Minnesota Timberwolves
The oft-injured star tried to launch an NBA comeback with the Timberwolves. It lasted all of five games.
Gilbert Arenas, Memphis Grizzlies
Agent Zero’s post-Wizards run saw him play for the Grizzlies, a tenure that lasted just 17 appearances, all from the bench.
