The 1990s were a golden era for the NBA; a decade that saw the rise of iconic players and unforgettable moments. Yet, amidst the greatness, there were instances where some of the league’s brightest stars found themselves wearing jerseys that seemed utterly out of place.
So, here are the top 10 players of the 1990s who, for a variety of reasons, played for teams that just didn’t quite suit their illustrious careers. From legends who ventured into unexpected territory to franchise icons in unfamiliar colors, this journey through the NBA’s past reveals how even the most extraordinary talents can find themselves in situations that defy basketball logic.
This is the third edition of “players who had no business playing for these teams,” so if you haven’t read the first two, then be sure to check them out here and here.
1990s Era NBA Players Who Had No Business Playing for Other Teams
1. Hakeem Olajuwon on the Toronto Raptors
From 1984 to 2001, Hakeem ‘The Dream’ Olajuwon established himself as a true Houston icon. His tenure with the Rockets was marked by NBA Championships, Finals MVPs, and a defensive prowess that made him one of the franchise’s all-time greats. Olajuwon’s dominance was instrumental in turning the Rockets into perennial contenders. However, as the 2000-01 season concluded, it was time for Olajuwon to negotiate a new contract.
Houston offered him a three-year, $13 million deal, but Olajuwon believed he deserved more, leading him to decline the offer. Consequently, the Rockets traded Olajuwon to the Toronto Raptors. He joined forces with a prime Vince Carter, harboring hopes of clinching a third NBA ring. Unfortunately, despite finishing the season as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors were eliminated in the first round by the Detroit Pistons.
To be clear, Olajuwon’s performance with the Raptors was far from terrible. He still displayed the ability to rebound effectively, block shots, and contribute to the scoreboard. However, it was evident that he had surpassed his prime, and his days of leading the league in rebounding and shot-blocking were behind him.
What makes this move particularly disappointing is that Olajuwon was the caliber of player who deserved to spend his entire career with one organization. For 17 seasons, he was synonymous with the Houston Rockets, but this legacy was abruptly disrupted for the sake of a mere $5 million extra from the Raptors—a decision that ultimately led to his retirement just one season later.
2. Patrick Ewing on the Orlando Magic
Patrick Ewing is an all-time New York Knicks legend, having dedicated an impressive 15 seasons to the team and establishing himself as one of the dominant big men of the 1990s. However, his brief stint with the Orlando Magic is remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Ewing’s time with the Magic was met with a stark decline in performance. He played fewer minutes than at any other point in his illustrious career and posted career lows in points, rebounds, and virtually every other statistical category. A particularly glaring departure from his norm was his new role as a bench player, serving as the backup to Horace Grant—a departure from his long-standing status as a starting center.
Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of Ewing’s time in Orlando was the jersey number change. Throughout his 15 seasons with the New York Knicks and even in his short stint with the Seattle Supersonics, Ewing proudly sported the iconic number 33. However, during his tenure with the Magic, he oddly donned the number 6. This alteration was jarring for fans who had grown accustomed to seeing him in his familiar 33, further accentuating the sense of bizarreness surrounding his career in Orlando.
While Ewing’s subsequent stint in Seattle wasn’t a resurgence of his prime, it did have its redeeming qualities, being part of an entertaining Sonics team led by stars like Gary Payton and Rashard Lewis. However, witnessing Ewing in a different jersey, coming off the bench, and failing to significantly contribute to his team’s success, only to be ousted in the first round of the playoffs, was undeniably a disappointment for fans and a less-than-ideal way for an NBA legend to conclude his illustrious career.
3. Shawn Kemp on the Orlando Magic
Shawn Kemp‘s basketball legacy was undeniably forged during his time with the Seattle Supersonics. The dynamic combination of Kemp alongside a young Gary Payton and the versatile Detlef Schrempf delivered electrifying basketball moments. While Kemp did experience some commendable seasons post-Seattle, particularly with the Cleveland Cavaliers, his career trajectory took a noticeable downturn afterward.
Kemp’s time with the Portland Trail Blazers, though hyped with the prospect of reuniting with Schrempf and playing alongside notable talents like Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, and a rookie Zach Randolph, ultimately fell short of expectations. Nevertheless, he did manage to guide the Blazers to the playoffs during both of his years there. Unfortunately, their playoff journeys ended prematurely by the prime Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers in the first round.
However, it was Kemp’s stint with the Orlando Magic that epitomized the struggles of a once-great player past his prime. A quick Google search of Kemp during his time with the Magic would reveal an athlete who appeared older, slower, and notably out of shape. Witnessing Kemp in this condition was disheartening, particularly for fans who remembered him as one of the league’s most formidable and physically dominant players. His weight issues became a significant impediment, costing him several potentially productive years that could have solidified his status as a Hall of Fame-caliber player.
4. Robert Parish on the Charlotte Hornets
Robert Parish is predominantly known for his dominant run alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale during the 1980s with the Boston Celtics. However, his time with the Charlotte Hornets in the 1990s is a chapter best left in the shadows.
Arriving in Charlotte at the age of 41, Parish was clearly well past his prime, and the contrast between his legendary Celtics days and his stint with the Hornets was evident. The four-time NBA Champion and nine-time All-Star found himself in a backup role behind the younger and more dynamic Alonzo Mourning.
On paper, the Hornets had a roster that appeared capable of contending for an NBA championship. Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues were still in their prime, Mourning was emerging as one of the league’s top talents, and they still had sharpshooter Dell Curry on the team. However, the reality was quite different. The Parish that the Hornets acquired was a shadow of his former self—slow and unable to replicate his dominance of the 1980s. His statistical contributions dwindled to just 4.4 points and 4 rebounds per game during his two seasons in Charlotte. This was a stark contrast to his previous season when he was still putting up double-digit points and grabbing 7 rebounds per game.
In his first season with the Hornets, the team made the playoffs but faced a defeat against a Michael Jordan-less Chicago Bulls. The following season saw the Hornets miss the playoffs, and Parish decided to join the Chicago Bulls, where he would earn his fourth championship before retiring. Parish’s time in Charlotte marked the beginning of the end of his illustrious career. While the sight of him earning another ring in Chicago was a redeeming moment, it was still difficult to witness the aging legend in a Hornets jersey after his iconic 14-season run with the Celtics.
5. Moses Malone on the Milwaukee Bucks
Moses Malone‘s illustrious career saw him don the jerseys of various NBA teams, with notable highlights during his tenures with the Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he also experienced the bittersweet ending of his career on a team that felt ill fitting. While Malone had successful stints with the Washington Bullets and the Atlanta Hawks, his career began to take a downturn during his two-year spell with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Before his time with the Bucks, Malone’s time with the Atlanta Hawks had some turbulence as he initially joined the team to complement Dominique Wilkins. However, things took an unexpected turn when he lost his starting center position to Jon Koncak. This shift resulted in a significant drop in his regular-season statistics, with Malone averaging just 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds.
As the ’90-’91 season concluded, Malone entered free agency and inked a two-year, $3.6 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. During his first season with the Bucks, there was a glimmer of hope for a resurgence, as Malone started in 77 out of 82 games, boasting impressive averages of 15 points and nine rebounds. At 36 years old, he appeared to have found new life in Milwaukee, raising expectations for another remarkable season.
However, the bright outlook was short-lived. In his second year with the Bucks, Malone’s career took a drastic turn when he suffered a debilitating herniated disk in his back. This injury sidelined him for the entire season, and he managed to play just 11 games, posting underwhelming averages of 4.5 points and 0.6 rebounds per game.
Sadly, Malone’s promising start with the Bucks faded into a somber conclusion, as he never again achieved double-digit scoring and couldn’t even muster an average of one rebound per game. His retirement followed just two years later, marking the end of a remarkable career that had seen its fair share of highs and lows on various teams.
6. Sidney Moncrief on the Atlanta Hawks
Sidney Moncrief‘s undeniably one of the best players the Milwaukee Bucks have ever seen. At the time, he etched his name into the franchise’s history, holding numerous career records for the Bucks and ranking second only to the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career franchise points. However, his brief return to the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks during the 1990-91 season was a far cry from his glory days in Milwaukee.
After a decade with the Bucks, Moncrief retired from professional basketball. Surprisingly, he came out of retirement just a year later to join the Atlanta Hawks, where he found himself in a new role—coming off the bench. Playing just 15 minutes per game, Moncrief was far from content with his diminished role, which was a striking departure from his status as a key starting point guard during his prime.
Moncrief’s time with the Hawks proved to be less than stellar. Despite playing alongside notable talents like Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone, Doc Rivers, and Spud Webb, he struggled to make a significant impact. Following a first-round playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons, he decided to retire for good.
His days of being an All-Star and a Defensive Player of the Year were firmly in the past, and his limited playing time with the Hawks reflected this decline. In nearly every statistical category, he posted some of the lowest numbers of his career during his tenure with the Hawks. In retrospect, it’s plausible to suggest that Moncrief’s legacy might have been better served had he remained retired after his initial departure from the NBA. His brief return with the Hawks did little to enhance his storied career and might have been best left as a footnote in an otherwise illustrious basketball journey with the Milwaukee Bucks.
7. Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway on the New York Knicks
Penny Hardaway‘s story in the NBA is one of immense talent and promise overshadowed by persistent injuries. Alongside Shaquille O’Neal, he formed one of the most exciting duos of the mid to late 90s while playing for the Orlando Magic. Those were undoubtedly his best years in the league, but injuries and playoff disappointments led to a trade to the Phoenix Suns.
Hardaway’s initial season with the Suns began promisingly, showing glimpses of his former brilliance. However, another injury setback derailed his progress, and he never fully regained his previous form. His statistics took a significant hit, signaling that he might have already passed his prime in just his eighth season in the NBA.
Following a few more seasons of diminishing performance with the Suns, Hardaway found himself traded to the New York Knicks. Despite the Knicks experiencing success as a team, Hardaway’s personal decline continued. By the end of his tenure, he was averaging a mere 2.5 points per game in only four appearances. The next season, he chose to retire from professional basketball.
Although Hardaway did attempt a comeback with the Miami Heat in 2007, it was evident that he was far removed from the young, promising talent he once was. Had injuries not plagued his career, the potential for what Hardaway could have achieved remains a tantalizing “what-if” in the NBA. Witnessing his gradual exit from the league due to these unfortunate injuries was sad to see.
8. Dominique Wilkins on the Boston Celtics
Dominique Wilkins stands as one of the all-time greats in the world of basketball, celebrated for his incredible talent and dazzling skills. His time with the Atlanta Hawks showcased his superstar status, as he consistently ranked among the league’s top offensive players. Yet, despite his remarkable career with the Hawks, he saw little to no success in the playoffs mainly because of the Boston Celtics- who beat him three times in his career.
After departing the Hawks, Wilkins found himself with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he continued to display his scoring prowess by averaging an impressive 29 points per game. However, his journey took a surprising turn when he joined the Boston Celtics.
Upon donning the iconic green and white uniform of the Celtics, Wilkins experienced a noticeable decline in his performance. His glory days of averaging 25 or more points per game were firmly in the rearview mirror, and his statistics across the board took a steep nosedive. To be fair, his stint with the Celtics occurred during a transitional period for the team, following the retirement of Larry Bird and amidst a complete roster overhaul. Wilkins’ supporting cast mainly consisted of players like Dee Brown and Dino Radja, so saying that he didn’t have much help on the court would be an understatement. Due to Wilkins’ diminished offensive prowess, coupled with the historical rivalry he had with the Celtics during his time in Atlanta, made his one-year stint with the Celtics feel strange.
9. Shaquille O’Neal on the Boston Celtics
Shaquille O’Neal‘s stint with the Boston Celtics was undoubtedly a moment many basketball fans never anticipated and, in some ways, didn’t want to witness. However, there were practical reasons for the move. The Celtics found themselves in a situation where they needed a center, especially with Kendrick Perkins recovering from an ACL injury. Shaq was seen as a potential solution to extend Kevin Garnett‘s effectiveness and the Celtics’ championship window.
In the limited games he played for Boston, Shaq showcased that he could still be a dominant force in the paint when healthy. However, there was no denying that he appeared out of shape and somewhat out of place wearing the Celtics’ green jersey, especially after having built a legendary career and dynasty with Kobe Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Unfortunately, Shaq’s time in Boston was marred by injuries. He played just 37 games before succumbing to a hamstring injury. Shaq returned during the playoffs to help against the Miami Heat, only to suffer another injury in his very first game back. This marked the official end of his illustrious career, a far cry from the graceful exit that many legends are afforded.
The move, which was initially intended to have a significant impact on the Celtics, ultimately became a regrettable memory. Seeing Shaq, who had played for multiple teams throughout his career, including winning championships and Finals MVPs with the Lakers, end his career with the Celtics felt incredibly peculiar, especially given the historic rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers, one of the most storied rivalries in basketball.
10. Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards
Does this one even need an explanation? Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his legacy is inextricably tied to his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls. His time in Chicago was marked by unparalleled dominance, including six NBA Championships, six Finals MVP awards, and five regular-season MVPs. Jordan’s impact on the sport of basketball in the 90s is immeasurable, and he played a pivotal role in elevating the game to the global phenomenon it is today.
For most fans, Jordan is synonymous with the Chicago Bulls due to his mesmerizing performances while wearing the iconic red and black Bulls uniform. His incredible career with the Bulls solidified his status as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), and his contributions to the team’s success are etched in basketball history.
Jordan’s brief return to the NBA with the Washington Wizards was indeed a departure from the image most had of him in a Bulls uniform. His initial role with the Wizards was as team president and part-owner, but the competitive fire that defined his career eventually led him back to the court. Even in his Wizards years, Jordan displayed moments of brilliance, with occasional flashes of his old self, still averaging over 20 points per game.
However, Jordan couldn’t replicate the championship success in Washington, as the Wizards missed the playoffs in both seasons he played. Nevertheless, his impact on the game and his enduring legacy remains undeniable. But I can’t help but think that it would have made things all the more special, and he just stayed with the Bulls for his entire career.
