10 Players Who Made A Mistake Switching Teams This Offseason

The 2024 NBA offseason was packed with dramatic moves, high-profile trades, and some eyebrow-raising free agency decisions. While some teams managed to bolster their rosters with key acquisitions, others might regret their choices. Among the most notable moves were Klay Thompson's shocking departure from the Golden State Warriors to join the Dallas Mavericks and Paul George's unexpected exit from the LA Clippers. However, not all transitions seem poised for success. Let's dive into ten players who might have made a mistake switching teams this offseason.

1. Derrick Jones Jr.

Derrick Jones Jr. made headlines this offseason by moving from the Dallas Mavericks, who were NBA Finals runners-up, to the LA Clippers. This switch raised a lot of eyebrows, especially considering the Clippers' current state. Paul George's blockbuster exit to the Philadelphia 76ers has left the Clippers significantly weakened. Without one of their star players, the Clippers' chances of being serious contenders have taken a hit, making Jones' move seem less advantageous.

The contract Jones secured with the Clippers is a three-year, $30 million deal, which is substantial but not necessarily a game-changer. While the financial aspect is appealing, the competitive environment he left behind in Dallas might not be easily replicated in LA. The Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic, have a strong core and are poised to make deep playoff runs in the coming seasons. In contrast, the Clippers now face an uphill battle to maintain their playoff presence.

Jones' decision to join the Clippers could be seen as a gamble. The absence of Paul George means that Jones might have more opportunities to shine individually, but basketball is a team sport, and individual brilliance often goes unnoticed without team success. The Clippers' roster, without George, lacks the depth and star power needed to compete with the top teams in the league.

In retrospect, staying with the Mavericks might have provided Jones with a better platform to showcase his skills on a bigger stage. The three-year, $30 million contract, while significant, could have been offered by Dallas too. Time will tell if this move will pay off for Jones, but as of now, it appears to be a step down in terms of competitive prospects.

2. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook's move from the LA Clippers to the Denver Nuggets is one of the more surprising decisions this offseason. With Paul George leaving the Clippers for the 76ers, Westbrook had a prime opportunity to step up as a key player in LA. Instead, he signed a two-year, $6.8 million deal with the Nuggets , a team where his fit is far from guaranteed.

The Clippers, without George, would have likely relied heavily on Westbrook, potentially giving him a starring role. This could have been a golden opportunity for Westbrook to showcase his talents and boost his value for future contracts. A solid performance in the 2024-25 season might have landed him significant offers in the 2025 free agency. Instead, he opted for a move to Denver, where he might struggle to find his rhythm in a system built around Nikola Jokic.

Westbrook's 2024 stats with the Clippers were decent, averaging 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. These numbers show he still has plenty to offer, but fitting into Denver's more structured, Jokic-centered offense might not play to his strengths. Westbrook's aggressive, fast-paced style could clash with the Nuggets' more methodical approach, potentially limiting his impact.

Ultimately, while the $6.8 million contract is a good deal for a veteran player, the move to Denver may not be the best for Westbrook's career. His chance to shine in LA without George could have set him up for a big payday in 2025. Now, he faces the challenge of adapting to a new team and proving he can still be a game-changer.

3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made a significant move this offseason, leaving the Denver Nuggets to join the Orlando Magic. Despite the Magic making it to the playoffs, they were knocked out in the first round and didn’t make any major additions that would transform them into serious contenders. This contrasts sharply with Denver, a team that has consistently been one of the top competitors in the Western Conference.

KCP secured a solid contract with the Magic, signing a three-year, $66 million deal . Financially, this is a great move for him, offering security and a substantial salary. However, from a competitive standpoint, it’s a bit of a step back. The Nuggets, with their strong roster and playoff experience, provided Caldwell-Pope with a better platform to compete for championships.

In Orlando, while he'll bring veteran leadership to a young and developing team, the immediate prospects of deep playoff runs are slim. The Magic's roster, though promising, still lacks the firepower needed to compete with the top teams. Caldwell-Pope’s move might limit his chances of adding more championship rings to his collection, at least in the near future.

Ultimately, while the contract is undoubtedly a win for KCP financially, moving from a strong contender in the West to a rebuilding team in the East might not pay off in terms of playoff success. He will need to leverage his experience to help the Magic grow, but it could take time before Orlando is a serious contender.

4. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum's move back to the LA Clippers this offseason was quite a shift, especially given his importance to the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Batum signed a two-year, $9.6 million deal with the Clippers, leaving behind a 76ers team that boasts a formidable Big 3 in Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. Batum played a crucial role in the Sixers' playoff push, particularly shining in the play-in game against Miami, which had sparked significant interest in bringing him back.

The Clippers, on the other hand, have been downgraded with the loss of Paul George. While Batum's veteran presence and versatile skill set will be valuable, the team’s overall strength has taken a hit. The Clippers are no longer seen as strong contenders in the West, making Batum's decision to return to them a curious one.

Batum's move could have been motivated by familiarity and the chance to play a significant role, but it comes at the cost of potentially competing for a championship. The 76ers, with their revamped lineup, are poised to make a deep playoff run, and Batum's departure leaves a gap that they will need to fill. For Batum, while the contract with the Clippers offers financial stability, the competitive environment might not be as fulfilling as it could have been in Philadelphia.

5. Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley decided to switch from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Detroit Pistons this offseason, signing a one-year, $6 million contract. This move raised some questions, especially considering the contrasting situations of the two teams. The Bucks, despite struggling with injuries to key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, are perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference. When healthy, they have the potential to make deep playoff runs and are often seen as favorites to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

On the other hand, the Detroit Pistons finished 15th in the Eastern Conference last season, with a dismal record that reflected their ongoing rebuild. They failed to make the playoffs and are still trying to find their footing with a young roster. Beasley's move to a team that is far from being a contender could be seen as a step back in terms of competitive prospects.

In the 2024 season with the Bucks, Beasley averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, showing his capability as a reliable shooter and scorer off the bench. His presence on the Bucks was valuable, especially given their injury woes. However, moving to the Pistons means he will be part of a team that is still figuring out its identity and building toward future success.

While the $6 million contract offers financial stability, Beasley could likely have secured a similar deal, if not a longer-term contract, with the Bucks. The competitive environment in Detroit might not provide him with the same level of exposure and success he could have enjoyed in Milwaukee. The Bucks, when healthy, remain a strong team in the East, capable of challenging for the top spots, whereas Detroit's immediate future looks far less promising.

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6. Saddiq Bey

Saddiq Bey's move from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards this offseason has sparked some debate. Bey signed a three-year, $19 million contract with the Wizards, but the decision to join a team that has struggled with dysfunction and inconsistency raises questions. The Wizards finished the previous season with a disappointing record and were far from playoff contention, showing little sign of significant improvement for the upcoming season.

The Washington Wizards have a history of instability, both on and off the court. Despite some promising young talent, they have yet to find a cohesive team strategy that translates into wins. Bey’s arrival aims to change that, but the team still lacks the star power and depth required to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.

In contrast, the Hawks, with whom Bey played last season, are undergoing a retooling phase but still seem to be in a better competitive position. They drafted Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick and traded Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans as part of their restructuring strategy. Bey averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season, proving to be a valuable contributor. Even with their changes, the Hawks are likely to provide a more competitive environment compared to the Wizards.

Bey’s decision to join the Wizards might provide him with more individual opportunities, but it comes with the challenge of helping turn around a franchise that has long struggled to find its footing. While the three-year, $19 million contract offers security, Bey could have potentially found a more stable and competitive situation elsewhere, or even stayed with the Hawks, who, despite retooling, are better positioned for success.

7. Jonas Valanciunas

Jonas Valanciunas made an interesting move this offseason by signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards. Leaving the New Orleans Pelicans, a team where he played a crucial role, Valanciunas now joins a Wizards squad known for its dysfunction and inconsistency. The Pelicans could have matched or even extended a similar contract to Valanciunas, especially given his importance to their lineup.

In Washington, Valanciunas steps into a challenging environment. The Wizards have struggled to find stability both on and off the court, and despite adding some new pieces, they remain far from being serious contenders. This team finished last season with a disappointing record, and their outlook for the upcoming season doesn’t inspire much confidence. The addition of Valanciunas might improve their frontcourt, but it’s unlikely to transform them into a playoff team.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans are in a much better position competitively. With a solid core that includes Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans are aiming to be strong contenders in the Western Conference. Valanciunas was a key part of their system, providing reliable scoring and rebounding. His departure leaves a noticeable gap in their lineup.

Adding to the uncertainty, there are already rumors that Valanciunas might be traded by the Wizards early in the season . This suggests that even the Wizards might not see him as a long-term fit, further complicating his move. While the contract he secured is lucrative, the instability and potential lack of competitive success in Washington make this a questionable decision. Valanciunas might have found more stability and a better competitive environment by staying with the Pelicans or finding another team with a clearer path to success.

8. Alec Burks

Alec Burks made a surprising move this offseason, leaving the New York Knicks to sign a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Miami Heat. The Knicks had a stellar season, winning 50 games and becoming serious contenders by trading for Mikal Bridges. With their sights set on the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks are looking stronger than ever.

In contrast, the Miami Heat, who made the playoffs via the play-in tournament, did not make any significant moves this offseason. Their outlook for the upcoming season remains uncertain, and there's a strong possibility they might face a similar outcome, struggling to make it past the early rounds of the playoffs.

Burks was a solid contributor for the Knicks, averaging 10.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season. His performance helped the Knicks become a formidable team in the East. Moving to the Heat, Burks steps into a less stable situation, where the team lacks the same depth and star power as the Knicks.

While the contract with the Heat offers him a chance to play in a competitive environment, it might not provide the same opportunities for success that staying with the Knicks would have. Given New York's strong roster and championship aspirations, Burks could have been part of a deep playoff run. Instead, he joins a Miami team that appears poised for another challenging season, making this move a bit of a head-scratcher.

9. Gary Trent Jr.

Gary Trent Jr. made a surprising move this offseason, leaving the Toronto Raptors to sign a one-year, $2.6 million veteran minimum deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. This decision came despite having a much more lucrative offer on the table from the Raptors, who reportedly offered around $15 million during the season. Trent turned it down, expecting a contender to offer him above $20 million.

In Toronto, Trent was a key player, averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. The Raptors finished the season with a record of 38-44, missing the playoffs. Despite this, they had high hopes for the upcoming season with a solid roster and the addition of key players, positioning themselves to potentially make a playoff push.

On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks finished their season with a 49-33 record, securing a top 3 spot in the playoffs. However, they faced significant challenges due to injuries to star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Reuniting with his close friend Lillard in Milwaukee is a positive aspect for Trent, but the Bucks didn’t make significant offseason moves to bolster their roster, which could mean another tough season ahead with uncertain prospects for a deep playoff run.

Trent's decision to sign a one-year minimum deal with the Bucks might seem like a gamble. He could have secured a more stable and lucrative position by accepting the Raptors' offer, ensuring both financial security and a role in a team with playoff ambitions. Now, Trent faces the challenge of proving his worth once again in Milwaukee, hoping for a healthier season for the Bucks and a more prominent role in their quest for success.

10. Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones made a surprising move this offseason, signing a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Phoenix Suns. Despite being one of the most sought-after point guards in the free agency market, Jones opted for a short-term, low-value contract. Several were reportedly interested in signing him to a multi-year deal, which might have been worth over $10 million per year, but Jones chose to bet on himself and join the Suns.

Jones' decision to join Phoenix comes with both opportunities and risks. The Suns, who were in desperate need of a solid point guard, provide Jones with a chance to play a crucial role. Reuniting with former coach Mike Budenholzer and fitting into a team that includes stars like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, Jones has the potential to make a significant impact. However, the short-term nature of his contract means he will need to perform exceptionally well to secure a more lucrative deal in the next free agency period.

In his previous season with the Wizards, Jones averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game. The Wizards, who struggled with consistency, missed the playoffs, which added to the uncertainty surrounding their future. By moving to the Suns, Jones aims to contribute to a team with championship aspirations. However, the Suns' roster, while talented, didn't see major improvements this offseason, and their path to deep playoff success remains challenging.

Jones' decision to sign a minimal contract with the Suns might seem like a risky bet. He could’ve had a more stable and lucrative offer elsewhere but is banking on his ability to prove his worth in Phoenix. If he succeeds, he could secure significant offers in the next free agency period. However, if the move doesn't pan out as hoped, Jones might find himself in a tough spot, having left behind a more secure financial future with the Wizards.

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