Some NBA players carve out legendary careers. Others, well… they drop the ball right before crossing the finish line.
Whether it was bad decisions, locker room drama, or a sudden decline, these guys had a shot at basketball immortality, and fumbled it. From future Hall of Famers who made things awkward to stars who couldn’t get out of their own way, this list is all about wasted potential, tarnished reputations, and the what-could-have-beens.
16. Dwight Howard
At one point, he was the most dominant big man in basketball. Then came the team-hopping, off-court antics, and a legacy that’s more complicated than it should be.
15. Gilbert Arenas
“Agent Zero” was electric and unpredictable—in the best and worst ways. But his career went off the rails fast thanks to injuries and one really unfortunate locker room incident.
14. Russell Westbrook
He’s a triple-double machine, but critics argue he chased stats more than success. His rocky stops with the Lakers and Clippers didn’t help change the narrative.
13. Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo was a walking bucket who never quite embraced the team-first mentality. For years, fans debated if he cared more about scoring titles than winning rings.
12. DeMarcus Cousins
Boogie had all the talent in the world and zero patience for anything else. Injuries and attitude issues sent what could’ve been a Hall of Fame career into a tailspin.
11. James Harden
Few players have done more while seeming to care less when it matters most. Harden’s playoff flameouts and messy exits have chipped away at his legacy year after year.
10. Derrick Rose
Fans will always wonder what could’ve been if his knees held up. He was poised for greatness, but the injuries took center stage too soon.
9. Ben Simmons
He went from an All-Star with huge upside to a case study in unfulfilled potential. The playoff pass heard ‘round the world didn’t help.
8. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie’s talent is undeniable, but his off-court choices often overshadow what he does on it. He could’ve been beloved—now he’s just polarizing.
7. Latrell Sprewell
Sprewell had game, but he’s remembered more for that infamous chokehold than anything he did on the court. A strong career derailed by one very bad decision.
6. Chris Webber
C-Webb had a solid career, but the stain of that infamous timeout and playoff shortcomings linger. He never quite lived up to the superstar expectations.
5. Shawn Kemp
The “Reign Man” was a highlight reel waiting to happen—until off-court issues and conditioning problems slowed him down. His legacy faded as fast as it rose.
4. Dennis Rodman
Rodman’s impact on the court was massive, but his off-court chaos made him more sideshow than legend by the end. It’s hard to separate the circus from the career.
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3. Allen Iverson
He changed the culture of basketball forever, but his stubbornness cost him longevity. Iverson never fully adapted, and the fall-off came hard and fast.
Read More: 15 NBA Players Who Never Recovered Once Things Went Sideways
2. Scottie Pippen
Pippen should’ve been celebrated as one of the best ever, but the post-retirement bitterness has been loud. He’s taken more shots at teammates than he ever did on the court.
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1. Ja Morant
He had the keys to the league’s future, then let off-court decisions put everything in jeopardy. It’s not too late, but his legacy is already dented.
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