The NBA trade deadline on February 8th signals a time of change for many players in the league. For some, like Charlotte Hornets point guard Ish Smith, this is a familiar experience. Smith has a remarkable record of being traded seven times throughout his NBA career, with six of those trades occurring at the trade deadline. In fact, he has played for a record-breaking 13 different teams, which means he has had the opportunity to suit up for almost half of the league.
Ish Smith's journey in the NBA began after going undrafted in 2010. Despite the initial setback, he capitalized on every opportunity that came his way and established himself as a dependable role player. Over the course of his career, Smith has played for the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and, most recently, the Denver Nuggets. It's worth noting that he had multiple stints with the 76ers, Wizards, and Hornets. In his 14 years in the league, Smith has averaged 7.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game.
But Ish Smith is not alone in his ability to navigate the tumultuous waters of multiple team changes. Let's take a closer look at some other notable players who have suited up for numerous teams throughout NBA history:
1. Chucky Brown - Brown, who played from 1990 to 2002, deserves recognition for representing 12 different teams during his career. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings. Brown had two separate stints with the Cavaliers and Hornets.
2. Jim Jackson - The fourth overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, Jim Jackson played for an impressive 12 teams during his career from 1993 to 2006. He suited up for the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson's longest tenure was with the Mavericks, where he spent 4.5 seasons.
3. Tony Massenburg - Massenburg, who was the 43rd overall pick in 1990, played for 12 different teams over 13 seasons in the NBA. He had stints with the San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Vancouver Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Kings. Notably, Massenburg also played for international teams during his career.
4. Joe Smith - As the first overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in 1995, Joe Smith embarked on a journey that landed him on 12 different NBA teams. After his time with the Warriors, Smith played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers. Smith had multiple stints with the Timberwolves, 76ers, and Cavaliers.
5. Garrett Temple - Still an active player, Garrett Temple has established himself as a valuable asset to multiple teams over his 14-year NBA career. He has played for the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, and currently, the Toronto Raptors. Temple's leadership qualities and locker room presence have been widely recognized. Throughout his career, he has averaged 6.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
It's astonishing to witness the journeys of these players who have experienced multiple team changes. They have proven their adaptability and resilience, making significant contributions to various franchises throughout their careers. Ish Smith, in particular, stands out with his record-breaking 13 teams and counting.
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the league anticipates more player movements and potential shifts in team dynamics. Fans can stay updated with ESPN's comprehensive NBA coverage, featuring in-depth analysis, power rankings, exclusive interviews, updated standings, fantasy basketball content, mock drafts, and much more.
