Current NBA Players Who Made Huge Mistakes That Are Still Costing Them

In the high-stakes world of the NBA, every decision can shape a player’s career trajectory. While highlights and victories often steal the spotlight, it’s the blunders and misjudgments that can linger longest in the memories of fans and players alike. This article delves into some of the most significant career mistakes made by current NBA players—choices that have not only cost them in the past but continue to impact their careers today.

Kevin Durant Leaving The Warriors

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Back in 2019, Kevin Durant threw everyone for a loop when he ditched the Golden State Warriors to join the Brooklyn Nets. This was huge because he was leaving a bona fide dynasty—having snagged two NBA championships and a couple of Finals MVPs—to roll the dice with a team that wasn’t exactly a playoff staple. KD was looking for a fresh start and maybe a bit more spotlight as the undisputed main guy.

Fast forward to 2024, and it’s clear that this gamble hasn’t exactly paid off. While the Warriors bounced back and grabbed another title in 2022, KD’s stint with the Nets was a mix of injury woes and team drama that never really let them hit their stride. Eventually, he ended up with the Phoenix Suns, hoping to catch another shot at glory.

But, talk about a tough break—Durant and the Suns got knocked out right in the first round of the playoffs this year. That’s gotta sting, especially when you think about the powerhouse team he left behind in Golden State. Every time Durant faces an early playoff exit, it just throws more fuel on the fire of debates about whether he made the right call leaving the Warriors.

Now, as he’s getting deeper into his career, these missteps aren’t just about missed opportunities; they’re about how they might be tarnishing his legacy. Each postseason flop is a reminder of what could’ve been if he had stayed with a championship-caliber team like the Warriors. It’s a tough pill to swallow, and this choice continues to haunt him—not just in the loss column but in how fans and critics view his career moves.

Kawhi Leonard’s Gamble Bringing Paul George To The Clippers

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Back in 2019, Kawhi Leonard orchestrated a mega-move that shook the NBA: convincing the Clippers to trade for Paul George as a condition for signing with them. This deal not only created a new super duo but also dismantled a promising core in Oklahoma City, including the budding star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who turned into an All-Star with the Thunder.

The hope in L.A. was clear: Leonard and George would dominate the West and capture the Clippers’ first NBA championship. Initially, the hype was real; the team looked like a force during the regular season. But when it came to the playoffs, things started to crumble. The duo’s first big test in the 2020 Bubble ended in a disastrous collapse against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals. Injuries also played their part—Kawhi faced a serious ACL injury in 2021, and PG struggled with shoulder and elbow issues, sidelining them during critical stretches.

Meanwhile, over in Oklahoma City, SGA flourished, becoming one of the top guards in the league. His rise highlighted what the Clippers gave up, adding a what-if factor to the trade. Despite their potential, Leonard and George haven’t made it past the conference finals together, and with each passing year, the window for success seems to narrow.

Now, with the Clippers’ championship aspirations still unmet and the stars’ health a continuing concern, Kawhi’s pivotal decision to team up with George is scrutinized more than ever. As the duo faces the twilight of their primes, the trade’s long-term impact looms large—not just in games lost, but in the legacy and what-could-have-been narratives that surround Kawhi’s gamble. With their recent first-round loss against the Mavericks, if the Clippers don’t secure a title soon this move might go down as a high-profile misfire that cost them a golden opportunity.

Damian Lillard Being Loyal For Too Long In Portland

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Damian Lillard became synonymous with the Portland Trail Blazers, embodying loyalty in an era where star players frequently hop from one team to another in pursuit of championships. His dedication to Portland was admirable, but as we look back, it’s clear that this loyalty may have cost him dearly in terms of his basketball legacy.

Throughout his tenure with the Blazers, Lillard was a beacon of excellence, regularly posting stellar numbers and securing multiple All-Star nods. Despite his personal success, the Blazers’ playoff runs often ended in frustration. They reached the Western Conference Finals just once during his time, in 2019, only to be swept by the Golden State Warriors. Year after year, despite Lillard’s heroics, the team struggled to build a championship-caliber supporting cast around him.

The situation had become starkly clear. The Blazers failed to even make the playoffs, a disappointing outcome that underscored the limitations of the team’s build around Lillard. Realizing the need for a change, Lillard made the significant decision to join the Milwaukee Bucks, seeking a legitimate shot at the championship that had eluded him.

Teaming up with Giannis Antetokounmpo, expectations were high for Lillard in Milwaukee. Yet, the transition hasn’t been smooth. In the 2024 playoffs, the Bucks lost in six games in the first round against the Indiana Pacers. To add to the challenges, Giannis was unable to play in their crucial Game 6 as he was still battling injuries.

This chapter of Lillard’s career highlights the double-edged sword of loyalty. While his commitment to Portland earned him respect and admiration, it also delayed his pursuit of a championship. Now, with the clock ticking on his prime years, Lillard’s move to the Bucks is a race against time to capture the elusive title before it’s too late.

James Harden Wanting Chris Paul Out Of Houston

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Stellar performances and high playoff hopes marked James Harden’s time in Houston, but one decision might stand out as a misjudgment in hindsight—his role in moving Chris Paul out of the Rockets in 2019. Harden and Paul, despite their on-court success, reportedly had tensions, particularly around their differing styles of play. In their two seasons together, they achieved significant success, including a memorable run to the Western Conference Finals in 2018 where they were a game away from defeating the Golden State Warriors before Paul’s injury in Game 5 derailed their hopes.

In the 2018-19 season, with both stars healthy, the Rockets finished with a strong 53-29 record. Yet, frustrations from another playoff exit at the hands of the Warriors led to significant changes. Harden’s preference for a different style of co-star led to the Rockets trading Paul for Russell Westbrook, a move aimed at reigniting Harden’s dynamic but which fundamentally altered the team’s chemistry and style.

The Westbrook experiment did not deliver the desired results. The Rockets did not go deeper in the playoffs with Westbrook than they had with Paul, and by the 2021 season, both Harden and Westbrook were on their way out of Houston. Harden’s subsequent time in Brooklyn was marred by injuries and unmet expectations, despite the super-team hype surrounding him, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.

Moving to the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden faced two disappointing playoff runs, which only compounded the scrutiny around his playoff performances. As of 2024, Harden is with the Los Angeles Clippers, past the peak years of his career, and still chasing his elusive first championship. The string of team changes and unfulfilled postseasons since his insistence on reshuffling the Rockets’ roster illustrates a career of what-ifs, especially considering the near-miss against the Warriors that might have been his best chance at a title.

Kyrie Irving’s Free Agency Decision Back In 2019

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Kyrie Irving’s decision to join the Brooklyn Nets instead of the New York Knicks back in 2019 seemed like a potential game-changer for the Nets. However, looking at his trajectory from then to now, with his move to the Dallas Mavericks, provides a clear picture of how things have unfolded.

After leaving the Nets and joining the Mavericks during the 2022-23 season, Kyrie has posted solid numbers in Dallas. In the 2023-24 NBA season, he played 58 games, averaging 25.6 points per game with a shooting accuracy of 49.7% from the field and 41.1% from beyond the arc. He also averaged 5.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. This performance has been crucial for the Mavericks, who have relied on his offensive prowess alongside Luka Doncic.

Yet, amid his individual success, Irving’s teams have struggled to achieve significant postseason success since his 2016 NBA Championship with the Cavaliers. The Mavericks, integrating him into a lineup that already features a dominant ball-handler like Doncic, have been working to find the right chemistry and balance. Meanwhile, the Knicks, the team Irving bypassed, have been rebuilding and pushing into the competitive edge of the Eastern Conference this season, which adds an interesting layer to what might have been had he chosen differently.

In retrospect, Irving’s decisions have shaped his career in complex ways. His journey reflects not just his personal ambitions but also the challenges of finding the right fit in the fast-evolving landscape of the NBA. While he remains a formidable player, the elusive second championship ring highlights the unpredictable nature of such high-stake moves.

Russell Westbrook’s Misfire In Hollywood

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Russell Westbrook’s 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers turned out to be one of the most glaring missteps in his career. After a successful stint in Washington, where he averaged a triple-double for the season, Westbrook joined the Lakers with high expectations. The Lakers traded Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and a 2021 first-round pick to acquire him, aiming to form a dominant trio with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

However, the season was fraught with challenges. Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, but his performance was often criticized for poor shooting efficiency and high turnover rates. The team chemistry suffered, and despite the star-studded lineup, the Lakers finished the regular season with a disappointing 33-49 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs.

This failure marked a significant underachievement, considering the Lakers’ championship aspirations at the beginning of the season. It was one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, particularly because the team had the talent but couldn’t translate it into success.

After a challenging stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook moved to the Los Angeles Clippers. With the Clippers Westbrook has been contributing off the bench with averages of 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game this season. Despite his efforts, the Clippers have faced challenges, and Westbrook’s performance has been a mix of veteran leadership and fluctuating on-court impact.

Looking back, Westbrook had other options when leaving Washington. He was still in his prime and could have chosen a situation with a better fit for his playstyle. The decision to join the Lakers might be seen as a missed opportunity to build on his resurgence in Washington, instead becoming a cautionary tale of how star power alone doesn’t guarantee success in the NBA.

Draymond Green Punching Jordan Poole After A Title

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The infamous altercation between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole during a Golden State Warriors practice session in 2022 had far-reaching consequences for both the players and the team. This incident, where Green physically attacked Poole, was a pivotal moment that seemed to mark the beginning of a decline for the once-dominant Warriors.

Following the altercation, Jordan Poole’s performance began to deteriorate. During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, he experienced a notable performance, averaging 17.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game in the Championship run. The season after the Draymond punch, his numbers dipped further to 10.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds over 13 games in the postseason. This performance decline was a stark contrast to the potential he had shown in previous seasons, particularly during the Warriors’ deep playoff run.

The Warriors’ team dynamics also suffered post-incident. The once cohesive unit struggled to find their rhythm, and the internal tensions seemed to affect their gameplay. In the 2022-23 season, despite having a respectable 45-35 regular season record, the Warriors faced significant challenges in the playoffs, failing to advance beyond the second round. This was a considerable drop-off from their usual standards, where they were seen as perennial title contenders.

By the 2023 offseason, it was evident that a change was necessary, and Jordan Poole moved to the Washington Wizards, seeking a new start in a different environment. However, the change of scenery did not immediately turn around his fortunes. His performance with the Wizards remained subpar, reflecting the lingering effects of his previous experiences and perhaps confidence issues stemming from the Warriors incident.

Draymond Green’s situation with the Warriors also became increasingly complicated. His influence on the court, once pivotal in the Warriors’ defensive schemes, began to wane. His stats declined, and his role as a leader was questioned, given the fallout from the incident with Poole. As of the 2023-24 season, the Warriors continued to struggle, failing to make a significant impact in the playoffs and not even qualifying for the postseason. This was a dramatic shift for a team that, only a few seasons ago, was at the pinnacle of NBA success.

Ben Simmons’ Dunk Blunder Against The Hawks

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Ben Simmons’ infamous decision not to dunk during the pivotal moments of Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals became a turning point in his career. Facing a smaller defender, Trae Young, Simmons opted to pass instead of taking an almost guaranteed two points. This moment not only marked a critical point in the game but also magnified his struggles with shooting confidence, particularly from the free-throw line.

Post-incident, the fallout was significant. Simmons faced widespread criticism, both from the media and internally from the team, including comments from teammate Joel Embiid that highlighted the play as a turning point in the game. The situation escalated over the offseason, leading to Simmons being suspended by the 76ers after he was thrown out of practice for not engaging and eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

However, his time with the Nets hasn’t seen a revival of his career. Simmons has struggled with playing time and effectiveness. His participation has been limited due to ongoing back issues and a general decline in performance, playing only a handful of games in the subsequent seasons. For the 2022-23 season, Simmons appeared in just 42 games, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and assists. This season, he only appeared for 15 games due to more injuries, which marked his lowest point ever in his career. This dramatic downturn has sparked debates about his future potential and the long-term impact of his mental approach to the game, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Dennis Schröder Declining The Lakers’ Extension

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Dennis Schröder’s decision to decline a four-year, $84 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 has become a focal point in discussions about risky NBA career decisions. Believing he could secure a more lucrative deal in free agency, Schröder instead found himself signing a much less favorable one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics later that year. This represented a significant decrease from the security and financial assurance the Lakers’ offer would have provided.

Following his stint with the Celtics, Schröder’s market value did not rebound as he might have hoped. He moved between several teams, including a return to the Lakers on a minimal deal, before finally landing a two-year, $25.4 million contract with the Toronto Raptors in 2023. This contract, while substantial, still falls short of what he once rejected from the Lakers, illustrating a considerable financial loss over the intervening years.

As of the 2023-24 NBA season, Schröder is earning a base salary of $13 million with the Nets after his mid-season trade. His performance stats for this season include averaging 14.0 points, and 6.1 assists per game. These figures are respectable but do not position him among the top tier of NBA point guards, potentially due to the inconsistency and pressures of moving between teams and systems.

Victor Oladipo Rejecting An Extension With The Pacers

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Victor Oladipo was once a rising star with the Indiana Pacers, showing promise that earned him the status of an All-Star. During the 2017-18 NBA season, he was at the peak of his powers, having the best season of his career with averages of 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and leading the league with 2.4 steals per game. His performance during this season earned him the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.

Yet, the turning point came in 2018 when Oladipo suffered a severe ruptured quadriceps tendon. This injury was the beginning of his troubles, leading to multiple surgeries and a long rehabilitation process that kept him out of the game for an extended period. Despite this setback, Oladipo attempted a comeback, but he never fully returned to his pre-injury form.

In the midst of his recovery, Oladipo made a crucial decision regarding his contract. The Indiana Pacers offered him a four-year extension worth approximately $112.9 million, which would have secured him a starting salary of about $25.2 million per year, but betting on himself to regain his All-Star form and secure a more lucrative deal, Oladipo declined this offer. This decision would soon prove to be detrimental. After returning to the court, he struggled to perform at his previous levels, and by 2020, he was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a larger deal involving multiple teams.

Oladipo’s stint with the Rockets was brief and lackluster, leading to a trade to the Miami Heat. The Heat offered him a chance to prove himself again; however, recurring injuries continued to plague him. Over the next few seasons, Oladipo’s appearances were sporadic, and his performance was a far cry from his days in Indiana. During the 2022-23 season, he averaged only 10.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game, a significant decline from his All-Star years.

His journey was further complicated by another severe knee injury during the playoffs with the Heat, which sidelined him once more, casting doubts on his future in the NBA. By 2024, Oladipo has found himself without a team after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies, leaving his career at a crossroads.