NBA Players Played Most Teams: Ish Smith, the point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, has been moved seven times in his NBA career, six of which were deadline moves. Smith has suited up for almost half of the league, having played for an NBA-record 13 teams.
There are journeymen who switch teams frequently throughout their careers. Let’s take a look at the 6 NBA players who have worn the uniform for the most different clubs.
Which NBA players have the most teams they have played for?
Ish Smith, 13 clubs since 2011
Smith took advantage of his opportunity after being selected undrafted in 2010 and developed into a reliable role player. The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Denver Nuggets are the clubs the point guard has currently played for. He has two separate spells with Washington, Philadelphia, and Charlotte (where he plays today). In 19.3 minutes a game throughout the course of his 14-year career, he has averaged 7.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds.
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Chucky Brown, 12 teams ((1990-2002)
The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings were the 12 clubs that Brown played for. He played for the Hornets and Cavaliers for two stints. We’ve just included Brown’s NBA tenure on this list; he also played for two teams in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and spent a year abroad. Brown participated in 694 games over his 13-year NBA career, averaging 5.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 17.2 minutes.
Jim Jackson, 12 teams (1993-2006)
Jackson played for 12 teams, including 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. He was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He spent the most time—four and a half seasons—with Dallas. Jackson averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 885 games over his 14-year NBA career.
Tony Massenburg, 12 teams (1991-2005)
The San Antonio Spurs selected Massenburg with the 43rd pick overall in 1990. However, he would go on to play for 12 different NBA teams in 13 seasons, including the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Vancouver Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Kings. He also played for four different international teams. Massenburg averaged 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 683 games throughout his NBA career.
Joe Smith (1996-2011) 12 teams
Smith was chosen first overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1995 after being a standout player at Maryland. 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 after two and a half years with the Warriors. He played for the Wolves, 76ers, and Cavaliers twice. Over 1,030 games, Smith averaged 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds to end his career.
Garrett Temple, 12 clubs as of right now
Temple has played for 12 teams in his 14-year NBA career, including the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, and Toronto Raptors (his current team). If he continues to play, he may be able to tie Ish Smith’s record. Over his career, Temple has averaged 6.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. He is an excellent leader and locker-room presence. Temple’s endurance is even more remarkable when you consider that he was not selected in the 2009 NBA D League, which is now known as the G League.
