Every NBA Team’s Most Disappointing Player

The 2023-24 season is approaching its midway point and already it has given us some riveting storylines to follow through its conclusion. There have been incredible triumphs such as the rise of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves as legitimate contenders. Of course, with triumph from some comes major disappointment from others which is the focus of the list below.

Even the best teams so far this season have had a dark cloud come over them in the form of a certain player with high expectations that hasn’t lived up to them. Today, we will highlight these disappointing players from every NBA team and what they could do to turn their seasons around. For the sake of their organizations, these NBA players need to figure it out, and quickly.

Atlanta Hawks – De’Andre Hunter

At one point in time, De’Andre Hunter was seen as a prized acquisition of the 2019 offseason, and that was before he even played a game in the NBA. In the time between then and 2023-24, Hunter has been nothing short of a disappointment in Atlanta, plagued by injuries and severely inconsistent play. In 2022-23, Hunter had a career season averaging a career-high 15.4 points per game and playing in 67 games for the first time in his career. Now, he has seemingly regressed to his pre-2023 form.

Hunter is back on the bench with a knee injury that has plagued him since before Christmas while his scoring and efficiency have both dipped compared to 2022-23. In 24 games played, Hunter is averaging 14.9 points per game on 46.0% shooting. The bright side is that his shooting from beyond the arc has improved. Unfortunately, you have to be on the court for that to mean anything.

Boston Celtics – Jrue Holiday

It is extremely difficult to choose a disappointment from a team with the best record in the NBA. The Boston Celtics are currently 29-8 through 37 games in 2023-24 and on many occasions have been referred to as having the best starting lineup in the NBA by a mile.

If there has to be a disappointment to be assigned to the NBA’s best team, it would have to be offseason acquisition Jrue Holiday. Coming off an All-Star season in 2022-23, Holiday chose to sign with the Celtics after being traded from Milwaukee for Damian Lillard and subsequently traded by Portland. It was a power move by the Celtics, solidifying their status as the team to beat in the East.

However, things have gotten off to a shaky start for Holiday. He is averaging his lowest point total since 2012 (13.0 PPG) with far less impact defensively than anticipated. Still, he has been a positive addition for Boston but is being outshined by backcourt teammate Derrick White who has made an All-Star case of his own through 37 games.

Brooklyn Nets – Mikal Bridges

After being acquired by the Brooklyn Nets from the Phoenix Suns in the deal involving Kevin Durant, Mikal Bridges exploded in his final 27 games of the 2022-23 season. In those games for Brooklyn, Bridges averaged 27.1 points per game on 47.5% shooting from the field and 37.6% shooting from three.

It has been quite the opposite to start the 2023-24 season for the sixth-year forward. Through 37 games this season, Bridges is averaging just 21.2 points per game on 45.4% shooting overall and 35.0% shooting from three. Bridges’ regression has resulted in a 16-21 start for Brooklyn, currently keeping them out of the chase for the playoffs.

For a team thought to be trending in the right direction despite losing Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant within a year of each other, Bridges’ play has given them zero confidence in their current standing as a contender for playoff basketball this season.

Charlotte Hornets – P.J. Washington

In 2022-23, P.J. Washington was given his first real chance to be an impactful starter for the Charlotte Hornets. Washington seized this opportunity, averaging a career-high 15.7 points per game in 73 starts for the team last season. Things were finally starting to look up for the 6’7’’ big man.

Whether it was the return of Miles Bridges or being sent back to the bench as sixth man, Washington has returned to his disappointing play once again in 2023-24. Overall, there isn’t much nice to say about the Hornets but Washington has been one of the main reasons for their 8-27 start.

Through 34 games, Washington is averaging just 13.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting a lowly 42.4% from the field. At this point, Charlotte is done with the P.J. Washington era and I expect his name to be mentioned a lot as we head toward this year’s trade deadline.

Chicago Bulls – Zach LaVine

For a player who is supposed to be one of the best shooting guards in the game, Zach LaVine has been far from it in 2023-24. It has not been a question of talent as we know LaVine possesses all the skills that it takes to be one of the top players in his position.

The real issue has been his health, attitude, and motivation on the court. LaVine and the Bulls seem to be at an impasse off the court with very public trade rumors dominating the headlines with LaVine since before the 2023-24 season got underway. A shoulder injury has limited him to just 21 of 39 games played for the Bulls, adding to their misery with an 18-21 record.

When he has been on the court, he hasn’t looked like the LaVine we know sans a 51-point game earlier this season against Detroit which resulted in a loss. In the 21 games he has played, LaVine is averaging just 20.3 points per game, his lowest scoring average since 2018. He is also shooting the worst he ever has from three (34.0%) and his lowest overall shooting percentage since 2018 (44.6%).

Cleveland Cavaliers – Georges Niang

Given how badly the Cleveland Cavaliers have been bitten by the injury bug in 2023-24, it is kind of hard to label any of their core players as disappointing. Despite significant injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers find themselves 21-15, tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference.

That is why we have to assign the “most disappointing” tag to one of their complimentary players, Georges Niang. Although teammates have come out and said Niang inspired them in the locker room which sparked a turnaround in their season, his play on the court has been subpar at best.

Through 36 games, Niang is seeing over 22.0 minutes per game on the court but the once impactful 3-and-D wing has seen his shooting and scoring take a plunge. He is averaging just 8.5 points per game on 41.4% shooting overall and 34.7% from three which are his worst shooting numbers since 2018. Quite the dropoff for someone who signed a three-year, $26 million deal in July.

Dallas Mavericks – Josh Green

For the last few seasons, the Dallas Mavericks have been desperate to find complimentary players to put around superstar Luka Doncic and get them over the hump as legitimate title contenders. After finally landing Kyrie Irving last season and re-signing him in the offseason, the next order of business was to lock up one of their young and rising players with star potential, Josh Green.

Dallas rewarded Green with a three-year, $41 million extension but has played far below that value in 2023-24. Through 26 games played for Dallas this season, mostly off the bench, Green is just 6.6 points per game and shooting just 44.9% overall and a lowly 34.7% from three. To make matters worse, he is converting just 63.6% of his free throw attempts which are way down since 2022-23.

For a team with depth issues, Green has been one of the glaring disappointments for the 22-16 Mavericks.

Denver Nuggets – Michael Porter Jr.

As the defending NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets and disappointment do not belong in the same sentence. They are currently 26-13 on the year and third in the Western Conference looking as if they are poised to repeat as NBA champions.

If there is one player who has regressed and been a disappointment in 2023-24, it is Michael Porter Jr. Along with his well-documented propensity to shoot almost every possession in which he touches the ball, his scoring and shooting numbers are down from his career season in 2022-23. His scoring has decreased from 17.4 to 16.0 points per game and his efficiency has dropped from 48/41/80 shooting splits to 47/39/77 in 2023-24.

If the Nuggets are going to take home back-to-back NBA championships, they are going to need Porter Jr. to tighten up his game and return to the efficient scorer he was on their title run.

Detroit Pistons – The Entire Roster

For a team thought to have one of the most promising young cores in the NBA, the Pistons have been historically bad from top to bottom in 2023-24. Under new Head Coach Monty Williams, the Pistons have gotten off to a 3-35 start to their season which included a historic 28-game losing streak that captivated the entire NBA and its fans.

This was quite a disappointment for a team thought to be at least a play-in contender built around stars Cade Cunningham and Bojan Bogdanovic. Injuries and inexperience have been the two most glaring issues for the Pistons as they attempt to rebuild for what seems like at least the 10th season in a row now.

Golden State Warriors – Draymond Green

The start to the 2023-24 season could not be going worse for the Golden State Warriors. They are currently 17-20 and one game behind the Lakers for the 10th spot in the West. Many factors have contributed to the Warriors’ demise as a dynasty but none have been more disappointing than Draymond Green.

Without speculating about what’s going on for him behind the scenes, something has been off for Green since the start of the season on the court. With a history of erratic behavior, it has been even more glaring in 2023-24 with more ejections and physical altercations taking center stage.

After Green was suspended by the NBA for five games following a chokehold applied to Rudy Gobert, Green followed that up with a shot to Suns center Jusuf Nurkic’s face resulting in another 12-game ban. During this time, the Warriors fell apart without their leader and floor general, going 9-9 in those 18 games.

Green has been reinstated by the NBA but is currently working to get back into basketball shape and return to the court. Golden State anxiously anticipates his return but there is no doubt that his antics and time away have been the most disappointing part of their 2023-24 season thus far.

Houston Rockets – Jalen Green

The Houston Rockets have been one of the NBA’s biggest surprises in 2023-24, going from the basement of the Western Conference in 2022-23 to the thick of the playoff race through 36 games this season. While this is true, there is one player and his decision-making that has been inconsistent and disappointing for the year.

Jalen Green, the former No. 2 overall draft pick, is undoubtedly a talented scorer and potential star in the NBA. However, Green’s shot selection and decision-making as a playmaker leave many scratching their heads. After an improvement in 2022-23, Green has regressed down to 17.3 points per game while shooting just 40.3% overall from the floor.

While the leadership of new additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks has been tremendous for Houston, watching Green continue to struggle has been gut-wrenching. The good news is that Green is still just 21 years old and has the potential to turn this all around with discipline and learning to slow the game down to his liking.

Indiana Pacers – Buddy Hield

The Indiana Pacers have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the 2023-24 season so far. While on pace to break the single-season scoring record by a team, Tyrese Haliburton has become one of the top point guards in the league and the supporting cast around him has led the Pacers to a 22-15 start.

The one player who has disappointed them so far this season is a shocking one in Buddy Hield. After a start to his Pacers career that saw him remain among the NBA’s top three-point shooters, Hield is struggling mightily off the bench in 2023-24. Through 37 games, Hield is averaging just 12.5 points per game while shooting 43.1% overall and 37.5% from three.

In case it wasn’t clear before when he requested a trade out of Indiana this summer, Hield’s start to 2023-24 has never made it more so that he may be done with the Pacers and ready to move on to his next chapter.

Los Angeles Clippers – P.J. Tucker

If I had been writing this piece a month ago, James Harden and the deal made for his services would easily be the selection for the Los Angeles Clippers. A 15-5 stretch over their last 20 games and a fourth spot in the Western Conference has changed all of that for the team in the blink of an eye.

One player who has been frustrated with his role and an overall disappointment for the Clippers during this time has been P.J. Tucker. Acquired along with Harden earlier this season, Tucker has barely seen the court appearing in 12 games for less than 15 minutes per night.

Even as a player who is a non-factor on offense and more of a defensive addition, Tucker has been disappointing, shooting just 28.6% from the floor with little to no impact on the defensive side of the ball. His diminished role and poor attitude are hurting his progress even if it has not hurt the Clippers, yet.

Los Angeles Lakers – Everyone Not Named LeBron James And Anthony Davis

For the start of the 2023-24 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA. One season after advancing to the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers find themselves 19-19 through 38 games and in the 10th spot, fighting for their playoff lives in the Western Conference.

This is at no fault to LeBron James and Anthony Davis who have remained healthy and effective for most of the season so far. Injuries to supporting cast members such as Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura have taken their toll as well but even when healthy, they are negatively impacting the team.

Healthy players have had their part in the slow start as well. Austin Reaves has failed to live up to the offseason deal he signed with the team as has starting point guard D’Angelo Russell who has been relegated to the bench as of late. For a team thought to have title aspirations in 2023-24, placing the blame and disappointment on one player just didn’t seem fair. Coach Darvin Ham is not absent of blame either with his seat red-hot just 38 games into the year. Bad rotations and inconsistent lineups will end up being his downfall if poor play continues.

Memphis Grizzlies – Jaren Jackson Jr.

Forget the fact that Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies were dealt a bad hand with Ja Morant’s suspension and season-ending injury to start the 2023-24 season for one minute. On the surface, the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year is having a tremendous offensive start to the season with a career-high 21.3 points per game.

Despite that, Jackson’s struggles almost everywhere else on the court have had little impact on team success, getting off to an 8-19 start and currently sitting at 14-23 on the season. As his offensive numbers have gone up, Jackson’s impact everywhere else has diminished. Now in his sixth season, Jackson remains a below-average rebounder for his size 5.8 RPG) and an inefficient shooter (35.2% 3P) despite his love of jacking up perimeter shots.

To make matters worse, his defensive impact has gone down as well with the inability to stay out of foul trouble still being a glaring issue. If Memohis has any chance to recover after losing Morant, Jackson needs to get back to a physical and relentless style that made him successful in the past.

Miami Heat – Caleb Martin

Caleb Martin was one of the many reasons the Miami Heat had such an amazing run to the 2023 NBA Finals. His timely shooting and defensive play in the playoffs were a part of what has been labeled Heat Culture as one of the many role players who exceeded expectations and made Miami the team to beat in the East.

For Martin, his 2023-24 season has gotten off to a horrendous start, Due to injury, Martin has missed 16 of the team’s 36 games so far this season and has been underwhelming when he has been available. In 20 games played, Martin has averaged just 11.0 points per game while shooting just 44.3% from the field, his lowest output since 2021 with the Hornets.

While his 11.0 points per game is a career-high, his increase in usage and injuries to other stars have contributed to that increase in scoring rather than his own improvement. Hopefully, Martin can harness some magic from the 2023 playoffs for the rest of the season.

Milwaukee Bucks – Brook Lopez

Once again, selecting one disappointment from a team that is currently 25-12 and just 3.5 games out of first place in the East is a difficult task. However, the Bucks have a myriad of issues facing their 2023-24 season even after adding Damian Lillard in the offseason and forming one of the best duos in the NBA with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In 2022-23, Brook Lopez had a monster season with 15.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while also being a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. His defense remains impactful but his offensive play has fallen off a cliff compared to last year. Lopez’s scoring and efficiency have decreased significantly as he is averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds on 47.4% shooting overall and just 32.6% from three.

The Bucks need their starting center to have more of an offensive impact to match his defensive play if they are going to come back from a disappointing end to their 2023 season.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Kyle Anderson

While the Minnesota Timberwolves have gotten off to a hot start with the best record in the West at 26-11, their issues when it comes to their bench have been glaringly obvious. Specifically, the play of forward Kyle Anderson has been a major concern ahead of the halfway point this year.

After contributing greatly to their success in 2022-23 in a split role both off the bench and as a starter, Anderson has been coming off the bench in 2023-24 for the league-leading Timberwolves. Unfortunately, his play has regressed with Anderson averaging just 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on 46.9% shooting overall and 12.0% shooting from three (0.7 attempts).

Is Anderson’s play going to keep Minnesota from making a deep playoff run? No, it certainly will not. That doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been a major disappointment to begin the 2023-24 season.

New Orleans Pelicans – Herbert Jones

While the New Orleans Pelicans have gotten off to a strong 23-15 start, there is room for improvement across the board. One of the improvements that need to be made is the play coming from third-year forward Herbert Jones.

In his first two seasons in New Orleans, Jones was a major defensive addition to the Pelicans’ lineup, shutting down some of the best offensive wings in the entire league. Fast forward to 2023-24 and his defensive impact has taken a slight dip and a backseat to his increasingly improved offensive play.

Being a disappointment does not mean that Jones has been bad because he hasn’t. However, with a star leap expected in his third season, Jones has improved very little and in some areas, not at all.

New York Knicks – Quentin Grimes

Before the 2022-23 season, the New York Knicks turned down a deal for Donovan Mitchell, appearing to be unwilling to deal both RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes. Fast forward to this point in 2023-24, Barrett is already gone and Grimes is playing as if he forgot what to do on the basketball court.

Grimes’ potential to become an increasingly impactful player in New York last season was evident, averaging 11.3 points per game on 46.8% shooting. Through 34 appearances in 2023-24, he is shooting just 40.1% from the field overall and averaging just 7.0 points per game in much more of a role off the bench.

I bet the Knicks are livid they didn’t deal Grimes when his value was the highest it may ever be last season.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Josh Giddey

Despite the dream start to the 2023-24 season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, it has been anything but for third-year guard Josh Giddey. Aside from the obvious distractions off the court with the investigation into his alleged relationship with a minor, Giddey’s play has been way off on it as he has taken a backseat to star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie Chet Holmgren.

In just his third season which is supposed to be the year he takes “the leap”, Giddey is averaging career lows across the board. His scoring has dipped to 11.9 points per game while his rebounding (6.0 RPG) and assists (4.5 APG) have also taken a massive dip. He is shooting a career-high 37.2% from three but overall, his 45.6% shooting is a significant decrease from last season.

Hopefully, the trend does not continue down this path for Giddey and he can get back to being the impactful Swiss Army knife he was in 2022 and 2023.

Orlando Magic – Wendell Carter Jr.

When the Orlando Magic traded for Wendell Carter Jr. during the 2020-21 season, nobody anticipated the positive effect he would have on the team almost right away. Carter developed into a walking double-double, averaging over 15.0 points and just under 10.0 rebounds per game.

Fast forward to 2023-24 and injuries along with inconsistent play have been a major concern for the sixth-year big man out of Duke. Carter has missed 24 games so far this season due to various ailments and a major surgery on his hand earlier in the season.

In the 13 games he has played so far, he has been Orlando’s biggest disappointment despite their 21-16 record. Carter is averaging just 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 2023-24 while shooting a career-low 42.5% from the floor. He is being saved by his 40.5% shooting from three but even that cannot cover up the disappointment he has put forth this season.

Philadelphia 76ers – Marcus Morris Sr.

One major part of the deal sending James Harden to the Clippers in November was the arrival of Marcus Morris Sr. in Philadelphia. Morris was seen as a great complement to reigning MVP Joel Embiid due to his physical nature of play and contributions as a secondary double-digit scorer.

In a mostly bench role for the 76ers in 2023-24, Morris has failed to live up to those expectations. Morris has appeared in 28 of the 76ers’ 36 games this season but is averaging just 15.7 minutes of playing time and just 6.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. Morris has failed to live up to his role in Philadelphia but it hasn’t been a detriment to their success as a unit as they currently sit third in the East at 23-13.

Phoenix Suns – Bradley Beal

Whether it be due to injury or otherwise when a player is an addition to a Big 3 and does not perform to those standards, it is going to stick out as a huge disappointment. That is exactly what is going on right now with Bradley Beal and the Phoenix Suns in 2023-24.

Through 37 games, Beal has been on the court for just 13 of them for Phoenix this season. To make matters worse, Beal is not playing up to the level of a “Big 3” member, averaging just 16.4 points per game on 48.0% shooting and an abysmal 30.2% shooting from three. Aside from the lack of continuity for Phoenix, Beal’s injuries and inconsistent play have led to a rough 19-18 start for the Suns.

There is still time for Beal to get healthy and play a major part in the Suns’ surge up the standings. After diminishing their depth to get him, the Suns have put all of their eggs in that basket so for their sake it better work out.

Portland Trail Blazers – Deandre Ayton

After being made a major piece of the Damian Lillard trade to Milwaukee from Portland, Deandre Ayton was visibly relieved to be on the move from Phoenix for a fresh start in Portland. The start of his career in the Northwest has been anything but a fresh start for the 7-footer who has seen a decrease in production across the board.

Through 24 games played out of 36 for Portland, Ayton is averaging 13.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. More concerning than his drop in offensive production has been his unwillingness to get physical and give maximum effort on the defensive end which has been a concern for most of his career.

We all figured his tattered relationship with coach Monty Williams played a role in his lack of effort in Phoenix. It seems like the disappointment may be just what we get from the former No. 1 overall pick as time goes on.

Sacramento Kings – Kevin Huerter

Out of all of the disappointing players in 2023-24 so far, Kevin Huerter of the Sacramento Kings is about as high up on the list as one can get. After a 2022-23 season that saw Huerter embrace his new role with the Kings, 2023-24 has seen him lose his starting job and possibly his three-point sharpshooting as well.

In his first four seasons with the Hawks and Kings, Huerter hovered around 40.0% shooting from three. Through 36 games in 2023-24, Huerter is shooting just 33.0% from beyond the arc on over 5.0 attempts per game. The result has been a significant decrease in scoring output with 9.5 points per game. He is also shooting a career-low 41.6% from the field overall and his name has been at the center of trade rumors as Sacramento seeks another star to group with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

San Antonio Spurs – Jeremy Sochan

With the Spurs moving into a new era centered around generational talent Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan was handed the keys to the kingdom by coach Gregg Popovich. Sochan, a second-year player, was a forward for the Spurs during his rookie campaign and was given the chance to be the team’s lead point guard in 2023-24. That experiment has failed miserably.

While his efficiency has remained a concern from his rookie season, it has been Sochan’s playmaking and decision-making that have been shockingly bad for the Spurs this season. Costly turnovers and countless missed opportunities to build chemistry with Wembanyama have been at the center of his issues as it seems Sochan would rather be considered the star of a bad team rather than a supporting cast member on a good one.

For now, I will chalk this one up to immaturity and the need to get acclimated to the complex system that is San Antonio. That excuse will run dry very quickly though if the 6-30 Spurs do not start turning their season around and winning some games.

Toronto Raptors – Gary Trent Jr.

As it stands in 2023-24, the Toronto Raptors are heading into a new era for their basketball team. With moves already made and inevitably more to come, one name to watch closely is Gary Trent Jr. Currently in his fourth season with the Raptors, Trent is going through one of the worst stretches of his career, trying to find his way in a new system under coach Darko Rajakovic.

Trent has seen his role become one that is primarily off the bench. Even in a down season last season, Trent was able to still manage 17.4 points per game in a slightly lesser role. In 2023-24, it has been a different story as Trent is averaging just 11.4 points per game through 34 games played.

While his three-point shooting is up to 39.7%, his overall efficiency has plummeted down to 41.1%. He is also struggling mightily from the free-throw line, shooting just 65.1%. I would not be surprised if the often vocal Trent Jr. is shipped out of town before the trade deadline next month.

Utah Jazz – John Collins

When John Collins was finally traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Utah Jazz this past summer after years of speculation, it was seen as a fresh start for the seventh-year power forward. It was also seen as an upgrade for the Utah Jazz who were looking to build around their All-Star talent of Lauri Markkanen.

Unfortunately, the deal has not worked out that way. Collins has been decent with 14.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game but his defensive play is average at best and on most nights, non-existent. Collins’ athleticism has often been able to save him as a defender and rebounder in his NBA career but his lack of discipline and ability to stick with his man has been exposed in Utah.

As a result, the Jazz have gotten off to an 19-20 start and currently find themselves out of the mix for the play-in tournament. A slight adjustment to Collins’ approach on defense as well as an increased role on offense could do wonders to save their season.

Washington Wizards – Jordan Poole

Jordan Poole has been the most disappointing player in the NBA season, and it isn’t even close. Initially, Poole’s arrival in Washington via trade from Golden State was seen as a godsend for the young scorer, looking to find a primary role and get out from behind the shadows of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State.

It didn’t take long for the jovial reaction to turn to disgust for Wizards fans and NBA fans as a whole. A poor attitude and even worse play from Poole has led to a complete disaster of a season for the Wizards. Through 36 games, Poole is averaging just 16.8 points per game on 41.4% shooting overall and 31.6% shooting from three.

Maybe the success in Golden State at such an early age got to Poole’s head and the start to the 2023-24 season will humble him. Then again, there has been zero sign of that coming to fruition much to the chagrin of the 6-31 2023-24 Wizards.