Every summer, NBA free agency presents players with career-defining decisions. Some choose the security of long-term extensions while others take the riskier path by betting on themselves. After all, we have seen these examples throughout history.
- Dennis Schroder – Rejected 4-Year, $84 Million From Los Angeles Lakers
- Montrezl Harrell – Rejected 4-Year, $80 Million From Charlotte Hornets
- Nerlens Noel – Rejected 4-Year, $70 Million From Dallas Mavericks
- Victor Oladipo – Rejected 2-Year, $45 Million From Houston Rockets
- Lance Stephenson – Rejected 4-Year, $44 Million From Indiana Pacers
- Vladimir Radmonovic – Rejected 6-Year, $42 Million From Seattle SuperSonics
- DeMarcus Cousins – Rejected 2-Year, $40 Million From New Orleans Pelicans
- Bonzi Wells – Rejected 5-Year, $38.5 Million From Sacramento Kings
- Latrell Sprewell – Rejected 3-Year, $21 Million From Minnesota Timberwolves
- John Amaechi – Rejected 6-Year, $17 Million From Los Angeles Lakers
That means some players decline deals in hopes of proving their worth and cashing in later. It’s a bold gamble that, when successful, can elevate a player’s earnings and reputation. But when it fails, the consequences can be career-altering, leaving millions of dollars on the table.
For these players, what seemed like a smart business decision instead turned into a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes shift in the NBA. Let’s go through some examples of players betting on themselves before later regretting it.
Dennis Schroder – Rejected 4-Year, $84 Million From Los Angeles Lakers
In 2021, Dennis Schroder made headlines by turning down a four-year, $84 million extension from the Los Angeles Lakers, believing he could command a bigger payday in free agency. Instead, his market collapsed after a poor playoff showing and the Lakers’ trade for Russell Westbrook, leaving him with only a one-year, $5.9 million deal from the Boston Celtics.
Was Schroder worth the hefty deal? Possibly, since he posted 15.4 PPG and 5.8 APG the season prior. Regardless, what was meant to be a bet on himself turned into one of the most infamous examples of “fumbling the bag” in recent NBA history.
Montrezl Harrell – Rejected 4-Year, $80 Million From Charlotte Hornets
Coming off a Sixth Man of the Year campaign in 2020 (18.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG), Montrezl Harrell was reportedly offered four years and $80 million by the Hornets. Believing he could chase both a title and better financial options, he chose instead to sign a shorter, two-year $19 million deal with the Lakers.
His minutes and production declined dramatically in L.A.’s crowded rotation, and he never regained the leverage to command a major contract again. Harrell lasted until the 2022-23 season and never played at least 25 MPG since his breakout campaign again until his retirement.
Nerlens Noel – Rejected 4-Year, $70 Million From Dallas Mavericks
In 2017, the Dallas Mavericks put a four-year, $70 million offer on the table for Nerlens Noel, a young center with defensive upside. Advised that he could secure a max deal elsewhere, he turned it down and settled for a one-year, $4.1 million qualifying offer.
Injuries and inconsistency plagued his career from there, and Noel never came close to recapturing that lost fortune. The big man would not play in the NBA after the 2022-23 season, although he never played a pivotal role anywhere he went.
Victor Oladipo – Rejected 2-Year, $45 Million From Houston Rockets
After his All-Star peak in Indiana, Victor Oladipo bet on himself by rejecting a two-year, $45 million offer from the Houston Rockets in 2021, convinced he could prove healthy and earn a long-term max deal. Instead, his injuries worsened, and his value dipped to the point where he was forced to sign short-term contracts, including a veteran minimum deal with the Miami Heat.
What once looked like an obvious gamble turned into a devastating financial and career setback. Quite frankly, the Rockets will be satisfied that they passed up on this deal because they have gone on to build a talented and young roster without committing too much to veterans.
Lance Stephenson – Rejected 4-Year, $44 Million From Indiana Pacers
In 2014, Lance Stephenson was a rising star after helping lead Indiana to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals. Offered a four-year, $44 million contract by the Pacers, he turned it down, believing he could earn more elsewhere.
He signed with the Charlotte Hornets for less guaranteed money, and his career quickly unraveled, never again reaching the same level of impact. We appreciated what Stephenson brought to the game in terms of entertainment, and he earned around $37 million over his career, so perhaps he isn’t losing too much sleep.
Vladimir Radmonovic – Rejected 6-Year, $42 Million From Seattle SuperSonics
Vladimir Radmanovic turned down a six-year, $42 million extension with Seattle in 2005, aiming for a shorter deal that would allow him to re-enter the market sooner. He ended up signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Clippers, risking long-term security.
While he later got decent contracts and made over $40 million in his NBA career, he never again had the chance at that kind of guaranteed money over six years. Quite frankly, Radmonovic wasn’t a good enough player to generate more than he would have received because he only averaged over 10 PPG once (2005-06) after his decision.
DeMarcus Cousins – Rejected 2-Year, $40 Million From New Orleans Pelicans
In 2018, DeMarcus Cousins, a perennial All-Star, declined a two-year, $40 million extension from the Pelicans, assuming he could command a max contract despite recovering from an Achilles tear. When no such offers materialized, he settled for a one-year, $5.3 million deal with Golden State.
Injuries piled up, and he never regained All-Star form, costing himself tens of millions. Cousins should have accepted the deal while he worked to regain his health, but obviously, hindsight is 20-20. What really is a shame is how Cousins’ career never reached the very top after his dominance with the Sacramento Kings early on in his career.
Bonzi Wells – Rejected 5-Year, $38.5 Million From Sacramento Kings
Fresh off a strong playoff run in 2006 (averaging 13.6 PPG for the season), Wells declined a five-year, $38.5 million deal from the Kings, convinced a richer deal was coming in free agency. Instead, his market dried up, and he ended up signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the Rockets.
Within two years, he was out of the NBA entirely, making his decision one of the league’s most frustrating examples of failing to cash in. We aren’t sure why Wells was incapable of building off a very strong campaign, because he should have had a longer career.
Latrell Sprewell – Rejected 3-Year, $21 Million From Minnesota Timberwolves
In 2004, Sprewell famously turned down a three-year, $21 million extension from the Timberwolves, saying the offer wasn’t enough because he “had a family to feed.” No better deals materialized, and he never signed another NBA contract.
The refusal ended his career, cementing his name in the NBA as a player who probably didn’t weigh out the market well enough. Where was his agent? We won’t know what happened behind the scenes, but Sprewell probably looked at the four All-Star Teams he made and felt he needed a bigger payday.
John Amaechi – Rejected 6-Year, $17 Million From Los Angeles Lakers
John Amaechi shocked many in 2000 when he rejected a six-year, $17 million offer from the Lakers to stay loyal to the Orlando Magic, who had given him a chance in the league. Instead, he re-signed with Orlando for about $600,000 per season, passing up a life-changing payday.
While his choice was rooted in loyalty to the franchise, for whatever reason, financially, it became one of the most puzzling free-agency decisions ever made. Unfortunately, this is a case where something that comes your way once will never return.
