The NBA journeyman who played for 12 different teams
In short: Joe Smith was a top draft pick whose career became a whirlwind of trades and scandals. From a massive salary cap investigation to a record-tying number of franchises, his 16-year NBA journey offers a fascinating look at the volatile nature of professional basketball.
Selected as the number one overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors, Joe Smith entered the league with immense expectations. After a stellar collegiate career at the University of Maryland, where he was named the 1995 College Player of the Year, Smith proved his talent immediately by making the 1995–96 All-Rookie team. However, his career would become defined as much by his movement between rosters as his on-court production.
Smith became one of the most mobile players in league history, eventually playing for 12 different NBA teams. This high turnover was punctuated by a major controversy involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. Following the 1999–2000 season, it was revealed that Smith had been involved in a salary cap-evading scheme. He had signed three consecutive one-year contracts for less than $3 million each, allegedly under the promise of a future deal worth as much as $86 million. The NBA's response was severe: Commissioner David Stern fined the Timberwolves $3.5 million, voided Smith's contracts, and stripped the franchise of several first-round draft picks.
Despite the scandal, Smith maintained a lengthy professional career, earning approximately $61 million in total. His journey took him through various cities, including stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Chicago Bulls, and the Los Angeles Lakers. By the time he reached his 1,000th game in March 2010, Smith had cemented his legacy as a quintessential NBA journeyman, a status he shared with players like Jim Jackson and Tony Massenburg until Ish Smith broke the record in 2022–23.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Joe Smith (basketball)
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