Which NBA Players Have Played for the Most Teams During Their Careers?
NBA stars like Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki played for one franchise for at least 20 years, but many athletes don’t have that longevity or luxury, jumping between teams throughout their basketball careers. So which NBA players have represented the most teams during their careers, and who holds the record for the most?
Which NBA players have played for the most teams?
Chucky Brown: 12 teams
The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Chucky Brown in 1989. During his 13-year NBA career, the 6-foot-7 forward played for a total of 12 teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors.
Tony Massenburg: 12 teams
The San Antonio Spurs chose Tony Massenburg in the 1990 NBA Draft. The power forward/center also had a 13-year pro career, playing for the Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Spurs. He won the 2005 NBA Championship with the Spurs.
Jim Jackson: 12 teams
The Dallas Mavericks drafted Jim Jackson in 1992, and he went on to have a 14-year NBA career. During that period, he played for 12 teams: the Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Joe Smith: 12 teams
Joe Smith’s 16-year NBA career began when the Golden State Warriors chose him in the 1995 draft. The 1995-96 All-Rookie represented 12 teams in total: the Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and New Jersey Nets.
Kevin Ollie: 11 teams
Drafted in 1997, Kevin Ollie played for 11 teams before retiring in 2010. The guard represented the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and New Jersey Nets.
Anthony Tolliver: 11 teams
Anthony Tolliver began his NBA career in 2008 after going undrafted. The forward has represented the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Jeff Green: 11 teams
Jeff Green was drafted in 2007 by the Boston Celtics. Since then, the forward has played for the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Denver Nuggets. Green is still in the league at the age of 36.
Which NBA player has played for the most teams?
Ish Smith: 13 teams
Ish Smith entered the NBA via the Developmental League in 2010. The undrafted point guard made his NBA debut with the Houston Rockets during that same season. Since then, he’s played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets.
Smith holds the record for the most NBA teams played for with 13.
All stats and team info courtesy of Basketball-Reference.
