The Unsung Heroes of NBA Trades: A Tale of Miles and Mayhem
In the midst of blockbuster trades and superstar swaps, it’s easy to overlook the unsung heroes who hold teams together. Players like Dennis Schröder, often lost in the shuffle, make headlines with their privileged comments and frequent relocations. But what about those who have had it worse?
A League of Nomads
Crunching the numbers reveals a list of players who have endured a grueling gauntlet of trades, relocations, and miles traveled. Meet Chucky Brown, who racked up 3,450 miles in a 52-day span, bouncing between Houston, Chicago, and LA. His journey was a rollercoaster of emotions, from dodging Chicago’s brutal winter to finding solace in LA, only to be shipped back to the Windy City.
The Frequent Flier Club
Furkan Korkmaz takes the cake with 3,707 miles traveled, trekking from OKC to Cleveland, Denver, and eventually Philadelphia. His frequent flier card must have been maxed out! Trevor Ariza, the king of trades with 11 career swaps, logged an impressive 3,799 miles in a single November. His most memorable stint? A Laker during the Kobe Bryant era.
The Bol Bol Triangle
Bol Bol’s nine-day stay in Detroit was short-lived, as he failed his physical and was shipped back to Denver. Assuming he flew to Detroit for the physical, that’s a round-trip flight of shame. The Nuggets didn’t waste time, striking a deal with Boston just nine days later. That’s a lot of miles for a failed trade!
The Tumultuous Travels of Quinton Richardson
Quinton Richardson holds the dubious distinction of being traded the second-most times in NBA history, with ten career swaps. His roughest stretch? A 49-day span in 2009, where he traveled 5,619 miles, bouncing between New York, Memphis, LA, Minnesota, and Miami. Talk about a whirlwind tour!
Honorable Mention: Luke Ridnour’s Sad Saga
Luke Ridnour’s trade itinerary is a tale of woe, with multiple same-day trades that ended his career. He was passed around like a hot potato, from Matt Barnes to Jeremy Lamb, Janis Timma, and Tomislav Zubcic, before being flicked aside by the Raptors. It’s a harsh reminder that even the unsung heroes can face a cruel fate.
So, Dennis Schröder, take a deep breath and appreciate your relatively smooth ride. Things could be a lot worse. Enjoy the journey, and the miles, as an NBA trade glue guy.
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