Why Former No. 1 Pick Joe Smith Will Break Unique NBA Record

Joe Smith, who just finished his 16th NBA season, has played in 1,030 regular season games for 12 different teams (tied with Jim Jackson, Tony Massenberg, and Chucky Brown) throughout his NBA career.

Currently an unrestricted free-agent, Smith will most likely look to sign a one-year contract for a contender. Since he can still contribute to a team, the chances of him landing another job in the league is quite high.

After being selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1995 NBA Draft ahead of players such as Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, and Antonio McDyess, Smith has seen his career turn into one of “journeyman” stature since 1998.

Let’s take a closer look into every one of his stops during his long and unique NBA career.

Golden State Warriors (1995-1998)

Smith actually averaged 17.1 points and close to eight rebounds during his two-and-a-half years with the Warriors. He played well-enough for being the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1995.

On February, 17, 1998 the Warriors dealt Smith and Brian Shaw to the Philadelphia 76ers for Clarence Weatherspoon and Jim Jackson.

Philadelphia 76ers (1998)

Smith lasted for the remainder of the 1997-98 season in Philadelphia where he averaged 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 30 games played (including six starts).

Minnesota Timberwolves (1998-2000)

Smith signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a free-agent during the summer of 1998 where he played alongside fellow 1995 draftee Kevin Garnett. Smith averaged 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds in 43 games played including 42 starts in the 50 game regular season.

It was determined that Smith and the Timberwolves franchise had been found guilty of committing salary cap-tampering. Then Timberwolves executive Kevin McHale had allowed Smith to sign for a minimum contract while also promising to re-sign him for a much larger contract in the near future.

As a result, the NBA removed Smith’s final year of his contract, and docked three future first-round draft picks from the team, and fined the team $3.5 million.

Detroit Pistons (2000-2001)

Smith then signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Pistons. He averaged 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds while appearing in 69 games (including 59 starts).

Back to Minnesota (2001-2003)

Smith, who put up solid numbers in a backup role, signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves marking his second stint with the team. Smith continued to average over 10 points and six rebounds in his two years with the team.

On June 27, 2003 Smith was traded along with Anthony Peeler to the Milwaukee Bucks for Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson.

Milwaukee Bucks (2003-2006)

Smith spent the next three seasons as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks where he went on to average 10 points and six rebounds per game. He was becoming a consistent scorer off the bench, and was becoming a dependable player for the Bucks. He even started in games due to injuries suffered by the starters.

Smith was traded on August 10, 2006 to the Denver Nuggets for Ruben Patterson.

Denver Nuggets (2006)

Smith appeared in only 11 games with Denver averaging 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds before being traded once again to the Philadelphia 76ers (his second stint with the team) in the Allen Iverson trade.

Smith along with Andre Miller and two 2007 first-round draft picks were traded to Philadelphia in exchange for Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin.

Back in Philadelphia (2006-2007)

Smith, an add-in the Iverson trade, played well in his second stint in Philadelphia, averaging 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 54 games played. Smith who was a free-agent at the end of the season and looking to join a team that was in need of a big man, signed with the Chicago Bulls.

Chicago Bulls (2007-2008)

Smith averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 50 games with the Bulls (including 35 starts). The Bulls only won 33 games that season, and the team looked to clear their roster in order to clear cap space and “rebuild” through free agency.

The Bulls in a three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Seattle Sonics traded Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, and a 2009 second-round draft pick to Cleveland in exchange for Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, and Shannon Brown.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2008)

After coming to Cleveland, Smith established a role for himself with the team. Coming off the bench, Smith averaged 8.1 points and five rebounds in 27 games with the Cavaliers. Smith also provided a veteran presence to a very young team led by LeBron James.

Smith was traded once again on August 13, 2008 to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a three-team trade also involving the Milwaukee Bucks.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-2009)

Smith, who had established a role in Cleveland, looked to do the same with a young Thunder (former Seattle Sonics) franchise. However, he was looking to sign with a playoff-bound team, and the Thunder did attempt to trade him to the New Orleans Hornets along with Chris Wilcox for Tyson Chandler, but the trade was rescinded when Chandler failed his physical.

After not trading Smith again, the Thunder bought out his contract, making the veteran forward an unrestricted free-agent.

Back to Cleveland (2009)

Smith once again looked to help the Cavaliers, signing with the team in March 2009 hoping to make noise in the playoffs. In 27 regular season games with the team, Smith averaged 6.5 points and 4.7 rebounds. Once the season ended, Smith was an unrestricted free-agent who decided not to re-sign with the team.

Atlanta Hawks (2009-2010)

In Atlanta, Joe Smith did not see a lot of playing time. He only averaged 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 64 games played. However, being a veteran presence on the team and mentoring the younger players on the team and in the locker room was what he did instead in his one year stint in Atlanta.

New Jersey Nets (2010)

Smith signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Nets during the free agency period. However, he appeared in only four games with the team (including three starts) before being sent to the bench.

Smith was on the move once again, this time in a three-team trade heading to the Los Angeles Lakers along with a 2011 second-round draft pick.

Los Angeles Lakers (2010-2011)

Smith came over to the Lakers in mid-December, even though he made his first appearance on the court for the team in early January. However, Smith was once again regulated to a bench role, playing limited minutes, for the third consecutive season.

So, since entering the NBA back in 1995, Smith has seen his role change throughout his career. However, he has managed to accept whatever role with each team he played with, and may find another employer for the 2011-12 NBA season.