Each NBA Team's Least Effective Player

Superstars have an incredible effect on any NBA team, but sometimes, an organization's weakest link can have just as substantial an effect.

These aren't necessarily the players who sit on the bench and go stale, but who also get some burn and have minimal to no positive effect. Players that are one-dimensional and become a major liability on the court are simply not effective.

A plethora of players fall under this category. They could be players who were at one time thought to be future stars, but only went on to drop off into oblivion, athletes who have spent the majority of their career making a living off their size or just players nearly incapable on the basketball court.

And as we will come to see, no team is immune from having such athletes on the roster. 

Atlanta Hawks: Zaza Pachulia

Since unrestricted free agents will not be considered, the Atlanta Hawks' least effective player right now is Zaza Pachulia.

Pachulia averaged 4.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.3 blocks in nearly 16 minutes per game last season. There was a certain level of hype surrounding his athleticism when he entered the league eight years ago, but he seemed to have peaked after the 2006-2007 campaign.

He is not an adept scorer, and blocks very little shots for someone his size. His rebounding is adequate, but nothing special, and he receives very little playing time because he is a near non-entity in Atlanta's game plan.

It's unfortunate for Pachulia that Maurice Evans is a free agent or else he would have been spared.

Boston Celtics: Avery Bradley

With the Boston Celtics also boasting a plethora of free agents, currently, their least effective player is shooting guard Avery Bradley.

Bradley put up 1.7 points and grabbed 0.5 rebounds in 5.2 minutes per night last season. He only appeared in 31 games, and while it may be unjust to pick on a player coming off his rookie season, it's clear he has a lot to learn.

At 6'2" he is an undersized shooting guard, and while he can play the point, his mindset is not that of a floor general. He also is not a skilled long range shooter, which isn't a desirable quality at his position.

It's going to be hard enough to earn more minutes in Boston's rotation as it is, and even harder considering Bradley is somewhat limited in what he can do offensively. 

Charlotte Bobcats: Eduardo Najera

Eduardo Najera has never been an effective player, but he has really fallen off the grid these past few seasons.

Last year, in 31 games, Najera averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12 minutes per contest. Coming into the league he was valued for his rebounding skills, but he never did much of that, especially now.

After 11 years in the league, the 6'8" Najera's greatest contribution is his work ethic in terms of practice. That being said, he is a complete liability on the offensive end and struggling defensively on a daily basis.

Nice guy, but ineffective nonetheless.

Chicago Bulls: Keith Bogans

Keith Bogans started all 82 games for the Chicago Bulls last season, but sadly effectiveness is not solely based on durability.

Bogans averaged a meager 4.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in just under 18 minutes per game last season. Anytime a starter is averaged under 20 minutes per night, it's a red flag.

The Bulls are clearly in need of a decent shooting guard, and Bogans just isn't the answer.  His jump shot is nothing special, and although he has improved his three-point shot recently he isn't a game-changer, or even an impact player for that matter.

It's no wonder why Chicago is scouring the league for someone to pair alongside Derrick Rose in the backcourt.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Ryan Hollins

Despite appearing in 70 games and averaging nearly 17 minutes per night, Ryan Hollins was unable to show any flashes of effectiveness.

Hollins put up 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per night, and was able to score given a favorable opportunity. That aside, he blocks very few shots and isn't the type of rebounder that a seven-footer needs to be.

Aggression is not a strong suit of Hollins' and given that he was drafted mainly based on the improvement he showed during the last month of his college career, it should come as no surprise that he makes an appearance here.

Dallas Mavericks: Brendan Haywood

Free agency has saved DeShawn Stevenson from further critiquing and thus left us with the likes of Brendan Haywood.

The 7' Haywood averaged 4.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and one block per game for the Dallas Mavericks last season. Given his limited playing time, his defensive display was passable, but he is one of those one-dimensional players we acknowledged earlier.

Haywood is a non-entity on offense and he is not especially adept at running the floor. Playing the most physical position in the NBA for 10 years will certainly put some strain on your ability to navigate the court, but he has never been an offensive force.

Haywood is owed more than $27 million over the next three seasons, and given that he is 31, he is only going to become more limited from here. 

Denver Nuggets: Chris Andersen

Timofey Mozgov has only appeared in 11 games for the Denver Nuggets, not nearly enough action to be deemed ineffective, so here we have Chris Andersen.

Andersen averaged 5.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in just over 16 minutes per game last season. He has been blessed with minimal offensive ability, and while his defense is solid, he takes too many unnecessary risks.

If Nene Hilario bolts for greener pastures, the Nuggets are in for a slew of unpleasantries in the low-post. 

Detroit Pistons: Jason Maxiell

Jason Maxiell averaged a mere 4.2 points and three rebounds per game for the Detroit Pistons last season, proving to be anything but efficient on both ends of the floor.

Maxiell plays aggressive in the low-post, but recklessly, almost without a cause. He is not an offensive threat and gets beat on the defensive end too often. He doesn't rebound or block shots especially well, and at 28, one would expect him to have more mobility.

And yet he is slated to make $10 million over the next two seasons. Go figure. 

Golden State Warriors: Andris Biedrins

Andris Biedrins is the least effective player on the Golden State Warriors, plain and simple. A case could be made for Louis Amundson, but he is not as one-dimensional as Biedrins.

At 7', Biedrins puts an emphasis on rebounding, which he should. That being said, he should also put an emphasis on offense, shot-blocking and overall defensive mobility, which he doesn't.

Biedrins is not especially athletic and a non-factor on the offensive end. Add that to the fact that he is owed $27 million over the next three years and you have yourself a wildly ineffective center.

Houston Rockets: Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill was believed to have a wealth of potential coming into the league, but his play thus far has not exactly reflected such praise.

Hill averaged 5.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in nearly 16 minutes per game last season for the Houston Rockets. In college he was a fierce rebounder, a skill that is widely considered the easiest to translate into the NBA.

Not for Hill. He is a liability on defense; he needs to learn how to move his feet and block shots. 

Even though the Rockets now boast Hasheem Thabeet, Hill is still the most ineffective player on the roster.

Indiana Pacers: James Posey

James Posey was once a very good role player, but he has become more of a liability on the court these days for the Indiana Pacers.

Last season, Posey averaged 4.9 points and three rebounds in just over 17 minutes per game. He has lost that defensive flair he used to possess and he is no longer an efficient scorer. His rebounding has dropped off too.

At 34 and with 12 years of NBA action under his belt, such declination is to be expected, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept.

Los Angeles Clippers: Brian Cook

Brian Cook is one of the biggest defensive liabilities in the NBA.

Last season, Cook averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game with the Los Angeles Clippers. He is an accurate three-point shooter, but he doesn't create many attempts for himself. 

At 6'9", Cook grabs very few rebounds and blocks almost no shots. His defensive awareness is non-existent, and he has a tendency to get into foul trouble quickly.

As the Clippers begin their ascent in the NBA ranks, expect to see Cook get buried deeper on the bench. 

Los Angeles Lakers: Luke Walton

Luke Walton averaged a whopping 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in nine minutes per game last season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Walton, owed nearly $12 million over the next two seasons is a non-factor on both sides of the ball. He is not an adept scorer and has absolutely no range. His defense is lackluster at best, and he is not aggressive on the glass.

Walton is a team player, that much can be said for him; however, it may get harder to retain such an image if he plays himself out of the action completely. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Greivis Vasquez

What speaks volumes about the Memphis Grizzlies' depth is that their most ineffective player is coming off his rookie season.

Greivis Vasquez played in 70 games last season, averaging 3.6 points and 2.2 points in just over 12 minutes per game. At only 24, he has more than enough time to improve, but he is limited in terms of athletic ability.

Vasquez can play both guard positions, but his playmaking skills are inconsistent at best; his mindset is going to need to undergo some serious tweaking if he is to play some major minutes at the point. Adding range to his game is also a concern.

The upside to Vasquez is he is fairly confident, but that will only get you so far.

Miami Heat: Joel Anthony

When Joel Anthony entered the NBA, he was known to be raw offensively. Man, is that an understatement.

When Anthony is on the floor, the Heat are essentially playing a man down on offense. That's okay though because the 6'9" Anthony is a ferocious rebounder on both ends, right?

You would think, but he isn't.

Last season, he averaged two points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Anthony's only saving grace is his shot-blocking, but even that is not always worth the trade off of having him on the floor.

With the big three, the Heat sometimes play on cloud nine. Anthony helps bring them back down to earth. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Keyon Dooling

In 22 minutes of action per game, Keyon Dooling posted an average of 7.1 points and three assists last season, proving to be less than effective.

His ball-handling skills for a guard are not favorable, and he is unable to grasp the mindset that a point guard maintains, basically making him an undersized shooting guard.

Dooling is an okay defender, but doesn't stand out on that end either. The 31-year-old has never been one to shine, and don't expect that change.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Wayne Ellington

There were high hopes for Wayne Ellington coming out of college. While he is still young and has time to improve, he has been ineffective for the Minnesota Timberwolves in his first two seasons.

Ellington averaged 6.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 19 minutes of action per game last season. He is unable to create for himself on offense and is not much of a defender.

He's going to get minutes on a young, inexperienced Timberwolves team, but the impact he has made on the court up until this point is virtually non-existent. 

New Jersey Nets: Stephen Graham

Stephen Graham averaged just over 16 minutes per game last season, and what he showed during his time on the court was much less than impressive.

Graham put up 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, failing to show any of the flair that was expected from him coming out of Oklahoma State.

On offense, Graham is docile, mainly because he spends most of his time on the perimeter and he lacks range. Speaking of the perimeter, his defense on the other end of the ball is lackluster; Graham often has trouble keeping pace with other small forwards.

When Graham is on the court, he has no positive bearing on the Nets' chance to win.

New Orleans Hornets: Quincy Pondexter

When you take away the plethora of free agents the New Orleans Hornets boast, you aren't left with much, which is just the statement to describe Quincy Pondexter.

Although Pondexter was a rookie last season, he did not impress while on the floor. In just over 11 minutes per game, he put up 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. His defense didn't turn any heads and he did not display a high level of athleticism or mobility during his time on the court.

Pondexter still has time to grow, which is good because he still has plenty of room to do so.

New York Knicks: Bill Walker

Bill Walker is incredibly athletic, but he is over zealous in almost everything he does on the court.

Walker averaged 4.9 points and two rebounds in just under 13 minutes per game for the New York Knicks last season. He often rushed and took ill-advised shots, and his defense wasn't exactly stellar.

Coming into the league, Walker was valued for his offense, so while his defensive deficiencies are no surprise, they aren't excusable either. His presence on the court merely signified a wing player needed a breather, not that New York had unshakable faith in him.

Walker is only 24, but he has a lot of growing to do if he wants to have a career in this league. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Royal Ivey

Royal Ivey didn't get much playing time last season, averaging just over six minutes per game, and appearing in only 25 of them, and for good reasons.

Ivey is very turnover prone, and lacks the mindset of a true point guard, moreso than even Nate Robinson. He is an erratic shooter, who takes loads of unwarranted shots when the ball is in his hand and has a raw understanding of the game for an athlete who has been with the league for seven seasons.

On the defensive end, he is a bit more skilled, but he takes too many chances, making him susceptible to getting beat and incurring foul trouble.

The Thunder's rotation is a hard one to crack at this point, and don't expect Ivey's roll to increase, as it is unlikely his ability to make a impact would follow suit.

Orlando Magic: Chris Duhon

While tempted to insert Gilbert Arenas here, the clear choice was Chris Duhon and his never ending supply of inconsistency.

Duhon averaged 2.5 points and 2.3 assists in just over 15 minutes per game last season. He is not noticeably athletic and he can get rattled rather easily. He is not a scoring threat, especially from the outside and his defense has dropped off substantially as well.

Arenas may be paid a boatload more money than Duhon, despite putting up similar numbers, but he at least maintains a certain level of confidence, especially on defense. Duhon does not.

Sometimes, a player is his own worst enemy, and Duhon is living proof as he has rendered himself less effective than Arenas. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Nocioni

Andres Nocioni really seems to have dropped off the face of the earth over the past couple of years.

Last season, in over 17 minutes per game, Nocioni averaged 6.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He remained a three-point threat, but was unable to find ways to get open. His overall ability to score took a huge hit, as did his defense.

Nocioni was also known to be tough on the glass, but he was anything but last season. He seems to have lost that aggressive nature that once made him effective.

And if the past two seasons are any indication, better days are not on the horizon.

Phoenix Suns: Josh Childress

In nearly 17 minutes per game, Josh Childress averaged a whopping five points and 2.9 rebounds last season for the Phoenix Suns.

Childress, at 6'8", has good size for a shooting guard, yet he tends to be more of a finesse player. He settles for jumpers instead of trying to take the ball to the rim. He also is not adept at creating his own shots. Instead, he needs to wait for the play to come to him.

On defense, Childress is a non-factor. His size allows him to fly under the radar on the perimeter, but watch closely and you will see him get beat off the dribble.

Childress is owed nearly $27 million over the next four seasons, and you better believe he is going to earn very little of it.

Portland Trail Blazers: Patrick Mills

Much to Patrick Mills' pleasure, the Portland Trail Blazers tendered him a qualifying offer back in June. That being said, many would have understood if they didn't.

Mills doesn't make an incredible amount of money, yet he cannot even perform up to his lower level pay grade. He averaged 5.5 points and 1.7 assists in 12.2 minutes per game last season.

After two years in the league, Mills has showed that he is capable of scoring, but he is too inconsistent in every aspect on that side of the ball. He puts up shots in a hurry, many of which are unwarranted, and he tends to force the action or simply hold onto the ball for too long.

On defense, it's the same story, different side of the ball. His reaction time is terrible and he is liable to get beat off the dribble or fall for the even slightest of pump fakes.

Portland seems to be holding out hope that he will turn into something. The team would be wise to not hold their breath. 

Sacramento Kings: Donte Greene

Donte Greene was a liability on both ends of the floor last season for the Sacramento Kings, continuing to disappoint in terms of his potential production.

Greene averaged 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in just over 16 minutes per game. Despite being 6'11" he gravitated toward the perimeter, where he was inconsistent at best. His low-post game is nearly non-existent and he rebounds very poorly for someone his size.

On defense, Greene is just not tough enough to go up against the rest of the big men in the league, which resulted in him being manhandled down low.

The good news is Greene is only 23 and three seasons into his career. The bad news is he has a lot to work on if he is ever to become effective or contribute in the slightest.

San Antonio Spurs: Matt Bonner

Matt Bonner has some range for his size, but he doesn't offer much more than that.

The 6'10" Bonner averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in nearly 22 minutes per game last season. While he can hit the shot if he's open, he cannot create for himself on the low-post or perimeter. In fact, he doesn't have much of a low-post game at all, which is very disappointing given his size.

Bonner also lacks the athleticism it takes to be an effective defender. He lacks mobility and is not a good shot-blocker. His rebounding is a let down too.

Bonner has been consistent over his seven year career, but consistently being ineffective is not an admirable accomplishment, nor will it help the Spurs win moving forward.

Toronto Raptors: James Johnson

In over 21 minutes per game, James Johnson averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds last season, not numbers that put him at the bottom of the barrel, but not exactly effective either.

Johnson is a nice shooter, but his shot selection is murky and he can take too many attempts at times. He is also not aggressive when it comes to crashing the boards, and he plays defense with his hands, which puts him in foul trouble.

Johnson is only two years removed from college, but he has a lot of work to do even at this stage in the game; his lack of athleticism is going to continue to catch up with him.

Utah Jazz: Raja Bell

Raja Bell was once known for his tough defense, but even that cannot get him by anymore.

In over 30 minutes per game, Bell averaged eight points and 2.6 rebounds last season. While he is capable of hitting the outside shot, he is not a scoring threat and his defense has dropped off substantially over the past two seasons.

Bell is 35, and at that age most have seen their best basketball already. That being said, Bell seems to be deteriorating before our very eyes on the court, and has basically become a non-factor on both ends of the court.

Washington Wizards: Kevin Seraphin

Once again, largely due to the amount of free agents coming out of the Washington Wizards, we must go with an athlete coming off his rookie season. 

Kevin Seraphin averaged 2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in nearly 11 minutes per game last season. Washington drafted him for his defense, but he proved to be incredibly raw on that side of the ball as well.

Seraphin is not a scoring threat and he is going to need to get stronger if he wants to crash the boards effectively. These restrictions limited his playing time last season and will hinder his development going forward.

At only 21, Seraphin has the time to learn, but his lack of progress last season definitely indicates he is going to be a bigger project than expected.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.