1. Maurice Harkless
After the LA Clippers traded for Maurice Harkless, many fans hoped the team would be much better on the defensive end. This was the bare minimum, as Harkless was extremely lengthy and athletic. Not to mention he had quick feet, which basically made him a cheat code on the perimeter.
However, once the season began, these hopes quickly faded away. Sure, Harkless was a solid defender. But he provided close to nothing on the offensive end. As a matter of fact, Harkless only attempted 4.3 shots per game in his time with the LA Clippers. The coaching staff saw this as a major red flag, as he still needed to contribute offensively to stay on the floor.
Moreover, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the floor, Harkless’ defense was of no use. There was no point in playing him if he couldn’t elevate the lineup in a way that they needed. In addition, the former 15th overall pick was a below-average free-throw shooter. This made the job of the opposing team relatively easy.
On that note, the LA Clippers gained heavy interest in New York’s star forward, Marcus Morris Sr. This paved the way for Harkless to be traded to the Knicks at the deadline, along with draft compensation.
Nevertheless, Harkless finds himself at the number one spot due to his limited offensive play. He may have been a great veteran for the team’s youth, but he didn’t make it an entire season with the LA Clippers before being traded elsewhere. This backs up how little of an impact he had on the franchise.