2. Speedy Claxton
The Hawks were searching for a point guard in 2006 when they signed Claxton to a four-year deal worth $25 million. He was coming off the best season of his career where he averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 28.3 minutes per game coming off the bench for New Orleans. Atlanta wanted to make him their starter, and the franchise was hoping his production would increase with added minutes.
Instead, Claxton’s production fell off as he played just 44 games over the four years before retiring from the NBA in 2010 at 31 years old. He missed two full seasons because of injuries, and he just never found his role with the Hawks because of health issues.
In his best season in Atlanta, Claxton averaged 5.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 25.1 minutes per game. He shot just 32.7 percent from the field and 21.4 percent on his threes during the 2006-2007 campaign. After that season, he would play just two more games with the Hawks.
There is a case to be made for Claxton being number one on this list. Atlanta missed the playoffs just once with the 5’11 point guard still on the roster, but they never advanced beyond the second round.
Since retiring from the league, Speedy Claxton went into coaching, and he is currently the head coach of his alma mater Hofstra University.