Javaris Crittenton

Javaris Crittenton - 5 games, 31.6 mpg, 25.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.6 apg, 3.6 spg, 0.2 bpg, 3.2 TOpg, 45% FG, 18% 3PT, 56% FT

Perhaps predictably, all things considered, Crittenton did not return to the NBA this summer. He did not last long in China, either; despite the gaudy numbers, Crittenton did not seem to like it much there, and the Lions weren't best pleased with his play; they criticised him for his defense, shooting, and inability (or unwillingness) to create for his team mates. They moved swiftly to replace him with Kelley, who was fresh from a stint at the Grizzlies training camp. Kelley provided a far more balanced contribution, but wasn't able to sustain the 54 point average that he had after one game.

The same could be said of Crittenton's prospects, but his chances of winning the third point guard spot could be worse. For one, he's not really a point guard; there's more to being one than just being ball dominant and a decent passer. (It doesn't help that he's also not a two guard, since he can neither play off the ball nor shoot it.) Crittenton is also coming off of surgery on bone spurs in his foot, as well as that rather embarrassing thing with guns involving then-teammate, Gilbert Arenas - as a result, he didn't play a single minute last year. And the 1,853 minutes he managed in his first two seasons were far from productive. In three years, Crittenton's NBA career could be considered nothing more than an unmitigated disaster; traded twice, making no improvements, getting caught up in embarrassing off-court drama, and having major surgery. However, there's still something to be said for ball handling and passing 6'7 guards, and at age 22, his upside has not fully burnt out yet.

Javaris Crittenton - In three years, Crittenton has been traded once, barely played, played badly when he did play, turns it over quite a lot, can't shoot, tore up his knee, had his rookie contract option declined, and made Gilbert Arenas pull a gun on him. But he's tall.

[L]let's also overlook the decision to trade a first rounder to Memphis for Crittenton in the first place. No matter how protected the pick was, it was still a first rounder for a player who barely played when he was healthy, did not play well when he was healthy, has missed all of this season due to injury, who is suspended for the remainder of year, whose fourth year option they did not exercise due to his poor performance, and who will be out of contract - and perhaps the league - this summer. And that's without mentioning the surplus guard depth they already had anyway.