Sometimes, demanding a trade works out beautifully. You land in a better situation, rack up some wins, and maybe even grab a ring or two. But other times? The grass turns out to be way less green, and your career takes a nosedive faster than a failed fast break.
These 15 NBA players all asked out—and never quite returned to the players they once were. Whether it was a decline in production or simply losing that edge, they were never the same after packing their bags.
15. Jimmy Butler (Timberwolves)
Jimmy wanted out of Minnesota in a very loud and dramatic fashion. While he’s still a star, the chaos around that exit shifted how people viewed him for good.
14. Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers)
Kyrie didn’t want to live in LeBron’s shadow anymore, but his post-Cleveland career has been… complicated. He’s bounced around and still puts up numbers, but the magic hasn’t felt the same.
13. Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets)
Melo’s move to New York was a blockbuster deal, but it came at a high cost and ultimately yielded little playoff success. His numbers remained solid, but he never returned to that elite tier again.
12. Dwight Howard (Magic)
Dwight’s “Dwightmare” exit from Orlando was messy and drawn out. He was never quite the same dominant force after leaving, despite bouncing between contenders.
11. Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
Russ asked out when the Thunder blew it up, and while his intensity remained, the triple-double magic faded. He’s been on a new team almost every season since.
10. Paul George (Pacers)
PG-13 wanted out of Indiana to chase bigger moments, but his legacy hasn’t taken that next step. The expectations grew, but the playoff runs fizzled.
9. James Harden (Rockets)
Harden forced his way out of Houston looking for a title, but the journey’s been rocky. Between Brooklyn, Philly, and now L.A., he’s been more drama than dominance.
8. Chris Paul (Hornets)
CP3’s exit from New Orleans launched his contender era, but his peak years felt stuck in “what could’ve been” territory. He stayed great, but never quite got over the hump.
7. Andre Iguodala (76ers)
Iggy wanted out to play for a winner, and while he eventually found it, his role shifted dramatically. From go-to guy to elite role player, he was never the same centerpiece.
6. DeMarcus Cousins (Kings)
Boogie wanted a fresh start away from Sacramento’s dysfunction. Unfortunately, injuries and bad luck followed him, and his prime vanished quickly.
5. Kevin Love (Timberwolves)
Love got his wish and joined LeBron in Cleveland, but his role shrank overnight. He won a title, sure, but his numbers and spotlight never bounced back.
4. Vince Carter (Raptors)
Vince’s relationship with Toronto soured, and he forced his way out. He kept playing forever, but his superstar status stayed north of the border.
3. Eric Bledsoe (Suns)
One tweet blew up Bledsoe’s Suns tenure, and his career never really recovered. He had solid moments in Milwaukee, but the promise never fully returned.
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2. Ben Simmons (76ers)
Simmons sat out, made headlines, and got traded to Brooklyn. The version of him Philly fans once hoped for still hasn’t reappeared.
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1. Isaiah Thomas (Celtics)
IT begged Boston to back up the Brinks truck—then got shipped out. He was never the same after that hip injury, and the trade marked a sudden end to his All-Star days.
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