The 9 Most Disappointing NBA Players This Season

Kristaps Porzingis is a borderline All-Star in his second season in the league. And his 2016-17 campaign has been a disappointment.

That might sound outrageous to Knickerbocker fans who will come at you with torches and pitchforks if you say anything negative about the Unicorn, but there are legit reasons why we feel comfortable saying that KP's season so far hasn't exactly been what we expected when it tipped off back in October. We thought Porzingis was primed to take that next step, to vaunt himself into the discussion as the best 21-year-old in the league, cement his status as the Knicks' best player, and become the focal point on the offense. That hasn't been the case, and it's part of the reason why the Knicks, forever a dumpster fire, are a bitterly disappointing 10 games under .500 before Wednesday's meeting with the Thunder.

But Porzingis isn't the only notable player on his roster and in the city he plays to put up a disappointing season so far. There are eight other individuals we targeted and singled out for their subpar seasons. Some of them might be obvious; others might get entire fan bases heated. But we're cool with this list even if you're not.

2016-17 Stats: 3.6 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.2 RPG

What We Expected: To compete for Rookie of the Year

Full disclosure: I made the argument (foolishly) that taking Dunn over Ben Simmons in last June’s draft wasn’t that far-fetched. Dunn was older, more polished, and a pretty good defender in college. Simmons, of course, had the massive upside, but Dunn was the guy you could basically insert into any lineup and he’d make that team better and develop quicker. Yeah, so I was dead wrong about that. The rookie out of Providence isn’t getting that many minutes, is shooting just 36 percent from the field, is only connecting at 26 percent from beyond the arc, and has only reached double figures in points four times in 51 games. —Adam Caparell

2016-17 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.0 BPG

What We Expected: A hell of a lot more production than this

Let’s get it out of the way right upfront: The Orlando Magic are not terrible just because of Nikola Vucevic. But he’s not helping either. Two seasons ago, the seven-footer was a borderline All-Star, averaging 19.3 points and 10.9 rebounds. And while his rebounding numbers haven’t dropped much—10.0 per game this season—his scoring is down to 13.9 points per game, and he’s shooting under 50 percent from the floor for the first time since his rookie season. The Magic dealt Victor Oladipo to the Thunder for Serge Ibaka in the hopes he could put them over the top. Thanks in part to Vuc’s regression, they’re at the bottom. —Russ Bengtson

2016-17 Stats: 6.4 PPG, 1.7 APG, 2.5 RPG

What We Expected: For him to actually make a shot

All you really need to know about Memphis Grizzlies small forward Chandler Parsons is this: He’s averaging a career low 6.4 points per game on top of career lows of 34.5 percent from the floor and 27.1 percent from three while making the same exact salary as Pelicans All-Star center Anthony Davis. Given that Parsons has had two knee surgeries in the past two years, it’s possible that he is still a year away from returning to his pre-surgery peak. But if this is just who Parsons is now, the three years of max money remaining on his deal could make him the least-tradable player in the NBA. —Russ Bengtson

2016-17 Stats: 11.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.5 RPG

What We Expected: Not this

Let's be honest: A season and a half into his career, a lot more was expected out of Mudiay. The numbers are respectable for a second-year point guard, but for the No. 7 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, and for the hype he entered the league with, we kind of thought he’d make more of an impact—especially with the run-and-gun Nuggets. But midway through his sophomore campaign in the NBA, Mudiay is averaging fewer points and assists than his rookie season, and recently he’s been dealing with back issues that have kept him out of the lineup. Remember when we were talking about him as a potential top-three selection in the draft? —Adam Caparell

2016-17 Stats: 6.5 PPG, 6.5 APG, 5.2 RPG

What We Expected: Truthfully, this

Since being traded away from the Boston Celtics in 2014, Rajon Rondo was banished from the Dallas Mavericks before the season even ended, then wore out his welcome in Sacramento in a single year. This did not deter the Chicago Bulls braintrust of John Paxson and Gar Forman, who gave the four-time All-Star—most recently in 2013—a multi-year deal this summer to replace Derrick Rose as the Bulls’ starting point guard. Terrible idea. Not only has Rondo continued to be an ineffective scorer and lousy shooter (37 percent from the floor, 30 percent from three), he’s also continued to be a locker room tire fire, getting himself suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. This will not end well. —Russ Bengtson

2016-17 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.0 BPG

​What We Expected: To actually play defense and not be a complete afterthought

It isn't a good thing for a second-year, top-three pick to be involved in trade rumors. In fact, it's quite bad. That's the situation Jahlil Okafor finds himself in on the Sixers. Things just haven't worked out for either side, and both are probably to blame. Okafor isn't a good fit next to Joel Embiid. The young big is definitely talented on offense, but his defensive effort leaves you wanting more. It has gotten to the point where the Sixers are holding him out of games even when Embiid doesn't play. A change of scenery is best for everyone. —Zach Frydenlund

2016-17 Stats: 18.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.0 BPG

What We Expected: Dirk Nowitzki 2.0

The stats would tell you Porzingis is having a better year than his impressive rookie campaign, but if you’ve been (unfortunately) watching Knicks games on the reg, then you know Porzingis has low-key regressed. He should be averaging way more than 18.5 points per game and taking over contests on an almost nightly basis since he’s really the Knicks' best player and should be their offensive focal point. (Sorry, Carmelo.) Frustratingly, Porzingis is averaging more fouls per game than anyone else in the NBA, and if you can’t stay on the floor then you can’t get better. An injury to his Achilles and general inconsistency are holding him back from truly becoming a dominant force—and a legit All-Star like we expected. —Adam Caparell

2016-17 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.3 RPG

What We Expected: Not Linsanity, but not a measly dozen games played

Brooklyn gave every Knicks fans’ favorite player a huge free-agent deal this summer (three years, $36 million), and they haven't exactly gotten their money's worth. Spending way more time on the bench than running the point thanks to a bunch of hamstring injuries, Lin’s had the distinct pleasure of watching Brooklyn slog through another dreadful season while (unofficially) recording more hairstyles than games played (12). —Adam Caparell

2016-17 Stats: 5.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 0.8 BPG

​What We Expected: A career 69-percent free-throw shooter; how about making at least 50 percent?

Noah is committing highway robbery, but it’s not his fault. Who among us would turn down a guaranteed $72 million to play in New York City knowing we were washed up beyond belief ? He’s averaging five points a game this season and is shooting 43 percent from the free-throw line. Joakim was brought in to ease Derrick Rose’s transition to a new team and to anchor the Knicks defense. He’s maybe been serviceable helping D. Rose find a good pizza spot, but that’s about it. Watching all those millions come off the bench for 15 minutes a game is gonna be big fun for Knicks fans. —Angel Diaz