14 players the Phoenix Suns signed past their prime

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 27: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on March 27, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 27: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on March 27, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
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SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 24: Jim Jackson attends 2019 NBA Awards. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage)
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 24: Jim Jackson attends 2019 NBA Awards. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage)

13. Jim Jackson

Younger NBA fans will recognize Jim Jackson as somebody who calls nationally televised games, but did you know in his third season in the league with the Dallas Mavericks, Jackson averaged a ridiculous 25.7 points per game?

The career of Jackson was long and fruitful one, and he was in the league from 1992 all the way up to 2006. That stint with the Mavericks was as good as it would get for him though, with Jackson playing for no fewer than 11 other organizations after leaving Dallas. Lost to time was the fact he shot 36.6 percent from deep for his career, and definitely could have made money in today’s NBA.

https://twitter.com/NBACobwebs/status/1636831678457958408

By the time Jackson got to the Suns, he was 34 and his best days were behind him. Averages of 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 67 games (four starts) tell their own story, but to Jackson’s credit he did shoot 38.9 percent from deep on over three attempts per game. Again, ahead of his time.

Jackson makes this list only because the start of his career, statistically at least, looked so promising from the offset. Interestingly however, he never managed to make an All-Star team, despite that blistering start to life as a professional.

He had already bounced around the league plenty by the time he arrived in Phoenix, and the Suns were contenders and knew what they were getting here. To be fair to him though, he played in 15 playoff games, averaging 11 points and 4.1 rebounds. After leaving, Jackson would play only 13 more games for the Lakers, before calling it a career.