Worst MLE signing

[DrReality]

Every offseason before the lifting of the moratorium period the NBA takes the average NBA salary and runs that through an equation (tip of the cap to the NBA Salary Cap FAQ) to find the mid-level exception value. The "MLE" as it's called is only given to teams that are over the cap, giving them a chance to still bring in a free agent of significance should they desire. The MLE in 2009-2010 is valued at $5.854 million and has been used in its entirety this summer on players like Ron Artest and Rasheed Wallace.

While the MLE is very useful for teams that are restricted by the salary cap, it can easily be misused and become a detriment. Maximum contracts that aren't fulfilled ultimately hurt teams the most, but the right or wrong MLE signing could make all the difference in the world as well. With that said, we take a look at the five worst mid-level contracts in no particular order:

Jerome James (Signed for five years by the New York Knicks in 2005)

This one has to still give Isiah Thomas nightmares, even though he's now moved onto Florida International University. Jerome James was a mediocre starting center for the Seattle SuperSonics, who back in 2005 had a great season with a roster full of players in the final year of their contracts. During the regular season James was good for four points and three rebounds a night but had a breakout performance against the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the playoffs.

In a series win against the Kings James (note, that's not King James) averaged 17 points and nine rebounds, showing Isiah all he needed to for him to make an over-the-top offer for him. Thomas even got Madison Square Garden involved in the recruitment of James, who was nothing short of awful as a Knick. As a Knick James started just 20 games, never providing anything other than disappointment. He was well liked by his teammates and coaches, he just simply couldn't produce. Last season the Knicks traded James to Chicago along with Tim Thomas and Anthony Roberson in exchange for Larry Hughes. He remains with the Bulls, much to the delight of New York Knick fans.

Vladimir Radmanovic (Signed for five years by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2006)

When the Lakers set their eye on a free agent they usually get him since they're one of the most successful teams in the history of the league. After getting torched by Vladimir Radmanovic when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers and Seattle SuperSonics the Lakers made a strong push for him as a free agent. Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant helped convince Radmanovic to come to Hollywood, where he was expected to explode and play the best basketball of his career. The Lakers needed a starting small forward and someone who could spread the floor, making Radmanovic seem like an ideal fit.

View Yannis Koutroupis Archive Little did we know at the time how much Radmanovic and Phil Jackson would clash. Jackson once referred to Vladimir as a space cadet, recommending that he should work with the team psychologist to figure out the reason behind his inconsistencies. The Lakers did get to the Finals with Vlad as their starter, but he never lived up to expectations as a Laker and was traded last season to the Charlotte Bobcats for Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown. The highlight of Vlad's Laker career came when he was fined $500,000 for injuring his shoulder while snowboarding during the All-Star break, a blatant violation of his contract.

DeSagna Diop (Signed for five years by the Dallas Mavericks in 2008)

Yes, DeSagna Diop is only one year into his contract but it's already very clear that it's oversized to say the least. The Mavericks missed Diop's defensive presence so much after trading him along with Devin Harris that they decided to bring him back for the full mid-level exception last offseason. While the Mavericks had reason to bring Diop back at the time, they did so for an outrageous price they quickly regretted.

It didn't take Rick Carlisle more than half a season to realize that Diop didn't fit well in his system, that's why last January he was shipped off to Charlotte for Ryan Hollins and Matt Carroll. The Mavericks made it seem like they were sad to see him go, citing the need desperate need for outside shooting as the reason why they had to pull the trigger. In reality though they wanted to get out from under that contract as soon as they could because it's a deal that Diop will never live up to. As a Bobcat Diop continued to underwhelm, averaging two points and three rebounds. He's under contract until 2013 and is still owed $26 million.

Jared Jeffries (Signed for five years by the New York Knicks in 2006)

Anytime you talk about some of the worst signings in the history of the NBA there are going to be multiple deals that can be attributed to Isiah Thomas. Zeke was ecstatic about the signing of Jeffries at the time, intrigued by what his versatility could bring to the team.

"His ball-handling skills are pretty unique for a player of his size, and his passing skills are pretty unique," Thomas said to ESPN three years ago. "He's pretty complete as a player. Every night you can mismatch your lineup. You can move him around in different places strategically that may give you an advantage on that night."

The plan at the time may have been to move Jeffries all over the court, but he's ended up spending more time off of it due to injuries and lack of production. His best season as a Knick came last year, when he averaged a lackluster five points, four rebounds, and one assist a contest. The team is hoping to trade him and the remaining two years and $12 million on his contract to further open up cap space for the summer 2010.

Stromile Swift (Signed by the Houston Rockets for four years in 2005)

"We are thrilled to add Stromile's special talents to our lineup," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said back in 2005. "He gives us a unique combination of strength and athleticism at the power forward position. We believe that he will join Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming to form one of the elite frontcourts in the NBA today."

Nobody would laugh harder at the statement above than Jeff Van Gundy, who had the luxury of coaching Stromile Swift during his one-year stay with the Rockets. Van Gundy was not a fan of Swift's effort or efficiency and come draft night 2006 his time as a Rocket had come to an end. By now we all know the story on Swift. For every electrifying blocked shot or dunk there were at least two or three miscues. Even as an eight-year vet Swift is still a better athlete than basketball player, which is why his NBA career is hanging by a thread.

Honorable Mention: Michael Olowokandi, Troy Hudson, Brian Cardinal, and Nazr Mohammed.

Disagree? Who tops your list?