10-day NBA contracts that paid off

NBA players who sign 10-day contracts are usually expected to fill out a team’s roster and fill in off the bench when needed. It’s pretty rare to see them make a significant impact on a team. Furthermore, they are usually not in the team for the long haul.

However, some players make the most of the opportunities presented to them. Here’s a look at the 10-day NBA signings that paid off big.

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Danny Green (2010 San Antonio Spurs)

Originally, Danny Green was signed by the San Antonio Spurs to several 10-day contracts. During that stretch, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided to cut the sharpshooter before Green called for another shot. Fortunately, Popović gave him a chance and the rest is history.

Green was signed to a longer contract, especially because of his shooting in the Spurs’ 2013 and 2014 Finals runs, the latter of which brought him his first NBA championship. Fast forward to today, Green announced his retirementfinishing his career with three NBA championships with three different teams.

Jeremy Lin (2012 New York Knicks)

Have there been explosive games like Linsanity in the NBA? Jeremy Lin initially signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks after his release, according to reports. With the Knicks reeling from injuries, Lin’s number was called and Linsanity began.

Lin continued his streak of scoring in double figures with the game-winner in Toronto and a 38-point outburst against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Linsanity also allowed us to sneak into the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

Chris Andersen (2013 Miami Heat)

Chris Andersen has experienced a rollercoaster NBA career. Although he was a recognizable figure on the NBA court, Birdman was also a controversial figure off the court. After testing positive for drug abuse and reported Internet crimes against children, Andersen almost saw his NBA career come to an end.

That was until the Miami Heat signed The Birdman to a 10-day contract. Andersen immediately made his presence felt on the Miami Heat stars, who were sorely lacking in the front court. Andersen had a near-perfect shooting streak in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, including 15-for-15 shooting against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Sam Mack (Houston Rockets, 1996)

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With the Houston Rockets’ Clyde Drexler injured, the team had to fill a void at the point guard position. As a result, they called up Sam Mack from the CBA. Despite being on a 10-day contract, Mack was just what the doctor ordered for the back-to-back NBA champions.

Mack has scored in double figures on a streak, highlighted by a 38-point outburst against the Golden State Warriors. He would also make his presence felt helping the Rockets advance through the first round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs.

Raja Bell (2001 Philadelphia 76ers)

Early in his NBA career, Raja Bell was a journeyman at best. In fact, Bell’s NBA career was only thanks to NBA contracts with different teams. But when he signed a 10-day contract with the Sixers, the team knew he would be an important player in the long run.

Although his numbers didn’t quite show it, Bell came alive in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Bell scored 10 points in the series and helped the Sixers reach the 2001 NBA Finals.

Drew Gooden (Washington Wizards, 2014)

By the 2013-14 season, the Washington Wizards were looking to add more bodies to their depleted frontcourt. With Drew Gooden available, the Wizards initially signed him to a 10-day contract. After Gooden provided decent production in limited action, they signed him for the rest of the season.

The move boded well for the Wizards, who managed to stay competitive against the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs. In Game 1 of the second round, Gooden had 12 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Wizards to victory.

Yogi Ferrell (Dallas Mavericks 2017)

After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Yogi Ferrell decided to play overseas. He played briefly for the Brooklyn Nets, but never stayed with the team. Midway through the 2016-17 season, Ferrell signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

This paved the way for Ferrell to shock the world by exploding for 32 points to lead all scorers in a Mavericks win. Ferrell also had nine 3-pointers to sink the Blazers, tying the franchise record for a rookie.

Osha Brissett (Indiana Pacers 2021)

Oshae Brissett was first a project of the Toronto Raptors, and the Raptors sent him to the NBA G-League. This changed when the Pacers gave him a 10-day contract. Brissett made the most of the opportunity by proving that he is part of the Pacers rotation.

In fact, the Canadian forward even dropped 23 points on the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Play-Ins to keep their postseason hopes alive. Fast forward to today, Brissett is an NBA champion, after all helping the Boston Celtics win the title in 2024.

Sundiata Gaines (2010 Utah Jazz)

The Utah Jazz have been living in basements for quite some time. When LeBron James and the Cavs were in Utah, everyone expected the Cavaliers to win.

The Jazz signed Sundiata Gaines to a 10-day contract. Few expected it to be Sundiata Gaines, who would bring excitement to Utah. Gaines would sink the game-winning 3-pointer, paving the way for a longer NBA contract.

Henry Walker (2015 Miami Heat)

With the Miami Heat’s Big Three broken, the franchise was still recovering. With no one expecting them to compete, the Heat had to make do with the players that were available. This includes 10-day signee Bill Walker, who hasn’t played an NBA game in three years.

Surprisingly, despite being down eight against the Orlando Magic, Walker knocked down a pair of clutch 3-pointers to force overtime. The Heat won that game thanks to Walker’s heroics.