5 NBA players considered as the biggest one-season wonders across the league’s history

#3 Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans #12 of the Indiana Pacers drives against Garrett Temple and Montrezl Harrell of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center on March 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

Tyreke Evans remains a popular anomaly amongst NBA lovers, being the player most would have tipped for success with his breakout season being as standout as they come. He made it into the NBA as the 4th overall draft pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2009 draft, instantly shooting to stardom in his first season.

He set records galore that season, being only the 4th ever rookie to achieve 20 points (20.3), 5 rebounds (5.3), and 5 assists (5.8) in his debut season after legends Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year award that season, beating future NBA star Steph Curry to the prize.

However, he was unable to build on his brilliant season, as his career and performances were disrupted by injuries. He went on to eventually play for four different teams and ended his career with the Indiana Pacers in 2019.

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#4 Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin #7 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day at HSS Training Center on September 25, 2017 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York.

Jeremy Lin is the only player with a championship ring to make it to this list, as his team's success never translated to his individual play. Probably the most popular NBA one-season wonder on this list. Lin enjoyed a season like no other in 2011-12, bursting into the scene in 2010 to major fanfare that was later known as “Linsanity”.

He played an impressive game in a breakout victory against the Brooklyn Nets in the 2011-12 season, where he netted 25 points. Lin then embarked on a seven-game Mafioso individual performance for the New York Knicks. His staggering form led the Knicks team to a seven-game winning streak, during which he averaged 24.4 points and 9.1 assists. This spell also saw him come out on top in an individual duel against late NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a game with the L.A. Lakers. He netted an impressive 38 points in that game against Bryant 34.

He later bagged the NBA Eastern Conference player of the week, a highlight of the highest point of his career. During which he averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 assists per game in 26 games for the Knicks. However, that was to be it. He was picked up by the Houston Rockets at the end of the season via free agency and failed to reach anything resembling his best form in his subsequent teams.

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#5. Larry Sanders

Larry Sanders #8 of the Milwaukee Bucks with the one handed jam on a fast break against the Miami Heat during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bradley Center on APRIL 25, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Larry Sanders completes this list of NBA one-season wonders. The former Milwaukee Bucks center failed to leave up to the expectations of the Bucks during his troublesome stint as a player in the franchise and the league in general. He enjoyed the peak of his game in the 2012-13 NBA season. He shone for a not-so-good Bucks team that rode the wave of his brilliance to that season’s championship playoffs.

Enjoying a bench role in his first two seasons at the Bucks, Sanders quickly rose to the limelight, providing defensive inspiration for the Bucks after breaking into the team. He ended up playing over 1900 minutes for the Bucks that season - the most he has ever played in a season. He recorded 9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while placing second in the NBA for blocks per game (2.8).

His superb form made him a Bucks fan favorite, and he was handed a $48 million four-year extension contract. However, injuries stalled his progress as his career derailed sharply next season. He was then suspended multiple times for using marijuana, and ended up playing a meager 55 games in his next four years as a player. He then retired from the NBA citing anxiety and depression as reasons.