5 retired players who never won the NBA title

2. Karl Malone (Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers):-

This 6’9 forward joined Stockton at Utah Jazz when they drafted him 13^th overall pick for the 1985 NBA Draft.

From 1988-1995 Malone consistently came big for the Jazz by averaging a double double for 9 seasons consecutively. Much to disappointment of the fans the Jazz never made it to Conference Finals till 1997. They always lost in the first or the second round of the post season.

The three years 1997-1999 were definitely Malone’s best. He won two league MVP awards in that time and made it to consecutive Finals appearances, losing both times to Michael Jordan lead Chicago Bulls.

He stayed with the Jazz through till 2003 despite them failing to be regular title contenders again after 1998. Once Stockton announced his retirement, Malone being a free agent joined the Los Angeles Lakers in a bid for his first championship.

Lakers did make it to the Playoffs despite Malone missing 39 games of the season. They beat the Rockets, Spurs and Timberwolves to face the Detroit Pistons in the Finals. As it turns out Malone would not be victorious here either as the Lakers lost in games.