The 25 greatest journeymen in NBA history

Ariza was a perfect complementary piece, supporting stars like Kobe Bryant, James Harden, and LeBron James on successful teams, including the 2009 championship Lakers. Every now and again, he was capable of going off and leading the scoring charge, too. Throughout his 18-year career, his long-range shooting a defense made him a reliable asset.

Like many players on this list, Belinelli played for numerous teams, representing nine cities in total over 13 seasons. His longest and most notable run, though, came with the Spurs, for whom he was a key role player on the 2014 championship squad. His long-range shooting kept Marco in the league for a while as the game shifted towards valuing that attribute more and more.

Brewer earned a reputation for having a high motor and hustling when the moment called for it, which made him valuable to the several franchises he played for. He could be an offensive weapon when needed, as evidenced by his surprise 51-point game. For a stretch in the 2010s, Brewer was one of the best bench guys in the league.

For a late-second-round pick, Butler ended up having quite the career, spending 13 seasons in the NBA. He was a reliable shooter, hitting threes as efficiently as 46 percent in his sophomore season. His contracts were always modest, so the consistent veteran was often had for a steal.

Diaw was as versatile as they came. In 2006, the season he won the Most Improved Player award, he averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. Landing with the Spurs towards the end of his career, his offensive talents helped the team secure the 2014 title.

Throughout his 13-year career, Ellington was the picture of consistency. His yearly numbers rarely deviated from his career average of 8 points per game and a three-point percentage of 38. He was a reliable floor-spacer, which kept him productively employed for a long time.

In the 2000s and 2010s, there weren't many better rebounders in the NBA than Evans. In the 2011 and 2013 seasons, he averaged over 11 boards a game while only playing about 25 minutes per contest. While he was never an offensive stud, his domination on the glass kept Evans around for a productive 13 seasons.

Gibson was tough on the Bulls teams of the 2010s, shining as a multi-position defender who could be counted on for some rebounding and scoring, too. After his eight-season run in Chicago, Gibson has bounced around the league and had one of his best statistical season in 2018, when he averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds per game as a starter. Even well into his late 30s, Gibson remained a valuable locker room presence.

As the fifth pick in the 2007 draft, hopes were high that Green would be a star. He averaged over 16 points a game during a couple of seasons, but for the majority of his career, he was a member of the supporting cast. He handled it well, though, and thrived in various roles, whether it was as a leading offensive option or a veteran presence.

Jack is remembered by 2000s and 2010s NBA fans as one of those guards who could hurt your team if they weren't careful. He was a steady backup for most of his career, and in 2013, he was a leading candidate for the Sixth Man Of The Year trophy. He could pop off, too, as he has multiple 30-point games under his belt.

Johnson is perhaps best remembered as a Sixth Man Of The Year candidate with the 2017 Heat. At 6'7" and with a strong build, Johnson could be trusted to guard multiple positions, which he did well over the course of 16 seasons in the league. He was typically playing on inexpensive contracts, making him a great value for what he brought to the court.

Joseph will occasionally put up a 20-point game, but for most of his 14 seasons in the NBA, he has been consistent and steady with his output. He's a rock-solid backup point guard and has provided serviceable offense and defense for seven teams. As a young player, he got consistent postseason playing time during the Spurs' 2014 championship run.

Landry has done a bit of everything, from being an offensive catalyst who averaged 16 points a game in 2010 to spending much of the rest of his career as a consistent role player. In nine seasons, Landry was in the mix for Sixth Man Of The Year consideration a few times. He didn't have much of an outside game to speak of, as he was more of a midrange sniper.

There was a stretch when the 6'7" point guard looked like he might be shaping up to be a star. Unfortunately, his trajectory changed with a devastating knee injury, but instead of retreating into himself, Livingston adjusted his expectations and ended up being a reliable backup. His most notable NBA home came at the end of his career with the Warriors, where he was a major contributor to three championships.

Miller was one of the best point guards in the league for a long time, as evidenced by his 2002 performance, when he led the league with just under 11 assists per game. He never reached All-Star status, but he was as consistent as they came for a long time. In fact, he's one of the NBA's all-time leaders in career assists, comfortably in the top 20.

For the entire 2000s, Miller was one of the league's most lethal shooters, shooting over 40 percent from three for his career. He also had the rare honor of winning both the Rookie Of The Year and Sixth Man Of The Year awards during his career. In 2012 and 2013, his timely shooting helped the Heat secure back-to-back championships.

In the 2010s, Mills was a consistent and comforting presence for San Antonio. He was a backup guard there for ten seasons and was a critical part of their 2014 title. He bounced around with a few other teams after that, but he goes down as a Spurs favorite.

Nazr quietly had one of the longest careers in NBA history, playing for an impressive 18 seasons. His numbers were never incredible (he averaged 9 points and 7 rebounds a game in a couple of seasons), but whether as a starter or coming off the bench, he was somebody teams could count on. He was also part of the 2005 championship Spurs team, starting for the entire postseason run.

Either Markieff or his brother Marcus could be in this spot. Both played for over a decade, and their career averages are nearly identical, at around 10 points and 5 rebounds per night. The Morris twins bounced around the league and contributed to winning basketball, but it was Markieff whose career has extended slightly longer and who won a title with the Lakers in 2020.

Sefolosha earned a reputation as one of the NBA's stingiest defenders over the course of 14 seasons. In 2010, he was even named to the Second-Team All-Defense. He was also potent from behind the arc, making him a perfect 3-and-D guy, most notably with the Thunder, with whom he spent six seasons.

A lot of teams found Ish desirable: Over his 14-year career, he suited up for 13 different teams, more than any player in league history. Wherever he went, he could be counted on for playmaking and scoring off the bench. In 2023, he finally won his first title with the Nuggets.

In a 1995 draft that included future greats like Kevin Garnett, Jerry Stackhouse, and Rasheed Wallace, Joe Smith emerged as the No. 1 pick. He never developed into a star, but he did show enough consistency to enjoy a 16-season career, more than the majority of the players in his draft class. Smith never set the league on fire, but 10 points and 6 rebounds a game over nearly two decades isn't a bad legacy to leave behind, either.

Temple has been around, spending time with 12 different franchises, including five in his first two seasons. His versatility and consistently has ultimately kept him around the league for nearly two decades. He has also earned the trust of his peers in the league, having held leadership roles in the NBPA.

Toliver was one of those guys who seemed to always be on whatever team yours was playing. Indeed, over 13 seasons, he suited up for 11 franchises. Through it all, he was adaptable and a reliable outside threat, shooting 37 percent from three for his career.

Whether as a backup or an occasional starter, Turiaf was a strong rim protector over the course of ten seasons. In the 2009 season, he reached a personal best with two blocks per game. During the Heat's 2012 title run, Turiaf delivered some valuable minutes as a spot starter.