15 players the Rockets landed past their prime

5. Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen is unequivocally one of the greatest small forwards of all time, and helped Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls capture six NBA titles. Pippen was a tenacious defender and even led the Bulls to the postseason when Jordan retired from the sport.

Pippen made seven All-Star teams, seven All-NBA teams, and 10 All-Defensive teams. Michael Jordan even admitted that he wouldn't have been the legend he is were it not for Pippen.

However, by Pippen's 11th season, he was unable to fetch a contract of his liking, as Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf was unwilling to re-negotiate his deal. The Rockets landed the Hall of Famer in 1999, giving him a five-year deal worth upto $82 million.

Pippen joined the team too late, as he averaged 14.5 points (career-low), 43.2 percent from the floor (career-low), 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists and was dealt just one year after being acquired by Rockets GM Carroll Dawson.