THE STORY
In July 2009, the Detroit Pistons signed free agents Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon to five-year contracts worth $35 million and $55 million, respectively. Both players underperformed relative to expectations, contributing to the team's decline in performance and financial strain over the subsequent seasons.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Detroit Pistons
WHY IT MATTERS
The signings are often cited as pivotal missteps that hindered the Pistons' rebuilding efforts and financial flexibility during the early 2010s.