Being a Superstar Doesn't Always Make You Great at Building a Team.

The history of a superstar taking the position as a franchise's team builder is volatile, at best. Who were the best and the worst at it?

As great a superstar as Michael Jordan was on the court, he was equally as great at being a bad owner. In 2006, Jordan purchased a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets that later became a majority stake in 2010. Throughout that time, Jordan ran basketball operations for the franchise and left a mark of head-scratching draft choices and downright bad decisions via trade and free agency in his wake. For 17 seasons, Jordan led the team to only 4 winning seasons, 3 playoff appearances (never getting past the 1st round), and a 567-784 record. 

Yet, somehow Jordan was able to spend $180 million to become majority owner, run the franchise horribly, and turn around and sell his stake for $3 billion. I know inflation is bad, but is it really that bad? How can a poorly run franchise, in a small market go for that much? 

- Me trying to figure out how the Hornets can sell for $3 billion.

Honestly, though, there's a volatile history of former superstars running franchises. There have been some players who transitioned seamlessly into the role of franchise commander, and others who looked down right out of their depth. You would think that playing the game at such an elite level would give them some insight on how to build a championship level team; after all they have first-hand experience on what a championship team looks like. Yet, that has rarely been the case. 

Let's have a look at some of the best and worst superstars that traded in their playing gear and became front office decision makers.

(Worst) Isiah Thomas – New York Knicks 

Let’s start off strong with arguably the worst of the worst. Isiah Thomas was a dumpster fire in a landfill as Knicks President of Basketball Operations. Poor trades, poor signings, blowing past the NBA’s salary cap, and a sexual harassment allegation left the Knicks in turmoil. Under Thomas’ tenure, the Knicks never had a winning record and routinely had the highest payroll in the league. If you ask Thomas, though, he’ll tell you he did a good job. 

(Best) Mario Lemieux – Pittsburgh Penguins 

Ask any Penguins fan and they’ll tell you, Lemieux saved hockey in Pittsburgh. When the team was on the brink of bankruptcy and rumors were swirling about relocation, Lemieux came in and put out the fire. Lemieux worked with the team and creditors to buy an ownership stake and began turning the franchise around. Under his leadership, the Penguins became profitable, stayed in Pittsburgh, and have hoisted 3 Stanley Cups. Not bad. 

(Worst) Elgin Baylor – Los Angeles Clippers 

Starting in 1986, Baylor was General Manager for the Clippers for 22 season, and they had a losing record in 20 of them. While he was handcuffed financially by owner, Donald Sterling, Baylor never tried thinking creatively to get the Clippers deep into the playoffs. Baylor continually whiffed in the draft and never selected a superstar. Here’s a list of Hall of Famers the Clippers passed on: Scottie Pippen, Mitch Richmond, Toni Kukoc, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol. During his tenure, the team went 607-1153 and was always considered “that other team in Los Angeles”. 

(Best) John Elway – Denver Broncos 

After an improbable playoff victory in his first year as General Manager and Vice President of Football Operations, Elway signed superstar Peyton Manning to lead the team to glory. Elway then built a top-ranked offense around Manning and got to the Super Bowl. After losing 48-6, Elway signed defensive stars Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware, TJ Ward, and one the Super Bowl two seasons later. While the final 7 seasons of his term were losing seasons (mostly because drafting a franchise quarterback is like playing roulette), those first 5 years satiated the Broncos fan base. 

(Worst) Wayne Gretzky – Phoenix Coyotes 

In 2000, Gretzky took over as Head of Hockey Operations of the Coyotes. While ‘The Great One’ was renowned for his sleek skating on the ice, it was mostly his inability to avoid the hits off the ice that did him in. Poor hiring decisions led the way as Gretzky proved loyal to people he shouldn’t have. Most notably, hiring Rick Tocchet to take over as General Manager, only for him to be connected to a gambling ring a few years later. 5 years after taking over, Gretzky named himself head coach and the Coyotes didn't improve. Over 8 seasons, the Coyotes had one winning season, that included their lone playoff appearance (a first round exit), under Gretzky. 

(Best) Joe Dumars – Detroit Pistons 

One of the rare examples of a superstar leading his former team to success, Joe Dumars proved to be a skillful team builder. Taking over the role of Pistons’ President of Basketball Operations in 2000, Dumars got to work rebuilding the franchise. Over his first 8 seasons, Dumars was able to bring in Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshuan Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Hall of Fame Coach, Larry Brown. As a result, the Pistons reached 6 straight Eastern Conference Finals, made 2 NBA Finals appearances, and won an NBA championship. While his next 6 seasons on the job were forgettable, the 8 seasons prior will be remembered as the teams Dumars built. 

(Worst) Kevin McHale – Minnesota Timberwolves 

The first move of Kevin McHale as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves was to draft superstar, Kevin Garnett. Everything else he did was like a fart in a jar. Drafting and then trading superstar, Ray Allen, for Stephon Marbury being the biggest of them all. McHale also went outside league rules to sign Joe Smith to three one-year deals on the promise that the team would sign him to a multi-year deal afterwards. The league found out, voided Smith’s deal, and confiscated 3 of the team’s next 5 first-round draft picks. Under 12 years of McHale’s leadership, The Timberwolves had a losing record and only got out of the first round one time (reaching the semi-finals in 2003-04). 

(Best) Ozzie Newsome – Baltimore Ravens 

After the Cleveland Browns left Cleveland for Baltimore, leaving all semblance of its history behind, the team became the Ravens and Ozzie Newsome took over as General Manager. While it was a rough start, Newsome proved to be an expert draft architect and built a championship caliber team. Over 22 seasons leading the helm, the Ravens won 200 games, made the playoffs 11 times, and won 2 Super Bowls. Newsome is also credited for drafting 35 pro-bowlers, 2 Hall of Famers, and is considered one of the best team-builders in sports. 

(Worst) Derek Jeter – Miami Marlins 

Unlike his playing career, as owner of the Miami Marlins, Jeter never did anything worth talking about. After buying a minority stake in the Marlins and becoming the team’s CEO, Jeter traded superstar Giancarlo Stanton to his former team, and did little else over the next 4 seasons. Jeter apparently “tried” to get a new TV deal, “tried” to get a new stadium, and “tried” to get ownership to spend more money. Yet nothing ever came of it. As Marlins’ CEO for 4 seasons, the team went 218-327, made the postseason in the shortened 2020 season (reached the division championship, but were swept by the Atlanta Braves), and finished at, or near, the bottom in the NL East the other 3 seasons. 

(Best) Jerry West – Los Angeles Lakers 

The G.O.A.T.! West came in during the 1982-83 season to become the General Manager of the Lakers and was integral in helping build the “Showtime” Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Years later, West signed Shaquille O’Neal and traded for Kobe Bryant, helping to build the dynasty to follow. Overall, West’s efforts led to 11 playoff appearances and 7 championships. Over 17 seasons, the Lakers went 905-457 and left West a lasting legacy that places him at the top of the list of former superstars who became an executive.