Fran Vazquez Has the Strangest NBA Legacy Despite Never Playing a Single Game
The big man was technically traded three times before he was drafted
Fran Vazquez is a 6’10” forward who is nearing the end of a rather unremarkable two-decade international professional basketball career. He was once an NBA lottery draft pick and even though he never ended up playing a single second in the league, he left a lasting legacy that deeply impacted both individual players and teams. He would never have known it at the time, but interestingly, he changed the landscape of the NBA well before a team even attempted to lure him to North America.
Born in Spain in 1983, Vazquez developed into a well-regarded basketball prospect by the time he was a teenager. In 2005, the Orlando Magic made him the 11th overall selection in that year’s draft after being tantalized by his play in Europe. He ultimately decided to remain overseas, and never dipped his toes into NBA waters. In his 20-year pro career, the now 37-year-old has been part of a number of successful teams but has posted modest numbers, averaging 6.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. (However, he is the Spanish League’s all-time leader in blocked shots).
Technically, Vazquez was traded three times before he was even drafted, as part of an…
