Larry Hughes NBA Career Overview
Larry Hughes played 14 NBA seasons from 1998 to 2012, appearing for multiple teams and known for his defensive versatility and perimeter scoring. His career averages include 18.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game over 828 regular-season contests, according to Basketball-Reference career page. He was selected for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game and earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team that same year.
Hughes entered the league as the eighth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, selected by the Philadelphia 76ers after starring at Saint Louis University. His early development focused on perimeter defense and transition offense, traits that later defined his role on playoff-caliber rosters.
Teams Larry Hughes Played For
Hughes spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, and Sacramento Kings. His longest single-team tenure came with the Washington Wizards, where he played from 2002 to 2005 and averaged 22.0 points per game during the 2004-05 campaign on the NBA stats site.
He joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005 and played alongside LeBron James during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, helping the team reach the 2007 NBA Finals. Hughes later suited up for the New York Knicks, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, and Sacramento Kings before retiring in 2012.
Key Performances and Legacy
Hughes recorded a career-high 44 points on December 9, 2004, against the Utah Jazz while playing for the Washington Wizards. He also posted multiple games with 40 or more points and shot 40.7 percent from three-point range over his career, per NBA.com career statistics.
After retiring, Hughes remained connected to basketball through scouting, mentoring, and youth basketball initiatives. His career is frequently cited in discussions about defensive specialists who could guard multiple positions and contribute as primary or secondary scorers on playoff teams.