John Salmons is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on December 12, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Salmons played college basketball at the University of Miami, where he was a standout player for the Hurricanes.
Salmons was selected in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs, but he was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent his first two seasons in the NBA with the 76ers, where he played a limited role off the bench. In his third season, Salmons began to establish himself as a reliable scorer and playmaker, averaging 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
In 2006, Salmons was traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he had the best years of his career. He became a starter for the Kings and averaged over 18 points per game in his first full season with the team. Salmons was known for his versatility on the court, as he could play multiple positions and was a solid defender. He was also a clutch performer, hitting several game-winning shots for the Kings during his time with the team.
After four seasons in Sacramento, Salmons was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2010. He played two seasons with the Bulls, where he was primarily used as a backup small forward. Salmons was then traded back to the Kings in 2012, where he played for one more season before being traded to the Toronto Raptors.
Salmons played one season with the Raptors before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2014. He played a limited role off the bench for the Hawks, but he was still able to contribute to the team's success. Salmons played his final season in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2015, where he played in only 8 games before being waived by the team.
Throughout his career, Salmons was known for his consistency and versatility. He was a solid scorer, rebounder, and playmaker, and he could play multiple positions on the court. Salmons was also a respected veteran leader in the locker room, and he was known for his work ethic and professionalism.
In total, Salmons played in 874 NBA games over the course of his career, averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He was never an All-Star or a major award winner, but he was a valuable contributor to several teams throughout his career. Salmons retired from professional basketball in 2015 and has since been involved in various business ventures.
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