Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies (2000–2005) Swift was selected second overall in the
2000 NBA draft by the
Vancouver Grizzlies. His debut game was played on October 31, 2000, in a 94–88 win over the
Seattle SuperSonics. Swift played for 9 minutes and the only stat he recorded was 1 rebound. For his sophomore season, the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis and although he did not become a consistent starter for the team (starting in 14 out of 68 games played), he saw a drastic increase in minutes (16.4 to 26.5 per game). This season was Swift's most productive season of his career, as he averaged his highest points (11.8), rebounds (6.3) and blocks per game (1.7). In this same season he competed in the 2001
Slam Dunk Competition against
Baron Davis,
DeShawn Stevenson,
Corey Maggette,
Desmond Mason and
Jonathan Bender. Swift placed fourth as Mason, of the
Seattle SuperSonics, won the competition. On April 17, 2002, Swift scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a loss against the
Seattle SuperSonics.
Houston Rockets (2005–2006) After the
2004–05 season, Swift left the Grizzlies as a
free agent and signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the
Houston Rockets. At the time of his departure to Houston for the
2005–06 season, Swift was the last remaining player on the Grizzlies roster to have moved with the team from Vancouver.
Return to Memphis (2006–2008) In
2006, Swift was traded back to the Memphis Grizzlies along with the rights to the #8
draft pick
Rudy Gay in exchange for
Shane Battier, in a draft day trade. For some time, he was their starting
center. On January 3, 2007, Swift's 26 points helped lead (teammate
Mike Miller had 33 points) the Grizzlies to a 144–135 victory against the
Golden State Warriors.
New Jersey Nets (2008–2009) On February 4, 2008, Swift was traded to the
New Jersey Nets for
Jason Collins and cash considerations. Four days later, Swift played his first minutes with the Nets, scoring his first basket late in the game, on a jumper, against the
Charlotte Bobcats. In the game against the
Minnesota Timberwolves, on February 12, he scored on an alley-oop dunk from
Jason Kidd, in the only game they would see time on the court together in a Nets uniform, as Kidd would be traded to the
Dallas Mavericks shortly thereafter. On March 1, 2009, Swift was waived by the Nets.
Phoenix Suns (2009) On March 4, 2009, the Suns signed Swift for the remainder of the season. In Phoenix, Swift played 13 games and averaged 2 points and 2.5 rebounds. Swift's final NBA game ever was played on April 11, 2009, in a 110–97 win over the
Minnesota Timberwolves where he recorded 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block.
Shandong Lions (2009–2010) Swift signed with the
Philadelphia 76ers in September 2009, but was released on October 12, 2009. Swift signed with the
Shandong Lions of the
Chinese Basketball Association in December 2009, and made his debut the same month. ==NBA career statistics==