Here’s a look at the most valuable bargain contract on every team in the NBA.
If we’ve learned one thing from the history of professional basketball, it’s that it takes a staggering amount of talent, chemistry and luck to win an NBA championship.
You’ve got to have star players; that’s why we remember the all-time greats like Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. You’ve got to have chemistry; that’s how we remember teams like the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls that won 72 regular season games en route to a title, or the 1985-86 Boston Celtics, who went 40-1 at home en route to a title.
And you’ve got to have luck; it’s why champions are rarely remembered for overcoming a major injury.
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But all too often, the financial side of things gets lost in all these discussions about championship-caliber teams. In this era where free agency, salary cap rules and collective bargaining agreements have become more prevalent than ever, general managers have nowhere to run and hide after signing an underwhelming player to an overwhelming deal.
For the most part, we all can agree on the star players that deserve the max-level contracts. But what about the under-the-radar moves that can make or break teams with depth, chemistry and other hidden value?
Bearing that in mind, it’s time to take a look at the best bargain contracts in the NBA right now, putting each team’s most cost-effective value in the spotlight. As a rule of thumb, we’ll be avoiding rookie-scale contracts since those are typically set in stone, and we’ll try to avoid expiring deals since they open up the possibility for contract extensions or leaving in free agency.
Next: Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague
2015-16 Salary: $8 million
2016-17 Salary: $8 million
Honorable Mention: Kyle Korver
Jeff Teague only has one year left on his contract after this season, but $16 million over two seasons is a steal with the way the NBA’s salary cap is rising. Kyle Korver’s $10 million contract over that span is a bit more team friendly, but with his three-point shot wandering off lately, Teague has more value as the architect of the Atlanta Hawks offense.
True enough, Teague’s numbers are down from last season’s 15.9 points and 7.0 assists per game on 46 percent shooting, with Atlanta’s starting point guard posting 15.5 points and 5.6 assists per game on 41.9 percent shooting this year. But he’s also shooting a career high 38.3 percent from three-point range and the Hawks rank in the top 10 for offensive rating.
Since Al Horford is an unrestricted free agent this summer, his more than reasonable $12 million salary falls short. Until Dennis Schroder forcibly grabs the reins of this team, Teague is the best bargain deal on this roster.
Next: Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics: Isaiah Thomas
2015-16 Salary: $6.9 million
2016-17 Salary: $6.6 million
2017-18 Salary: $6.3 million
Honorable Mentions: Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder
Here’s the list of Boston Celtics who have ever averaged at least 20 points and six assists per game in a season: Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and Larry Bird. That’s it. At 20.9 points and 6.9 assists per game, Isaiah Thomas is on pace to join the ranks of those prestigious Celtics legends here in 2015-16.
To suggest that Thomas is in the same class as those all-time greats would be silly, but it’s worth noting that the good people of Boston LOVE him. He’s not the most efficient player, shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three-point range, but damn it all if he’s not the most enjoyable fan favorite/human microwave on the roster.
Avery Bradley is a better two-way player, and Jae Crowder deserves a nod as well, but their contracts are not quite as cheap as Thomas’ bargain bin deal. You can’t really go wrong with any of these three options, but Thomas’ versatility has a player who can start or come off the bench makes him just a little bit more of a bargain; as the Celtics continue to improve and turn those assets into stars, I.T. will still retain his value.
Next: Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets: Thaddeus Young
2015-16 Salary: $11.2 million
2016-17 Salary: $12.1 million
2017-18 Salary: $12.9 million
2018-19 Salary: $13.8 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: Shane Larkin
It kind of has to be Thaddeus Young by default, doesn’t it? Brook Lopez is making about $21 million a year for the next three seasons, four of the team’s bargain bin additions have player options for next season (including Shane Larkin) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough are on rookie-scale deals.
And don’t even get me started on Joe Johnson’s $24.9 million salary this season, or the fact that Deron Williams will be making $5.5 million a year from the Brooklyn Nets through 2019-20 thanks to that much-needed buyout.
Still, Young is something of a bargain, even if his four-year, $50 million summer extension took some people by surprise. He’s not the kind of player that will attract free agents, but here’s the list of players averaging at least 16 points and nine rebounds per game this season: Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, Pau Gasol, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins…with Thad Young currently being just a shade below at 15.9 points per game.
Next: Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets: Jeremy Lin
2015-16 Salary: $2.1 million
2016-17 Salary: $2.2 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: Kemba Walker
We’re going to cheat a little bit here, which might feel a tad egregious for the Kemba Walker fans who’d point out that the Charlotte Hornets‘ starting point guard is posting a career best shooting line of .435/.354/.849 on a reasonable $12 million salary. But even if Jeremy Lin has a player option for next season, how could we NOT go with the guy having major bench impact while playing on a $2 million salary?
Try as he (and his ever-changing, always entertaining hairstyles) might, Lin hasn’t quite reached peak levels of Linsanity in Charlotte. But he’s still averaging 12.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 26.1 minutes per game, and his Per 36 Minutes numbers are as good as they’ve been since his breakout season in New York.
Those pining for Lin to take over the starting job should probably pump the brakes, but he’s playing his way into a nice new contract this summer. Here’s hoping this mutually beneficial fit lasts past this season if he opts out and becomes able to sign with anyone.
Next: Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls: Pau Gasol
2015-16 Salary: $7.4 million
2016-17 Salary: $7.8 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: Taj Gibson
We’re going to overlook the fact that Pau Gasol has a player option this summer since he’s putting up 16.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 blocks per game with a 22.4 Player Efficiency Rating at age 35. Those numbers are a step down from last season, but come on! If he weren’t so old, he’d be playing his way into an inflated offer from somebody.
That actually might be a possibility depending on what happens with that player option. Teams are going to have plenty of cap room to blow on useful players like Gasol, and the Chicago Bulls‘ frontcourt has never been more crowded between Pau, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic and rookie Bobby Portis.
Are the Bulls ready to commit to Gasol long-term? Will they trade Gibson or Noah to clear room? Does Pau still believe in this team? These answers remain to be seen, but the only argument you could make for Gibson’s contract over Gasol’s as the best bargain is that Taj doesn’t have a player option next season and is locked down through 2016-17 at $9 million.
Next: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers: Iman Shumpert
2015-16 Salary: $9 million
2016-17 Salary: $9.7 million
2018-19 Salary: $10.3 million
2019-20 Salary: 11 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: J.R. Smith
When most of your roster is on a max contract, it makes narrowing the field down incredibly easy and excruciatingly difficult all at once. LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson (definitely, definitely Tristan Thompson) are all on massive deals that automatically disqualify them, leaving us with Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova.
Shumpert has the largest annual salary of the three, but Delly becomes a restricted free agent this summer and J.R.’s non-guaranteed salary only extends through next season. Add that to the fact that Shumpert’s return to the lineup has boosted the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ defense into top-five territory and he becomes the best answer.
His numbers aren’t eye-popping by any means, with the real-life Gerald from Hey! Arnold averaging 6.4 points per game on 40 percent shooting. But he’s knocking down 38.2 percent of his triples and his defense more than makes his salary worth it, especially since the rising cap will make it pretty much negligible down the road.
Next: Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki
2015-16 Salary: $8.3 million
2016-17 Salary: $8.7 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: Devin Harris
Devin Harris has an exceedingly cheap contract, Deron Williams has been playing beyond the value of his $5 million annual salary and even J.J. Barea might deserve a nod here, but the best player of the Dallas Mavericks remains Dirk Nowitzki. The fact that he’s basically being paid $8.5 million a season is ludicrous considering what he’s still bringing to the court at age 37.
Averaging a team-best 17.3 points per game on .457/.383/.890 shooting splits, Dirk continues to churn out vintage performance after vintage performance, complete with clutch shot-making, one-legged fadeaways and, improbably, enjoyable victories despite a lack of firepower around him.
Nowitzki has a player option for the 2016-17 season, but considering he’s by far the best player in franchise history and took a paycut to leave the Mavs with some wiggle room on the cap sheet, he may be a bargain deal for as long as he wants to continue playing basketball.
Next: Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets: Will Barton
2015-16 Salary: $3.5 million
2016-17 Salary: $3.5 million
2017-18 Salary: $3.5 million
Honorable Mention: N/A
There’s really only one correct answer here. Most of the Denver Nuggets‘ most attractive assets are on rookie-scale contracts, Danilo Gallinari and the injured Wilson Chandler are overpaid for this season considering what they’re providing at the moment and I’m still not crazy about Kenneth Faried’s extension, even if he’s been better lately.
But even if you’re perfectly fine with Faried’s contract, Will Barton has easily been the best value deal on the roster. He’s making less than $4 million a year through the 2017-18 season, but he’s immediately cemented his place as one of the league’s leading candidates for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Averaging 16.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, Barton is instant energy off the bench. He’s shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 38.8 percent from three-point range, which is even more impressive considering he’s taking 4.4 of them per game. Barton is not only a great value for the Nuggets, he might be one of the best bargains the NBA right now.
Next: Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons: Marcus Morris
2015-16 Salary: $5 million
2016-17 Salary: $4.6 million
2017-18 Salary: $5 million
2018-19 Salary: $5.4 million
Honorable Mention: Andre Drummond
Reggie Jackson may be living up to his massive contract extension, but he’s still being paid max-level money, which automatically disqualifies him. That makes this one a landslide for Marcus Morris, especially since Ersan Ilyasova only has one non-guaranteed year left, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is on a rookie-scale deal and…OH WAIT. Andre Drummond!
The reason Drummond did not receive this designation despite being paid a meager $3.2 million this year while averaging 17.9 points and 15.7 rebounds per game? He’s about to get paid this summer. After delaying his contract extension last summer to leave the Detroit Pistons with more cap space to retool the roster, Drummond is heading for a massive paycheck.
As of this moment, Drummond is on a steal of a contract. But since that will promptly end in a few months, we switch back to the embattled Morris, who only takes a break from bashing his old team long enough to put up 14.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He’s only shooting 32.2 percent from three-point range, but as he adjusts to starter’s minutes, he’ll continue to be one of those guys quietly having a great season.
Next: Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
2015-16 Salary: $11.4 million
2016-17 Salary: $12.1 million
Honorable Mention: N/A
No contest here, especially with Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli heading for big extensions this upcoming summer. In 2012, when the Golden State Warriors signed Stephen Curry to a four-year, $44 million contract extension that kicked in for the 2013-14 season, they were taking a chance on a player who had struggled with ankle problems. Now, he’s a global icon, reigning MVP and defending NBA champion.
Value contracts don’t get much better than that. Curry’s meteoric rise to prominence — and quite possibly the designation of being the most destructive offensive force in NBA history — is dumbfounding to some, but his work ethic to improve his flaws, his likability and his pure jump shot have pushed him to the heights of stardom that extend far beyond his $11 million annual salary.
Curry is heading for a massive extension two summers from now, but how many more awards and championships might he win in the meantime? The fact that he’s already got an MVP and a Larry O’Brien trophy to his name while playing on that kind of contract is absurd, and it makes Curry the best bargain deal in the NBA right now.
Next: Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets: Patrick Beverley
2015-16 Salary: $6.5 million
2016-17 Salary: $6 million
2017-18 Salary: $5.5 million
2018-19 Salary: $5 million (non-guaranteed)
Honorable Mention: Trevor Ariza
James Harden and Dwight Howard are on max deals, most of the roster has a rookie contract of some type and as much as Corey Brewer and Trevor Ariza can be seen as bargains, none of them measure up to the value that Patrick Beverley provides for the Houston Rockets at about $6 million a year.
Putting Ty Lawson in the same backcourt as Harden has been an unmitigated disaster, which automatically makes Beverley look 10 times better by comparison. But this league is as much about fit and chemistry as it is about talent, and that’s before you factor in that Beverley is a superior defender AND spot-up shooter.
With Beverley locked down for the long-term, the Rockets have a very good starting backcourt for the foreseeable future. As much as Daryl Morey has tried to upgrade that position, Beverley’s defense helps makes up for Harden’s miscues on that end and his 41.4 percent three-point shooting allows Harden to be the ball-dominant guard that he is. Sometimes great value comes in knowing your role and embracing it.
Next: Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers: C.J. Miles
2015-16 Salary: $4.4 million
2016-17 Salary: $4.6 million
2017-18 Salary: $4.8 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: Rodney Stuckey
I know this probably will piss off the Monta Ellis contingent out there, but he hasn’t been very good this season for the Indiana Pacers. Rodney Stuckey has always been fun coming off the bench, even if his shooting numbers are down this season, but this one’s a no-brainer since C.J. Miles might be the team’s second most important player behind Paul George.
Averaging 13.9 points per game, Miles’ shooting has come back down to earth a little bit over the last few weeks. But he’s still making 38.9 percent of his high volume 7.0 three-point attempts per game, and his willingness to log minutes at the 4-spot on the defensive end has allowed PG-13 to conserve his energy for the offensive end of the floor, where he capitalizes on mismatches as a small-ball 4.
Making less than $5 million a year while doubling as the most important role player on a team of Paul George and nothing BUT role players, C.J. Miles remains an underrated aspect of the Pacers’ early success.
Next: Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers: J.J. Redick
2015-16 Salary: $7.1 million
2016-17 Salary: $7.4 million
Honorable Mention: Austin Rivers
The Los Angeles Clippers‘ Big Three are all making mega money, Lance Stephenson has been a dumpster fire, Jamal Crawford’s contract is up after this season and then there’s Austin Rivers. YOU’RE NOT REALLY GIVING US A LOT OF OPTIONS HERE, CLIPS.
J.J. Redick’s contract is up after next season, but there’s no doubt that paying a little more than $7 million a season for a sharpshooter of his talents is something of a steal. At 31 years old, Redick is averaging 16.0 points per game and converting an absurd 48.8 percent of his 5.3 three-pointers per game.
The Clippers have quietly climbed to fourth in the Western Conference standings, and Redick’s recent hot shooting has been a big reason why, especially with Griffin sidelined. He’s never lived up to his Duke glory days in the NBA, but J.J. Redick is an underrated part of the Clippers’ high scoring offense and easily their biggest bargain.
Next: Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers: Lou Williams
2015-16 Salary: $7 million
2016-17 Salary: $7 million
2017-18 Salary: $7 million
Honorable Mention: Nick Young
I mean, I guess? Lou Williams doesn’t figure to be a part of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ long-term rebuilding plan, and head coach Byron Scott is TOTALLY ruining “6 Man” by putting him in the starting lineup, but the reigning Sixth Man of the Year is the closest thing this team has to a bargain deal right now.
Why? In addition to his completely manageable $7 million annual salary over the next two and a half seasons, Lou Will will be the Lakers’ lone source of nightly, irrational entertainment after Kobe Bryant retires. Sorry Nick Young, but you’re just a little too inconsistent to earn that title.
Williams’ scoring numbers are down from last season, but his efficiency is up, with the Lakers’ starter averaging 14.0 points per game on 35.1 percent shooting from deep. D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson represent the future, but since their growing pains will be hard to watch at times, Williams holds value as a stopgap between now and the brighter future.
Next: Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies: Brandan Wright
2015-16 Salary: $5.5 million
2016-17 Salary: $5.7 million
2017-18 Salary: $6 million
Honorable Mention: N/A
Another default choice. Other than Marc Gasol, Brandan Wright is the only player on the Memphis Grizzlies‘ roster with a non-rookie contract extending through the 2017-18 season. While he’s been sidelined by injury for all but seven games this season (and failed to make an impression in that small sample size), Wright will be a decent rotation player no matter what direction the Grizz go from here.
Will Memphis blow it up? Wright’s signed on for another two and a half seasons and can even start if the goal is to lose and acquire draft picks. Will Memphis retool? Wright provides insurance for Gasol and an aging Zach Randolph off the bench. Either way, he has some value, especially with Mike Conley, Courtney Lee, Jeff Green, Mario Chalmers and Matt Barnes ALL hitting free agency this summer.
Knee surgery is never an encouraging thing, but Wright is an extremely efficient player who knows his role and can even provide a little bit of rim protection in spurts. No matter where the Grizzlies go from here, Wright has value — provided he gets healthy, of course.
Next: Miami Heat
Miami Heat: Tyler Johnson
2015-16 Salary: $0.8 million
2016-17 Salary: $1.2 million (qualifying offer)
Honorable Mention: Josh McRoberts
If Josh McRoberts can come back healthy and actually contribute for the first time in his stint with the Miami Heat, he might challenge for this title. But since he hasn’t been able to do so, and since we can’t cheat and go with rookie Justise Winslow, it’s got to be second-year reserve Tyler Johnson.
Johnson’s contract may look like a rookie-scale deal, but he actually went undrafted out of Fresno State in 2014 before playing with the Heat’s Summer League team and eventually working his way onto the roster. Ever since then, he’s worked his way into Erik Spoelstra’s rotation and the hearts of Heat fans everywhere.
Averaging 8.9 points per game on the season, Johnson joins Gerald Green as instant offense off the bench. He’s posting impressive .500/.407/.788 shooting splits and with so many bench players injured and/or old (sorry, Amar’e Stoudemire), the depth he provides could be crucial in any sort of playoff run Miami makes. Here’s hoping the Heat find some way to keep him around.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson
2015-16 Salary: $2.9 million
2016-17 Salary: $12.3 million
2017-18 Salary: $11.4 million
2018-19 Salary: $10.6 million
2019-20 Salary: $9.7 million
Honorable Mention: N/A
Most of the promising young pieces on the Milwaukee Bucks are on rookie-scale deals, and those that aren’t (namely, Greg Monroe and Khris Middleton) are getting paid too much to qualify here. By default, we’re going to go with John Henson, who recently earned a major four-year, $44 million extension that kicks in next season.
That’s an awful lot of money for a guy with career averages of 8.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, but this long-armed, 6’11” power forward has potential. He’s already 25 years old and isn’t playing as much this season, but his contract won’t take up nearly as much cap room a year from now.
More importantly, however, is the fact that the Bucks don’t really have any players on non-rookie deals that qualify. Useful role players like Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo and Greivis Vasquez all come off the books this summer, which means that Henson’s potential makes him the closest (non-rookie) thing this team has to a “bargain.”
Next: Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio
2015-16 Salary: $12.7 million
2016-17 Salary: $13.4 million
2017-18 Salary: $14.1 million
2018-19 Salary: $14.8 million
Honorable Mention: N/A
This could look even better a few years down the road if the young Minnesota Timberwolves are able to develop into a Western Conference contender before Ricky Rubio’s contract is over. But for now, it’s good enough that Rubio has the best value of non-rookie contracts, which constitute roughly 60 percent of this roster.
The gripes about Rubio’s lack of a perimeter jump shot, along with the fact that Minnesota selected him AND Jonny Flynn over Stephen Curry in 2009, has been drilled into the ground already. What most people out of Minnesota don’t realize is that Rubio is intrinsic to this team’s success, both now and in the future.
In games he’s played this season, the Timberwolves are 11-19, as opposed to a 1-5 record when he’s sidelined. He’s the architect who will feed Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns to help them grow into monsters, all while supplying defense and steals on the other end. Forget the numbers; that four-year, $55 million extension is going to be worth it with the salary cap rising the way it is.
Next: New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans: Alexis Ajinca
2015-16 Salary: $4.4 million
2016-17 Salary: $4.7 million
2017-18 Salary: $5 million
2018-19 Salary: $5.4 million
Honorable Mention: N/A
I was sorely tempted to put Anthony Davis in this spot, even though he’s going to be paid $145 million over the next five years. That’s how bad this team is from a bargain hunters standpoint. Maybe Tyreke Evans qualifies on a $10 million annual salary, but he’s been so banged up and the New Orleans Pelicans are still so bad that it’s hard to slot anyone here.
Ryan Anderson would normally be a good candidate since he’s only making $8 million this season and is averaging 16.6 points and 6.2 rebounds off the bench while shooting 36.6 percent from three-point range, but he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and the Pellies have reportedly been trying to trade him.
That leaves us with Alexis Ajinca, a capable backup who could provide New Orleans with insurance if the front office ever realizes the true depths of their Omer Asik blunder (five years and $60 million? Seriously?). If the Brow proves himself capable of anchoring the defense at the 5, Ajinca’s meager salary could give the Pellies a cost-effective and capable backup for the future.
Next: New York Knicks
New York Knicks: Arron Afflalo
2015-16 Salary: $8 million
2016-17 Salary: $8 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: Derrick Williams
Consider me among those who thought Arron Afflalo was washed after lackluster stints with the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers last year, but he’s been a pleasant surprise for the New York Knicks now that he’s healthy. After all, $8 million is more than worth it, if only to prevent Derek Fisher from starting Sasha Vujacic at shooting guard anymore!
The Knicks probably aren’t playoff bound, but Afflalo is part of an encouraging rebuild after the team won only 17 games last year. Averaging 13.8 points per game on .479/.366/.809 shooting splits, Triple-A has brought some much-needed help to a Knicks engine that’s seen its fair share of sputtering over the last few weeks.
The Knicks are 9-2 in games where Afflalo scores at least 15 points, and though he has a player option this summer, it’s hard to see him playing his way into a bigger extension elsewhere. It’s also worth noting he enjoys playing with former teammate Carmelo Anthony. Knicks fans have reason to feel good for the first time in years, which leads me to believe Afflalo will continue to lend great value to New York on a manageable salary through 2016-17.
Next: Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder: Serge Ibaka
2015-16 Salary: $12.3 million
2016-17 Salary: $12.3 million
Honorable Mention: N/A
Not a lot of options to choose from on a team that has six players on rookie contracts, but most people would agree Serge Ibaka provides tremendous value to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a deal that looks extremely reasonable in light of the way the cap is skyrocketing.
True enough, Ibaka has not become a star the way that James Harden has since that infamous trade that will forever divide NBA fans. But he’s still one of the league’s most efficient pick-and-pop threats, and even if his 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game don’t scream “star,” his ability to knock down 37.7 percent of his three-point tries helps spread the offense.
With Enes Kanter and Steven Adams down low, the Thunder don’t need Ibaka to be a monster on the boards. But if OKC ever wins a championship, you can be guaranteed that Serge Ibaka plays the role of Chris Bosh as the most underrated member of the team’s Big Three.
Next: Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic: Channing Frye
2015-16 Salary: $8.2 million
2016-17 Salary: $7.8 million
2017-18 Salary: $7.4 million
Honorable Mention: Nikola Vucevic
Who would have guessed that the massive four-year, $32 million extension the Orlando Magic offered Channing Frye back in 2014 would become such a steal in such a short amount of time? Okay, so maybe the word “steal” is a bit strong, but this valuable signing has been cast in a better light now that the Magic are on the right path with their rebuild.
In terms of on-court production, it’s easy to second-guess Frye’s inclusion here.. He’s only averaging 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game, and last year’s numbers weren’t much better. But in addition to 42.9 percent three-point shooting, Frye is providing the veteran leadership this young Magic team was counting on when it first signed him.
Nikola Vucevic’s four-year, $54 million extension looks completely manageable now, but with Frye in the starting unit, Orlando has been impressive this season (14-10). If you’re still not convinced, just take a look at the turmoil the Phoenix Suns have gone through, which may have started with the simple domino of a great locker room guy and pick-and-pop threat like Frye leaving the desert.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers: Ish Smith
2015-16 Salary: $0.9 million (non-guaranteed)
Honorable Mention: N/A
This one’s simple: Ish Smith is making less than $1 million with the Philadelphia 76ers this season, and the way that the team brought him back not long after Jerry Colangelo was hired suggests that they won’t just let him go for nothing this summer. Since he certainly won’t be a max-level player when he re-signs, he gets the nod.
That, along with the fact that damn near the entire roster is on a rookie or non-guaranteed contract, makes Smith an easy choice. The Sixers are 3-3 since they brought Ish back, as opposed to 1-30 in the first 31 games of the season they played without him. Even better, his bond with Nerlens Noel both on and off the court should help the Sixers harness the best of his potential.
Smith isn’t a star in the making, he’s not a very good defender and he’s a horrendous perimeter shooter. But he’s averaging a respectable 14.7 points and 8.2 assists per game, and his return to Philly has galvanized this team into something slightly better than the absolute crapfest they were just a few weeks ago.
Next: Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns: Markieff Morris
2015-16 Salary: $8 million
2016-17 Salary: $7.4 million
2017-18 Salary: $8 million
2018-19 Salary: $8.6 million
Honorable Mention: P.J. Tucker
Phoenix Suns fans are going to hate this selection, but it’s true: Markieff Morris is still the most valuable contract on the roster. Strictly from an asset standpoint, his four-year, $32 million contract is one of the best in the league — especially if you happen to believe Keef is better than the numbers he’s posted in Phoenix this year.
On the season, Morris’ numbers have plummeted to 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on 38.1 percent shooting. He’s missed 13 games since the start of December — one game for his knee, one for illness, two games due to suspension after the towel-throwing incident and nine DNP-CDs — and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s traded away.
It may seem contradictory to call an embattled and unhappy player at the end of the bench a “bargain” player, but it remains to be seen what the Suns can acquire for Morris. He’s also a far better player than he’s been this season, and without him playing at his best, the Suns have clearly struggled. With Eric Bledsoe injured and the team’s most promising players on rookie-scale or one-year deals, Morris’ value as a trade chip should not be overlooked.
Next: Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers: Al-Farouq Aminu
2015-16 Salary: $8 million
2016-17 Salary: $7.7 million
2017-18 Salary: $7.3 million
2018-19 Salary: $7 million
Honorable Mention: Ed Davis
Al-Farouq Aminu’s summer contract extension of four years and $30 million was eye-opening to many who didn’t understand how salaries would be inflated by the increasing cap. But an average annual salary of $7.5 million is doable for a two-way player of his talents, especially for a Portland Trail Blazers team that’s trying to find pieces to put around Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Aminu isn’t a breakout star by any means, but he’s averaging a respectable 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 36.4 percent from three-point territory. He’s also the team’s best wing defender and at 25 years old, he has plenty of time to improve moving forward.
McCollum’s ultra-cheap contract would be a no-brainer if he weren’t still on his rookie agreement, and Ed Davis doesn’t quite play enough for his three-year, $18 million extension to get the nod here. It’s ironic, but the first surprising contract extension announced last summer has turned out to be one of its most reasonable bargains.
Next: Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings: Marco Belinelli
2015-16 Salary: $6.1 million
2016-17 Salary: $6.3 million
2017-18 Salary: $6.6 million
Honorable Mention: Darren Collison
Technically speaking, DeMarcus Cousins is on one of the best max-level contracts in the league after agreeing to a four-year, $62 million extension with the Sacramento Kings in 2013. But since a max-level deal automatically disqualifies him, we’ll go with Marco Belinelli’s excessively team-friendly three-year, $19 million contract.
This season, Belinelli is averaging 11.6 points in 26.3 minutes per game. He’s only shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three-point range, but that may have just been an off December since he converted 37.4 percent and 43.0 percent of his threes over his two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.
Darren Collison deserves some acknowledgement here as well, but the arrival of Rajon Rondo has made him slightly less important, and Belinelli has an extra year on his deal to add to his value.
Next: San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Mills
2015-16 Salary: $3.6 million
2016-17 Salary: $3.6 million
Honorable Mention: Tim Duncan, Danny Green
There are a ton of candidates to choose from here. Tim Duncan and David West took paycuts to clear out cap space, and Danny Green’s four-year, $40 million extension was unanimously seen as a team-friendly bargain to help preserve cap room as well. But Patty Mills is entirely underpaid as this team’s vitally important backup point guard.
As a winner of five championships, Duncan was entitled to whatever contract extension he might have wanted. Even with his numbers in decline, he still anchors the interior defense, so you could easily make an argument for him here. But with Mills providing 8.2 points per game on 36.8 percent shooting from deep, that burst he brings off the bench makes him criminally underpaid at $3.6 million a year.
Of course, for a team-first guy like Mills, the winning and the chance at another championship far outweighs the paycheck. At the end of the day, that’s the beauty of a franchise with so many selfless players like the San Antonio Spurs: you could put virtually any of them in this spot and it’d make sense on some level.
Next: Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry
2015-16 Salary: $12 million
2016-17 Salary: $12 million
2017-18 Salary: $12 million (player option)
Honorable Mention: Cory Joseph, DeMar DeRozan
Think about this: the Toronto Raptors‘ best player, who has them at 22 wins for the fourth best record in the Eastern Conference, is getting paid as much as Serge Ibaka this season. That’s quite a steal.
Basketball in Canada has never been as popular — or successful — as it is now with Kyle Lowry leading the charge. The Raptors have posted a franchise-record win total in each of their last two seasons, and Lowry is averaging an All-Star caliber 20.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game this year.
Cory Joseph deserves a shout-out for living up to his contract so far, and DeMar DeRozan should be in this conversation given all the scoring he provides on $10 million a year. But Lowry is easily the best value since he’s been Toronto’s best and most important player while playing on such an affordable deal.
Next: Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors
2015-16 Salary: $12 million
2016-17 Salary: $11 million
2017-18 Salary: $12 million
Honorable Mention: Alec Burks
Like Kyle Lowry and Stephen Curry, Derrick Favors is another player who busted through his ceiling after signing an extension that appeared large at the time but has since proven to be on the conservative side. It makes sense that Favors, the Utah Jazz‘s power forward successor to the perpetually underrated Paul Millsap, is starting to be overlooked as well.
Averaging 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game on 52.3 percent shooting, Favors is playing at an All-Star level and has really improved on the defensive end, which has been overshadowed by Rudy Gobert’s absence and Favors’ own recent injury.
Alec Burks is really the only other candidate with so many young, rookie contract players on the roster, and his recent injury obviously hurts his case. But with Favors being Utah’s best/second-best player on such an affordable deal, he’s one of the better bargain deals in the entire league right now.
Next: Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards: Otto Porter
2015-16 Salary: $4.7 million
2016-17 Salary: $5.9 million
2017-18 Salary: $7.7 million (qualifying offer)
Honorable Mention: N/A
We’re going to have to cheat a little for our last team. Otto Porter Jr. is technically on a rookie-scale salary, which would normally disqualify him here. But John Wall is on a max deal, Bradley Beal is due for a contract extension this summer and pretty much every other player on the roster is on an expiring deal of some sort.
That leaves us with Porter and Marcin Gortat, who will earn $11.2 million this year, $12 million next year, $12.8 million the year after that and $13.6 million the year after that. As great as it was to see the Polish Hammer be named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, I find it hard to believe he’ll still be such a great value in 2018-19 when he’ll turn 35.
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Maybe I’m being stubborn by not picking Gortat as one of the only players that doesn’t bend the rules, but I’m sticking with Porter, who is having a career year, averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds on 45.3 percent shooting. His ceiling needs to be higher than that for the Washington Wizards to take the next step, but for now the team is getting decent value from their third-year wing.