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The Best Bargain Contract On All 30 NBA Teams

By Gerald Bourguet

January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7, right) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7, right) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) directs his team to open men during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

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