NBA: Jeremy Lin, Best Bargain Contracts For All 30 Teams

The Best Bargain Contract On All 30 NBA Teams

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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Dec 31, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles the ball around Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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