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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Oct 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 112-95. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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