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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Jan 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) looks to pass the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

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