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 30, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts after hitting a three point shot during the game against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

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