NBA: Jeremy Lin, 15 Players Living Up To 2015 Contracts

NBA: 15 Players Living Up To 2015 Summer Contracts

November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21, right) dribbles against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23, left) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Bulls 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Al-Farouq Aminu

Al-Farouq Aminu was one of the first free agency signings announced last summer, proving to be an early barometer for what new expectations should be with the NBA’s salary cap skyrocketing the way that it is. Though his four-year, $30 million extension seemed like a hefty deal at the time, paying $7.5 million a year for his two-way services seems more than fair now.

Thanks to Tuesday’s win over the Kings, the Portland Trail Blazers are in sole possession of the eighth playoff seed in the Western Conference — in a season many expected them to roll over and tank with four of five starters from last year’s team gone. The Blazers may not hang on to that playoff spot — especially since their first round pick goes to Denver if it falls outside the lottery — but Aminu has been a smaller pleasant surprise behind Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Coming off a breakout playoff series with the Dallas Mavericks, Aminu is averaging 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while converting 34.7 percent of his 4.2 three-point attempts per game — all career highs. Give this 25-year-old wing some additional time and he may even retain his prominent starting role once the Blazers are legitimately good again.

Next: No. 14