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NBA: Minimum Contract, Maximum Value

By Simon Smith

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) dribbles the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Sean Kilpatrick, Brooklyn Nets

Contract: $980,430; expires 2017-18

The Brooklyn Nets currently have the second lowest payroll in the league. And one of the gems of going through their rebuilding process is finding diamonds-in-the-rough such as shooting guard Sean Kilpatrick. Despite being signed through the end of the end of the 2017/18 season, Kilpatrick is earning the minimum salary.

Originally signed by the Nets midway though last season on a 10-day contract, Kilpatrick has flourished this season when provided with greater opportunities. He has started 23 out of his 41 total appearances, averaging 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 27.0 minutes per game.

Earlier this season, Kilpatrick had an eight-game stretch which would’ve exceeded anyone’s expectations. During this time Kilpatrick posted 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 32.4 minutes per game. Most impressive are his shooting numbers – 47.9 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from downtown and 86.3 percent from the free-throw line on 6.4 attempts per game.

Undrafted coming of college, Kilpatrick’s greatest strengths offensively tend to fit with the direction that the Nets are heading. The Nets are currently 3rd in the league for three-point attempts, averaging 33.1 per game. Kilpatrick’s three-point attempts have made up 40.3 percent of his total field goal attempts, converting at a 34.7 percent clip.

Furthermore, the Nets rank sixth in the league for shot attempts taken within five feet of the rim. Kilpatrick’s shot attempts within five feet make up 34.4 percent of his total attempts, where he is converting at a 56.4 percent clip.  These numbers Kilpatrick and the Nets are producing represent the new wave of the league, where the most efficient shot attempts are prioritized.

Highlights

Check below for highlights of the premier performance of Kilpatrick’s career thus far. Playing 47 minutes, Kilpatrick scored 20 of his career-high 38 points in the final period, along with 14 rebounds, for an eventual double-overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.