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3 NBA players outplaying their contract this season

By Michael Shearer

Nov 5, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) stands on the court during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) stands on the court during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA
LaMarcus Aldridge #21 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

NBA players out-playing their contract this season: LaMarcus Aldridge

Win Shares: 1.3

BPM: 2.5

Salary: $2.641 million (vet minimum)

WS / ($M): 0.492 (NBA rank: 10)

BPM / ($M): 0.946 (NBA rank: 7)

Aldridge would be a surefire lock if the NBA still had a Comeback Player of the Year award. After joining the Nets last season, Aldridge unexpectedly had to retire due to a heart condition. He was told he could never play basketball again.

However, as last season finished and the offseason began, his condition improved. His medical staff gained confidence that he could return to basketball. And so, he ecstatically re-signed with the Nets.

He’s been arguably the best center option for the Nets in their strange season, shooting 58% from the field and 47% from three while averaging 12 points, five rebounds, and a block per game coming off the bench.

Aldridge has hit everything from his mid-range sweet spot and played passable defense. He’s shooting the most efficiently he’s ever shot in his career and rarely turns the ball over. Add it all up, and he’s second on the Nets in on/off point differential, behind only Patty Mills.

Basically, any lineup with the bench duo of Aldridge and Mills is torching opponents, outscoring them by more than 12 points per 100 possessions. It’s safe to say that Aldridge’s unexpected return is one of the brightest spots of this uneven Nets season.