Ranking the best bargain contracts in the NBA this season

NBA Bargains: Honorable Mentions

In order, these were the next six names on my list: Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez, Mikal Bridges, John Konchar, Bol Bol, and Lauri Markkanen.

Ivica Zubac made headlines recently with his 31-point, 29-rebound game, and he ably mans the middle for a Clippers team that continues to stifle opponents even without two of the best wing defenders on Earth. He’s always been an analytics darling, so this is no surprise.

Lopez is yet another defensive-minded big, and he is a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year while making just $14 million this season. The Bucks’ monotonously dominant defense continues to produce at a historic rate, and Lopez’s mastery of the drop is a big reason why.

Bridges is the prototypical 3-and-D player who might graduate from that distinction this season with his improved off-the-dribble game. (Side note: maybe the NBA hasn’t internalized the value of defense yet? It’s peculiar that so many defenders appear on this “best values” list.)

John Konchar is one of the best sub-6’6″ rebounders in the league (shoutout to Josh Hart) and has been scorching hot for the Grizzlies. His rugged two-way play has allowed him to fit in as a starter or a reserve, a boon as Memphis navigates their usual raft of injuries.

We’ve talked a lot about Bol Bol’s emergence here. It’s hard to believe that this man couldn’t crack a rotation before this year, even with his injury history. Watching him block shots and handle the ball like an ambulatory tree will never stop entertaining me.

Lauri Markkanen has been a hot topic of conversation as the offensive fulcrum for the surprisingly feisty Jazz. If the Jazz can maintain a play-in-worthy record and Markkanen keeps averaging 22 points per game, he has a real chance of cracking the All-Star game.

So there we have it. These are the players who the raw numbers say are the best bargains in the league, but let me know in the comments who I missed! Subjectively, there are plenty of guys who deserve bigger bank accounts (Caleb Martin, anyone?).