Every NBA team's best and worst contracts: From bargain to nightmare

Memphis Grizzlies

Bargain contract: Jaren Jackson Jr.

Lost in the sauce of Memphis' awful season is that Jackson Jr. is having a career-high season, averaging 22.4 points per game. While he hasn't been nearly as efficient, the experience should help him going forward when Ja Morant returns. Factor in that JJJ is still only 24 and set a combined $48 million over the next two seasons; he is looking more and more like a value deal.

Nightmare contract: Luke Kennard

With Desmond Bane's big extension set to kick in next season, they'll have to pay him, Ja Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr., and that will get expensive. That is compounded by them being worse than expected, with what is looking like a top-5 pick instead of a pick in the 20's.

That leaves little financial margin and they'll have to decide whether to pick up Luke Kennards' team option for $14.7 million. He is one of the team's best shooters but they may not be able to afford him and stay under the tax.

New Orleans Pelicans

Bargain contract: Herb Jones

Herb Jones is already one of the best defensive NBA players, but he is also shooting a career-high 43.5% from three. That improves his value but he is already locked in for three more seasons for a combined $41 million, making him an obvious bargin.

Nightmare contract: CJ McCollum

Although his counting stats are down from last season, McCollum is having a far better year shooting the ball. That is obviously good for the Pelicans, though he will be making $30 million in a couple of seasons when he is 34 and he might not look nearly as good then.