The best bargain contracts for each NBA team in the 2023–24 season
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics: SF Sam Hauser ($1.9 million)
Sam Hauser has spent the last three years developing into the Boston Celtics' lethal sharpshooter off the bench. This year is his best yet. Hauser is averaging 9.7 points per game while knocking down 42.6 percent of his threes.
He's a league leader in several categories this season, including offensive rating, true shooting percentage, three-point field goals made, and turnover percentage. The bargain should keep being that for another year, as the Celtics hold a $2.1 million club option for 2024–25.
Brooklyn Nets: SG Cam Thomas ($2.2 million)
Cam Thomas is the definition of a microwave scorer and has been throughout his brief NBA career (and his time at LSU before that). He's missed three weeks with an ankle injury but averaged a ridiculous 26.9 points per game in eight contests before the injury, emerging as one of the NBA's most improved players. Brooklyn has already exercised his club option for the last year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $4 million next season before restricted free agency.
New York Knicks: PG Immanuel Quickley ($4.2 million)
Immanuel Quickley's presence boosts the energy of the New York Knicks sevenfold. He bounces around on the court, averaging a career-high 16.3 points per game despite failing to register a single start so far and averaging slightly less playing time than a year ago.
Sadly for Knicks fans, Quickley's days in the Big Apple may be numbered, as there may be some hard feelings after the team and the young guard failed to come to an extension before the season. He's a restricted free agent at the end of the year.
Philadelphia 76ers: PG Tyrese Maxey ($4.3 million)
Philadelphia felt okay trading away James Harden because Tyrese Maxey made him look expendable. Maxey has been one of the best players in the entire NBA this season, taking on the role of Robin to Joel Embiid's Batman, averaging 27 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. The Sixers didn't extend Maxey during the offseason and his restricted free agency promises to be costly.
Toronto Raptors: PG Malachi Flynn ($3.9 million)
The Toronto Raptors don't have many great options for the best bargain contracts, which is perhaps part of the reason they're stuck in the mud these days. Malachi Flynn has been steady off the bench, scoring 5.6 points per game while averaging more than 2 assists and rebounds. He's playing out the last year of his rookie deal before reaching restricted free agency.