The best bargain contracts for each NBA team in the 2023–24 season
Central Division
Chicago Bulls: C Andre Drummond ($3.4 million)
It's hard to call anyone a bargain on the Chicago Bulls, a team that seems on the verge of being broken up. Andre Drummond has been fine playing limited minutes off the bench, averaging 5.5 points and 6 rebounds per game. His expiring contract will probably lead to a new team at the trade deadline.
Cleveland Cavaliers: PF Dean Wade ($5.7 million)
Nobody really fits the bill for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dean Wade has stuck around as a spot starter and bench depth for the Cavs, but his impact has been limited as he's been roiled by ankle woes. His salary goes up next year, then even further the following season, although that's only partially guaranteed.
Detroit Pistons: PG Marcus Sasser ($2.6 million)
The Detroit Pistons are one of the worst, if not the worst, teams in the NBA. But rookie Marcus Sasser is playing decently. The 25th overall draft pick out of Houston is averaging 8.5 points and 2.9 assists per game, hitting 40.9 percent of his threes. His emergence should give hope to a franchise in desperate need of some.
Indiana Pacers: PG Tyrese Haliburton ($5.8 million)
Tyrese Haliburton is pacing one of the best offenses in NBA history. The fact that he's only making $5.8 million this season feels like a crime. That being said, the All-NBA candidate is in the last year of his rookie contract and signed a five-year, $205.9 million extension in the offseason that will kick in for 2024–25, rightfully elevating him to the upper echelon of salaries in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks: SG Malik Beasley ($2 million)
A majority of the Milwaukee Bucks are playing at a salary cap figure below $3 million, emblematic of the shrewd moves the franchise has needed to make to fit in the contracts of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and beyond.
Malik Beasley has held his own as a starter, averaging 11.6 points per game owing to a career-best 44.3 percent hit rate from three. Beasley signed a one-year "prove it" deal with Milwaukee and so far on the court, he has done exactly that.