Gauging the value of NBA contracts is complex. The value of contracts is constantly changing based on player performance, league trends, and the fluctuating cap. \u00a0The length of the agreement, the player\u2019s overall impact, age, injury history, and how it compares to other contracts around the league. These are all important factors to consider when determining the value of contracts.<\/p>\n
Just because a player\u2019s contract is bad value doesn\u2019t mean that player is bad or overrated. It largely means they\u2019re on impact doesn\u2019t warrant the salary. Here is every Western Conference team\u2019s worst-value contract.<\/p>\n
Kyrie Irving<\/strong> <\/a>is a dazzling talent and one of the most gifted offensive players in the league today. However, with his injury history and off-court antics, Irving is a difficult player to trust. Additionally, the Kyrie and Luka<\/strong><\/a> pairing <\/a><\/strong>didn\u2019t look amazing last year. Ultimately, the entire Kyrie Irving experience has a ton of risk. It\u2019s tough to pay 40 million a year to a player with so much risk involved. <\/span><\/p>\n Michael Porter Jr.<\/strong><\/a> is a nice complementary piece around Nikola Jokic<\/strong><\/a> and an important part of Denver\u2019s success. However, MPJ is held back by inconsistency on both ends of the court and a long history of injuries. As a result of inconsistent shooting, he fell out of the Nuggets late-game rotation in the finals. Ultimately, Porter\u2019s contract suggested he is a star but his on-court contributions are that of a high-end role player.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Chris Paul<\/strong> <\/a>is an all-time great point guard and basketball legend. But at 38 it\u2019s clear his best years are behind him and he\u2019s declined significantly. With the Warriors Paul will be fully entering the next stage of his career with a reduced role and fewer responsibilities. This is a star-level contract for a player that will now be expected to play as a high-level role player.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Rockets signing Dillion Brooks<\/strong> <\/a>to this large contract was one of the most polarizing deals of the off-season. On the positive side, Brooks is an all-NBA level defender and quality role player. On the other hand, Brooks is an in-efficient <\/span>shot-chucker with questionable IQ and poor playmaking skills on offense. Brooks’ drawbacks and unpredictable personality make this an incredibly risky long-term deal. From a value perspective, you could find much better role players than Brooks for a cheaper cost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Paul George<\/strong><\/a> and Kawhi Leonard<\/strong><\/a> era has been a massive disappointment for the Clippers. The era has been marred by injuries, load management, and a lack of postseason success. George is a star-level player but has an extensive history of injuries and is now entering the ladder stage of his career. George\u2019s age and injury history paired with the Clippers postseason disappointments makes this a bad contract.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After being traded to the Lakers, Rui Hacimura\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> value skyrocketed. Hachimura had some big moments in the playoffs which helped him earn a contract he otherwise would not. Hachimura is a solid role-playing forward but throughout his career, he hasn\u2019t proven to be worth an annual salary of 17 million. At 24 Rui could take another jump and make this contract solid value but right now this feels like a slight overpay.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Grizzlies don\u2019t have many bad contracts to choose from. Luke Kennard<\/strong> <\/a>is one of the most deadly shooters in the league but struggles to make an impact outside of shooting. Kennard\u2019s poor defense has consistently hurt his playoff minutes. Ultimately it\u2019s tough to pay a player you can\u2019t trust in the playoffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Over the next three seasons, the Timberwolves will be paying 275 million combined to Karl-Anthony Towns<\/strong> <\/a>and Rudy Gobert<\/strong><\/a>. While many point to Gobert\u2019s contract as the worse contact. KAT\u2019s length and higher annual pay amount give it the edge as a worse deal. Towns is a gifted offensive talent but struggles with effort, defense, and consistency. Those aren\u2019t the traits you\u2019d want in a Supermax player. Towns is a solid all-star-level player but not a superstar-level player as the contract suggests. Look for Minnesota to move off this contract and improve their roster mid-season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n CJ McCollum<\/strong><\/a> is a three-level scorer and all-around perimeter threat. But he is coming off a somewhat down year. At 31 there\u2019s a chance McCollum\u2019s prime years are behind him. Even at his best McCollum is a fringe all-star player and not worth the annual 30 million dollar range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Thunder traded up two spots on draft night taking on Davis Bertans\u2019<\/a><\/strong> contract as a punishment. Bertans is a sharpshooter whose all-around game limits his impact. As a result in Dallas, Bertans fell out of the rotation. With OKC\u2019s loaded core it\u2019s unclear how many minutes Bertans will receive. Paying upwards of 15 million annually to a player who might not crack the rotation is awful value.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Phoenix was able to trade for Bradley Beal<\/strong><\/a> at a discounted price in part due to this massive contract. Beal is a fringe all-star player. Beal is a high-level creator and scorer who can handle the ball. But his overall impact and level of play do not warrant the supermax deal he\u2019s on. When considering injury history and Beal entering his 30s this contract becomes even more of an overpay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Trail-Blazers re-signing Grant<\/strong><\/a> to a long-term deal of this amount was one of the worst moves of the off-season. From a value point of view, Grant is being paid like a star when his production indicates he\u2019s a high-quality starting wing. What is worse is Damian Lillard<\/a><\/strong> requested a trade a day after Portland re-signed Grant. Committing Portland to a full rebuild while leaving them with a win-now player on a bad long-term contract. Due to Portland\u2019s change in direction, look for them to move Grant around trade deadline time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Kings don\u2019t have many bad contracts making them a tough team to choose from. Harrison Barnes<\/strong><\/a> is an important veteran forward who makes an all-around impact on the game. However, the Kings could look to upgrade the forward spot for more upside and defense. Potentially scaling back on Barnes’ production and minutes. With that possibility and Barnes\u2019 age, this deal is a little risky.<\/span><\/p>\nDenver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr. (4 years, 149 million)<\/b><\/h3>\n
Golden State Warriors: Chris Paul (2 years, 60 million)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Houston Rockets: Dillion Brooks (4 years, 86 million)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Los Angeles Clippers: Paul George (2 years, 94 million)\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Los Angeles Lakers: Rui Hachimura (3 years, 51 million)<\/b><\/h3>\n
Memphis Grizzlies: Luke Kennard (2 years, 28 million)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns (5 years, 270 million)<\/b><\/h3>\n
New Orleans Pelicans: CJ McCollum (3 years, 100 million)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Oklahoma City Thunder: Davis Bertans (2 years, 33 million)<\/b><\/h3>\n
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal (4 years, 208 million)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Portland Trail-Blazers: Jerami Grant (5 years, 160 million)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes (3 years, 54 million)<\/b><\/h3>\n
San Antonio Spurs: Devonte\u2019 Graham (2 years, 24 million)\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n