Worst Contracts In The NBA

[Larry Staverman]

For the last few years I have tried to compile a list of the worst contracts in the NBA. This is probably because I wanted to see how many Pacers would be on the list. 2 years ago Murphy, Dunleavy, O'Neal and Tinsley made the list.

Since all the major free agent signings have taken place I decided to compile my list for this season. The thing that stands out the most to me is that for the first time there are no Pacers on the list.

I did not include contracts that are expiring or are not guaranteed.

I based it on age, current production, expected future production during the life of the contract, ability to trade in the future and overall effect on the teams salary cap structure.

NAME TEAM YRS SALARY
(in millions)
1 G. Arenas Was 4 80.5
2 R. Lewis Orl 3 68.5
3 E. Brand Phi 3 51.2
4 E. Okafor N.O. 4 52.2
5 R. Hamilton Det 3 38.0
6 L. Deng Chi 4 51.3
7 A. Johnson* Tor 5 34.0
8 B. Davis LAC 3 41.9
9 J. Johnson* Atl 6 119.0
10 A. Bargnani Tor 5 50.0
11 P. Pierce* Bos 4 61.0
12 A. Jamison Cle 2 28.4
13 B. Gordon Det 4 48.0
14 T. Outlaw* N.J. 5 35.0
15 R. Gay* Mem 5 82.0
16 S. Marion Dal 4 33.3
17 C. Maggette Mil 3 30.8
18 J. Calderon Tor 3 29.3
19 H. Turkoglu Phx 4 44.0
20 C. Villanueva Det 4 31.2
21 B. Diaw Cha 2 18.0
22 R. Jefferson* S.A. 4 38.9
23 B. Udrih Sac 3 21.8
24 A. Jefferson Uta 3 42.0
25 A. Igudala Phi 4 56.5

* contract signed summer 2010

[Speed]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

Cleveland should have taken Murphy last year, instead of Jamison, thank God they didn't.

[Strummer]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

I wonder if the new CBA will have an Allan Houston rule. It might be interesting to speculate on which teams would use it on which players.

[dohman]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

I dont know if I would consider rasard lewis a bad contract. The guy is very productive in orlando and is doing exactly what they want out of him.

[dohman]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

I take that back. Just looked at his production last year.

[pacer4ever]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

deng contract isnt that bad if you look at his stats

[Justin Tyme]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

They may not fit your criteria, but I'd add Gortat and Bass of Orlando as both are overpaid for what they produced in the 1st year of their new contracts.

[BKK]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

I would have put Turkoglu higher

[judicata]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

Cleveland should have taken Murphy last year, instead of Jamison, thank God they didn't.

I'm sure glad they didn't either, although I don't know that Troy could have ****blocked Delonte.

[MillerTime]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

Brian Colangelo seems notorious for giving out bad contracts. 4 names on that list are because of him. Even Ford's contract was given up Colangelo

[cordobes]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

NAME TEAM YRS SALARY
(in millions)
1 G. Arenas Was 4 80.5
2 R. Lewis Orl 3 68.5
3 E. Brand Phi 3 51.2
4 E. Okafor N.O. 4 52.2
5 R. Hamilton Det 3 38.0
6 L. Deng Chi 4 51.3
7 A. Johnson* Tor 5 34.0
8 B. Davis LAC 3 41.9
9 J. Johnson* Atl 6 119.0
10 A. Bargnani Tor 5 50.0
11 P. Pierce* Bos 4 61.0
12 A. Jamison Cle 2 28.4
13 B. Gordon Det 4 48.0
14 T. Outlaw* N.J. 5 35.0
15 R. Gay* Mem 5 82.0
16 S. Marion Dal 4 33.3
17 C. Maggette Mil 3 30.8
18 J. Calderon Tor 3 29.3
19 H. Turkoglu Phx 4 44.0
20 C. Villanueva Det 4 31.2
21 B. Diaw Cha 2 18.0
22 R. Jefferson* S.A. 4 38.9
23 B. Udrih Sac 3 21.8
24 A. Jefferson Uta 3 42.0
25 A. Igudala Phi 4 56.5

* contract signed summer 2010

I don't think these are bad contracts.

Amir Johnson is 23 years old. He's a big with good rebounding + good and developing defensive game + very efficient garbage man. He had the best season of his career last year when he finally got the opportunity of having some (but not ideal) consistency on his minutes/role. His contract is a bit high considering his current talent but not factoring his potential to keep growing as a player (especially as a defender).

Deng is a very good defender, a very good rebounder for his position and can be a 3rd scoring option for a good team. Then he offers his team terrific versatility, with his ability to play the 2, 3 and 4. In the role of a 3rd option he can be a terrific player (his non-scoring contributions + off-the-ball game versatility become more valuable) and that kind of contract for a terrific 3rd option seems acceptable to me.

Diaw's is a high-quality role-player, a good defender at 3 or 4 positions. He's a good ofensive player at the 4 (with his face-up game and superior mobility) but he also becomes a poor rebounder playing there. If he plays at the wing, he becomes only an average offensive player (or even below average, considering his passiveness - he'd be a much better player if he forced himself into playing the post more). Still, with only 2 years left, I don't consider his contract bad. I wish the Celtics had made a move for him.

Iguodala is a 25 years wing that puts up 18/6/6 with solid efficiency and plays excellent defense. Another acceptable contract.

Then there are other guys whose contracts being good/bad is more a product of the situation they're in. There aren't a lot of guys who can give you 23/11/2 as Al Jefferson did. Even though I'm not a fan of his game (poor defense, doesn't draw fouls, poor passer), in the right situation he can be a very valuable piece. For example, even though I'd have chosen a completely different path for the Celtics this off-season relatively to the one Danny opted for - if I were Ainge, Pierce would have walked away of S&Ted - , I don't think his contract is bad for the Celtics. Once they decided to retool, that contract became a good one, highly unlikely it'll ever prevent them from doing anything.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

I think Joe Johnson's contract is the worst by some distance...not just because it's the largest. Calderone's is also very bad.

[bulldog]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

They may not fit your criteria, but I'd add Gortat and Bass of Orlando as both are overpaid for what they produced in the 1st year of their new contracts.

Well, they produced in the minutes they were given. The Magic signed both despite knowing there was a shortage of frontcourt minutes, especially since they tend to play 4 out 1 in with only one true big.

It almost seems like they signed them to keep them away from other teams. They're both still relatively talented and have trade value should the Magic look to move them.

[Larry Staverman]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

I don't think these are bad contracts.

Good points. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Admittedly some of these may be questionable because it is impossible to predict exactly how much someone's production and value will increase or decrease throughout the life of a contract.

Players have different values to different teams depending on teammates and whether they are competing for a title or rebuilding. The last few players on the list were not cut and dried and just my opinion.

[MLB007]

Re: Worst Contracts In The NBA

If he's convicted or pleads out, Lance's contract should be on there.
Idiots.