Worst/Best contracts - 2010-2011
I found an interesting spreadsheet of the current NBA contracts, and was fascinated by how bad some of them were. I honestly can't imagine what goes through some of the GMs mind when they sign these contracts. Channing Frye for $35M?? Amir Johnson $35M??
(quick rant on Frye: The Suns gave up on Amar'e Stoudemire because they didn't want to give him $100M, yet then went and signed $140M in contracts to Channing Fyre, Josh Childress, Hakim Warrick and Hedo Turkoglu. Does this make any sense???)
Worst 10 contracts
**I deliberately left out any contract signed by Isiah Thomas or Isiah Thomas Jr (aka David Kahn), otherwise it'll have been too easy. Darko Milicic and Eddy Curry, you get a free pass
**I deliberately left out any contract signed by Isiah Thomas or Isiah Thomas Jr (aka David Kahn), otherwise it'll have been too easy. Darko Milicic and Eddy Curry, you get a free pass
10. Luke Walton - 3 years - $17M
I don't reckon even Jerry Buss realised he was paying Walton this much. Come to think of it, I don't even reckon Buss knows who Luke Walton is.
I don't reckon even Jerry Buss realised he was paying Walton this much. Come to think of it, I don't even reckon Buss knows who Luke Walton is.
9. Wes Matthews - 5 years - $35M
Portland gave a 2nd year rookie, who went undrafted, $35 million. Why? (By 2014, Matthews would have earned over $10 million more then Blake Griffin, both of who where in the same draft. Wow)
Portland gave a 2nd year rookie, who went undrafted, $35 million. Why? (By 2014, Matthews would have earned over $10 million more then Blake Griffin, both of who where in the same draft. Wow)
8. Hedo Turkoglu - 4 years - $43M
Torontos off-season wasn't a massive failure. They managed to find someone to take Hedo's awful contract.
Torontos off-season wasn't a massive failure. They managed to find someone to take Hedo's awful contract.
7. Desagano Diop - 3 years - $20.8M
In 2013, the corpse of Desagano Diop will be earning over $7 million. Enough said...
In 2013, the corpse of Desagano Diop will be earning over $7 million. Enough said...
6. Brendon Haywood - 6 years - $55M
$55 million for a bench player putting up 8/8. Could be the new Erik Dampier.
$55 million for a bench player putting up 8/8. Could be the new Erik Dampier.
5. Baron Davis - 3 years - $40M.
Some players invest in stocks, others in nice houses. Baron invested his $15 million into Chicken Wings.
Some players invest in stocks, others in nice houses. Baron invested his $15 million into Chicken Wings.
4. Joe Johnson - 6 years - $125M
Atlanta were in a tough position because if they didn't give him this contract, someone else would have. But still, paying Johnson $25 million when he's 35 years old? He's not even worth that now. This contract has only just begun to hurt.
Atlanta were in a tough position because if they didn't give him this contract, someone else would have. But still, paying Johnson $25 million when he's 35 years old? He's not even worth that now. This contract has only just begun to hurt.
3. Rashard Lewis - 3 years - $66M
This contract still amazes me. The Magic offered Rashard this contract even though they weren't competing with anyone. It's not like they got into a bidding war, they basically just threw him a max-contract for the sake of it. We've seen his playoff failures, and it looks like these are translating into the regular season this year.
This contract still amazes me. The Magic offered Rashard this contract even though they weren't competing with anyone. It's not like they got into a bidding war, they basically just threw him a max-contract for the sake of it. We've seen his playoff failures, and it looks like these are translating into the regular season this year.
2. Elton Brand - 3 years - $50M
He's injury prone and getting over $15 million a season. He's had a bit of a resergence this season but he'll have to be fully healthy and productive for a full season before this contract looks passable.
He's injury prone and getting over $15 million a season. He's had a bit of a resergence this season but he'll have to be fully healthy and productive for a full season before this contract looks passable.
1. Gilbert Arenas - 4 years - $80M
I'll never say a contract is untradable, not since I witnessed Zach Randolph get traded three times in a 6 month period, but this is as close to untradable as any contract could be. 4 years left, $80 million, for a guy who is incredibly injury prone and doesn't even seem like he wants to play basketball. Washington are stuck with him for a while yet. Unless they trade for Elton Brand...
I'll never say a contract is untradable, not since I witnessed Zach Randolph get traded three times in a 6 month period, but this is as close to untradable as any contract could be. 4 years left, $80 million, for a guy who is incredibly injury prone and doesn't even seem like he wants to play basketball. Washington are stuck with him for a while yet. Unless they trade for Elton Brand...
Honourable mention
David Lee - 6 years - $80
Emeka Okafor - 4 years - $52M
Mike Conley - 5 years - $50M
Josh Childress - 5 years - $35M
Travis Outlaw - 5 years - $35M
Shawn Marion - 4 years - $30M
Chris Anderson - 4 years - $21M
David Lee - 6 years - $80
Emeka Okafor - 4 years - $52M
Mike Conley - 5 years - $50M
Josh Childress - 5 years - $35M
Travis Outlaw - 5 years - $35M
Shawn Marion - 4 years - $30M
Chris Anderson - 4 years - $21M
Best 5 contracts (I honestly couldn't find 10. If you know of any, please feel free to enlighten me)
** Rookie contracts weren't included
1. LeBron James - 5 years - $110M
I know people are hating on LeBron, but he is by far the best player in the world, and as long as there is a ‘max-contract', then any contract he signs is a bargain. Especially when you consider Chris Bosh got the same amount and Joe Johnson got $15 million MORE.
Remember when Jordan signed a deal for like $35 million 15 years ago? Factor in inflation, that's probably about $50 million. And that's about what LeBron deserves.
I know people are hating on LeBron, but he is by far the best player in the world, and as long as there is a ‘max-contract', then any contract he signs is a bargain. Especially when you consider Chris Bosh got the same amount and Joe Johnson got $15 million MORE.
Remember when Jordan signed a deal for like $35 million 15 years ago? Factor in inflation, that's probably about $50 million. And that's about what LeBron deserves.
2. Rajon Rondo - 5 years - $55M
The best move the Celtics did last year was re-sign Rondo before he could test free agency. If Amir Johnson is getting $35 million, then Rondo probably would have got offered the max. $11 million for a top 5 point guard, bargain.
The best move the Celtics did last year was re-sign Rondo before he could test free agency. If Amir Johnson is getting $35 million, then Rondo probably would have got offered the max. $11 million for a top 5 point guard, bargain.
3. Paul Millsap - 3 years - $20M
He won't make the highlights very often (today excluded), but he is a hard worker and a starting forward on most teams. His deal he signed last off-season is looking like a steal for the Jazz, especially since the guy he replaced (Boozer) is earning twice as much.
He won't make the highlights very often (today excluded), but he is a hard worker and a starting forward on most teams. His deal he signed last off-season is looking like a steal for the Jazz, especially since the guy he replaced (Boozer) is earning twice as much.
4. Luis Scola - 5 years - $47M
He was the World Championships MVP until Argentina got eliminated, and he's shown this year he's a potential All-Star. For the Rockets to get him for under $10 million a season, that's probably the only good news they've had for a while.
He was the World Championships MVP until Argentina got eliminated, and he's shown this year he's a potential All-Star. For the Rockets to get him for under $10 million a season, that's probably the only good news they've had for a while.
5. Andy Varejao - 4 years - $32M
You can tell when a contract is good value by the amount of teams trying to trade for him, and reports are that Varejao is one of the most sought after players at the moment. I didn't like this contract when he first signed it, but when you factor in his final year isn't guaranteed, $8-10 million for a big man who hustles, rebounds and defends isn't too bad.
You can tell when a contract is good value by the amount of teams trying to trade for him, and reports are that Varejao is one of the most sought after players at the moment. I didn't like this contract when he first signed it, but when you factor in his final year isn't guaranteed, $8-10 million for a big man who hustles, rebounds and defends isn't too bad.
Honourable mention
Tony Parker - 4 years - $50M
Shannon Brown - 2 years - $4M
Tony Parker - 4 years - $50M
Shannon Brown - 2 years - $4M
