The NBA’s Best Contracts
After looking at the NBA’s worst contracts heading into a new collective bargaining agreement the other day, now it’s time to look at the best deals. Some of the considerations have to be along the same lines, but opposite.
The deal has to be for at least two more seasons to really get consideration and it has to be a reasonable or cheap rate for a player who is not only performing at a high level now but also have a realistic expectation to maintain that level going forward. Players on rookie scale contracts – first-round picks from 2007 to 2010 – will be excluded from consideration, since many of them are restricted to their scale contract and performing at near an All-Star level (players like Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, etc.).
So who makes the cut for the NBA’s best deals? Here you go, with player, team, and contract owed in 2011-12 and beyond:
THE SHORT LIST
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics – 4 years, $45.9 million: Does that amount seem like a lot to consider a good contract? Perhaps it does, but Rondo is also one of the best point guards in the league and the perhaps the best on-the-ball perimeter defender in the league. Considering his placement among the league’s best, that salary is a steal.
Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors – 3 years, $33 million: At one point not so long ago Ellis’ contract was considered an albatross – no longer. Because his salary is flat – $11 million per season – as he continues to improve he becomes relatively cheaper each year. This year Ellis is posting career-highs in points (26.0), assists (5.7), steals (2.30), and three-point shooting (38.7%). Oh, and he’s only 25 years old.
Udonis Haslem/Mike Miller, Miami HEAT – 4 years, $40.8 million: After the HEAT signed their big three of Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh they needed a couple players to take the rest of their cap space at under market value in order to properly make the team a contender. Enter Haslem and Miller – you don’t get talent like that on the open market for $10 million per season. Yes, they have both missed significant time due to injury this season, but that’s an aberration for both players. Honestly? James and Wade could have been on this list too, since both are max salary players who are playing for less.
Nick Collison, Oklahoma City Thunder – 4 years, $11.0 million: Collison signed one of the most unique contract extensions in recent memory this past summer, a deal worth $17.5 million that tacked four more years onto his final season of this year. The unique part was $6.5 million of it was given as a signing bonus and added to the cap for 2010-11, which OKC could do because they were under the cap. The rest of the deal starts at $3.3 million and scales down each year – not bad for a key piece of the frontcourt rotation.
Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers – 4 years, $27.7 million: How quickly things change. Last summer Matthews was signed to a full Mid-Level Exception deal by Portland and critics – including one right here – snorted derisively. Just a few months later Matthews has solidified his spot in Portland’s starting lineup and proven a solid replacement for injured All-Star Brandon Roy. Given the state of Roy’s knees, this might have been the smartest move Portland has made in a while.
Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz – 2 years, $18.5 million: Millsap plays the most well compensated position in the league at power forward, is averaging 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.38 steals, and shooting 53.7% from the field, which puts him solidly among the top in the league – and very few talk about his success. As power forwards go, Millsap is the steal of the league.
ALSO PRETTY DECENT
Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers – 4 years, $34.8 million: When Varejao signed this deal many reacted with shock. Yes, he’s never going to be an offensive wizard, but his rebounding, defense, and key piece of a team’s chemistry make the salary well worth it. Besides, centers are well-paid in this league, and considering what some get Varejao’s deal is very reasonable.
{AUTHOR_BOX}Dorrell Wright, Golden State Warriors – 2 years, $7.9 million: The Warriors knew something many others did not when they signed Wright this past summer and let Anthony Morrow go to the New Jersey Nets in a sign-and-trade deal. After taking control of the small forward position, Wright has posted career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, minutes, and field-goal shooting. With the amount of money the Warriors have tied up in players like Ellis, David Lee, and Andris Biedrins, it’s nice to complement that with this type of deal.
Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City Thunder – 3 years, $10.8 million: Sefolosha isn’t fancy and he doesn’t get headlines, but he is a fantastic defender who routinely takes on the opposition’s best wing scorer. Not only does this give superstar Kevin Durant a bit of a break on defense, but Sefolosha brings a lot of smarts to the offensive end of the floor. He makes the right pass and knows his role, executing it perfectly.
Brandon Bass, Orlando Magic – 2 years, $8.0 million: If Bass was hands down the Magic’s starting power forward, he’d be in the upper section. However, that’s just not the kind of game the Magic play, with their preference being a power forward who can shoot. Still, Bass can put up double-doubles whether he starts or comes off the bench, a steal for $4 million per year.
Marcin Gortat, Phoenix Suns – 3 years, $21.8 million: For the Suns Gortat was the key return in the deal with Orlando also netting them Vince Carter. Since coming to the Suns he has posted double-digit scoring numbers in eight of 14 games and double-doubles in the past three. At the moment Robin Lopez is still the starter, but that can’t be for much longer as Gortat continues to outplay him.
Andray Blatche, Washington Wizards – 4 years, $29.8 million: Like Collison, Blatche got a new deal this past summer from Washington that gave him a raise and an extension due to the team’s cap availability. It was a bit of a reward for his star level play after their trades of last season, with the expectation he would continue that this season. He has played decently, but it’s been inconsistent and his head is all over the place. If a coach were able to rein him in and get him to concentrate on an every game basis, this deal could be one of the league’s best. For now, it’s just pretty good.
Agree or disagree with the list? Look over the HOOPSWORLD salary pages and add your thoughts and choices in the comments below. We can chat about it Monday at 8pm Eastern Time right here on HOOPSWORLD. Follow me on Twitter!
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