14 Worst NBA Contracts
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 5:32 PM PDT
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Print(From the FanPosts. We're only on the list once! - TZ)
We all know that there are a lot of onerous NBA contracts out there. So I thought it might be fun to try to rank (or at least list) the really bad ones. I started with individuals but quickly came to realize that the list was getting far too long. So I settled on the worst contracts by team instead, grouping bad contracts where it seemed appropriate. Also, I left out expiring contracts (T-Mac, K9, etc.) to keep this list manageable. Most of my information comes from DraftExpress, but I did rely on HoopsHype for those players that DraftExpress hadn't updated. (Sorry Pook.)
And now, ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to the worst contract situations in the NBA...
TOP 14 (in ascending order of value)
New York Knicks
Eddy Curry: 2 years, $21.8M
Comment: The ghost of Isaiah still haunts the Garden.
Dallas Mavericks
Eric Dampier: 2 years, $25.2M
Comment: The guy is a decent defender, but uh...
Charlotte Hornets
DeSagana Diop: 4 years, $26.8M
Comment: Whose idea was this anyway?
New Orleans Hornets
Peja Stojakovic: 2 years, $27.6M
Comment: This guy is arguably the fourth best player on his team...and the highest paid.
Denver Nuggets
Kenyon Martin: 2 years, $32.2M
Comment: Don't get me wrong, the guy is decent. Especially for someone who had microfracture surgeries on both knees.
Memphis Grizzlies
Zach Randolph: 2 years, $33.3M
Comment: Did I mention the ghost of Isaiah anywhere in this post?
Utah Jazz
Andrei Kirilenko: 2 years, $34.3M
Comment: Didn't this guy used to be good?
Indiana Pacers
Troy Murphy/Mike Dunleavy: $43.4M guaranteed over the next two years
Comment: Bad contracts by Chris Mullin. Worse acquisition by Larry Bird.
Sacramento Kings
Beno Udrih/Andres Nocioni: $47.8M guaranteed over the next four years
Comment: Nuff said.
Golden State Warriors
Corey Maggette/Stephen Jackson: $75.1M guaranteed over the next four years
Comment: Not enough overpaid swing men on this team.
Orlando Magic
Rashard Lewis: 4 years, $81.4M
Comment: Sure the guy is good, but this is Lebron/Kobe-type money. What were they thinking?
LA Clippers
Baron Davis/Chris Kaman: $87.7M guaranteed over the next four years
Comment: Maybe they should sign Allen Iverson.
Philadelphia 76ers
Elton Brand/Samuel Dalembert: $93.0M guaranteed over the next four years
Comment: I would have gone to Paul Lynde for the block, but this may work out.
Washington Wizards
Gilbert Arenas/Antawn Jamison: $136.4M guaranteed over the next five years
Comment: Jamison is 33. Arenas has played 15 games over two seasons. Oi!
HONORABLE MENTION
Toronto Raptors
Andrea Bargnani: 6 years, $56.5M
Comment: That's a pretty major gamble for a perimeter scoring big man who doesn't play defense.
Boston Celtics
Kevin Garnett: 3 years, $56.6M
Comment: If KG is healthy? A bargain. If not? Ouch!
Milwaukee Bucks
Andrew Bogut: 5 years, $60.0M
Comment: Like Toronto, certain teams don't want to believe that the first overall pick might not deserve first overall money. TBD.
Chicago Bulls
Luol Deng: 5 years, 61.7M
Comment: Bit of a gamble there. Especially for a guy who's missed 50 games in two seasons.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Anderson Varejao/Mo Williams: $73.7M guaranteed over the next five years
Comment: Take King James out of the picture and these two contracts might look downright ugly.
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
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Using Hoopshype is a no-no
So, in essence, you do not pass go or collect 200$.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Damn!
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions
sorry I can't resist....
first three are Curry, Dampier and Diop. When can we add Thabeet?
by betweentheeyes on Jul 29, 2009 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm noticing a pattern here
But I do want to clarify that the list is in ascending order of contract amount, as the revised post now explicitly states.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Just for kicks and giggles...
Would you guys trade Noc and Beno for Eddie Curry?
From a talent standpoint, we wouldn’t really benefit, but from a long term cap flexability standpoint, it might make sense.
Also, Curry would solve the back up center position, and sending Noc and Beno, would clear up the log jam at 1 and 3.
I’m still on the fence, but it might be intriguing to be completely rid of all bad contracts in 2011.
What say you StR?
I'm thinking about it
Not dismissing it right away, but not sold….. yet.
Shamsports has Curry under contract for 2 more years: next season at $10,500,423 and the 2010/11 season (a player option) at $11,276,863. I’m gonna go ahead and take a guess and say he won’t leave the money on the table and exercise his option.
We would actually be saving money by getting Curry. Beno and Noc (again via Shamsport) are owed a combined $13,531,800 next season and $13,328,600 the following season.
After looking at the numbers I have no idea why the Knicks do it so I don’t think is possible. Also after looking at the numbers, I’d do that trade. I’m sold now…
The future begins now...
Agreed. The Knicks have no incentive to do that deal.
Otherwise the answer is probably yes. It would break the logjam at the small forward and guard positions, dump the Kings’ two most onerous long-term contracts, and add veteran depth at the center position, assuming Curry actually played, which doesn’t seem altogether likely if recent history is any indication; dude played three games last season.
Dang, run-on sentence.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions
This really got me thinking
Maybe the only way the Knicks do it is if they turn around and trade Noc for expirings before the deadline. Nocioni is easier to trade than Curry and a lot of contenders may be looking to get someone like him. Maybe a 3 team trade? Kings, Knicks, and Boston?? Cleveland??
The future begins now...
One way the Knicks might consider it is if they can't figure out a way to medically retire Eddy Curry for injuries
If they can, you can bet that they will absolutely hold onto him because there is no reason to trade him away at that point.
That having been said, I doubt that will happen.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Problem with that
Is that they’d still be stuck with Beno.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Rashard Lewis played really well during the NBA Finals. That being said, yeah, he still isn't worth that much money.
There can only be one Noce!
Exactly
In fact, one reason they didn’t retain Hedo is because of Lewis’ huge sucking contract. The guy was probably the third best guy on the team last year, but he was obscenely overpaid, even if he did make the All-Star team (barely).
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think the Magic really wanted to retain Hedo
They had their opportunity and chose not to do so.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Why would they not want to keep Hedo?
He was arguably their second best player and a key part of their success. Sure they ended up taking on the pricey Vince Carter instead, but they unloaded a bunch of overpaid stiffs in the process. If they had signed Hedo, it would have been for big money with no contracts unloaded at all. There’s no way Lewis is worth that much more than Hedo. As I see it, the problem wasn’t Hedo’s pricetag, it was Lewis’ ridiculous black hole of a contract.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
They gave Gortat and Bass, Hedo's money
I’m with Pookey. They clearly had the opportunity to re sign him and they didn’t want to.
The future begins now...
But financial considerations played a role
And Lewis is the biggest single variable influencing that. They didn’t acquire Gortat, they kept him, and I think they would have liked to keep Hedo but they couldn’t afford him in light of the burden of Lewis’ huge sucking contract. So instead they unloaded a bunch of stiffs for Carter and added Bass using some of the savings. The Magic would rather have had Hedo instead of Carter, but the cost was just too onerous due to the gravitational force of Lewis’ horrid contract. Lewis is probably worth half what he’s making, and the other half should have gone to Hedo.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Not to that extent it didn't
Lewis’ deal had no impact. They chose Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat over Hedo Turkoglu, Tony Battie, Courtney Lee and Marcin Gortat. Yeah, I can see why that was a terrible move for them.
Do you actually watch the Magic?
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
And before you respond
Do you think that my opinion is what’s making up this entirely? (No, it’s not. I talk to a few groups of fans of the NBA. I don’t really hear about the Magic fans complaining about Lewis’ contract.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
If the Magic win a championship during Lewis's time with the team
That contract is completely worth it.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
That's exactly what they think too Aykis
Besides, that’s not really all of my point anyway. The Magic didn’t let Turkoglu go because of Lewis’ contract. They let him go because they didn’t feel he would be worth his contract in 2 years. They felt Lewis’ contract was worth it over the 6 years they offered him.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I don't understand how Hedo would not be worth his contract in two years
when Lewis will be making twice that amount. There’s no way Lewis is twice as valuable to the team as Hedo. Hedo was a primary ball-handler and big-time performer on a team that went to the Finals. The two guys are about the same age, and they performed comparably throughout the season and the playoffs.
Purely from a talent and chemistry standpoint, the comparison is this: a lineup of Howard-Lewis-Hedo-Lee-Nelson versus a lineup of Howard-Bass-Lewis-Carter-Nelson. It’s hard for me to believe that the Magic ownership would want the latter lineup purely on the basis of talent and chemistry, especially after last season’s lineup got so close to the title. They are gambling by shaking up a near-championship roster (and losing a primary ball-handler), and I have to believe that long-term costs were a factor in that decision. Which inevitably turns the spotlight onto Lewis’ excessive contract.
The Magic fans are not going to complain about contracts when the team is going to the Finals. But that day may yet come; Lewis’ contract is heavily backloaded. This team will be deep into the luxury tax over the next two years, and if the team slips downward, the ownership may go into cost-cutting mode. If that happens, then you’ll start hearing complaints about Lewis’ contract—-and justifiably so.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 12:32 AM PDT up reply actions
If they didn't overpay for Lewis, then he would have signed somewhere else
And they wouldn’t have been in the finals last year. Those are the type of moves teams have to make to compete for a championship.
Of course Lewis is overpaid on a talent vs. money standpoint, but he’s worth it to the Magic. Do you know how far over the luxury tax they are? They aren’t even thinking about costs – they are just trying to win.
I agree that the Magic didn’t want Hedo. They preferred Vince, and I can see why. Vince is a much better scorer, an underrated ball-handler (5 assists per game), and if he’s actually trying this year (likely since he’s back on a contender), then they will be nasty.
Fair enough
Carter is certainly a talent. But he turns 33 this coming season and has not always been known as a great team player. It seems like a big gamble to shake up a near-championship roster like that, but if it ends up improving the team, it’ll look like genius.
Lewis’ contract is freakin ugly, but I do understand the logic of overpaying to secure talent. If he ever succumbs to a significant injury though (and he has admittedly been very durable), Magic fans are going to be hating life, as Kings fans know too well from experience.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions
You're missing the point
I don’t have the time to explain in detail why. But, it’s essentially this.
Hedo < Lewis in terms of value to the Magic
Hedo < Carter in terms of value to the Magic THIS UPCOMING SEASON
Hedo’s offensive value < Jameer Nelson’s offensive value
Hedo’s defensive value < Lewis’s defensive value
In otherwords, Hedo is losing out on all those fronts, and I don’t know how else to explain it. With Carter, even if he doesn’t work, he will cost them less money over the long term because his contract expires. There was no way in hell that would have happened with Hedo.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Or what I meant by Carter expiring
Is that he expires sooner. But, that is what it is.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
There are two main issues here: talent and budget
In terms of talent (by which I really mean player performance), you are arguing that the Magic benefit from the various moves they made. In effect, they traded Hedo, Lee, Alston, and Battie for Carter, Bass, and Anderson. I am willing to concede that you may be right on that, but we won’t know for sure until the season is well underway. In other words, on three of your four points I am willing to accept your logic, but I am withholding judgement on the fourth one (Hedo < Carter in terms of value to the Magic THIS UPCOMING SEASON) until we see the results.
But the budget issue is one that necessarily involves consideration of Lewis’ contract. When you say that Carter’s expiring contract is an advantage over Hedo’s longer term contract demands, that is largely true because Orlando has a gargantuan Lewis contract on its books. If Lewis was being compensated more in proportion to his talents, Carter’s expiring deal might not be so advantageous in and of itself.
Another way to frame this is, if budget was not an issue at all, would the Magic have (in effect) exchanged Hedo, Lee, Alston, and Battie for Carter, Bass, and Anderson? You’re saying yes, and you may well be right. I have been assuming that the answer is no because tampering with the core of a near-championship squad is risky business.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions
You keep saying "near-championship"
That’s the point. They were close, but they weren’t going to win with the team they had last year. They were lucky to get to the finals, and they needed to improve to make it back there (especially since their competition did). This trade might get them over the top, and it might not, but it gives them a chance. Either way, the Gortat resigning proves that it wasn’t salary motivated.
And let Lewis’ contract go. It’s worked out pretty well so far, and the Magic aren’t worried about it, so why should you be? Besides, you were advocating for overpaying Hedo instead. (yes, Hedo will be overpaid in a couple seasons)
I'm not arguing that Hedo's current contract is a good one
Frankly I think he did the Blazers a favor by jilting them. I do think the verdict is still out on Lewis’ contract. I don’t think there is any question but that he is overpaid for his talent level. But if the Magic win a championship, it’s all good. If they take a step backward, it might start to look pretty ugly in a couple of seasons.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I can answer this question.
Otis Smith chose not to re-sign Hedo Turkoglu because he didn’t think it was worth it re-signing him to a long term contract that would eventually cripple the team, financially. Let’s be frank, Turk had one good year (2008) and understandably, it’d make no sense for the Magic to give him a ton of money when he regressed the year after (2009). When the Vince Carter trade went down, it made sense because it gives Orlando flexibility in the future to re-tool the roster when VC’s contract is up in two years. Plus, Carter is better than Turkoglu so it’s a no-brainer.
Hedo leaving the Orlando Magic had nothing to do with Rashard Lewis’ contract.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 30, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry
But you can’t say on one hand that Hedo’s contract will cripple them, and then turn around and say that it has nothing to do with Lewis’ contract which is TWICE AS BIG. If Hedo’s contract would have been crippling, it is precisely because the existing obligations to Lewis (and others) are so huge that the Magic cannot therefore afford to add another large contract without unloading others. Lewis is not twice as good as Hedo, but by your logic he must be three or four times as good because you’re saying that Hedo is “crippling” at $10M per year but Lewis is not crippling at $20M per year. I don’t follow that logic at all.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Lewis is more valuable
And does more things for the Magic than Hedo does. That’s why. Lewis’ value to the Magic is much higher than Hedo even though it often appears that Hedo’s value is higher.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I agree with everything you just said
But I maintain that the the following two positions (articulated by erivera) cannot coexist:
1. The Magic didn’t re-sign Hedo because they couldn’t afford him at $10M per season; it would be crippling.
2. Lewis’ $20M per season contract had no bearing on the the decision not to re-sign Hedo.
Pookey, your arguments about talent being a major factor in the decision are persuasive. But the above two arguments (which are not yours) are purely finance-based and are mutually exclusive. They cannot both be right—-hence my above response.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Well MLS I don't know what to tell you
Because I don’t think the financial arguments are mutually exclusive because I don’t think Otis Smith ever believed that Turk was even remotely worth keeping around for 5 seasons.
WE can agree to disagree on this. But, essentially, I generally DO disagree with you.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Your arguments are largely talent-based
I’m not disputing those. His argument was purely financial. Talent issues completely aside, it is a simple fact of budget arithmetic that when you are paying one guy $20M per season, it is going to make it more difficult to add a new contract for $10M per season. That is just the reality of budget constraints. So the suggestion that the finances in each case are totally unrelated to each other seems to me to be entirely illogical.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I do think they would have resigned Turkoglu if they didn't have Lewis
But they would rather have Lewis than Turk even at twice the price. Of course the best option is paying Lewis half as much money and keeping Turkoglu around, but that’s not possible. They did what was necessary to get the player they wanted, and it still left them the ability to later land a star in VC (who I think is going to have an amazing year playing with Dwight).
The more I think about it, the more I think Otis Smith is a genius. If the Magic are as good as I think they will be, Otis should win GM of the year in a landslide.
I know that Lewis will always get crap for his contract.
But at the end of the day, sometimes you have to overpay to get the guy that’s the perfect fit for the team. That’s Rashard, and he’s been more than stand-up about doing everything in his power to help the team win. I have nothing but respect for him, as a person and player.
The risk involved is whether or not you win a title. I think it’s blatantly obvious that management and ownership are doing everything in their power to bring a title to Orlando. This is a franchise that didn’t even think about the luxury tax in past years, yet will be projected to have a $80+ million payroll on opening night. Speaks volumes.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I watche a ton of Magic games this year
No way in hell was Lewis more valuable than Hedo from an all-around perspective. Hedo handles the ball in nearly every position for the Magic. The offense is run through him. Their offense counted on Hedo making the correct play. And he made his teammates better. Nobody else on the Magic squad does that as well as Hedo.
no kidding
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Aug 5, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Hedo was more valuable than Lewis last year
but only because they lacked ball-handling. Now that they have Vince, Hedo is more dispensable, while Lewis is still very important to them.
I don't disagree, at all.
I’ve stated many times that Hedo Turkoglu is a special player with a unique skillset, but turns out there’s a player in Vince Carter that is better in nearly every aspect of the imagination on offense (defense is a different story) and could do the same things as Turk. I think Orlando will be fine, either.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
For the record Kus
What ER said is exactly my point.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
It's not the amount of money that's the problem.
It’s the years, which is why Otis went out and acquired Vince Carter because his deal runs out in two years, instead of theoretically four or five if Hedo Turkoglu was around.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Plus ER
And I mean to mention this now I suppose, what most opposing fans don’t understand is how poor the Magic is at rebounding, and to boot, VC,despite being the two, rebounds at a higher rate than Hedo at the 3. He’s also a better rebounder for his position than Lewis is at the 3 as well, and that doesn’t discount the fact Lewis was usually the 4.
This strengthens the rebounding for the Magic at the 2, 3 and the 4 spots between getting Bass, Anderson, Carter, Lewis going to his more natural position of the 3 (even though the Turkoglu/Lewis pairing did work in several respects), and somewhere in there Gortat will get minutes which doesn’t hurt the Magic rebounding wise provided he plays the C spot.
Rebounding is a major issue of contention even with the best rebounder in the league in Dwight Howard, and you can probably make the argument that VC is probably equally effective a defender as Turkoglu at this point. Also, VC is equally a gifted passer as Turk is. At first glance, it seems like the Magic don’t know what’s up.
You already know where I stand with the Gortat matching (I won’t rehash that there—let’s just say I disagree with it), but otherwise, I think the Magic had a great summer.
I think what Bill Simmons said was stupid too, but, that’s me.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I don't read Bill Simmons so, that's my stance on that.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I read him for amusement only
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Your post does effectively illustrate
the overwhelming number of dollars that are dragging franchises down.
Owners have got to be sick and tired of watching their millions fill up the pockets of useless players like Kenny Thomas (shudder). I’m not necessarily advocating a non-guaranteed contract environment like the NFL, but such a system would probably accomplish two things:
1. It would put a better product on the court because precious cap space wouldn’t often be absorbed by non-contributors.
2. Player swapping between teams becomes much more salient.
Certainly good things for a fan to see. I suppose the NBA Players Association is far too powerful for such a thing to occur, though.
Agreed
It seems like accounting ledgers are a bigger factor than talent in most of the trades these days. I didn’t include expiring contracts in this list (K9, McGrady, etc.) because then the list gets really long. I have no idea what the next CBA will look like, although a recent StR post suggests that the owners may force extremely unfavorable terms on the players. But I agree that the league does not benefit by throwing hundreds of millions at a bunch of stiffs.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea, Players shouldn't be allowed to hold a gun to the owners head while negotiating.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
by HighTops on Jul 29, 2009 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think I'm going to piggyback off all your opinions HT
They’ve been pretty awesome all along, and lately, umm, yeah.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
But neither should the reverse be true
The owners shouldn’t be able to dictate terms either. They’re not the ones bringing in the fans; the players are. This is a typical power conundrum, i.e., those with all the power tend to suck.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't wish to be a jerk to you
But, that wasn’t really HT"s point. He’s really saying the owners want it both ways, and that because they have the bargaining power, the owners are trying to get that right now. I hope they get it too myself. So, that eventually the owners will be seen for the snakes they are. (I don’t think fans will ever see that though.)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Snakes I don't know. Do snakes eat their own tails?
These owners sure do. One of David Stern’s great attributes is to control the spending on the owners’ side so that the whole system doesn’t come crashing down, particularly on the heads of the small markets.
It has always fascinated me that these business people with the degree of success in some other business to afford a sports franchise often run their teams with their craniums in their lower colons.
by betweentheeyes on Jul 30, 2009 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
LOL bte
It is amusing indeed.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
This list
kind of puts our Beno gripes into perspective a bit, no?
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Jul 29, 2009 10:00 PM PDT reply actions
No kidding
The Clippers, Sixers, and Wizards are really hosed, contractually speaking.
On the other hand, teams like Portland and San Antonio don’t come anywhere near this list.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 29, 2009 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Woo hoo!
Although we’re still on the hook for paying 9 million for one Darius Miles. That one didn’t end well at all.
Last year, we would have made your list for sure with $15 million paid to Steve Francis to not play, $12 million to Raef LaFrentz to not play, and $9 to Miles. Our three highest paid player never even put a uniform on for us. That was pretty bad.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
That
is a testament to Pritchard’s strategy and patience (and Paul Allen’s pockets). They suffered a setback on Miles, but the final unwinding of the horrid contracts is now at hand in Blazer Land. It’s hard not to be a little jealous down here as we look at the talent and contract situation of our friends to the north.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
It was only four years ago that we were in your shoes.
Four years from now it’s entirely possible to see the Kings holding up the Larry O’Brian trophy. I might not put money on that myself, but four years is an eternity in basketball time. four years ago, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers had better records and playoff positioning than the Los Angeles Lakers did, and the Lakers had Kobe.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
Noc
Noc money decreases annually which is a plus, though, and has a team option in his final year.
How is Dan Gadzuric not on this list? He’s way, way worse than Noc and makes $6.7 mil in 09/10 and $7.2 in 10/11. I’d take Noc over Gadzuric any day.
Gadzuric is a complete stiff
But I kept the list to combined contract amounts of $20M or more. Gadzuric is 2 years, $14.0M.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Wait, is it too late for the Kings to get this guy?
He could dunk with the best if the rim didn’t keep getting in the way.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Aug 3, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow I could use some of that cash. Who’s idea was it to give Erick Dampier all that cash? Was it Mark Cuban? Weren’t the kings in the running to sign him before he signed with Dallas? I can see why he was never signed
If you had ever seen him on the Warriors
when that contract was signed you would be even more confused.
by betweentheeyes on Jul 30, 2009 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Stupid Mark Cuban signed Dampier for
7 years/ $73 Million, with the last year fuuly unguarenteed if a requirement is not met.
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
he grows hands that have grasping fingers and feet that glide instead of stumble, oh and a bit of heart would be nice
the last year fully unguarenteed if a requirement is not met.
by betweentheeyes on Jul 30, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions
When you consider
The very real possibility that Peja’s not going to be able to play for huge chunks of his remaing two years, that has to put him up there.
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on Jul 30, 2009 7:11 AM PDT reply actions
Where is Elton Brand on this list? guy is signed for tons of money, does not fit the team or healthy enough to even play.
Finding positives in a 65 loss season since 2009
he is on the list and would have gotten my vote on the poll
but he is absent on the poll. A great example of paying for potential.
by betweentheeyes on Jul 30, 2009 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions
next season will tell for sure on Brand
He’s had some All-Star years though so . . . .
There a couple of guys on the Lakers I’d consider as well that don’t get any ink because the team is good but are Walton and Bynum really going to earn all that green?
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Jul 30, 2009 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Excellent question
Andrew Bynum: On October 30, 2008, he agreed to sign a 4 year, $58 million dollar deal with the Lakers.
Luke Walton: on July 12, 2007, Walton was signed to a 6-year, $30 million contract, based partly on the potential shown from the preceding season
Son of Bill gets Beno bucks so nothing much to say there. Andrew Bynum is the interesting part of the checkbook. He plays long like Yao, and can be tough (ask Crash Wallace’s lung) and has had even better than Diogu games (42 pt/15 reb against the crosstown Clippers), but this guy also shares some Diogu and Yao injury woes.
The same jury that sits for Elton Brand is hearing the case on Andrew Bynum. Talk about “you pays your money and you takes your chances”
by betweentheeyes on Jul 30, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't include the poll
I assume Ziller added it (which I should have thought to do). I probably would have included Brand and Arenas. Both of them can still redeem their huge contracts, but recent history has not been favorable.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
He also changed my title
I just noticed.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Troy Murphy/Mike Dunleavy
is not that bad at $11mil/per…especially Murphy with his production. Dunleavy was strong the year before in Indy. I would say this one is only bad if Dunleavy’s knee doesn’t get any better.
Murphy definitely had a breakout year last season
His contract actually looked a lot worse a couple of years ago. Still, the guy has been injury-prone and doesn’t play much defense. Same is true for Dunleavy, except his breakout year was the previous season. If they both get and stay healthy, their combination of contracts might not look that bad (although they still won’t play much defense).
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Randolph
Wasn’t it the Blazers that signed Randolph to his over inflated contract. You might have Steve Patterson to thank for that one, not Thomas.
That's true
But Zeke did agree to take it on, so the comment still applies, but with your caveat noted.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Just out of curiousity
I was speaking to a non-basketball fan about the NBA. . when i got to talking about player contracts and salary and i was mentioning values of millions of dollars spent on wasted players who do jack all – it just dawned on me. . .how on earth is that possible? Since when could/should it be even possible at all to sign a contract and sit on ur behind all day? Not just in the professional basketball sense, but just in terms of. . well. . just cause. .
If someone could shed some history on how it turned out like this, that would help satisfy my curiosity?
Now, i am aware that being able to sign up a player and keeping in a team uniform DOES have benefits. . .it protects teams: each season players cant just cut up their contract and all go elsewhere (or even collude to go to a certain team). . .it protects players: teams cant offer u at massive contact based totally on potential, and cut u if u dont pan out.
Now I’m not an economist or an accountant. .at my age i cant even remember my 12x tables. . but surely in this age of financial instability (or any age), looking at fat contracts to players who utterly fail to live up to the responsibilities of their job just doesnt make sense at all. It literally is wasted money – and alot of it.
Even still, i honestly cant see many solutions. . .i thought of having contract expectations based on stats or training. . but that just either turns into a fantasy basketball scenario for players to get stats for their money. . or it just means players do the bare minimum (stay healthy, turn up to training and games) to get their funds.
Anyways, here ends my rant. . .blimey im going to grow up to be one of those old guys who just whinge all the time.
Guaranteed contracts Spoz
They’re guaranteed to get paid regardless of injury or playing time. Which is the way it should be, but whatever.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Looks like Eddy Curry is winning the poll handily
But I based my vote on the following question: Which contract would you least like to have on your team? That’s why I voted for Baron Davis: 4 years, 53.8M. Two years ago I might have voted for Curry, but the end is now in sight on that one.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 30, 2009 7:48 PM PDT reply actions
Good post.
Interesting to see these laid out like this. A couple of points. I don’t think you can blame Isaiah Thomas for Zach Randolph’s contract. The previous GM regime in Portland thought it would be a good idea to sign Zach Randolph and Darius Miles to gignormous contracts. Fortunately they are no longer in charge of making those decisions. Of course, it was Isaiah Thomas who was around when the new management wanted to correct one of those mistakes. The other one didn’t end quite as nicely, but one more year, and it’s behind us forever.
Secondly, I’m not sure it’s fair to include Andrew Bogut on your list of honorable mentions. When Redd went down with his injury last season, it was Bogut who pretty much single-handedly kept them in the playoff hunt. Jefferson certainly didn’t help him much in that regard. When Bogut went out with the bad back, the Bucks plummeted quickly. But Bogut, when healthy, is in the top third of centers in the NBA. Not an Allstar, but not a waste of space by any means. And centers are always overpaid, due to their rarity. Gortat is making the full MLE to back up Dwight Howard for 8 minutes a game for goodness sake. Bogut is worth his money, as long as he stays healthy, which has been the bigger issue for him so far.
Lastly, I might have moved Kenyon Martin to the Honorable mentions in order to put Andrea Barngani in the top ten. That is one bad contract for a mediocre player.
Good stuff though. Thanks for sharing.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
by T Darkstar on Jul 30, 2009 7:51 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I don't get the
Combining contracts thing at all. Nocioni’s contract declines in value over time, and the guy actually produces on the court – maybe not to the extent necessary to cover the actual dollars earned, but he’s in the ballpark. Same argument people make against Garcia – but neither of those contracts (Garcia or Noc) are killers because the production you receive from those players is not completely out of whack with what they are paid.
Beno is another story of course. I think you would have been fine to leave him on here alone.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the read…rec’d.
I included Noc
Because it is generally understood that he is not part of the long-term plan and because he is somewhat overpaid and his contract is guaranteed for another three seasons. I’m not suggesting that his and Beno’s contract are even close to equally bad, but I expect that the Kings are looking to unload both—-although Beno is obviously a higher priority. Garcia, on the other hand, figures into the long-term plan, and while he may look a bit overpaid at the moment, I’m withholding judgment on whether his contract is actually bad or not.
From the people who brought you Reggie Musselnatt.
by My Losing Season on Jul 31, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions
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