Most Valuable Contracts in the NBA

In the

NBA

, the biggest advantage from a team-building perspective is having one of the league’s very best players. The dominance of superstars such as

Nikola Jokic

and

Luka Dončić

gives their teams a large margin for error because they are capable of accounting for many roster deficiencies.

After this, the biggest advantage is a good-value contract. To win a title in the 2020s, a team must be able to surround their stars with an entire lineup, and sometimes even a bench, containing high-level, starting-caliber players.

Given the salary cap, this is a difficult task if every player’s contract value corresponds to their on-court value. Somewhere along the lines, the best teams typically feature advantageous, bargain contracts. Often, these belong to talented young players on rookie contracts such as

Jordan Poole

for the champion

Golden State Warriors

in 2021-22. However, there are many impactful players around the league on great-value second and third contracts.

In particular, these five players boast the NBA’s best-value contracts among those on deals past their rookie contracts.

5

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Reaves brings more value as an efficient, versatile offensive piece than his salary suggests

When

Austin Reaves

initially re-signed with the

L.A. Lakers

last year, many were left surprised that he only received $54M over four seasons. Fast-forward a year, and his contract only appears to be even more of a steal. Reaves is a malleable complementary piece on offense.

He’s a crafty pick-and-roll handler and a proficient three-point shooter, able to flex between on and off-ball roles while maintaining high efficiency. This skill set allows Reaves to thrive alongside

LeBron James

and

Anthony Davis

in all kinds of sets with them as well as when creating offense without his star teammates.

Defensively, Reaves has developed into a capable point-of-attack option who held up well as

Jamal Murray

‘s primary matchup in the Lakers first-round matchup against the

Denver Nuggets

.

As the 26-year-old enters his prime, his contract will only become more of a bargain while Reaves continues to improve his game on both ends.

4

Donte DiVincenzo, New York Knicks

After taking a big leap, DiVincenzo’s impact has far surpassed that of a typical player at his pay grade

In a largely unforeseen leap,

Donte DiVincenzo

‘s three-point shooting ability grew elite this past season. He shot over three more three-point attempts per game than he had in any prior season, and converted on over 40 percent of his attempts for the first time in his career. This development took his impact to completely new heights.

Out of nowhere, he developed into a featured off-ball scorer, besting his career-high scoring average by over five points per game. Down the stretch of the regular season and into the postseason, DiVincenzo grew into a nightly 20-point scorer, who even posted some even larger scoring outputs on the back of his newly-elite shot-making ability. This past postseason, the former champion registered the six highest-scoring performances of his NBA postseason career, with the four best outputs coming in the

New York Knicks

‘ second-round series against the

Indiana Pacers

alone.

DiVincenzo’s improved scoring ability combined with his already-impressive point-of-attack defense and connective passing makes him a high-level starter. On a deal still representative of his former impact, DiVincenzo brings one of the best-value contracts in the NBA.

3

Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

Avdija’s contract is already a bargain, and will gain even more value as it decreases

The ninth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft,

Deni Avdija

took major strides throughout his four-year career with the

Washington Wizards

. A stout defender and skillful downhill attacker, the best is still yet to come for the 6-foot-9 forward, who will now suit up for the

Portland Trail Blazers

after getting traded there this off-season.

He’s already a valuable starting-caliber player in the NBA at 23 years old, boasting a high upside as he enters his prime. However, his contract doesn’t reflect this, for Avdija’s annual salary is declining every year until its last season in 2027-28 when he is 27 years old. He’s getting paid $16M next season, which is already cheap for a good NBA starter.

As he enters his prime and develops his game further, his declining contract value will only grow into more of a bargain, especially given the salary cap’s rapid inflation. Avdija will likely spend the tail-end of his current contract playing for less than mid-level exception money on an annual basis.

2

Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans

Arguably the league’s best perimeter defender, Jones is a premier starter who doesn’t get paid like one

Herbert Jones

, a second-round pick in 2021, quickly established himself as a draft steal. He proved to be a great NBA defender early in his rookie season, becoming a full-time starter for the New Orleans Pelicans. After his sophomore season, Jones inked a four-year deal worth $54M, but his impact surpassed this pay grade by year three.

This past season, the 6-foot-6 wing set significant career-highs in efficiency both within and beyond the arc, as well as from the free throw line. With his offensive development and First Team All-Defense campaign, Jones cemented himself as one of the league’s very best non-stars.

A menacing presence on the first line, he boasts as good a case as anyone for the title of the NBA’s top perimeter defender with his seven-foot wingspan. He thrives as both a point-of-attack stopper and disruptor in the gaps, while on offense, he now adds value both off-the-catch and in transition.

Still just 25 years old, Jones will enter his prime on one of the NBA’s best-value contracts.

1

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

After taking a nine-figure pay cut, Brunson will play on the best-value contract in the league

Jalen Brunson

made headlines this off-season after taking a $113M paycut on a contract extension with the New York Knicks. On the heels of an All-NBA Second Team campaign, Brunson’s impact has far eclipsed the value of his original New York contract two seasons in.

Eligible for a super-max extension, but taking a smaller deal, the six-foot-tall point guard will continue his Knicks career while remaining on the league’s best-value contract.

This past season, Brunson dominated as an offensive creator, carrying the Knicks attack on his back. His success began with his mid-range mastery, which has been the case throughout his career. With great strength, sleek footwork, a shifty handle, and stellar touch, the former collegiate National Player of the Year converted over seven two-pointers per game this season. Beyond the arc, Brunson also imposed his will with his improved stroke. He shot over 40 percent from deep for the second straight season but upped his volume to just under seven tries per game.

In the playoffs, Brunson had the best stretch of his career, showcasing over a nine-game span that he truly has become one of the NBA’s very best guards. Across the end of New York’s first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers and the beginning of their second-round matchup against Indiana, Brunson was nothing short of special offensively. He averaged over 36 points per game in this time, accompanied by an average of just under eight assists. No other veteran player is bringing fringe-MVP level play at the price Brunson is.

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