Worst Contracts in DASL
Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2022 2:04 pm
I wanted to look at some of the worst contracts currently hindering or helping teams depending whether or not they are looking to compete. So how did I come to my rankings? It was a combination of the players age, whats left on the contract, current production, projected production and what team they are on (bad contract on the Nuggets isnt hurting them compared to a bad contract on the Mavericks would hurt they ability to trade the contract for a better piece/s). Expiring contracts are not on this list. Lets start off by looking at the players who didnt quite make the list for one reason or another.
Outside looking in (no particular order):
Jon Koncak C 29 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $20,000,000
Still can produce and the contract isnt impossible to move, plus only one more year on the deal
Mark Jackson PG 27 $11,250,000 $12,656,250 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $23,906,250
You are able to find a MLE replacement for his current production but with only one more year on the contract, plus he is still in his prime, I didnt include him
John Stockton PG 30 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $32,625,000
Has Stockton ever been on a winning team? Huge price tag but not much production. You can find a similar player for less. Again only one more year left on the contract
Pooh Richardson PG 26 $9,281,250 $10,209,375 $11,137,500 $12,065,625 $12,993,750 $13,921,875 $0 $69,609,375
Locked up long term by the Magic and while he hasnt showcased his draft potential he is a steady hand making slightly less than max. Turnover prone but entering his prime, he was close to making the full list
Benoit Benjamin C 28 $10,551,938 $11,363,625 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $21,915,563
Only provides defense and rebounding with not good offensive percentages. For $10+ mil/year, you would be looking for a more complete game.
Magic Johnson PG 33 $19,404,000 $20,374,200 $21,392,910 $22,462,556 $0 $0 $0 $83,633,666
Reigning playoff MVP finds his way here simply b/c of age, projected production and the huge three years left on his deal. Any decline will be tough for the Grizzlies moving forward
Here are the 14 worst contracts currently in the DASL:
#14
Reggie Miller SG 27 $10,958,063 $11,954,250 $12,950,438 $13,946,625 $14,942,813 $0 $0 $64,752,189
It was a toss-up between Miller and the player below but Miller kicks off the list because while he is the 3rd scoring option on an offense not suited to his skills, he is still producing 14.5 PPG on decent percentages. He makes slightly less than max and if an outside focused offense came looking for a scorer, I can see him performing better which is why he starts off this list. Still in his prime so a decline is not likely but should he decline happen, he will jump on this list.
#13
Joe Dumars SG 29 $8,916,375 $9,602,250 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $18,518,625
With full starting minutes, Dumars can only generate 11.2 PPG, 1.9 SPG to 1.9 TOPG. In terms of value, there are many players you can pick up for MLE or LLE that can produce for your team so committing $9m is tough to swallow. He can be a good player for a playoff team so he might be moved by the deadline but the return will be low and if not moved, he expires next season so not horrible for the Timberwolves.
#12
Darrell Griffith SG 34 $20,511,668 $21,537,251 $22,614,114 $0 $0 $0 $0 $64,663,033
Griffith is easily the best player on this list but a combination of his age, contract and declining stats finds his way onto the list. $20+ mil for the next two seasons is a lot but he can still produce. If he drops off next season then it will be tough on the Sonics but for right now, he is low on the list.
#11
Dominique Wilkins SF 33 $14,054,127 $15,459,540 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $29,513,667
Nique got paid this off-season and currently, makes more than he produces points ($14 mil vs 13 PPG) on not efficient percentages. Saving grace for Lakers is that he expires next season but moving him now will be tough as the value is not there.
#10
Terry Porter PG 29 $15,468,750 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $32,343,750
Another Laker and currently the 7th highest paid PG, this is what the Lakers are getting, 9 PPG, 8 APG and 3.9 ToPG, ouch. With some hope to compete this season, the Lakers quickly realized Porter is hindering them more than helping. Fortunately, it becomes expiring next season. He is higher on this list simply because of it expiring next season.
#9
Karl Malone PF 29 $11,204,375 $12,066,250 $12,928,125 $0 $0 $0 $0 $36,198,750
#2 pick in the ‘85 draft, it far to say he has failed his draft potential (Career 13.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, .5 BPG). Making 8 figures with those stats, make him almost unmovable but luckily for the Pistons, Malone is not on a max and they are not looking to compete this year or next so this contract does not hamper them like others listed.
#8
Steve Stipanovich C 32 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $47,250,000
Similar to another player lower on the list where stats are almost identical but at 32 years old, his best days are behind him and with another 2 years on his deal, moving on from him will be tough for the Blazers. Solid starting player (12.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG) but his contract makes him tough to acquire.
#7
Larry Bird SF 36 $18,900,000 $20,250,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $39,150,000
If Bird was on a contending team, he would rank much higher on list but as the Nuggets are able to absorb his remaining contract without hurting the team moving forward. As the #1 pick in the creation draft, it is fair to say Bird has not lived up to his potential and in recent years his body has let me down. Relegated to the end of the bench, he will see out his contract and retire.
#6
Chris Mullin SG 29 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $47,250,000
Best season was last year with 15.5 PPG, tells you everything about his contract and how he has performed on the court so far in his playing days. Career 11 PPG received the max contract three years ago hoping he would excel in an outside offense but it was never to be. Efficient scorer but you can get better value than committing this kind of money to him. Saving grace for the Nuggets is that they are in a multi-year rebuild and can afford to eat his remaining contract as trying to move him with be tough without eating another bad contract
#5
Arvydas Sabonis C 28 $13,500,000 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $60,750,000
Career 10 PPG, 1.5 BPG, 8.3 RPG
Jazz didn’t want to lose him in FA so they offered max and hoped he would improve and provide a complimentary role but he never lived up to it. With 3 more seasons on his contract and no signs of improving, Jazz are stuck with a capped-out team questioning their next steps. His stats show a player that should be making 4.5-6.4 mil, not a max player.
#4
Wayman Tisdale PF 28 $15,468,750 $16,875,000 $18,281,250 $19,687,500 $0 $0 $0 $70,312,500
When Tisdale was signed to his initial contract, many were wondering how he got that contract and with 3 more years still left on it, it leaves a black hole for the Hawks. Career 16 PPG scorer making over 20% of the total cap moving forward will make moving the contract tough. He would be lower on this list, if the contract was longer like the player below.
#3
Roy Tarpley PF 28 $14,062,500 $15,468,750 $16,875,000 $18,281,250 $19,687,500 $0 $0 $84,375,000
Along with the draft picks, Tarpley was the prized acquisition from the Moses trade but has regressed each successive season in Philadelphia. Coming off his rookie contract, he looked primed to become a top player in the league but as the Sixers improved, Tarpley has taken a backseat and not become the #1 option the Sixers thought they were getting. With 4 more years and $60 mil left on the contract, Sixers look stuck to him. While not the worst contract for the simple fact he can still produce unlike the next players on the list.
#2 & #1
Dennis Rodman PF 31 $12,375,000 $13,500,000 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $73,125,000
Scottie Pippen SF 27 $12,375,000 $13,500,000 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $73,125,000
Both signed last off-season as the Magic took a gamble to bolster they squad in hopes of making noise in the East. Neither player has lived up to anything close to their contract and are both backups currently. With 4 more years on their contracts after this season and not much potential for growth (esp. Rodman), it will be tough to shift these contracts moving forward. With Pooh already locked up long term, money will be tight for Rice & Gathers the next two off-seasons.
Did I miss anyone? Think someone should be higher on the list? Let me know!
Outside looking in (no particular order):
Jon Koncak C 29 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $20,000,000
Still can produce and the contract isnt impossible to move, plus only one more year on the deal
Mark Jackson PG 27 $11,250,000 $12,656,250 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $23,906,250
You are able to find a MLE replacement for his current production but with only one more year on the contract, plus he is still in his prime, I didnt include him
John Stockton PG 30 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $32,625,000
Has Stockton ever been on a winning team? Huge price tag but not much production. You can find a similar player for less. Again only one more year left on the contract
Pooh Richardson PG 26 $9,281,250 $10,209,375 $11,137,500 $12,065,625 $12,993,750 $13,921,875 $0 $69,609,375
Locked up long term by the Magic and while he hasnt showcased his draft potential he is a steady hand making slightly less than max. Turnover prone but entering his prime, he was close to making the full list
Benoit Benjamin C 28 $10,551,938 $11,363,625 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $21,915,563
Only provides defense and rebounding with not good offensive percentages. For $10+ mil/year, you would be looking for a more complete game.
Magic Johnson PG 33 $19,404,000 $20,374,200 $21,392,910 $22,462,556 $0 $0 $0 $83,633,666
Reigning playoff MVP finds his way here simply b/c of age, projected production and the huge three years left on his deal. Any decline will be tough for the Grizzlies moving forward
Here are the 14 worst contracts currently in the DASL:
#14
Reggie Miller SG 27 $10,958,063 $11,954,250 $12,950,438 $13,946,625 $14,942,813 $0 $0 $64,752,189
It was a toss-up between Miller and the player below but Miller kicks off the list because while he is the 3rd scoring option on an offense not suited to his skills, he is still producing 14.5 PPG on decent percentages. He makes slightly less than max and if an outside focused offense came looking for a scorer, I can see him performing better which is why he starts off this list. Still in his prime so a decline is not likely but should he decline happen, he will jump on this list.
#13
Joe Dumars SG 29 $8,916,375 $9,602,250 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $18,518,625
With full starting minutes, Dumars can only generate 11.2 PPG, 1.9 SPG to 1.9 TOPG. In terms of value, there are many players you can pick up for MLE or LLE that can produce for your team so committing $9m is tough to swallow. He can be a good player for a playoff team so he might be moved by the deadline but the return will be low and if not moved, he expires next season so not horrible for the Timberwolves.
#12
Darrell Griffith SG 34 $20,511,668 $21,537,251 $22,614,114 $0 $0 $0 $0 $64,663,033
Griffith is easily the best player on this list but a combination of his age, contract and declining stats finds his way onto the list. $20+ mil for the next two seasons is a lot but he can still produce. If he drops off next season then it will be tough on the Sonics but for right now, he is low on the list.
#11
Dominique Wilkins SF 33 $14,054,127 $15,459,540 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $29,513,667
Nique got paid this off-season and currently, makes more than he produces points ($14 mil vs 13 PPG) on not efficient percentages. Saving grace for Lakers is that he expires next season but moving him now will be tough as the value is not there.
#10
Terry Porter PG 29 $15,468,750 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $32,343,750
Another Laker and currently the 7th highest paid PG, this is what the Lakers are getting, 9 PPG, 8 APG and 3.9 ToPG, ouch. With some hope to compete this season, the Lakers quickly realized Porter is hindering them more than helping. Fortunately, it becomes expiring next season. He is higher on this list simply because of it expiring next season.
#9
Karl Malone PF 29 $11,204,375 $12,066,250 $12,928,125 $0 $0 $0 $0 $36,198,750
#2 pick in the ‘85 draft, it far to say he has failed his draft potential (Career 13.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, .5 BPG). Making 8 figures with those stats, make him almost unmovable but luckily for the Pistons, Malone is not on a max and they are not looking to compete this year or next so this contract does not hamper them like others listed.
#8
Steve Stipanovich C 32 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $47,250,000
Similar to another player lower on the list where stats are almost identical but at 32 years old, his best days are behind him and with another 2 years on his deal, moving on from him will be tough for the Blazers. Solid starting player (12.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG) but his contract makes him tough to acquire.
#7
Larry Bird SF 36 $18,900,000 $20,250,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $39,150,000
If Bird was on a contending team, he would rank much higher on list but as the Nuggets are able to absorb his remaining contract without hurting the team moving forward. As the #1 pick in the creation draft, it is fair to say Bird has not lived up to his potential and in recent years his body has let me down. Relegated to the end of the bench, he will see out his contract and retire.
#6
Chris Mullin SG 29 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $47,250,000
Best season was last year with 15.5 PPG, tells you everything about his contract and how he has performed on the court so far in his playing days. Career 11 PPG received the max contract three years ago hoping he would excel in an outside offense but it was never to be. Efficient scorer but you can get better value than committing this kind of money to him. Saving grace for the Nuggets is that they are in a multi-year rebuild and can afford to eat his remaining contract as trying to move him with be tough without eating another bad contract
#5
Arvydas Sabonis C 28 $13,500,000 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $0 $60,750,000
Career 10 PPG, 1.5 BPG, 8.3 RPG
Jazz didn’t want to lose him in FA so they offered max and hoped he would improve and provide a complimentary role but he never lived up to it. With 3 more seasons on his contract and no signs of improving, Jazz are stuck with a capped-out team questioning their next steps. His stats show a player that should be making 4.5-6.4 mil, not a max player.
#4
Wayman Tisdale PF 28 $15,468,750 $16,875,000 $18,281,250 $19,687,500 $0 $0 $0 $70,312,500
When Tisdale was signed to his initial contract, many were wondering how he got that contract and with 3 more years still left on it, it leaves a black hole for the Hawks. Career 16 PPG scorer making over 20% of the total cap moving forward will make moving the contract tough. He would be lower on this list, if the contract was longer like the player below.
#3
Roy Tarpley PF 28 $14,062,500 $15,468,750 $16,875,000 $18,281,250 $19,687,500 $0 $0 $84,375,000
Along with the draft picks, Tarpley was the prized acquisition from the Moses trade but has regressed each successive season in Philadelphia. Coming off his rookie contract, he looked primed to become a top player in the league but as the Sixers improved, Tarpley has taken a backseat and not become the #1 option the Sixers thought they were getting. With 4 more years and $60 mil left on the contract, Sixers look stuck to him. While not the worst contract for the simple fact he can still produce unlike the next players on the list.
#2 & #1
Dennis Rodman PF 31 $12,375,000 $13,500,000 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $73,125,000
Scottie Pippen SF 27 $12,375,000 $13,500,000 $14,625,000 $15,750,000 $16,875,000 $0 $0 $73,125,000
Both signed last off-season as the Magic took a gamble to bolster they squad in hopes of making noise in the East. Neither player has lived up to anything close to their contract and are both backups currently. With 4 more years on their contracts after this season and not much potential for growth (esp. Rodman), it will be tough to shift these contracts moving forward. With Pooh already locked up long term, money will be tight for Rice & Gathers the next two off-seasons.
Did I miss anyone? Think someone should be higher on the list? Let me know!