The Best Contracts in the NBA

I'm here to talk about the current best contracts in the league right now. I want to point out that this list doesn't include players that are on rookie or max contracts. With that being said here are my current best deals, the best valued contracts in the entire league right now.

Austin Reaves, Guard, Los Angeles Lakers:

The Lakers resigned Austin Reaves for 4 years, $56million, which is $14 million annually for a player who played as well as he did last season for the Lakers. Reaves is 25 years old so he's still growing and developing as a player. The level of value the Lakers got for Reaves is very good for them. I'm still surprised that there wasn't another team willing to offer $20 million a year in exchange for Austin Reaves because the Lakers were limited. This was the maximum amount that the Lakers could offered Reaves without matching an offer from another team. The rest of the roster is already very expensive and realistically another team could've gotten Austin Reaves for 4 years, $80million this offseason. The role he plays on this Lakers team is very valuable, as he's the third most important player. He can play on or off the ball which is very valuable when playing with LeBron James. Generally, these types of players usually makes over $20 million a year to be a on/off the ball spacer/scorer and to be able to get Austin Reaves for $14 million a year is one of the best contracts in the league.

Mikal Bridges, Wing, Brooklyn Nets:

There’s certainly an argument to be made for Mikal Bridges having the best contract in the league. A couple of years ago, Mikal Bridges signed a 4-year, $90million contract extension, which is $22.5million annually. With today’s salary cap constantly increasing, that puts in the high-end starter level. We’re talking about a player who is a borderline All-Star/All-NBA caliber player. He’s someone that can play on or off the ball along with being one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. This contract goes on for another couple of seasons and for someone who’s in the middle of their prime and shown nothing but improvement each year. I believe this is one of the best valued contracts especially in a premier position in the league today. It’s easy to see why Brooklyn not only value Bridges as a player but also the value you’re getting on that contract.

Lauri Markkanen, Forward, Utah Jazz:

Talk about turning your career around! A year ago, you wouldn't have thought about putting Lauri Markkanen on this kind of list. When Markkanen signed a 4-year, $67 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which is $16.7 million annually. Markkanen had a solid year in Cleveland. However, ever since he arrived in Utah, Markkanen has become one of the better forwards in the league and an All-Star/All-NBA caliber player. He's still young and improving which sounds relatively similar to Mikal Bridges which could indicate that a lot of these guys got undervalued during their free agency period due to the roles they were in. This deal was deal a couple of years ago and the way we view Lauri Markkanen is completely different from how everyone viewed him a couple years ago. Markkanen is now a more efficient, high volume three point shooter, who has really improved in his ability to create off the dribble. There's a lot to like about Lauri Markkanen game when a couple of years ago, a lot of people (including myself) thought he was just going to be a role player which is how he is being paid. A role player with upside and now Utah has an All-Star caliber player under $20 million a year.

Jalen Brunson, Guard, New York Knicks:

Here's a player who has certainly proved a lot of people wrong the moment he signed with the New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson signed a 4-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks, which is $26 million annually. A lot of people questioned and believed that this contract was an overpay. Brunson instantly proved a lot of people wrong by becoming one of the best guards in the Eastern Conference and just like Mikal Bridges and Lauri Markkanen. Brunson has become an All-Star caliber player and someone that is a legit focal point of an offense. The fact that you're getting this kind of production from Brunson who is one of the best guards in the East for $26 million a year with his contract decreasing year after year and as the salary cap continues to increase. This contract will only look better for the Knicks and it will continue to be one of the most valued contracts in the league.

OG Anunoby, Wing, Toronto Raptors:

OG Anunoby is currently on a 4-year, $72 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, which is $18 million annually. OG Anunoby value around the league is very high at the moment. Tons of teams around the league have tried to trade for Anunoby. He's a two-way player and is one of the most versatile defenders in the league. His value is worth more than $18 million a year due to being one of the most versatile defenders and the improvement on the offensive end (his three point shooting, ability to attack closeouts, and as a cutter). His activity on both ends is very impactful and if you're a contending team or are trying to put together a contending team, OG Anunoby is the kind of player that you absolutely want to have and it is difficult to find these kinds of players. OG Anunoby is certainly on one of the best contracts in the league.

Russell Westbrook, Guard, Los Angeles Clippers:

I believe a lot of people have overlooked this contract. Russell Westbrook signed a 2-year, $8 million contract, which is $4 million annually. The kind of production that Westbrook produced last season and is producing so far this season on the Clippers, shows how valuable this contract is. Westbrook is thriving in his role with the Clippers and they really value what he brings to the table. Before signing with the Clippers, many believed that Westbrook was on his way out the league after his stint with the Lakers. However, Russell Westbrook looks revamped with the Clippers and he is showing that he still has a lot left in the tank and he is without a doubt, on one of, if not the best contract in the league.

Honorable Mention: Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Wendall Carter, Naz Reid.