10 MOST OVERPAID NBA PLAYERS IN 2024 FREE AGENCY
The 2024 NBA Free Agency period has seen some major signings such as Paul George heading to the Philadelphia 76ers to form a new Big Three alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and Klay Thompson leaving the Golden State Warriors for good. Stars such as Pascal Siakam and James Harden have also signed some large contracts and we will prepare the list of the 10 most overpaid players so far this summer.
1. Paul George - $212 Million, 4-Year Deal
At 34, Paul George is no longer the dynamic, all-around threat he once was. While still capable of contributing significantly on both ends of the court, his recent seasons have been marred by injuries. Last year, George played in 74 games which is his highest since the 2018-19 season and he hasn’t played at least 60 games since then as well. George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season which are solid numbers, but his consistency and availability have become concerns, especially with his history of shoulder and leg injuries.
The 76ers investing in George's new contract is banking on his star power and leadership to drive success considering they had almost unlimited cap space this summer, but it's a gamble. While he can still produce All-Star-caliber performances, the risk of further injuries and potential decline in his game means the injury-prone Joel Embiid and budding star Tyrese Maxey might not have as reliable a star as 76ers management think.
2. Patrick Williams - $90 Million, 5-Year Deal
Patrick Williams, at 22, has shown flashes of potential, but his production thus far doesn't justify the $90 million, 5-year contract he received. Last season, Williams averaged 10.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, shooting 39.9% from three-point range. While these stats are promising for a young player, they don't scream "star power" or "game-changer" quite yet.
Williams' new deal reflects a bet on his future development rather than his current impact. The team hopes he will evolve into a cornerstone player, but there's significant risk involved considering he only played 43 games last year and only 17 games in his second season. Williams hasn’t been healthy or consistent enough to earn $90 million from a rebuilding team.
3. Jonathan Isaac - $84 Million, 5-Year Deal
Given his injury history, Jonathan Isaac's $84 million, 5-year contract is a perplexing decision. At 26, Isaac has struggled to stay on the court, playing only 58 games last season and averaging 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. His defensive prowess is undeniable, but his offensive game still needs to be developed, and his ability to stay healthy is a major question mark.
The team's decision to offer Isaac such a substantial deal seems rooted in his potential rather than his actual output. If he can finally put his injuries behind him and develop a more consistent offensive game, Isaac might justify the investment but Isaac has played 205 career games in seven seasons which is more than worrying.
4. Isaiah Hartenstein - $87 Million, 3-Year Deal
Isaiah Hartenstein's $87 million, 3-year contract is surprising, given his limited role and production. The 26-year-old center averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game last season, numbers that don't typically warrant such a lucrative deal. While Hartenstein is a solid backup center with a high motor and good defensive instincts, his offensive game is limited, and he has yet to prove he can be a consistent starter.
The Thunder are betting on Hartenstein's potential to develop into a more prominent role because they desperately needed another center to challenge Chet Holmgren or possibly start alongside him. The Thunder lacked size last year and Hartenstein is a great pickup but the team clearly overpaid to bring him on board.
5. Immanuel Quickley - $175 Million, 5-Year Deal
Immanuel Quickley's new $175 million, 5-year contract is a hefty commitment for a player still carving out his niche in the league. At 25, Quickley averaged 17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game last season, showing flashes of brilliance but also bouts of inconsistency. His scoring ability is evident, but questions remain about his efficiency (43.4% FG) and ability to run the offense as a primary playmaker.
The Raptors are investing in Quickley on his potential to grow into a star, but the price tag suggests they're expecting him to make a significant leap. With this contract, Quickley will be under immense pressure to deliver All-Star-level performances consistently.
6. OG Anunoby - $212.5 Million, 5-Year Deal
OG Anunoby's $212.5 million, 5-year contract is a significant investment for a player known more for his defensive prowess than his offensive output. At 26, Anunoby averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game last season, solid numbers but not exactly superstar territory even if his defense is All-NBA Defense quality.
This contract places Anunoby among the highest-paid players in the league, reflecting a belief that he can develop into a more dominant offensive force. The main problem of Anunoby’s contract is the player’s inability to stay healthy enough and that could make him slightly overpaid. Anunoby has played at least 65 games only four times in his career but the Knicks are fortunate to have traded for Mikal Bridges before they re-signed Anunoby to hedge their bets.
7. Tobias Harris - $52 Million, 2-Year Deal
Tobias Harris' $52 million, 2-year contract seems excessive for a player whose production has been solid but unspectacular. Last season, Harris averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, respectable numbers but not indicative of a player worth over $25 million per year. At nearly 32, Harris is entering the latter stages of his career, and it's unlikely he'll see a significant uptick in his performance.
The 76ers couldn’t wait to get Harris off the books and there weren’t many suitors for the player’s signature except for the worst team in the NBA, Detroit Pistons. Harris is not a bad player by any means and is an above-average talent, but committing over $50 million in two seasons on Harris might not make the Pistons a much better team.
8. James Harden - $70 Million, 2-Year Deal
James Harden's $70 million, 2-year deal is a risky proposition given his recent decline in performance. At 35, Harden averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists per game last season, solid numbers but a far cry from his MVP-caliber years. His conditioning and commitment have come into question, and his defensive lapses have become more pronounced with age.
The Clippers are hoping Harden can regain some of his former glory and lead them deep into the playoffs. With Paul George gone, the Clippers had no choice but to re-sign Harden to pair him with Kawhi Leonard but that did not mean The Beard wasn’t overpaid.
9. Pascal Siakam - $189.5 Million, 5-Year Deal
Pascal Siakam's $189.5 million, 5-year contract reflects his status as a key player and one of the best in his position, but it's a hefty price for a 30-year-old whose production might start seeing a slight decline over the next two seasons. Last season, Siakam averaged 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, solid numbers but not indicative of a franchise cornerstone.
The Indiana Pacers had no choice but to retain Siakam to pair with Tyrese Haliburton, but there are concerns the Cameroonian will be able to remain at an All-Star level by the time he turns 35 years old. Regardless, the Pacers are happy with their core heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.
10. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - $66 Million, 3-Year Deal
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, at 31 and heading to 32 next season, remains a reliable 3-and-D player, but his recent contract is raising eyebrows. Last season, he averaged 10.1 points per game while shooting 40.6% from beyond the arc. His defensive skills and perimeter shooting are valuable in today's NBA, but a $66 million commitment over three years seems steep for a role player.
The Orlando Magic signed Caldwell-Pope because they clearly value his championship experience and the intangibles he brings to the locker room. However, this deal limits their salary cap flexibility, making it harder to acquire other key pieces because the Magic might need a second All-Star to pair with Paolo Banchero to take them to the next level in the East.
2024-07-05T13:56:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd