What constitutes a bad NBA contract?
There is no one reason as to why a contract is bad.
It takes a multitude of reasons combined to make up an awful contract.
A bad contract can be due to an absurd amount of money a player is making, while their performance is underwhelming.
Also, age and injuries can be factors for why a contract is unpleasant.
Today’s contracts are extremely bloated, more than ever before.
Role players can make upwards of $15-$20 million per year.
Star players who are entering the end of their prime, or met it already, can make $30 plus million per year.
There are hardly any low offers being accepted.
This generation of NBA players are getting the most amount of money imaginable.
However, that leads to bad contracts for players that might not deserve that check.
Contract #1: Russell Westbrook
2020/21: $41.4 million
2021/22: $44.4 million
2022/23: $47.1 million (player option)
At first glance, you might think that Russell Westbrook is having a great season.
He is averaging a triple double once again; just like his MVP season.
The problem is watching him play and how the Wizards are playing.
He was traded from the Rockets in the off-season for John Wall (we will get to him) and there was a thought that the Wizards are a playoff team.
Westbrook wills his teams to 40 wins and playoff berths.
The only issue is that he is 32 years old and has had multiple knee surgeries.
His explosiveness is still present, but not like how it was in the early 2010s.
MVP Westbrook is gone.
His shooting splits are 44-32-62, respectively.
He is also committing 5 TO’s a game, which leads the NBA.
Russell Westbrook : 16 points (7-16 shooting, 1-5 from 3 & 1-6 from the FT line), 11 rebounds, 12 assists & 9 turnovers in 36 minutes pic.twitter.com/vGLvhQWVrP
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) April 2, 2021
Those numbers are awful for a ball dominant guard making $40 plus million for the next three years.
Contract #2: John Wall
2020/21: $41.3 million
2021/22: $44.3 million
2022/23: $47.4 million (player option)
The previously mentioned John Wall for Russell Westbrook trade was a straight up awful contract for awful contract.
John Wall had not played in 2 full years while recovering from an achilles tear.
The Rockets were a new fresh start for his basketball career and life.
In his prime, he was so explosive, and quite possibly, the fastest player from end to end.
At 30 years old with an achilles tear and multiple knee surgeries; we thought the John Wall we knew and loved was over.
He started the year looking like he can at least be 70% of what he used to be.
Then little injuries began piling up.
John Wall says it’s been nagging injuries — hip confusion against Minnesota, fell again in Memphis, hamstring tightness as well.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) April 7, 2021
He has missed a total of 18 games this season, as the Rockets are at the bottom of the standings.
That player option he has for sure will be picked up, since that money will never appear for him again.
Contract #3: Kevin Love
2020/21: $31.3 million
2021/22: $31.3 million
2022/23: $28.9 million
Injuries have destroyed Kevin Love over the last couple of years.
He has not played more than 60 games for 5 seasons, including this year with only playing 5 games total so far.
The Cavaliers decided to give Love this contract as soon as Lebron left; as he was willing to enter the rebuilding years with the Cavs organization.
They couldn’t have envisioned this drastic decline.
He is playing 18 MPG, while averaging 7 PPG and 5 RPG.
The shooting splits are just purely ugly at 37% from the field and 35% from three.
Kevin Love is almost 33 years old and this looks like it might be the end after this contract.
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