Every NBA team's most overpaid and underpaid player
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Wait, how much does he make?
Let's just go ahead and state the obvious -- NBA players make a whole lot of money. Even the most meager of NBA salaries dwarfs the amount most of us regular folk take home in a year.
But that doesn't mean there aren't overpaid and underpaid players. We've gone through and selected the worst investment and biggest bargain on every single NBA team. To help, we've used Basketball Reference's win share metric, which essentially judges the amount of wins a player contributes to his team in a given season.
Keep in mind that you won't see any players on this list who are on rookie contracts, because they're scaled. You can't exactly be overpaid or underpaid if your salary is dictated by the league.
Beyond the rookies, everyone is fair game -- and some of these contracts might leave you wondering how certain execs still have a job.
*All salary details from Spotrac
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Atlanta Hawks
Overpaid: Miles Plumlee
2017-18 salary: $12,500,000
2016-17 stats: 2.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.5 win shares
The Hawks took on Plumlee's salary when they traded Dwight Howard to the Hornets earlier this summer. While Plumlee is an agile, athletic big man who could get more playing time with the Hawks, there's a reason the Bucks traded him only four months into a four-year, $50 million contract.
Underpaid: Mike Muscala
2017-18 salary: $4,807,692
2016-17 stats: 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 win shares
We're figuring Muscala likely will play a much larger role with the rebuilding Hawks this season, so his salary becomes a lot more attractive. He has a shot to become their starting power forward, so the 6-foot-11 capable 3-point shooter is a steal.
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Boston Celtics
Overpaid: Al Horford
2017-18 salary: $27,734,405
2016-17 stats: 14.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 6.3 win shares
Horford is very good, but still overpaid. On a roster full of shrewd bargains, Horford's contract sticks out like a sore thumb.
Underpaid: Isaiah Thomas
2017-18 salary: $6,261,395
2016-17 stats: 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, 12.5 win shares
It's no secret that he's the most underpaid player in the league. The second-team All-NBA selection is the heart of the Celtics, and has already said he's expecting the Brinks truck for his next contract.
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Brooklyn Nets
Overpaid: Timofey Mozgov
2017-18 salary: $15,280,000
2016-17 stats: 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 win shares
Mozgov is so overpaid the Lakers had to give D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn just to shed the big man's contract. The rebuilding Nets were willing buyers, and Mozgov might get more minutes than he did with the Lakers thanks to the departure of Brook Lopez. But still, that contract ... woof.
Underpaid: Sean Kilpatrick
2017-18 salary: $1,524,305
2016-17 stats: 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.4 win shares
A former D-League star, Kilpatrick has found a steady role with the Nets the past two seasons and has established himself as a decent NBA scorer. He was Brooklyn's third-leading scorer last season -- not bad for his relatively meager salary.
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Charlotte Hornets
Overpaid: Dwight Howard
2017-18 salary: $23,500,000
2016-17 stats: 13.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 8.3 win shares
Howard is nowhere near the superstar that he was, but he's still getting paid like one. The Hornets traded for Howard and his bloated salary hoping he'll do something he has been unable to do so far -- adapt to the modern NBA.
Underpaid: Kemba Walker
2017-18 salary: $12,000,000
2016-17 stats: 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 8.1 win shares
Walker continued his ascent toward becoming one of the league's best point guards last season, making his first All-Star Game. In a guard-driven league, to have a player of Walker's caliber at that salary is invaluable to a franchise.
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Chicago Bulls
Overpaid: Dwyane Wade
2017-18 salary: $23,800,000
2016-17 stats: 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.4 win shares
The Bulls had to make Wade a mega offer to pry him from the Heat, and it now looks to be backfiring as the team is in the middle of a rebuild but still saddled with Wade's gargantuan salary. He is still productive when on the floor, but comes nowhere near justifying his cap hit.
Underpaid: Justin Holiday
2017-18 salary: $4,615,385
2016-17 stats: 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 win shares
Holiday got consistent playing time for the first time in his career last season with the Knicks and made the most of it. The rangy 6-foot-6 wing can defend multiple positions and also shot 36 percent on 3s last season. A solid 3-and-D guy is hard to come by in his price range, so the Bulls were smart to snag him.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Overpaid: J.R. Smith
2017-18 salary: $13,760,000
2016-17 stats: 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 win shares
Smith was a huge part of the 2016 championship team, so you can see why they rewarded him with a big payday. But his production last season -- in the regular season and the playoffs -- was nowhere near what it needed to be to justify that salary.
Underpaid: Kyrie Irving
2017-18 salary: $18,868,625
2016-17 stats: 25.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 8.9 win shares
It sounds ridiculous to say that someone making nearly $19 million per year is underpaid ... but welcome to today's NBA! Irving is one of the best scoring guards in the league, so believe it or not he's actually a bargain at that salary. Whether the Cavs will still be paying that salary next season remains to be seen.
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Dallas Mavericks
Overpaid: Wesley Matthews
2017-18 salary: $17,884,175
2016-17 stats: 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 win shares
The Mavs took a huge gamble by giving Matthews a four-year, $70 million contract coming off Achilles surgery, and so far it hasn't panned out. Matthews' defense (a big reason for his huge salary) has gone downhill quickly -- his defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) has ballooned from 99.4 in his final year in Portland to 106.8 last season.
Underpaid: Seth Curry
2017-18 salary: $3,028,410
2016-17 stats: 12.8 points, 2.7 assists, 4.6 win shares
Playing with his fifth team in four seasons, Curry became a reliable scorer for the Mavs, and even stepped into a starting role for 42 games. Any team would love to have a career 43 percent 3-point shooter on the roster for $3 million.
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Denver Nuggets
Overpaid: Kenneth Faried
2017-18 salary: $12,921,348
2016-17 stats: 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.5 win shares
Faried has been productive when on the court, but his limited minutes (21.2 per game last season) make it hard to justify a nearly $13 million price tag. Considering the Nuggets acquired Paul Millsap to play his position, Faried looks even more overpaid.
Underpaid: Will Barton
2017-18 salary: $3,533,333
2016-17 stats: 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.3 win shares
Barton is the definition of a spark plug off the bench, providing instant energy and scoring whenever he checks into the game. He was the team's fifth-leading scorer last season -- not bad for $3.5 million.
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Detroit Pistons
Overpaid: Reggie Jackson
2017-18 salary: $16,000,000
2016-17 stats: 14.5 points, 5.2 assists, 1.9 win shares
Jackson had an injury-plagued second season for Detroit, and his efficiency plummeted. His effective field goal percentage dipped to .468 (second lowest of his seven-year career) and he looks like a long shot to become the franchise cornerstone the Pistons hoped they had signed.
Underpaid: Avery Bradley
2017-18 salary: $8,808,989
2016-17 stats: 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 win shares
Detroit made a slick move by picking up Bradley from the Celtics, who needed to get rid of a salary to make room for Gordon Hayward. To get a shooter and defender of Bradley's caliber at less than $9 million is a huge win for the Pistons.
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Golden State Warriors
Overpaid: Andre Iguodala
2017-18 salary: $14,814,815
2016-17 stats: 7.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 6.9 win shares
Iguodala sacrificed by agreeing to come off the bench a few seasons ago, but wasn't about to sacrifice his money. The 33-year-old super-sub got more than most expected from the Warriors, largely because of his teammate below.
Underpaid: Kevin Durant
2017-18 salary: $25,000,000
2016-17 stats: 25.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 12.0 win shares
Don't shoot the messenger -- but even at $25 million Durant is vastly underpaid. K.D. took well under the max he easily could have commanded to allow the club more spending flexibility, and they used it to bring back pretty much their entire roster from the 2016-17 championship team.
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Houston Rockets
Overpaid: Ryan Anderson
2017-18 salary: $19,578,454
2016-17 stats: 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.2 win shares
His contract is so large the club is having trouble finding a team to absorb it to facilitate the trade for Carmelo Anthony. Anderson is the definition of a stretch four with his 3-point shooting ability, but his defensive deficiencies and inconsistency make him extremely overpaid.
Underpaid: Trevor Ariza
2017-18 salary: $7,420,912
2016-17 stats: 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.0 win shares
Ariza gives the Rockets exactly what they need -- a versatile wing capable of hitting 3s, playing both forward positions and guarding the other team's best perimeter player. Particularly for Mike D'Antoni's system, Ariza is a steal at $7 million.
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Indiana Pacers
Overpaid: Victor Oladipo
2017-18 salary: $21,000,000
2016-17 stats: 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 win shares
Oladipo was fine playing second fiddle to Russell Westbrook last season in Oklahoma City, but at $21 million the Pacers are asking him to be the team's best guard and help fill Paul George's shoes -- not an easy task.
Underpaid: Cory Joseph
2017-18 salary: $7,630,000
2016-17 stats: 9.2 points, 3.3 assists, 3.4 win shares
Joseph was a backup in Toronto the past two seasons, and joins Indiana on a good contract. He might still be the backup to Darren Collison, but Joseph can play both guard spots and slide into the starting lineup when necessary.
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Los Angeles Clippers
Overpaid: Austin Rivers
2017-18 salary: $11,825,000
2016-17 stats: 12.0 points, 2.8 assists, 2.5 win shares
Rivers has developed into a capable scorer off the bench, but still doesn't justify his nearly $12 million salary. Not saying this had anything to do with his payday, but his father is the coach and president of basketball operations.
Underpaid: Patrick Beverley
2017-18 salary: $5,513,513
2016-17 stats: 9.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 5.3 win shares
One of the toughest defenders in the league, he's also a good 3-point shooter at 38 percent for his career. He's not a prototypical point guard and certainly won't fully replace Chris Paul, but he's a huge bargain at his salary.
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Los Angeles Lakers
Overpaid: Luol Deng
2017-18 salary: $17,190,000
2016-17 stats: 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.9 win shares
Deng received a four-year, $72 million deal before last season, then played so poorly he was pretty much jettisoned toward the end of the season. Getting rid of Deng's contract before the end of the 2017-18 season figures to be one of the Lakers' top priorities.
Underpaid: Jordan Clarkson
2017-18 salary: $11,562,500
2016-17 stats: 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 win shares
The Lakers don't have any truly underpaid players because so many of them are on rookie contracts, but Clarkson comes close. He's capable of playing both guard positions and can produce offense in a hurry. There's some question as to how he fits the club's future, but for now they're happy to have him at a relative discount.
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Memphis Grizzlies
Overpaid: Chandler Parsons
2017-18 salary: $23,112,004
2016-17 stats: 6.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.2 win shares
After he had trouble staying healthy in Dallas, it was a bit shocking when Parsons landed a four-year, $94 million contract before last season. So far the signing has completely backfired, as Parsons was limited to 34 games last season.
Underpaid: James Ennis
2017-18 salary: $3,028,410
2016-17 stats: 6.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 win shares
A 6-foot-7 wing who can play both forward positions, Ennis gave the Grizzlies valuable minutes last season as Parsons battled injuries. The Long Beach State product is a great asset, and the price is right.
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Miami Heat
Overpaid: James Johnson
2017-18 salary: $13,734,000
2016-17 stats: 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 5.1 win shares
He finally got consistent playing time and put together his best season, so Miami rewarded him with a three-year, $43 million contract. While he's a great player to have off the bench, that's a little steep.
Underpaid: Dion Waiters
2017-18 salary: $11,000,000
2016-17 stats: 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, 1.6 win shares
If anyone was a prime candidate to get overpaid this summer, it was Waiters, a starter who somehow wound up with a lower salary than Johnson after leading the Heat during their second-half surge. Waiters played only 46 games last season because of injury, but it was by far the best stretch of his career.
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Milwaukee Bucks
Overpaid: Mirza Teletovic
2017-18 salary: $10,500,000
2016-17 stats: 6.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 win shares
Teletovic signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract before last season, and it already looks like a disaster. He's supposed to be a stretch-four, but shot only 34 percent from 3 in 16 minutes a game last season.
Underpaid: Giannis Antetokounmpo
2017-18 salary: $22,471,910
2016-17 stats: 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 12.4 win shares
Yes, he's underpaid at $22.5 million. The Greek Freak was the league's Most Improved Player last season and is being tabbed by many as a future MVP. It's a minor miracle that Milwaukee got him to sign an extension for well under the max before the start of last season.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Overpaid: Cole Aldrich
2017-18 salary: $7,300,000
2016-17 stats: 1.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 win shares
Aldrich signed a three-year, $21.9 million contract before last season, and he averaged 8.6 minutes on a 31-win team. That's not very good value.
Underpaid: Jimmy Butler
2017-18 salary: $17,546,918
2016-17 stats: 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 13.8 win shares
The Wolves traded for Butler at the right time, as the All-Star wing was third in the league in win shares last season. Butler is in for a big payday in a couple of years, but for now Minnesota has one of the best players in the league on an extremely affordable salary.
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New Orleans Pelicans
Overpaid: Omer Asik
2017-18 salary: $10,595,505
2016-17 stats: 2.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 win shares
His contract has become one of the league's most untradeable, and still has two fully guaranteed seasons to go. The 7-foot center has made a minimal impact the past two seasons in New Orleans.
Underpaid: DeMarcus Cousins
2017-18 salary: $18,063,850
2016-17 stats: 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 7.6 win shares
Despite his noted attitude issues, there's no denying Cousins is one of the most talented offensive big men the league has seen. His size, quickness and added 3-point prowess make him nearly unguardable. For that, he deserves much more than the $18 million he's set to make next season.
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New York Knicks
Overpaid: Joakim Noah
2017-18 salary: $17,765,000
2016-17 stats: 5.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 win shares
There's only one word to describe Noah's four-year, $72.6 million contract with the Knicks: Disaster. He's only one year in and already looks unplayable on a team that appears to be rebuilding.
Underpaid: Courtney Lee
2017-18 salary: $11,747,890
2016-17 stats: 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 win shares
Kristaps Porzingis would qualify ($4,503,600 salary in 2017-18), but the budding star is on his rookie deal -- thus eliminated from our exercise -- so Lee is the guy. He's no star, but he is a 40 percent 3-point shooter who defends -- players like that generally fetch more than his price tag.
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Oklahoma City Thunder
Overpaid: Enes Kanter
2017-18 salary: $17,884,175
2016-17 stats: 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.8 win shares
Kanter's stats look pretty good for a bench player, but when coach Billy Donovan told his assistant, "can't play Kanter" during last year's playoffs, that told us all we needed to know. Kanter's legendarily bad defense makes him overpaid at nearly $18 million. As a point of reference, newly acquired All-Star Paul George will make $19.5 million next season.
Underpaid: Patrick Patterson
2017-18 salary: $5,192,000
2016-17 stats: 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 win shares
He is basically the anti-Kanter -- his stats aren't impressive, but he has made the Raptors better for the past four seasons by stretching the floor, making the extra pass and defending. The fact OKC was able to sign him at a shade more than $5 million is huge.
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Orlando Magic
Overpaid: Bismack Biyombo
2017-18 salary: $17,000,000
2016-17 stats: 6.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 win shares
Biyombo is a solid shot-blocking and rebounding big man, but $17 million is ridiculous. The worst part? Last season was only the first of a four-year, $72 million contract with the Magic.
Underpaid: Jonathon Simmons
2017-18 salary: $6,300,000
2016-17 stats: 6.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.0 win shares
Simmons had a key bench role with the Spurs last season, and will likely have a larger role in Orlando. Already an elite defender, Simmons showcased scoring ability few knew he had during the playoffs after Kawhi Leonard was injured. If he can be the kind of two-way player he projects to be with more minutes, Orlando just landed a huge bargain.
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Philadelphia 76ers
Overpaid: J.J. Redick
2017-18 salary: $23,000,000
2016-17 stats: 15.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.8 win shares
Look, the Sixers knew they were overpaying for Redick, but they also knew that was the only way they would get him. Philly had money to spend and it's only a one-year deal, so it's not hurting them long-term, but that doesn't mean Redick isn't still tremendously overpaid.
Underpaid: Robert Covington
2017-18 salary: $1,577,230
2016-17 stats: 12.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 win shares
He signed out of the D-League in 2014 and it's looking like a great pickup. While Philly has dealt with injuries to its high draft picks, Covington has been steady as a starting forward. He's been inefficient, but shouldn't be playing as many minutes as he has been. He should come off the bench this season, and will more than justify his measly salary.
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Phoenix Suns
Overpaid: Brandon Knight
2017-18 salary: $13,618,750
2016-17 stats: 11.0 points, 2.4 assists, 0.3 win shares
After averaging nearly 20 points in 2015-16, Knight was an unmitigated disaster last season and has become basically untradeable because of his contract. On top of that, he is expected to miss the entire 2017-18 season because of a torn ACL.
Underpaid: Alan Williams
2017-18 salary: $6,000,000
2016-17 stats: 7.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 win shares
"Big Sauce" put up huge per 36 minute numbers (17.6 points, 14.8 rebounds) in limited action off the bench last season, and it was enough for the Suns to reward him with a three-year, $17 million deal. If he can improve his conditioning and stay on the court (his contract has weight and body fat requirements), Williams could be a great asset at that price.
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Portland Trail Blazers
Overpaid: Evan Turner
2017-18 salary: $17,131,148
2016-17 stats: 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 win shares
He was a huge flop in his first year of a four-year, $70 million contract. He was horribly inefficient while attempting to lead the bench unit, and he needs to step up big time next season to come close to justifying his salary.
Underpaid: Al-Farouq Aminu
2017-18 salary: $7,319,035
2016-17 stats: 8.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 win shares
Aminu was limited to 61 games last season because of injury, but he's a long wing who can defend and play both forward positions. He's not an All-Star by any means, but when he's making 3s he's worth more than his current salary.
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Sacramento Kings
Overpaid: Vince Carter
2017-18 salary: $8,000,000
2016-17 stats: 8.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.0 win shares
When a player is still hanging on at 40, they're usually searching near and far for a minimum contract -- not V.C. The Kings offered Carter $8 million to come mentor their youngsters for a season, and the legendary dunker-turned 3-and-D guy happily obliged.
Underpaid: Garrett Temple
2017-18 salary: $8,000,000
2016-17 stats: 7.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 win shares
At 6-foot-6, Temple can play both guard spots and is a plus defender. Add his 37 percent of his 3-point shooting last season, and it's clear the LSU product is the club's most underpaid player.
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San Antonio Spurs
Overpaid: Pau Gasol
2017-18 salary: $16,000,000
2016-17 stats: 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.4 win shares
Historically the Spurs don't hand out bad contracts, but Gasol is as close as it gets. The 37-year-old put up decent numbers during the regular season, but became unplayable in certain playoff situations. The Spurs can't afford to pay $16 million to a guy who can't help them in the postseason.
Underpaid: Kawhi Leonard
2017-18 salary: $18,868,625
2016-17 stats: 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 13.6 win shares
Kawhi was as important to his team as any player in the league, and his selection as an MVP finalist reflects that. Considering the two players who finished ahead of him (Russell Westbrook and James Harden) are making nearly $10 million more than him, Leonard is as good a bargain as there is in the NBA.
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Toronto Raptors
Overpaid: Jonas Valanciunas
2017-18 salary: $15,460,674
2016-17 stats: 12.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.9 win shares
He has been productive, but it's a tell-tale sign you're overpaid when your team can't find a trading partner for your services. J.V. has been on the market for a long time, and there are no takers for that salary.
Underpaid: C.J. Miles
2017-18 salary: $7,936,508
2016-17 stats: 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 win shares
Miles is one of the best 3-point shooters in a league that increasingly values 3-point shooting. He shot 41 percent from beyond the arc last season and plays solid defense. That makes him a steal.
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Utah Jazz
Overpaid: Alec Burks
2017-18 salary: $10,595,506
2016-17 stats: 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 win shares
He hasn't been able to stay healthy, playing in only 100 games the past three seasons, so it's hard to say if he'll ever live up to the four-year, $42 million contract he earned in 2015.
Underpaid: Thabo Sefolosha
2017-18 salary: $5,250,000
2016-17 stats: 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 win shares
The ability to defend the other team's best wing alone makes him worth more than he makes. He's also a capable offensive player who can get out in transition and make the occasional corner 3. Utah has frontcourt depth issues after the departure of Gordon Hayward, and Sefolosha is an economic answer.
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Washington Wizards
Overpaid: Ian Mahinmi
2017-18 salary: $16,661,641
2016-17 stats: 5.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 win shares
It didn't make much sense when the Wizards gave him a four-year, $64 million deal before the start of last season, and he did nothing to prove his doubters wrong. There's no getting around it -- this is one of league's worst contracts.
Underpaid: Markieff Morris
2017-18 salary: $8,000,000
2016-17 stats: 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.1 win shares
When engaged, Morris is among the league's most versatile forwards -- able to make 3s and post up smaller defenders. He's been known to let his emotions get the best of him, but Washington will endure the drama to have a starting power forward of his caliber at his money.
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