The Golden State Warriors have made three straight NBA Finals and won championships in two of the last three years. They are also the betting favorites to win it all again in 2018. While star players like Kevin Durant have been criticized for being selfish in their attempt to win rings, the reality is that they have taken less money in order to build a super-team in Golden State. It should be no surprise that the Warriors have two of the best contracts in the league regardless of position. Here is a look at the NBA’s best contracts for the power forward position.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
There is no longer any debate about whether or not Draymond Green deserves a max contract. Green thrived as a power forward that could do it all for the Warriors last season when he averaged 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. The fact that Golden State signed Green to a deal that was $11 million less than the max seems like a steal now that he is clearly a max player. He is still under contract for the next three years for a total of $52.4 million. That should buy the Warriors some time while allowing them the opportunity to add at least a couple of more rings to the two championships they have already won over the last three years.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Superstar players are supposed to break the bank. However, when a small group of stars decide they are willing to sacrifice some money in order to win rings the result is a super-team unlike anything we have ever seen before. Durant could have signed for $34.7 million this summer. Instead, he’ll make $25 million next year, giving up nearly $10 million in order ot make sure that Golden State had enough money to spread around. There has been a lot of talk about the Warriors players being selfish by electing to team up in order to win championships. However, every single one of those players has sacrificed money in order to earn the opportunity they have in Golden State. Green and Durant have two of the most valuable contracts in the NBA for 2017-18.
Patrick Patterson, Oklahoma City Thunder
Patterson led all Toronto Raptors rotation staples in net rating last season and finished second in total plus-minus behind only Kyle Lowry. Patterson wasn’t an elite finisher by any means but he consistently worked off the ball and managed to shoot 37-percent on three-point attempts last season. He is a versatile big man that can be moved around as a role player in Oklahoma City. The fact that the Thunder were able to sign him for $16.4 million over three years makes Patterson an absolute steal.
Markieff Morris, Washington Wizards
Morris is an athletic forward with strong ball-handling skills and a quality jump shot. While he has been incredibly inconsistent with Washington, it’s hard to argue against the value of his contract. Morris will make only $16.6 million over the next two seasons. That is incredible value for a big man that has the potential to produce at a better rate than he did a year ago when he averaged 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Morris needs to be more consistent if the Wizards are going to contend. Even if he doesn’t improve he is worth the money that Washington is set to pay him.
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Nowitzki is 39 years old but he is still performing at such a high level that it seems like a bargain that the Mavericks will pay him only $10 million over the next two years. Nowitzki averaged 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists last season while shooting 43.7-percent from the field. He has a veteran savvy and can still come up with big moments in clutch situations. Nowitzki isn’t an elite big man any longer. However, he is still a capable contributor that is signed to a good enough contract that he remains a bargain in Dallas. Considering the type of contracts that are being handed out these days, $5 million is a bargain here.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
