Anybody that follows the NBA knows that Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge are set for big paydays as unrestricted free agents this summer but while they certainly deserve their max deals, there are a number of other players that are bound to be paid more than they deserve. That’s because NBA teams with cap space tend to burn it like a teen girl with daddy’s allowance.
Here is a look at the five free agents that will be the most overpaid this summer.
Rajon Rondo, Point Guard
Rondo’s skill set has undoubtedly declined since his glory days playing with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics championship contenders. At 29 years old, there should be a legitimate concern about what he has left in the tank following multiple knee surgeries that have robbed him of some quickness and athleticism. Rondo averaged just 8.9 points, 7.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game last season but he is still considered a big name player and a potential franchise star. That will make him a priority free agent for teams looking for a starting point guard. The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams reportedly most interested in signing Rondo and while he might still have something left in the tank, it’s hard to believe he won’t be overpaid given what he’s produced the last couple of seasons.
Draymond Green, Power Forward
Green was criticized for his play through the first couple of games of the NBA Finals but he rebounded nicely and is due for a massive pay day as a free agent. Green did not have to produce at an elite offensive level this past year on the same team as the NBA MVP Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but he stuffed the stat sheet across the board and averaged 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. Green’s versatility makes him that much more special as he has started at the small forward, power forward and center for the Warriors this year but there has still been plenty of debate about whether or not he is truly a max player. He stood out in a contract year and won a championship, so he’ll surely get overpaid but you have to wonder if whoever signs him will regret the deal a few years down the road.
Tobias Harris, Small Forward
Harris is still just 22 years old and considering he averaged 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game for the Orlando Magic last year, he appears to have a bright future. However, he could be in line for a big payday as he’s restricted and any team that’s interested will have to throw enough money at him that will make Orlando balk at matching. There will be at least one or two teams that try to do that.
Danny Green, Shooting Guard
Green averaged 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 threes, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game for the San Antonio Spurs this past year and his role with the club over the last couple of years including on the 2014 NBA title team will help him earn a huge payday this summer. However, Green is already 27 years old and has never been more than a role player. After teams watched Kyle Korver be a serious difference-maker, it’s likely that some team out there overpays Green even though he’s just a specialist.
Khris Middleton, Shooting Guard
Middleton averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 threes per game for the Bucks this season and while they weren’t able to sign him to an extension during the season, they aren’t about to let him walk this summer the way the Houston Rockets did with Chandler Parsons a year ago. Middleton is a young player that is certainly still developing and he has the potential to be a star one day but that won’t be lost on the teams that bid for his services. He’s a player on the rise but the numbers that are being bandied about already suggest that he’s going to be paid like he’s already proven he’s a star.
