With so much money flying around and so few star players actually reaching free agency, the path to receiving a max contract isn’t always a difficult one. That even includes players that might not seem like prime candidates for these humongous contracts. There is no doubt that Kevin Durant is deserved and will be offered a max contract when he becomes a free agent following this season, but you know that NBA owners are going to be overpaying some lesser talent too – especially when they miss out on Durant. Here is a look at four surprising potential max contract candidates for 2016.
DeMar DeRozan
Toronto Raptors
DeRozan’s terrible shooting in last year’s first round playoff sweep at the hands of the Washington Wizards severely cut in to his overall stock. However, he has rebounded with All-Star numbers this season and suddenly his stock is back on its way up. DeRozan is still not considered a pure shooter, but he has raised his three-point percentage to a career-high 33.7 and his field goal percentage is the best he has posted in three years at 44.4. DeRozan has made up for his lack of pure scoring ability with explosive athleticism and aggressiveness, and he has shown a real ability to get to the free throw line with a career-high 8.4 attempts per game this season. The seven-year veteran isn’t an elite superstar, but he’s going to get paid like one. He could be the best available shooting guard for the lineup of teams that miss out on Durant. According to reports, there are a number of teams including his hometown Los Angeles Lakers that are willing to offer him the maximum $25 million-per-year deal this offseason.
Hassan Whiteside
Miami Heat
The 7’0’’, 265-pound big man burst on to the scene with some incredible numbers in Miami last season and he has followed that up with another quality season in 2015-16. Whiteside has averaged 12.5 points and 11.2 rebounds, but most impressive is his NBA-best 3.8 blocks in just 28.3 minutes per game this season. Whiteside has made a tremendous leap after being a virtual unknown only a couple of years ago, but he is still just 27 years old. That means he’s entering his prime and has high upside. That’ll be enough for a couple of NBA teams to offer him a max deal when he becomes a free agent this offseason.
Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards
Beal’s ticket to a max contract could very well be his status as the best pure scorer in this year’s free agent class next to Durant. It also helps that he is still just 22 years old. The 2012 first-round pick has hit 40% of his three-point shots over the last three seasons and he has averaged an impressive 18.5 points per game for Washington this season. The biggest issue could be the fact that he has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, but according to reports, the Wizards are willing to offer him a max contract this offseason. They probably won’t be the only team to step up with a max contract offer for Beal as his relative youth and potential as a pure scorer makes him a very intriguing option on the open market.
Harrison Barnes
Golden State Warriors
Barnes is the fourth-best option in the Warriors’ starting lineup, but what would he be on other teams around the NBA? At the end of the day he is a 23 year old former first-round pick that has posted decent averages, has excellent size and has won a championship ring within his first four NBA seasons. If he wins a second ring with the Warriors as they’re favored to do this year, a lot of teams will be lining up to acquire his experience and services. Barnes will be an intriguing option on the open market and he could very well emerge as one more surprise candidate to be offered a max contract this offseason. Teams will be attracted to his production, age and pedigree.
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