The 25 Most Overpaid Players in the NBA Right Now

Image via Complex Original

2011-2012 Stats: 1.7 PPG 3.7 RPG 1.0 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $9 million
Seasons Played: 8
The Warriors signed Andris to a 6-year/$63 million contract after two years of posting near double-doubles. He rewarded them in 2009 by putting up 12 PPG, 11 RPG and 1.5 BPG. He played in 62 games that season because he went down with an ankle injury. Biedrins never seemed to be able to stay healthy and hasn't scored more than 5 points a game or grabbed more than 7.8 boards since. The Warriors are stuck with him for another two years because it's a guarantee that he'll pick up his $9 million player option for the 2013-2014 season. We're leaving him this low because injuries played a major role in his lack of productivity. Biedrins on the bench eatin'.

2011-2012 Stats: 12.0 PPG 3.7 RPG 1.2 APG 40.7 FG%
2012-2013 Salary: $8 million
Seasons Played: 10
The Clippers have long made it a routine to overpay anybody and everybody, and Butler is no exception. After Blake Griffin had a terrific rookie season, the Clippers decided to give $8 million per year to a washed-up small forward who doesn’t spread the floor well for Blake Griffin’s drives. Poor cap management like this might be part of why Chris Paul hasn’t signed a contract extension with the franchise yet.

2011-2012 Stats: 11.5 PPG 4.4 RPG 1.0 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $6 million
Seasons Played: 4
Mr. Supercool Beas can put up points in a hurry, but defense and off-court issues have derailed a promising career. He will probably score by the boatload for the Suns as the number one option, but they will be the product of taking enormous numbers of shots and not involving his teammates. Phoenix has had a rough offseason, losing Steve Nash, but if they expect Beasley and Goran Dragic to lead them then they should also expect a slew of 30-win seasons.

2011-2012 Stats: 4.6 PPG 3.3 RPG 0.6 APG 0.9 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $5.2 million
Seasons Played: 9
The NBA is truly where amazing happens. The fact that Darko Milicic a.k.a. one of the biggest Draft busts of all time is still in the league and making $5 million a year is ridiculous. During the 2010 offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves decided to re-sign Milicic to a four-year/$20 million contract. He's never averaged more than 8 PPG or 5 RPG but David Kahn thought he was worth the dough. Looks like we need to make one of these lists solely dedicated to Mr. Kahn.

2011-2012 Stats: 9.2 PPG 3.5 RPG 1.4 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $10.1 million
Seasons Played: 11
Not only does RJ have a ridiculous tattoo, he is grossly overpaid. Jefferson has always relied on his athleticism, but like many aging ball players, his athleticism is slowly declining. He and the Spurs raised some eyebrows during the 2010 offseason when RJ declined his $15 million option in order to get a long-term deal due to the impending lockout. The Spurs obliged and signed him to a 4-year/$39 million contract—the same contract Jefferson was looking for. Well, he didn't live up to the contract and became too expensive. So, he was traded to the Warriors for Stephen Jackson. He should be buried under the jail for putting up 9 points per game while making $10 million.

2011-2012 Stats: 7.5 PPG 3.1 RPG 2.5 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $8 million
Seasons Played: 10
Sacramento must be big Future fans. On Draft night 2011, the Kings decided they wanted to kill two birds with one stone: waste money and a draft pick at the same damn time. By drafting Jimmer Fredette and trading for John Salmons’ terrible contract, the Kings achieved their goal. Paying $8 million for a player that shoots 40 percent and scores less PPG than millions he makes per year? It’s no wonder Sacramento won’t build them a new arena.

2011-2012 Stats: 13.8 PPG 6.7 RPG 2.8 APG 1.4 SPG
2012-2013 Salary: $10 million
Seasons Played: 11
The Brooklyn Nets were murdered for giving up a lottery pick last year for Gerald Wallace, and rightfully so. Wallace opted out, but the Nets resigned him. The problem is that they signed him to a 4-year/$40 million deal. Although, they really had no choice but to overpay him in order to not look like fools for trading a top-10 pick in one of the deepest drafts in history. Crash is one of the L's best defenders and is a good rebounder for his position, but he hasn't been the healthiest and his offensive game is limited. Although if having him made D-Will want to stay...

2011-2012 Stats: 20.4 PPG 3.4 RPG 6.0 APG 1.5 SPG
2012-2013 Salary: $11 million
Seasons Played: 7
Don't get us wrong, Monta can ball, but $11 million is a bit much for a guy whose game doesn't translate into wins. He plays an exciting brand of basketball, though. Maybe that's why Golden State fans booed new owner, Joe Lacob, unmercifully on Chris Mullin right after he traded Ellis for Andrew Bogut. Monta has also been playing the wrong position for most of his career and when the Warriors drafted Stephen Curry to run the point, the two could never stay healthy together. Now he's in the same situation in Milwaukee with a score-first point guard in Brandon Jennings.

2011-2012 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.2 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $10.9 million
Seasons Played: 13
Corey Maggette has been scoring meaningless points for 13 seasons now and has only made the playoffs once. Lucky for him, however, teams haven’t caught on that he doesn’t actually help win games. He must have a great agent because he’s already made more than $78 million in his career. As bad as his contract is this coming year, Pistons fans can find happiness in the fact that it is an expiring one.

2011-2012 Stats: 5.6 PPG 3.7 RPG 0.6 APG 1.1 BLK
2012-2013 Salary: $8 million
Seasons Played: 6
Everyone hates on LeBron James for his "Decision" during the 2010 offseason but NBA fans have a number of players they should be pissed at for robbing franchises. Tyrus Thomas is one of 'em. Dude signed a five year/$40 million contract with the Bobcats that summer and although he had a mediocre 10.2 PPG and 5.5 RPG season in 2010-11, he completely fell off in 2011-12 as his production was nearly cut in half. Then again, he did play for the team that set the record for the lowest winning percentage in a single season. C'mon, MJ.

2011-2012 Stats: 10.2 PPG 5.2 RPG 1.2 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $8.2 million
Seasons Played: 7
The former No. 2 pick has been a disappointment so far in his young career (although it's not his fault the Hawks passed on Deron Williams and Chris Paul solely based on his potential). Marvin's minutes have gone down the last couple years as well as his production. The Hawks have always had point guard issues and they fixed them, somewhat, by trading Williams to the Jazz for Devin Harris. Funny, this could've all been avoided if they made the right choice during the 2005 Draft.

2011-2012 Stats: 17.1 PPG 2.7 RPG 2.8 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $12.9 million
Seasons Played: 8
Like a lot of the players on this list, Kevin Martin does have an elite skill, scoring, but he doesn’t do enough of anything else to help the Rockets win. The Rockets are smart enough to know that they don’t want to pay nearly $13 million to a one-way player for another year of 40 wins. If they were somehow able to pull off a miracle and acquire Dwight Howard, then Martin would be an excellent complement because of his shooting. As it stands, however, Martin is just a grossly overpaid scorer for a mediocre team.

2011-2012 Stats: 7.4 PPG 8.3 RPG 2.0 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $10.5 million
Seasons Played: 4
DeAndre Jordan’s contract is a reflection of the scarcity of shot-blocking big men in the NBA. The Warriors offered the ridiculous deal, but the Clippers matched and now have to pay the consequences. Jordan is valuable as a rim protector next to Blake Griffin, but offensively all he’s good for are lobs from Chris Paul. $10 million for a one-dimensional defensive player? Damn, they probably could have grabbed Marcus Camby for a third of that. 

2011-2012 Stats: 14.6 PPG 2.2 RPG 4.0 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $5 million
Seasons Played: 2
Linsanity swept the nation in February as the Harvard man tore through the NBA and led the Knicks to a seven-game winning streak. He outplayed Kobe at MSG by dropping 38 on the Lakers. Unfortunately, a torn meniscus limited him to 35 games. The Knicks will be damned if they do pay him and damned if they don’t. The poison pill contract will pay him more than $10 million in years three and four. If they don’t match, then the fans and media will tear them a new one. This is the type of shit Knicks fans are probably used to by now.

2011-2012 Stats: 12.5 PPG 2.3 RPG 2.4 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $12.4 million
Seasons Played: 8
Ben Gordon earned his big money contract by lighting up the Celtics in the 2009 playoffs with the Bulls. Joe Dumars, ever the wise spender and decision maker, broke open his checkbook for a sixth man who doesn’t do anything outside of scoring. The contract is so bad the Pistons gave the Bobcats a first-round pick just to take him off their hands. Surprisingly, Gordon’s salary actually helps Charlotte because it brings them closer to the salary cap floor under cheapskate owner Michael Jordan. 

2011-2012 Stats: 13.7 PPG 7.5 RPG 2.1 APG 1.1 SPG 1.0 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $13 million
Seasons Played: 10
In the beginning of last season the Nuggets felt good about their center and signed him to an extension worth 5-years/$67 million. But somewhere along the way they realized that they made a big mistake and traded Nene to the Wizards for JaVale McGee (another mistake waiting to happen). They felt that they had to get younger and Nene's deal would hurt them from making moves later on down the road. Plus, he's always injured, even though they got what they payed for. Nene has had the same numbers since the 2009 season. Instead he has been banished to D.C.

2011-2012 Stats: 8.8 PPG 4.2 RPG 2.6 APG 1.2 SPG
2012-2013 Salary: $6.6 million
Seasons Played: 2
The Toronto Raptors really, really wanted Steve Nash. Since they knew that was going to be a long shot, Toronto cock-blocked their division rival from landing him by signing Blandry Fields to a 3-year/$20 million offer sheet. Landry was supposed to be included in a sign-and-trade package that would've sent Nash to the Big Apple. Fields is a "do it all" type of player, but probably wasn't built for NY. He all but disappeared once the Knicks got Carmelo Anthony and the team's expectations went through the roof.

2011-2012 Stats: 9.9 PPG 7.9 RPG 1.0 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $13.4 million
Seasons Played: 8
Emeka signed a huge 6-year/$72 million deal when he was with the Bobcats during the 2008 offseason. He was dealt the very next offseason for Tyson Chandler straight up. Since the 2008-2009 season, Okafor's rebounding and points have gone down. He can still play defense, but doesn't put fear into hearts like he did when he first came into the league. At that price, he should be carrying teams to the playoffs consistently. He was traded to the Wizards this offseason along with Trevor Ariza for Rashard Lewis' expiring contract and a second-round pick. Hold up, the Wizards might be watchable next season?!

2011-2012 Stats: 3.1 PPG 5.3 RPG 1.0 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $5 million
Seasons Played: 2
The Rockets are one of several teams with dreams of trading for Dwight Howard. While he’s busy fucking around with his reputation and several franchises, the Rockets figured they’d get a serviceable big man in the meantime. Too bad for them, they paid Asik double what he’s worth to pry him away from the Bulls. Off the bench, he’s a great role player to come in and block shots, but as a potential starter you need someone that can at least catch the ball. A $25 million contract for a back-up center is going to hurt, especially when Dwight never comes.

2011-2012 Stats: 7.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.5 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $8 million
Seasons Played: 7
We can once again thank Joe Dumars for this atrocious contract. While Villanueva is a terrifically talented big, he’s always been something of a tin man. Despite being 6’11”, he has never averaged more than 6.7 rebounds per game. After falling into the doghouse this past season, Pistons fans can be assured he will exercise his player option for the 2013-2014 season. 

2011-2012 Stats: 18.8 PPG 3.7 RPG 3.9 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $19.7 million
Seasons Played: 11
Joe Johnson is a good player. He's a star, in fact, but is he worth $20 million a year? No. Danny Ferry, the new Atlanta Hawks GM felt the same way. Johnson was recently dealt to the Nets for five role players in order to dump that enormous contract the Hawks gave him in 2010. A contract that ultimately showed their last GM, Rick Sund, the door. This move might've made the Brooklyn Nets the best basketball team in New York, though.

2011-2012 Stats: 15.0 PPG 8.5 RPG 1.9 APG 1.0 SPG 0.4 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $15 million
Seasons Played: 10
During the summer of 2010, Carlos Boozer was on a list that included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, and Amar'e Stoudemire as the most sought after free agents. He certainly isn't a bum, but he's shown these past two seasons that he's not a max player. Carlos hasn't been the consistent scorer the Bulls thought they payed for. His attitude isn't all that great either. After a first round exit in the 2012 playoffs, Boozer said, “I thought I played well, especially with the kind of season it was. We had the best record again in basketball, won our division again, had the top seed again, that’s all that matters, yo.” Well said, sir, well said.

2011-2012 Stats: 17.5 PPG 7.8 RPG 1.1 APG 1.0 BPG
2012-2013 Salary: $19.9 million
Seasons Played: 10
Stat had a tough season last year. His brother passed, he hurt his back again and he lost a fight with a fire extinguisher after losing a playoff game to the Heat. After the Knicks and everybody else, for that matter, whiffed on landing LeBron James, they needed to make a splash. So, they gave Stat—a player with known knee and eye problems— an uninsured 5-year/$100 million deal with Mike D'Antoni's blessing.

The move seemed like a good one during the first year, but after getting Carmelo Anthony, Stoudemire wasn't the same player. Before the Melo trade, Amar'e was playing at an MVP level and was carrying the Knicks on his back. After the trade, his numbers went down and he can't seem to keep himself healthy. His contract is immovable for the time being, so the Knicks have to make wine out of water.

2011-2012 Stats: 10.9 PPG 3.8 RPG 4.4 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $11.4 million
Seasons Played: 12
Like the Magic don’t have enough problems dealing with the Dwight Howard fiasco, they also have a ridiculously high payroll for a middling team. Turkoglu is at the heart of their struggles. When they reached the Finals in 2009, he was playing at his peak as a playmaker. The Magic’s payroll concerns are so bad that they basically gave away promising power forward Ryan Anderson to the Hornets for nothing.

2011-2012 Stats: 8.5 PPG 5.8 RPG 1.1 APG
2012-2013 Salary: $7.1 million
Seasons Played: 7
At first glance, Andray Blatche’s contract isn’t so bad, but when you factor in his knuckle-headed behavior, it’s terrible. As the Wizards try to rebuild around John Wall, they have to worry about what influence Blatche will have on him. It also doesn’t help that his scoring was cut in half last season from 2011. The icing on the cake for Wizards fans, if there are any left, is that they have three years of his shenanigans left.