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10 most valuable contracts in the NBA

By Bryce Olin

May 31, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter in game six of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter in game six of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 20, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball during the second quarter as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball during the second quarter as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

10. James Harden (5 years, $78.8 million)

I’m probably going to take a lot of heat for saying Harden is the tenth best contract in the NBA, but the numbers back it up. Harden is, by far, the best shooting guard in the league.

He leads all shooting guards with a 23.51 PER, the 14th highest PER in the league overall. Say what you will about Harden’s leadership, or his defense, or his assertion that he’s the best player in the league, but you can’t ignore how well he can score.

Season MP FG% 3P% FT% TRB AST STL PTS
2013-14 ★ 38.0 .456 .366 .866 4.7 6.1 1.6 25.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/21/2014.

While Harden’s not quite a 50-40-90 guy, he’s about as close as it gets. Last season, Harden shot 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3, and made 87 percent of his free throws. So, he’s a 46-37-87 guy. That’s pretty darn good, especially when you consider what Harden makes per season.

In 2014-15, Harden is scheduled to make $14.7 million. In relation to other NBA players, Harden has the 28th highest contract in the league, just behind DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall and right above Chandler Parsons.

Harden is a top-ten player in the league, but he gets paid like the 28th best player. That’s a great contract for the Houston Rockets, and why I think Harden is one of the ten most valuable contracts in the league right now.

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