Fansided

Top 10 players setting themselves up to be overpaid

By Robert Judin

Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) reches for a loose ball during the first ahlf against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) reches for a loose ball during the first ahlf against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
Oct 23, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) moves the ball against Washington Wizzards forward Otto Porter (22) during the second half at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) moves the ball against Washington Wizzards forward Otto Porter (22) during the second half at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

3. DeMar DeRozan

Let’s get this out of the way right now. DeMar DeRozan is a very, very good player. In fact, he’s dancing on the border dividing really good and great.

And as the ninth-overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, being really good means the Toronto Raptors got good value with that pick. But the problem is the NBA is a league dominated by guards and orchestrating the offense from the perimeter.

DeRozan only averaged about 9 points per game as a rookie, but he elevated his game from there. For the next three seasons, DeRozan hovered in the 16-18 points-per-game range. Though, in the 2013-14 season, he emerged with 23 points per game and made the Eastern Conference all-star team.

He’s making $9.5 million this season and has a player option for next season for the same amount. But it’s possible DeRozan could envision himself as an elite shooting guard already and demand much, much more than the $9.5 million he’s getting paid right now.

Is DeRozan at the level of a Kobe Bryant, James Harden, or any other superstar shooting guard? No, he’s not. But contracts are given out on potential, and DeRozan has the potential to evolve into a great player.

Based on that alone, some team — maybe Toronto — will decide to write him a blank check and ask him to be the face of the franchise for the next four years. Good players get paid like great players all of the time, and DeRozan might be next in line with that mold.

Next: 2. Kyle Lowry

Home/Atlanta Hawks