Fansided

15 NBA players certain to be overpaid in free agency

By Brad Rowland

Mar 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) controls the ball while Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) controls the ball while Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) moves the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) moves the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jeff Green

Jeff Green isn’t a bad NBA player by any means.

For example, Green has played more than 20,000 regular season NBA minutes while posting a 13.3 PER, and during that time, he has averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per 36 minutes. However, Green will be 30 at the beginning of the 2016-2017 season and he isn’t particularly adept at any one trait that would make him appealing to NBA teams.

Why, then, is he on this list?

Hello, Doc Rivers.

The Clippers traded a first round pick to acquire Green at the league’s trade deadline in February, and many believe that Los Angeles made the move expressly to control Green’s Bird Rights for this summer. In short, that allows the Clippers to pay Green above the salary cap, giving the player (and his agent) big-time leverage because Los Angeles has very little flexibility to add outside talent.

While it is fair to indicate that the Clippers have no incentive to bid against themselves, Green has long been a favorite of certain old-school NBA types, as he combines length and athleticism with the theoretical ability to “do it all”. That persona has never manifested over an extended period of time, but someone will force Los Angeles to pay up to keep Green, and the organization is backed into a corner.

Next: 4. Dwight Howard

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