Fansided

NBA free agency: Worst contracts of 2016

By Cody Williams

Jan 25, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) advances the ball as Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) advances the ball as Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) slaps hands with teammate guard Jamal Crawford (left) after hitting a jumper during the 1st half against the Dallas Mavericks. Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) slaps hands with teammate guard Jamal Crawford (left) after hitting a jumper during the 1st half against the Dallas Mavericks. Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Austin Rivers – Clippers (3 years, $35 million)

When you look back on the Los Angeles Clippers of last year, it’s not a stretch to say that their biggest weakness was their backcourt depth. While Chris Paul and JJ Redick were solid as usual, it was the lack of production from Lance Stephenson (before he was traded, of course) and Austin Rivers. How did they remedy that with the Western Conference getting substantially better in free agency? By giving Rivers just shy of $12 million per year for the next three seasons, of course.

Obviously the biggest reason why this contract is absurd for the Clippers is the fact that they are paying a pretty substantial price regardless of the new cap to keep a player who was marginal or inconsistent as a role player at his best last season. They’re standing pat at a time when that was arguably the very last thing that they could afford to do this offseason.

On top of that, the contract and the money just doesn’t make much sense at all. When you see guys like Leandro Barbosa making $4 million per year or even someone like E’Twaun Moore getting $8.5 million per year, why in the hell are you going to pay Austin Rivers $12 million per year, even if he’s a young player with upside? Throw in the fact that they gave Jamal Crawford a ton of money as well and the Rivers deal is even more questionable. It’s just a senseless move to cultivate stagnation, which is why it’s clearly one of the worst deals of 2016.

Next: No. 5 Ian Mahinmi

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