Ranking the NBA’s biggest deadweight contracts

1. Joakim Noah

Right from the jump, Joakim Noah’s four-year, $72 million deal was the worst contract in the league. Noah was long removed from his MVP-contending days. His career arc was heading down, and the Knicks paid him anyway.

In the first year of the deal, Noah played in 44 games and averaged 22 minutes per game. He scored just five points a game, though, and it was clear the Knicks made a colossal mistake. Even his remarkable defense looked bad Last year, it was worse. Noah played in just seven games and scored a total of 12 points — making nearly $17.8 million in the process. He was away from the team most of the season.

Noah is still with the team (at least officially) despite rumors of possible buyout discussions. This will be something to watch throughout the remainder of the offseason and once the season gets going. If he isn’t playing early on, that may be a sign of things to come.

Noah’s former coach in Chicago Tom Thibodeau is reportedly interested in Noah, which could perhaps expedite Noah’s exit from New York. It would be surprising if that would happen via trade, however. Thibs is reportedly looking to sign Luol Deng who was just bumped off this list of deadweight contracts with his Lakers buyout earlier this week.

For now, though. Noah remains a Knick and remains the biggest deadweight contract in the league.