The NBA has had meaningful growth over the last decade, and the increased revenue has led to massive paydays for many of its players. However, there are some NBA contracts handed out in recent years that have become big trouble for many franchises.
So, which are the worst of the worst? We take a look at the 10 worst NBA contracts in the 2025-26 season.
Note: The list won’t include the contracts of players like Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard since those deals have already been bought out and the players have moved on.
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
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Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
When the Nuggets gave Jamal Murray a massive contract extension after he helped the franchise win its first championship two years ago, it made sense. He was just entering his prime and looked like an elite No. 2 to top star Nikola Jokic. However, while he was a borderline All-Star before, he was expected to elevate his game to be worthy of making $46 million this season. But Murray is the same player he was two years ago, and a case could be made that he has regressed. Denver is paying him to be a superstar, and he is just a good player.
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
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Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
We all know how good Zion Williamson can be when he is healthy. He is a top-10 talent. Yet, the man can never stay healthy and played in only 30 games in 2024-25. That is why the three years left on his deal at around $40 million or more each season continues to torment the Pelicans, because they get the tease of having a great player, but he constantly lets them down. Furthermore, his contract is one of the hardest to trade in the NBA, unless New Orleans is willing to take a bag of balls back in the deal.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
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Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Speaking of people who just can’t stay healthy, Joel Embiid has gone from one of the greatest players in 76ers history to one of its most frustrating. When on the floor, the seven-time All-Star can be the most dominant force in the game. However, his legs are just not interested in letting that happen consistently. He managed to suit up in only 19 games in 2024-25, and there is no reason to assume he will play more than 50 this season.
Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers
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When Jrue Holiday calls it a career, he will be remembered as a meaningful part of two championship teams and a player who just knew how to win at the highest levels. However, the Celtics had no business giving him a four-year deal worth $134 million in 2024. At 35, the new Trail Blazers guard is a solid part of any rotation but is nowhere close to being an All-Star player. Yet, he is being paid like one and will make over $30 million a season the next three years.
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
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Kawhi Leonard has been at the center of a huge controversy this summer regarding his Clippers contract. However, that is just about how he was paid. But the fact still remains, he has one of the worst NBA contracts right now. The 34-year-old is an injury waiting to happen every night. This makes the fact that he will earn $50 million a season the next two years absolute torture for LA fans. He is a very good player, but even when he is healthy, his body has limited him from being anywhere close to worth that sum of money.
Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
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Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
When the Bulls gave Patrick Williams a five-year deal worth $90 million, they were hoping they had set themselves up to get a really good player at a bargain rate down the line. The opposite has occurred over the last couple of seasons because now he is a major overpay. The fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft continues to be a disappointment and a draft bust (9.6 PPG and 4.1 RPG for his career). The $18 million he is making annually for the next four years makes his contract one of the hardest to move in the league.
Patrick Williams Contract: Five years, $90 million
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
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Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Joel Embiid doesn’t have the only awful contract in Philly. Nine-time All-Star Paul George has one of the least tradable deals in the NBA right now. He will be a Hall of Famer one day, but he is far removed from those peak seasons, and his body is quickly falling apart after 15 years. The 76ers will be lucky if they get 60 games from the player making $51 million in 2025-26.
OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
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Knicks fans love OG Anunoby. He is a versatile and athletic defender who is a good three-point shooter and has a solid offensive game. However, a case can be made that he is the fourth-best player on the roster, will make around $40 million or more the next three seasons, and close to $50 million in 2028-29. Considering how much he must sacrifice his scoring, he will probably never make the All-Star team, but he is being paid like a player who should be there every year.
Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns
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Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
When the Rockets gave Dillon Brooks a deal worth $86 million two years ago, it was to change to culture. Which he did help to do. However, he is probably a better fit as an elite sixth man, but making $21 million in 2025-26 means he needs to be a starter and get a solid amount of touches. Houston likely was very happy to move him to the Suns this summer, so Phoenix can figure out a way to make the most out of that overpay.
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
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Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Under former coach Darvin Ham, Rui Hachimura was a meaningful part of the Lakers’ rotation. However, under the current coach, JJ Redick, he isn’t a great fit. This makes the $18 million he will get this season a bad NBA contract for LA. Fortunately for them, he is only on the books for one more year, and could potentially help facilitate a trade later in the season.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos