In today’s NBA, contracts are just as important as talent when it comes to building a successful roster. With the league’s salary cap system becoming more restrictive—especially under the newer collective bargaining agreement—teams must carefully balance star power with financial flexibility. One poorly structured contract can limit a franchise’s ability to sign role players, make trades, or retain emerging talent. As a result, front offices constantly evaluate not only how good a player is, but whether his production truly matches the price attached to his deal.
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CBS Sports recently examined this balance by ranking the Top 15 worst contracts in the NBA, highlighting deals that currently carry the most risk or offer the least value relative to their cost. These contracts don’t necessarily belong to bad players. In fact, several names on the list—such as Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, and Paul George—are among the most recognizable stars in the league. However, factors like injuries, aging curves, declining performance, or roster-building limitations can turn even elite players into difficult financial commitments.
The ranking considers multiple elements, including total money owed, years remaining on the deal, player durability, and how easily a team can build a competitive roster around that contract. In some cases, teams are paying superstar salaries to players whose impact no longer consistently matches that level. In others, long-term deals for role players or specialists create major roster inflexibility.
Ultimately, the list serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in the NBA. A contract that once looked reasonable—or even team-friendly—can suddenly become a major obstacle if injuries strike, development stalls, or a player’s role shifts within a franchise’s long-term plans.
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15. De’Aaron Fox
15. De’Aaron Fox
San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox before action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Total owed: $223,104,000
Years remaining: Four
Fox is still a talented player, but the concern with this contract lies in the long-term outlook. His game relies heavily on speed and explosive drives to the basket, traits that historically decline as players age. If his athleticism dips even slightly, the value of this massive deal could quickly drop. Paying near-superstar money for a player whose skill set is tied so closely to physical tools makes this contract a risky long-term bet.
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14. Devin Booker
14. Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Golden State Warriors at Mortgage Matchup Center. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Total owed: $251,351,098
Years remaining: Four
Booker remains an elite scorer, but his contract places him among the highest-paid players in the league. Much of his offensive production comes from difficult jump shots rather than rim pressure or easy scoring opportunities. As he gets older, maintaining that level of shot-making becomes increasingly difficult. If his efficiency declines even slightly, the massive salary could become a burden on Phoenix’s roster flexibility.
13. Jalen Green
13. Jalen Green
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
Total owed: $72,251,166
Years remaining: Two
Houston originally signed Green to this contract hoping his potential would translate into consistent star-level production. Instead, his scoring efficiency has been among the worst for high-volume shooters in the league. Even with plenty of opportunities, he has struggled with shot selection and offensive consistency. A deal based largely on potential now looks questionable given his uneven development.
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12. Myles Turner
12. Myles Turner
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) shoots during pregame warmups before a game against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Total owed: $83,550,318
Years remaining: Three
Turner was once viewed as the ideal modern center thanks to his combination of rim protection and perimeter shooting. However, his overall defensive impact has declined compared to earlier seasons. Offensively, he remains more of a specialist than a well-rounded scoring option. Paying a high salary for a player with a relatively narrow role makes this contract difficult to justify.
11. Christian Braun
11. Christian Braun
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) drives to the basket around Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the second half at Delta Center. Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
Total owed: $125,000,000
Years remaining: Five
Braun has developed into a useful role player, but committing such a large and lengthy contract to him is a gamble. Much of his offensive success comes from playing alongside elite teammates who create easy opportunities. If he were placed in a different system, his limitations might become more obvious. Locking in a role player at this price carries significant long-term risk.
10. Karl-Anthony Towns
10. Karl-Anthony Towns
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after tying the game with two free throws during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Total owed: $118,093,920
Years remaining: Two
Towns is still one of the most skilled offensive big men in the league. However, the expectations tied to a supermax-level salary are extremely high. His defensive weaknesses and occasional inconsistency make it harder for teams to justify paying that amount. When a player earning that much is merely very good instead of dominant, the contract can quickly become problematic.
9. Jerami Grant
9. Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) reacts while playing against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Total owed: $70,620,688
Years remaining: Two
Grant continues to be a capable scorer, but his overall impact has diminished with age. His defense has slipped compared to earlier in his career, and much of his offensive value comes from difficult shot-making. For a rebuilding team like Portland, paying a veteran this much money limits financial flexibility. The deal looks particularly awkward alongside a younger developing roster.
8. Dejounte Murray
8. Dejounte Murray
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) puts up a layup against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Total owed: $63,536,575
Years remaining: Two
Murray once looked like a bargain after signing his extension, but injuries and declining performance have changed the outlook. His shooting inconsistency and reduced defensive impact have made him less effective overall. Because he isn’t an elite scorer or floor spacer, he needs strong playmaking and defense to justify his salary. Without those traits at their peak, the deal becomes far less appealing.
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7. Patrick Williams
7. Patrick Williams
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) warms up before a game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
Total owed: $54,000,000
Years remaining: Three
Chicago extended Williams largely because of his physical tools and theoretical upside. Unfortunately, several seasons into his career he still hasn’t consistently produced at a high level. His offensive aggression and overall impact fluctuate from game to game. Paying significant money based primarily on potential rather than proven production makes this contract a risky investment.
6. Anthony Davis
6. Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) drives past Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Total owed: $121,243,248
Years remaining: Two
Davis remains one of the league’s most talented defensive players when healthy. The problem is that injuries have prevented him from consistently staying on the court. Paying a superstar salary becomes much harder to justify when availability is uncertain. Even though his impact is undeniable in short stretches, the durability concerns significantly reduce the contract’s overall value.
5. Domantas Sabonis
5. Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis warms up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Total owed: $94,080,000
Years remaining: Two
Sabonis is a highly productive offensive center who can score, rebound, and facilitate offense. However, his defensive limitations make roster construction more difficult. Teams often need to build very specific lineups around him to compensate for the lack of rim protection. When a contract restricts how a roster can be built, its value becomes much more questionable.
4. Paul George
4. Paul George
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Total owed: $110,713,050
Years remaining: Two
George is still a useful player, but at this stage of his career he looks more like a high-end role player than a franchise cornerstone. His athleticism has declined, and injuries have limited his availability. Despite that, he continues to earn superstar-level money. That mismatch between salary and current role is what places this contract so high on the list.
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3. Ja Morant
3. Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) gestures during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Total owed: $87,053,440
Years remaining: Two
Morant’s explosive athleticism once made him one of the most exciting players in the league. Recently, however, some of the metrics that drove his success—like rim attacks and free-throw generation—have declined. Because he isn’t a strong outside shooter or defender, his value depends heavily on that athletic advantage. If those abilities continue to fade, the contract could become increasingly difficult to justify.
2. Jakob Poeltl
2. Jakob Poeltl
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) warms up before game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Total owed: $103,584,000
Years remaining: Four
Poeltl is a solid traditional center, but his contract significantly exceeds the typical market value for that role. His defense has declined somewhat from earlier in his career, and he offers limited offensive versatility. Toronto committed to him despite modest demand around the league. Locking a non-star center into such a large and lengthy deal greatly reduces roster flexibility.
1. Joel Embiid
1. Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers center/forward Joel Embiid (21) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Total owed: $188,244,000
Years remaining: Three
Embiid remains one of the most dominant players in basketball when he’s healthy. Unfortunately, injuries have made consistent availability a major concern throughout his career. Building a roster around a supermax contract becomes extremely challenging when the player frequently misses significant time. Even if his talent remains elite, the durability issues make this contract the riskiest in the league.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) gets control of a rebound against the Boston Celtics during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
While labeling a contract as “bad” doesn’t necessarily mean the player lacks talent, it highlights the difficult financial realities of the NBA’s salary structure. Injuries, aging, and inconsistent performance can quickly transform even superstar deals into risky investments. In the end, the worst contracts in the league are less about individual players and more about timing, expectations, and financial commitment. For teams navigating a strict cap system, these contracts often limit roster flexibility and long-term planning. As the salary cap continues to rise and player salaries grow even larger, front offices must strike a delicate balance between rewarding talent and protecting their team’s future.
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