RealGM Analysis
When most people think of NBA players and the amount of money they get paid, they immediately think overpaid. Not just the Shaquille O?Neal?s ($20 million), Kevin Garnett?s ($18 million), and the Allen Iverson?s ($16 million), but the superbly overpaid underachievers like Brian Grant and Keith Van Horn ($16 million), and Tim Thomas ($14 million).
What most people don?t realize is that there are quite a few players, who aren?t paid enough in comparison to the rest of the league. While some of the players may consider to be underpaid are still bound by their initial rookie contracts, others were signed to minimum deals long before they exploded on the scene.
While the average player makes a little over $3 million a year, here are some above-average players making below-average money:
Nenad Krstic - $1 million
The 25-year old Yugoslavian has finally come out of his shell during this years? playoffs. Krstic, who averaged 18 points and 7.2 rebounds in the Nets? first round series victory over Indiana, caused huge problems for the Pacer?s interior players. Jeff Foster was quoted in ESPN The Magazine as saying, ?He got me with this spin move, up-fake and turnaround shot that reminded me of one of Dream?s moves.?
Not too bad for a guy who was paid less than eleven of his New Jersey teammates, including Scott Padgett, Ron Mercer, and Bostjan Nachbar.
Alonzo Mourning - $1.1 million
While it?s obvious ?Zo? agreed to sign with Pat Riley for a small chunk of change in order to contend for a title, he?s still a bargain. Mourning averaged 2.66 blocks per game this season, while playing just twenty minutes a night. His influence on the defensive end was so significant that Alonzo was just a handful of votes shy of making the NBA?s All-Defensive Second Team.
If he decides to lace up his work boots again next season, it?ll likely cost someone more than $1.1 million for him to go to battle for them.
Boris Diaw - $1.1 million
Why would a team with Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire, and two-time reigning MVP Steve Nash need a bargain? Just in case one goes down for a season as Stoudemire has. The French native has played nearly every position for Phoenix this season, and is listed on their playoff depth chart as their center. Did I mention he?s 6?8? and all of 215 pounds?
He also overshadowed his regular season numbers, which won him the league?s Most Improved Player award, averaging 18.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. Diaw?s story of arriving in Phoenix should make Toronto fans optimistic about their future with Colangelo as their leader.
Tayshaun Prince - $1.8 million
The Pistons were smart enough to spot talent in Chauncey Billups when no one else did. They were also savvy enough to trade for both Richard Hamilton and Ben Wallace, when things weren?t going well for them in Washington and Orlando. They were even lucky enough to be a fitting trading partner for the Atlanta Hawks, who had to unload an unhappy new-acquired Rasheed Wallace quickly in the spring of 2004.
So did they really need to stumble upon Prince with the 23rd pick in the 2002 draft? The surprising answer is yes.
Without Tayshaun Detroit may not have even made it to the 2004 NBA Finals, let alone won a championship. It was Tayshaun?s hustling block of Reggie Miller?s potential game-changing lay-up that kept Indiana from taking a 2-0 series lead, and allowing Detroit to eliminate the Pacers and advance to the Finals. I?m sure most NBA GM?s would pay $1.8 million for a block of that magnitude.
Fortunately for Prince, his salary will go up to $7.8 million next season.
Anthony Johnson - $2.4 million
Johnson, with his sixth NBA team, has even spent time in the NBDL during his career as a journeyman. However, his play over the past two seasons, and especially the 2006 postseason, may have earned him a stable future in Indiana.
A cheap contract through the 2008 season, and trade winds involving Jamaal Tinsley, could mean that Johnson will enter the 2007 season as a starting point guard. The fact that his 20 point, 5 rebound, and 5 assist averages from the first round bettered those of Jason Kidd doesn?t hurt either.
Andrew Perna may be reached at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com
