NBA's Most Overpaid Players (Forbes.com)

[Mav-elous Man]

Lewis tops list of NBA’s most overpaid players

By Tom Van Riper, Forbes.com Nov 23, 4:50 pm EST



Through his first nine seasons in the NBA, Rashard Lewis (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3275/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3275/news) grew impressively from a part-timer into a featured player in Seattle. Wielding the three-point shot as his main weapon – Lewis has drained nearly 4,000 of them during his career, seventh-most all-time – he became one of the league’s top scorers, averaging over 20 points per game between 2004 and 2007.


His reward: a six-year, $110-million contract with the Orlando Magic (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/orl/). The only problem is, aside from taking aim beyond the three-point arc, Lewis doesn’t do much on the court to help win games. He’s never been known for his defense or his passing, averaging fewer than two assists per game for his career. His rebounding also fell off in Orlando – he’s never averaged as many as six boards a game in three-plus years there, after doing so five times in Seattle. For a 6-foot-10 forward, that’s a problem. Then there’s his less-than-stellar shooting percentage: 43.5 percent last season, below his 45.6 percent average for his career.


Add it all up, and Lewis stands as the NBA’s most overpaid player, based on the last completed season of 2009-10.


He noses out Boston’s Jermaine O’Neal (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3120/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3120/news) (who played in Miami last season), who averaged 13.5 in 28 minutes a game while making $23 million, and Philadelphia’s $14.5-million big man Elton Brand (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3324/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3324/news), whose scoring dropped to 13 points a game last year. Filling out the top five: Miami center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3121/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3121/news) (who was with Cleveland last season), a 44-percent shooter and tepid shot blocker who got $11.5 million, and Houston’s Brad Miller (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3305/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3305/news) (who was with Chicago last season), who made over $12 million for mostly part-time duty.
Sports economist David Berri, author of the book Stumbling on Wins, has crunched the numbers to determine the collection of stats typically found on winning teams. What he found: Taking a player’s major stats – points, rebounds, turnovers, steals, assists and blocked shots, along with field goal and free throw percentage – and weighing them against the average number of possessions a team gets per game (the more possessions, the more chances to score, etc.) – goes a long way toward determining a player’s contribution to the outcome of the game. So negatives like turnovers and missed shots are equally counted against points and rebounds on the win-building scale.


Is the economic-style analysis perfect? Probably not, but it certainly goes a long way toward including a player’s total game in determining his value on the floor toward winning. Berri calls it “Wins Produced,” which we measured for each NBA player for 2009-10. On the pay side: adding up team payrolls shows that a typical NBA club spent $1.7 million for each win in 2009-10. So figuring players’ contributions vs. their pay comes down to comparing the value of the wins they produced to the value of their contracts. To distinguish between players that just didn’t produce from those that were hurt, we included only those that played in at least 75 percent of their team’s games last season. That means injury exemptions for players like Shaquille O’Neal (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/847/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/847/news), Tracy McGrady (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3179/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3179/news) and Eddy Curry (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3514/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3514/news).


Example: LeBron James (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3704/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3704/news), playing in Cleveland last season, produced a league-leading 27.2 wins for the Cavs, according to Berri’s calculations. At $1.7 million a pop, those wins were worth some $46.5 million to the team, more than $30 million above James’ $15.8 million salary. Just behind LeBron: Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4244/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4244/news) ($4.8 million salary for 19.7 wins worth $33.7 million) and Boston’s Rajon Rondo (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4149/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4149/news) ($2 million salary for 17 wins worth $26.9 million).


Then there’s the flip side – those making big bucks for producing very few wins (or in some cases, contributing negatively to their teams’ win totals). In Lewis’ case, the stats evened out to produce a flat contribution – he gave the Magic a small fraction of one win last year, a $248,000 value. Lewis’ salary last season: $18.9 million. O’Neal, who made $23 million in Miami last year, gets credit for 3.1 Wins Produced, while Philly’s Brand, who averaged 13 points and six rebounds a game, was good for just a fraction of a win while making $14.9 million.
One take from the all-overpaid list: NBA general managers may make mistakes, but they learn from them. Six of last season’s 10 most overpaid players – O’Neal, Ilgauskas, Miller, Al Harrington (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3268/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3268/news), Andres Nocioni (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3882/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3882/news), and Darius Songaila (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3647/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3647/news) – are playing in other cities this year. The Magic, unfortunately, are stuck with Lewis for three more years.


The “top” five:
1. Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic: Slideshow (http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/23/nba-most-overpaid-players-business-sportsmoney-overpaid_slide_2.html?partner=yahoosports)
2. Jermaine O’Neal, Boston Celtics (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/bos/): Slideshow (http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/23/nba-most-overpaid-players-business-sportsmoney-overpaid_slide_3.html?partner=yahoosports)
3. Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/phi/): Slideshow (http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/23/nba-most-overpaid-players-business-sportsmoney-overpaid_slide_4.html?partner=yahoosports)
4. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/cle/): Slideshow (http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/23/nba-most-overpaid-players-business-sportsmoney-overpaid_slide_5.html?partner=yahoosports)
5. Brad Miller, Houston Rockets (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/hou/): Slideshow (http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/23/nba-most-overpaid-players-business-sportsmoney-overpaid_slide_6.html?partner=yahoosport)


More players at http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/23/nba-most-overpaid-players-business-sportsmoney-overpaid_slide_7.html?partner=yahoosports

[Mav-elous Man]

What do ya'll think?

[TDMVPDPOY]

wheres KG on the list?

[Cane]

They definitely got Shard right at being the most overpaid player in the NBA. He's getting paid more than anyone else in the league...the Magic seem to be run by idiots and I don't think they even fired the people responsible for such boneheaded decisions. Their signings, trades, draft decisions, etc. also leave one scratching their head....Dwight's as good as gone with the roster they've surrounded him with tbh.

[TJastal]

They definitely got Shard right at being the most overpaid player in the NBA. He's getting paid more than anyone else in the league...the Magic seem to be run by idiots and I don't think they even fired the people responsible for such boneheaded decisions. Their signings, trades, draft decisions, etc. also leave one scratching their head....Dwight's as good as gone with the roster they've surrounded him with tbh.

I think Howard will stay there. They've got a nice nucleus of talent to surround him with (Bass, Gortat, Nelson, Pietrus, Reddick, Duhon, Richardson). Carter has been a dissappointment but he will come off the books after this season, and I'm sure they will not renew him @ his 18m team option.

So that will leave basically one financial blunder (Lewis) lingering after this season. And it finally looks as though Van Gundy has seen the light enough to play Bass. Magic are title contenders for the next 5-6 years with this group.

[TJastal]

Oh, and playing in the finest nba facility on the planet will probably be a motivating factor in Howard's decision as well.

[Cane]

I think Howard will stay there. They've got a nice nucleus of talent to surround him with (Bass, Gortat, Nelson, Pietrus, Reddick, Duhon, Richardson). Carter has been a dissappointment but he will come off the books after this season, and I'm sure they will not renew him @ his 18m team option.

So that will leave basically one financial blunder (Lewis) lingering after this season. And it finally looks as though Van Gundy has seen the light enough to play Bass. Magic are title contenders for the next 5-6 years with this group.

Nope, they'll make it to the playoffs but they're more pretenders than true title contenders; imo the only true title contenders are the Lakers and Celtics right now and I don't see the Magic being able to compete with the Heat in the years to come either. The Magic are a bunch of overpaid, one-dimensional role players and Duhon's name has no place in being a part of a "nice nucleus of talent". They don't have much when it comes to flexibility and won't be able able to sign a legitimate no.1 or no.2 option which they desperately need to really be a true title contender.


Oh, and playing in the finest nba facility on the planet will probably be a motivating factor in Howard's decision as well.

Doubt it, he seems like another LeBron/Shaq to me - he's building his superstardom off the court and to do that he's going to have win while on it. He's not going to be able to do that in Orlando with the Celtics and Heat being there, Dwight needs a legitimate star player to really compete specifically an elite playmaker. He's as good as gone, doubt he or any other franchise player likes to be working with SVG and Otis. Shame too since their ownership has deep pockets and its being wasted away.

[TJastal]

Nope, they'll make it to the playoffs but they're more pretenders than true title contenders; imo the only true title contenders are the Lakers and Celtics right now. They're a bunch of overpaid, one-dimensional role players and Duhon's name has no place in being a part of a "nice nucleus of talent". They don't have much when it comes to flexibility and won't be able able to sign a legitimate no.1 or no.2 option which they desperately need to really be a true title contender.

Howard & Nelson are pretty legit #1 & #2


Doubt it, he seems like another LeBron/Shaq to me - he's building his superstardom off the court and to do that he's going to have win while on it. He's not going to be able to do that in Orlando with the Celtics and Heat being there, Dwight needs a legitimate star player to really compete specifically an elite playmaker. He's as good as gone, doubt he or any other franchise player likes to be working with SVG and Otis. Shame too since their ownership has deep pockets and its being wasted away.

The magic are winning ballgames, last I checked they're at or near the top of the eastern conference. I agree, the magic could use a Chris Paul / Deron Williams / Steve Nash assist oriented type point guard but they'll still challenge the eastern elite without.

I will all but gaurantee you that Howard stays in Orlando.

[Cane]

Howard & Nelson are pretty legit #1 & #2

Disagreed. Dwight's only a no.1 option if they have an elite playmaker and Nelson can't be your team's legit #2 option since he's simply not that good at creating against the elite contenders, better as a no.3. Nelson's one of the big reasons why the Magic aren't a true title contender since he's an undersized SG with limited point guard/passing/court vision/playmaking skills. The Magic don't have anyone on the team thats an elite passer or playmaker, Dwight's open so many times for easy dunks its gotta be hugely frustrating for him.




The magic are winning ballgames, last I checked they're at or near the top of the eastern conference. I agree, the magic could use a Chris Paul / Deron Williams / Steve Nash assist oriented type point guard but they'll still challenge the eastern elite without.

Yea they'll win regular season games with little to no problem, mostly thanks to having the best and most dominant big man in the league and playing in the very weak Eastern conference. However when it comes to actually being a true title contender is where they fail and Howard knows it firsthand whether its losing to Boston or the Heat in the near future.



I will all but gaurantee you that Howard stays in Orlando.

Tbh the signs are pointing him leaving considering the decisions and rosters they've surrounded Dwight with. They still don't have a legitimate no.1 or no.2 option (Dwight's only a no.1 option if they have an elite playmaker), they're coached by the master panic, and they have a GM that fails at his job and he hasn't shown much in the way of improvement after that Shard fiasco.

If Dwight wants to win a title he's getting out of Orlando.

[TJastal]

Disagreed. Dwight's only a no.1 option if they have an elite playmaker and Nelson can't be your team's legit #2 option since he's simply not that good at creating against the elite contenders, better as a no.3. Nelson's one of the big reasons why the Magic aren't a true title contender since he's an undersized SG with limited point guard/passing/court vision/playmaking skills. The Magic don't have anyone on the team thats an elite passer or playmaker, Dwight's open so many times for easy dunks its gotta be hugely frustrating for him.

He's averaging 7 assists a contest, same as Tony Parker. You saying the spurs can't win with Parker either? :lol


Yea they'll win regular season games with little to no problem, mostly thanks to having the best and most dominant big man in the league and playing in the very weak Eastern conference. However when it comes to actually being a true title contender is where they fail and Howard knows it firsthand whether its losing to Boston or the Heat in the near future.

I think Brandon Bass is going to help them bang with the big boys this year. And don't make me laugh, the heat are going to be limited to signing washed up scrubs like Dampier for the next 5 years, look how bad they are doing already. Celtics and bulls will be their stiffest competition in the playoffs and I'd give the magic a fair chance at getting past both.


Tbh the signs are pointing him leaving considering the decisions and rosters they've surrounded Dwight with. They still don't have a legitimate no.1 or no.2 option (Dwight's only a no.1 option if they have an elite playmaker), they're coached by the master panic, and they have a GM that fails at his job and he hasn't shown much in the way of improvement after that Shard fiasco. If Dwight wants to win a title he's getting out of Orlando.

Only place I see him considering going is New Orleans, but he'd have to get the magic to do a S&T and I just don't see it happening. As far as Jameer Nelson and him are best buds too.

You realize Howard has 2 years left on his contract, right? As well as a 18m dollar player option for a 3rd year. He's not going to be traded.

[Mel_13]

the heat are going to be limited to signing washed up scrubs like Dampier for the next 5 years

Really? Do tell...

[Cane]

He's averaging 7 assists a contest, same as Tony Parker. You saying the spurs can't win with Parker either? :lol


Are you seriously trying to compare Jameer Nelson and Tony Parker by only using how many assists they average? Smh. Tony Parker > Jameer Nelson in every aspect of the game except 3 point shooting. However Duncan's also been a better offensive player than Dwight and can manufacture his points without the need for an elite passer much better than Dwight can; plus the Spurs have Manu's playmaking ability in addition to a better FO.

Nelson would be, at best, the 4th-5th best offensive/overall player on the Spurs team which shows ya how bad Orlando has messed up their golden opportunity of building around Dwight Howard even though they had deep pockets and a great franchise player to work with. :wow



I think Brandon Bass is going to help them bang with the big boys this year. And don't make me laugh, the heat are going to be limited to signing washed up scrubs like Dampier for the next 5 years, look how bad they are doing already. Celtics and bulls will be their stiffest competition in the playoffs and I'd give the magic a fair chance at getting past both.



The Magic doesn't have much financial flexibility and are worse off than the Heat in the near future. Tbh what makes me laugh is the idea that Bass will make the Magic competitive with the Lakers and C's, the Magic's weaknesses are more much more problematic than playing a roleplayer 4 (no elite playmakers, no real elite shot creators, weak minded and one dimensional + overpaid supporting cast, master of panic as the coach, Otis as the GM, etc).

The newly-founded Heat have already embarrassed the Magic earlier in the season and as long as the MLE is there they'll be able to sign decent enough talents to plug their holes. I don't see how the Magic can get past the C's especially when Boston only got deeper especially at the 5 spot, the O'Neals are really going to frustrate Dwight. The Magic's core simply won't compete with the Heat in the near future either unless the latter continues to have injury problems.



Only place I see him considering going is New Orleans, but he'd have to get the magic to do a S&T and I just don't see it happening. As far as Jameer Nelson and him are best buds too.

He'll have plenty of options and if he considers smaller markets...NOH would be great, OKC as well although like the Magic they too don't have elite passers but they at least have much better talent.



You realize Howard has 2 years left on his contract, right? As well as a 18m dollar player option for a 3rd year. He's not going to be traded.

When he leaves it'll probably be through free agency.

[TJastal]

Are you seriously trying to compare Jameer Nelson and Tony Parker by only using how many assists they average?

Uh.. ya lol. That's how many other comparison's are made nowadays, using statistics. :rollin


Tony Parker > Jameer Nelson in every aspect of the game except 3 point shooting. However Duncan's also been a better offensive player than Dwight and can manufacture his points without the need for an elite passer much better than Dwight can; plus the Spurs have Manu's playmaking ability in addition to a better FO.

Agreed. Parker is a better scorer, and (at least this year) defender. I'll even give you playmaking. Still, when healthy Nelson is among the top 10 PG's IMO.


Nelson would be, at best, the 4th-5th best offensive/overall player on the Spurs team which shows ya how bad Orlando has messed up their golden opportunity of building around Dwight Howard even though they had deep pockets and a great franchise player to work with. :wow

Orlando may not have a clear cut #2, but they have several very nice #3's, which more than make up for the lack of a #2


The Magic doesn't have much financial flexibility and are worse off than the Heat in the near future. Tbh what makes me laugh is the idea that Bass will make the Magic competitive with the Lakers and C's, the Magic's weaknesses are more much more problematic than playing a roleplayer 4 (no elite playmakers, no real elite shot creators, weak minded and one dimensional + overpaid supporting cast, master of panic as the coach, Otis as the GM, etc).

I'm no cap expert, but the magic actually look in better shape to me, almost all their guys will be into their bird rights for the next 3-4 years while the heat will be continuously looking for vets on the cheap, even after they use their mid level exception. And their owner Rich Devoss has shown he isn't about penny pinching and doesn't really care about the tax, either. And Bass is flourishing so far with the extra minutes, on pace for his best year and only getting better.


The newly-founded Heat have already embarrassed the Magic earlier in the season and as long as the MLE is there they'll be able to sign decent enough talents to plug their holes. I don't see how the Magic can get past the C's especially when Boston only got deeper especially at the 5 spot, the O'Neals are really going to frustrate Dwight. The Magic's core simply won't compete with the Heat in the near future either unless the latter continues to have injury problems.

Like an early regular season game means shit.:rolleyes And I give the magic a fair shake like I said before. Howard is expanding his game slowly but surely, out to the perimeter. They are always going to be a dangerous team with all those shooters as well.


He'll have plenty of options and if he considers smaller markets...NOH would be great, OKC as well although like the Magic they too don't have elite passers but they at least have much better talent.



When he leaves it'll probably be through free agency.
Howard won't go the thunder. No way he'll play second fiddle to Kevin Durant.

[SA210]

Where's Bonner? :lol

[ShoogarBear]

No question that Lewis is overpaid, but on a relative basis, there's also no question that Jermaine O'Neal was more overpaid over the lifetime of their respective contracts.

And Brad Miller, $12 million for 9 and 5 per game? Z $11.5 million for 7 and 5?

Also, you can give somebody a pass for one injury year, but multiple injury years? Yeah, that a bad contract T-Mac.

[Mal]

Eddy wasnt stopped by injury. His fat ass causes all of this injuries.

[itzsoweezee]

If Wince Carter is you go-to guy, your team is in a whole lot of trouble.

The Magic GM, in general, is a hack. He manages the team like they're playing in a fantasy league.