30 NBA Players Who Were Unbelievably Overpaid

These 30 NBA players were paid way more money than they were worth.

No athlete is truly overpaid, but these basketball players are close.

The list of the 30 most overpaid NBA players is a collection of other-worldly talents who for some reason didn’t quite live up to their paychecks. It might be their lack of championship pedigree. An injury may have derailed their career. Or a foolish owner may have simply given them a terrible contract.

Whatever the case, the 30 most overpaid players in NBA history are listed below. Disagree? Feel free to let us hear about it.

30. Chris Paul

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul passes the ball against Los Angeles Lakers

Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 16 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: New Orleans Hornets (2005-11), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-17), Houston Rockets (2017-19), Phoenix Suns (2019-present)

Career earnings: $259,149,109

Career statistics: 1,090 G, 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 8.9 APG, .472 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 24.9

* All stats are via Basketball Reference, and all earnings are as of 2020.

Bottom Line: Chris Paul

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul celebrates team's win

Eric Christian Smith / AP Photo

Paul is a lock to go to the Basketball Hall of Fame, and truth be told much of his playoff failure has been due to surrounding talent. So, why is he on this list? Because he’s the second highest paid player in the history of the NBA(only LeBron James has made more money).

Is Paul great? Absolutely. Should he be one of the highest paid players in the history of the sport? Not even close.

29. John Wall

Houston Rockets' John Wall drives to basket

Carmen Mandato / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 10 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Washington Wizards (2010-20), Houston Rockets (2020-present)

Career earnings: $147,038,665

Career statistics: 613 G, 19.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 9.1 APG, .431 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 19.1

Bottom Line: John Wall

Washington Wizards guard John Wall gestures to crowd

Nick Wass / AP Photo

Wall has been a great player, but at age 30, it appears he’s on the downside of his career, which has coincided with a four-year, $171 million contract in Washington — and a lost 2019-20 season, where he didn’t play a game.

The deal was offloaded on Houston, who likely will buy him out this summer, which means Wall will likely get another new contract from a team in need of a scorer.

28. Rashard Lewis

Rashard Lewis attempts shot against Stephen Jackson

Rich Schultz / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 17 seasons (1998-14)

Teams: Seattle Supersonics (1998-07), Orlando Magic (2007-10), Washington Wizards (2010-12), Miami Heat (2012-14)

Career earnings: $155,332,815

Career statistics: 1,049 G, 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 16.8

Bottom Line: Rashard Lewis

Miami Heat's Rashard Lewis celebrates with Miami Heat's LeBron James

Lynne Sladky / AP Photo

Lewis, like some on the list, had a solid career with a pair of All-Star Game appearances and an NBA championship with Miami to his name. But he appears on the list due to the six-year, $118 million contract he signed with Orlando in 2007.

Lewis lasted just four years in Orlando, averaging about 16 points per game while his stats diminished every season, and he was dealt for Gilbert Arenas after the 2009-10 season.

27. Al Horford

Matt Slocum / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 14 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: Atlanta Hawks (2007-16), Boston Celtics (2016-19), Philadelphia 76ers (2019-20), Oklahoma City Thunder (2020-present)

Career earnings: $188,728,232

Career statistics: 881 G, 13.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, .517 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 18.7

Bottom Line: Al Horford

John Bazemore / AP Photo

Horford has signed three $60-plus million contracts through his decade-and-a-half career in the NBA. He had a standout tenure in Atlanta, but things went south after he signed a max deal with the Celtics in 2016.

He left Boston after averaging 13.5 points per game, then signed a four-year, $97 million contract with Philadelphia, lasting just one season there. He was traded to Oklahoma City in the 2020 offseason, where he played just 28 games before he was shut down due to injury.

26. Brian Grant

Miami Heat's Brian Grant tries to get by Sacramento Kings defender Lawrence Funderburke

Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 12 seasons (1994-06)

Teams: Sacramento Kings (1994-97), Portland Trail Blazers (1997-00), Miami Heat (2000-04), Los Angeles Lakers (2004-05), Phoenix Suns (2005-06).

Career earnings: $109,842,052

Career statistics: 756 G, 10.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, .490 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 14.9

Bottom Line: Brian Grant

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Brian Grant, and Caron Bulter watch from bench

Matt Sayles / AP Photo

Grant was a solid defender and rebounder throughout his NBA career and showed offensive prowess in both Sacramento and Portland. That earned him a seven-year, $86 million contract from the Heat in 2000.

Although Grant enjoyed a standout first season in South Florida, he and the Heat cratered in the early 2000s, including the 2002-03 season when Grant was the third highest paid player on a 25-57 team.

25. Juwan Howard

Dallas Mavericks forward Juwan Howard goes up for shot

Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 19 seasons (1994-13)

Teams: Washington Bullets/Wizards (1994-01), Dallas Mavericks (2001-02, 2007-08), Denver Nuggets (2002-03, 2008), Orlando Magic (2003-04), Houston Rockets (2004-07), Minnesota Timberwolves (2007), Charlotte Bobcats (2008-09), Portland Trail Blazers (2009-10), Miami Heat (2010-13)

Career earnings: $151,465,633

Career statistics: 1,208 G, 13.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, .469 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 14.6

Bottom Line: Juwan Howard

Houston Rockets' Juwan Howard pumps fist

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

A member of the famed Fab Five at Michigan, Howard was a two-time NBA champion and one-time all-NBA performer.

But he’s on the list because he was one of the league’s 10 highest paid players in six of his nineteen seasons — comparable with guys like Michael Jordan, Shaq and Kevin Garnett — when he was never near that good of a player.

24. Allan Houston

New York Knicks' Allan Houston takes shot

Kathy Willens / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 12 seasons (1993-05)

Teams: Detroit Pistons (1993-96), New York Knicks (1996-05)

Career earnings: $117,556,500

Career statistics: 839 G, 17.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, .444 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 14.9

Bottom Line: Allan Houston

New York Knicks guard Allan Houston pumps fist

Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

It pains us, as childhood Knicks fans, to put one of our favorite players and one of the integral pieces of the team’s 1999 NBA Finals run here, but the facts are what they are.

Houston was among the highest paid players in basketball for much of the early-2000s but made just two All-Star Game appearances and became a drain on the Knicks’ salary cap — particularly since he was hampered by a knee injury in his final two seasons that ultimately led to his retirement at age 34.

23. Luol Deng

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng shoots

Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 15 seasons (2004-19)

Teams: Chicago Bulls (2004-14), Cleveland Cavaliers (2014), Miami Heat (2014-16), Los Angeles Lakers (2016-18), Minnesota Timberwolves (2018-19)

Career earnings: $156,461,551

Career statistics: 902 G, 14.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, .456 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 15.4

Bottom Line: Luol Deng

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng celebrates

Jonathan Bachman / AP Photo

Deng is beloved in Chicago, and he was one of their leading scorers in their return to prominence in the late-2000s and early 2010s. So, why is he on the list?

Because the Lakers gave him a four-year, $72 million contract in 2016 — that they’re still presently paying off — for just 57 games of Deng’s services. Deng was bought out by the Lakers after he was benched and subsequently bought out to give more playing time to younger players.

22. Jayson Williams

New Jersey Nets' Jayson Williams yells out after dunking

Duane Burleson / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 9 seasons (1990-99)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1990-92), New Jersey Nets (1992-99)

Career earnings: $63,050,000

Career statistics: 475 G, 7.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, .440 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 15.1

Bottom Line: Jayson Williams

New Jersey Nets forward Jayson Williams charges Orlando Magic forward Anfernee Hardaway

Atsushi Tsukada / AP Photo

Williams was a competent rebounder and rim protector but was a late bloomer, making his only All-Star appearance during the 1997-98 season with New Jersey. Unfortunately, a fluke injury, caused by a collision with Stephane Marbury, ended his career prematurely in the 1998-99 season.

Adding insult to injury was the fact Williams had just signed a six-year, $90 million contract less than three months before the injury.

21. Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin hangs on rim after dunking

David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 15 seasons (2000-15)

Teams: New Jersey Nets (2000-04), Denver Nuggets (2004-11), Los Angeles Clippers (2012), New York Knicks (2012-14), Milwaukee Bucks (2014-15)

Career earnings: $113,035,975

Career statistics: 757 G, 12.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, .483 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 15.0

Bottom Line: Kenyon Martin

Denver Nuggets' Kenyon Martin gestures to crowd

David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Martin was a solid complement to Jason Kidd during his four seasons in New Jersey, helping the Nets reach the Finals twice.

But, unfortunately, Martin sustained multiple leg injuries throughout his tenure in Denver — after signing a six-year, $83 million contract with the Nuggets — which damaged his career as an impact player and landed him on this list.

20. Harrison Barnes

Sue Ogrocki / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 10 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Golden State Warriors (2012-16), Dallas Mavericks (2016-19), Sacramento Kings (2019-present)

Career earnings: $106,129,017

Career statistics: 670 G, 13.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, .452 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 13.5

Bottom Line: Harrison Barnes

LM Otero / AP Photo

Barnes was a starter for the Warriors and helped the team reach the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons, including a championship in 2015. He signed a four-year, $94 million deal with Dallas after that season and led the Mavericks in scoring in two of his three seasons there.

But he couldn’t deliver more winning, and after he was traded to Sacramento — then signed a four-year, $85 million contract there — his production dropped from 19 points per game to about 16.

19. Tom Gugliotta

Paul Connors / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 13 seasons (1992-05)

Teams: Washington Bullets (1992-94), Golden State Warriors (1994-95), Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-98), Phoenix Suns (1999-04), Utah Jazz (2004), Boston Celtics (2004-05), Atlanta Hawks (2005)

Career earnings: $80,594,535

Career statistics: 763 G, 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, .451 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 15.9

Bottom Line: Tom Gugliotta

Charles Krupa / AP Photo

Gugliotta was a big part of the mid-90s Timberwolves teams, leading them in scoring — ahead of Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett — in 1996-97 when they made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Suns rewarded him with a six-year, $60 million contract, but his production in the desert cratered, and he averaged fewer than 10 points per game over his five seasons there.

18. Yinka Dare

NoahCoslov / Twitter

Position: Center

Years: 4 seasons (1994-98)

Teams: New Jersey Nets

Career earnings: $8,655,000

Career statistics: 110 G, 2.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.0 APG, .396 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 6.2

Bottom Line: Yinka Dare

Golden State Warriors' Tim Hardaway goes up for basket as New Jersey Nets' Yinka Dare guards

George Nikitin / AP Photo

Dare is one of the worst busts in NBA history, with a historically terrible stat line — he had just four assists in his four-season career.

He’s only this low on the list because the Nets didn’t offer him a second contract, instead trading him to Orlando, which subsequently waived him in 1998.

17. Greg Oden

Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden making NBA debut

Kevork Djansezian / AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 3 seasons (2007-14)

Teams: Portland Trail Blazers (2007-12), Miami Heat (2013-14)

Career earnings: $24,322,868

Career statistics: 105 G, 8.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, .574 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 18.7

Bottom Line: Greg Oden

Greg Oden makes his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Lakers

Kevork Djansezian / AP Photo

Oden’s career leaves many to wonder what could’ve been since injuries derailed what could’ve been a promising career.

But there’s no doubt that $231,646 per game played is one of the worst in NBA history, and even when the 7-footer was able to get on the floor, he was largely ineffective.

16. Eddy Curry

Rick Bowmer / AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 11 seasons (2001-13)

Teams: Chicago Bulls (2001-05), New York Knicks (2005-11), Miami Heat (2011-12), Dallas Mavericks (2012-13)

Career earnings: $70,050,993

Career statistics: 527 G, 12.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, .545 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 15.9

Bottom Line: Eddy Curry

Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry celebrates basket

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

Curry was a productive role player in Chicago before he was traded to the Knicks in the 2005 offseason. In New York, he had one breakout season, 2006-07, where he played 81 games and led the Knicks in scoring.

Unfortunately, as his salary continued to rise — amid a six-year, $60 million contract — so too did his weight, and his production plummeted. The Knicks later offloaded Curry — and two first-round picks — as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade in 2011.

15. Darko Milicic

Detroit Pistons' Darko Milicic drives past Samuel Dalembert

Paul Sancya / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 6 seasons (2003-09)

Teams: Detroit Pistons (2003-06), Orlando Magic (2006-07), Memphis Grizzlies (2007-09), Minnesota Timberwolves (2009-12), Boston Celtics (2012-13)

Career earnings: $52,323,642

Career statistics: 468 G, 6.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.9 APG, .460 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 12.3

Bottom Line: Darko Milicic

Darko Milicic drives around Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Many will remember Milicic as one of the great busts in NBA history, who was chosen right after LeBron James and directly before Carmelo Anthony in 2003.

Milicic made roughly $111,000 per game and never averaged more than nine points or six rebounds per game for his six seasons in the NBA.

14. Gordon Hayward

Marcus Thornton and Gordon Hayward in action

Steve C. Wilson / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 11 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Utah Jazz (2010-17), Boston Celtics (2017-20), Charlotte Hornets (2020-present)

Career earnings: $150,922,778

Career statistics: 685 G, 15.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.1 APG, .453 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 17.5

Bottom Line: Gordon Hayward

Utah Jazz's Gordon Hayward looks at scoreboard

Rick Bowmer / AP Photo

The Boston Celtics have a tendency to give out contracts like the one Hayward got — to the tune of four years and $127 million during the 2017 offseason.

Hayward’s freak injury cost him his first season in Boston, but he only started 71 games with the Celtics before he was part of another $100-plus million contract, this time a sign and trade with Charlotte, in the 2020 offseason. Someone give his agent a raise.

13. Michael Olowokandi

Los Angeles Clippers' Michael Olowokandi lays one into the hoop

Victoria Arocho / AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 10 seasons (1998-07)

Teams: Los Angeles Clippers (1998-03), Minnesota Timberwolves (2003-06), Boston Celtics (2006-07)

Career earnings: $37,906,690

Career statistics: 500 G, 8.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 0.7 APG, .435 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 10.7

Bottom Line: Michael Olowokandi

Michael Olowokandi talk on bench to Michael Olowokandi

Charles Krupa / AP Photo

The top pick of the 1998 NBA draft never lived up to the advanced billing, thanks largely to knee injuries that kept him off the floor.

Olowokandi never received a wild payday largely because he never earned one but still remains one of the greatest busts in NBA Draft history, particularly since guys like Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce were chosen shortly after.

12. Kwame Brown

Jim Mone / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 12 seasons (2001-13)

Teams: Washington Wizards (2001-05), Los Angeles Lakers (2005-08), Memphis Grizzlies (2008-10), Charlotte Bobcats (2010-11), Golden State Warriors (2011-12), Milwaukee Bucks (2012), Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13)

Career earnings: $63,992,853

Career statistics: 607 G, 6.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, .492 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 10.2

Bottom Line: Kwame Brown

Matt Slocum / AP Photo

Brown, like Olowokandi, was a No. 1 overall pick who didn’t meet the hype, yet unlike Olowokandi, Brown continued to latch on for 12 full seasons in the NBA despite averaging double figures in scoring just one season, 2003-04.

Brown would tease fans and pundits with his potential yet received roughly $16,000 per point in the NBA.

11. Bryant Reeves

Alonzo Mourning attempts to drive past Bryant Reeves

AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 6 seasons (1995-01)

Teams: Vancouver Grizzlies

Career earnings: $55,638,898

Career statistics: 395 G, 12.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, .475 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 13.8

Bottom Line: Bryant Reeves

TheRealPepman / Twitter

Big Country is widely considered an overwhelming bust, but his first three seasons weren’t actually terrible. In fact, his promising rookie campaign netted him a six-year, $61 million contract, and he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game over the subsequent two seasons.

Unfortunately, his weight ballooned, the injury bug hit, and he was out of the league after the 2000-01 season.

10. Ian Mahinmi

San Antonio Spurs' Ian Mahinmi scores over New Jersey Nets' Chris Douglas-Roberts

Eric Gay / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 12 seasons (2007-20)

Teams: San Antonio Spurs (2007-10), Dallas Mavericks (2010-12), Indiana Pacers (2012-16), Washington Wizards (2016-20)

Career earnings: $83,789,796

Career statistics: 618 G, 5.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.6 APG, .533 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 13.0

Bottom Line: Ian Mahinmi

Dallas Mavericks' Ian Mahinmi celebrates a dunk

Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Mahinmi averaged a career-high nine points per game in 2015-16, just in time to become a free agent.

He cashed in with a four-year, $64 million contract from the Wizards, where he averaged just five points and four rebounds per game.

9. Darius Miles

Los Angeles Clippers' Darius Miles dunks

Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

Position: Forward

Years: 8 seasons (2000-09)

Teams: Los Angeles Clippers (2000-02), Cleveland Cavaliers (2002-04), Portland Trail Blazers (2004-06), Memphis Grizzlies (2008-09)

Career earnings: $61,999,973

Career statistics: 446 G, 10.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, .472 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 13.9

Bottom Line: Darius Miles

Darius Miles turns to pass to Trenton Hassell

Ann Heisenfelt / AP Photo

Miles was actually at his most productive when he was scoring less with the Clippers, but things all came unglued in Portland after the Trail Blazers signed him to a six-year, $48 million contract in the 2004 offseason.

Miles scored but feuded with coach Maurice Cheeks and only played 105 games in Portland before a catastrophic knee injury nearly ended his career. Unfortunately, Miles also blew through his entire $62 million fortune in less than six years.

8. Todd MacCulloch

Todd MacCulloch defends against Andre Miller

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 4 seasons (1999-03)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1999-01, 2002-03), New Jersey Nets (2001-02)

Career earnings: $27,953,375

Career statistics: 223 G, 6.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.5 APG, .541 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 16.9

Bottom Line: Todd MacCulloch

Todd MacCulloch battles with Reggie Evans

Rusty Kennedy / AP Photo

After MacCulloch helped the 76ers to the Finals in 2001, the Nets signed him to a six-year, $33 million contract that even he couldn’t believe New Jersey offered. MacCulloch helped New Jersey also reach the Finals in 2002 — before Shaq dominated the Canadian big man during a sweep — and the Nets traded him back to Philadelphia with Keith Van Horn for Dikembe Mutombo that offseason.

Unfortunately, a foot ailment kept MacCulloch from earning the full scale of his deal and forced him to retire early.

7. Bismack Biyombo

Bismack Biyombo toes up for shot against New Jersey Nets' Mehmet Okur

Julio Cortez / AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2011-15, 2018-present), Toronto Raptors (2015-16), Orlando Magic (2016-18)

Career earnings: $83,729,278

Career statistics: 702 G, 5.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 0.6 APG, .527 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 13.0

Bottom Line: Bismack Biyombo

Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Henderson Kemba Walker, Byron Mullens and Bismack Biyombo celebrate

Bob Leverone / AP Photo

The Magic blew out their bank to sign Biyombo in the 2016 offseason, giving a four-year, $72 million contract. Biyombo lasted just two seasons in Orlando, averaging about six points and six rebounds per game in about 20 minutes per night.

He was traded back to Charlotte in 2018, where he signed a more modest one-year, $3.5 million contract in 2020.

6. Chandler Parsons

Dallas Mavericks' Chandler Parsons passes ball away

Jim Cowsert / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 9 seasons (2011-20)

Teams: Houston Rockets (2011-14), Dallas Mavericks (2014-16), Memphis Grizzlies (2016-19), Atlanta Hawks (2019-20)

Career earnings: $127,164,773

Career statistics: 440 G, 12.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, .462 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 14.7

Bottom Line: Chandler Parsons

Houston Rockets' Chandler Parsons reacts

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Parsons was a solid player in both Houston and Dallas, averaging double digits in points while starting 324 of his first 340 games.

But injuries derailed Parsons’ promising career after he signed a four-year, $94 million contract with Memphis, where he played just 95 games. His career unfortunately ended when he sustained a concussion after his car was hit by a drunk driver in 2020.

5. Jon Koncak

Charles Kelly / AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 11 seasons (1985-96)

Teams: Atlanta Hawks (1985-95), Orlando Magic (1995-96)

Career earnings: $18,325,250

Career statistics: 784 G, 4.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, .470 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 9.8

Bottom Line: Jon Koncak

Orlando Magic's Jon Koncak shoots for basket

Peter Cosgrove / AP Photo

Koncak became known as “Jon Contract” thanks to the albatross, six-year, $13 million contract the Hawks matched when Koncak reached free agency in 1989. The deal was made worse by the fact Koncak was a reserve in Atlanta, and the Hawks decided to match the deal the Detroit Pistons offered.

It’s not Koncak’s fault he got the deal, but he only averaged 21 minutes per game through his career and never reached the All-Star Game, despite being one of the highest paid players in the game.

4. Evan Turner

Evan Turner passes the ball against Washington Wizards

Nick Wass / AP Photo

Position: Guard/Forward

Years: 10 seasons (2010-20)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (2010-14), Indianapolis Pacers (2014-16), Portland Trail Blazers (2016-19), Atlanta Hawks (2019-20),

Career earnings: $98,227,018

Career statistics: 705 G, 9.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, .434 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 11.9

Bottom Line: Evan Turner

Philadelphia 76ers' Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner celebrate

Matt Slocum / AP Photo

Turner was an All-American at Ohio State and the No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft, then bounced between three teams before signing a four-year, $70 million with Portland. Turner lasted just 217 games with the Blazers and averaged just eight points per game while mostly coming off the bench.

Turner became an assistant with the Celtics after announcing his retirement in November 2020.

3. Danny Ferry

Tony Dejak / AP Photo

Position: Guard

Years: 13 seasons (1990-03)

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (1990-00), San Antonio Spurs (2000-03)

Career earnings: $44,243,000

Career statistics: 917 G, 7.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, .446 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 11.8

Bottom Line: Danny Ferry

Don Ryan / AP Photo

Ferry was one of the best players in the country coming out of Duke University but decided to start his pro career in Italy instead of playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. Maybe Ferry would’ve ended up less of a bust in L.A.

Instead, he signed a 10-year contract with the Cavaliers, where he largely underwhelmed on teams that underachieved. Ferry still won a championship with the Spurs in 2003 after he signed in San Antonio as a free agent.

2. Jim McIlvane

Jim McIlvane defends against Michael Jordan

@RandomNBAPeeps / Twitter

Position: Center

Years: 7 seasons (1994-01)

Teams: Washington Bullets (1994-96), Seattle Supersonics (1996-98), New Jersey Nets (1998-01)

Career earnings: $32,125,000

Career statistics: 401 G, 2.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 0.3 APG, FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 10.0

Bottom Line: Jim McIlvane

NBA90s / Twitter

The Seattle Supersonics gave McIlvane a seven-year, $33.6 million contract to lure him away from Washington. The contract rankled Sonics fans and star Shawn Kemp, and within two seasons, they had dumped the contract on New Jersey, where he was largely injured.

He never averaged more than 15 minutes per game during his NBA career and made about $30,000 per point scored.

1. DeSagna Diop

Dallas Mavericks' DeSagna Diop and Jerry Stackhouse fight for rebound

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

Position: Center

Years: 12 seasons (2001-13)

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-05), Dallas Mavericks (2005-08, 2009), New Jersey Nets (2008), Charlotte Bobcats (2009-13)

Career earnings: $47,024,084

Career statistics: 601 G, 2.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.4 APG, .427 FG%

Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 9.8

Bottom Line: DeSagna Diop

MedleyHoops / Twitter

You’d think a 7-footer who played 600-plus NBA games could’ve averaged more than four rebounds per game. Diop showed promise, especially as a defensive specialist, but he’s No. 1 on this list thanks largely to the six-year, $32 million contract he signed with Dallas in 2009.

Diop lasted less than one season with the Mavs but finished the deal in Charlotte, therefore playing almost the entire contract.