Big Bank
YG summarized a major ordeal in terms of offseason antics. Over the past few seasons since the salary cap skyrocketed, many role players have seen a dramatic spike in salaries after what seemed like small increases in production. Many of these players took advantage of small markets (a.k.a. “Lil Bank”) and got their own Big Bank for the foreseeable future.
From fringe starters, to level headed role players, some have risen, others have fallen, others have remained terribly stagnant. Many of these guys are under contract until at least 2019 and even further. Is it still too soon to tell for some of these guys? Maybe…but it’s never too soon.
Here’s an inside scoop on the guys that have gotten Big Bank in the last 4 years.
2015
Tyson Chandler
Two Years removed from his only all star appearance and Defensive Player of the Year Award, Chandler spent a year back in Dallas where he averaged a Double Double, of 10.3 PPG and 11.5 RPG shooting 66.6% from the field. With his impressive 2014–15 campaign, the Phoenix Suns decided to take a risk and add the 33 year old bigman to a 4 yr/52 million dollar contract. Phoenix had young Center, Alex Len with raw talent, but lacking defensive tutelage to become a starting caliber Center and they brought in Chandler to help assist the development of Len. Since inking the deal, Chandler has taken a dip in scoring, rebounds, as well as efficiency, while still having near identical Minutes per game. Chandler becomes an UFA again next season.
Robin Lopez
The New York Knicks did what the New York Knicks always do. From Allan Houston to Eddy Curry. The franchise loves paying Big Bank to little fish. And in 2015, Phil Jackson struck again paying Robin Lopez a massive 4 yr/55 million dollar contract. Lopez was coming off of a lackluster playoff performance in Portland, but Jackson gave him a shot. In his time in New York, RoLo averaged 10 PPG and 7 Boards, however he was used in the trade the following season that gave New York Derrick Rose. The 29 year old has now found his name in trade rumors, although he has improved yearly since the major contract. Especially with the emergence of Lauri Markkanen, Bobby Portis, and the addition of Wendell Carter Jr. Lopez will be an UFA next season.
2016
Bismack Biyombo
Ah, Max Contract Magic. Their first major mistake was signing recently playoff baller Bismack Biyombo to a THICC 4 yr/72 million dollar contract. Biyombo was a pivotal piece to the ECF Raptors squad, and he gave effort that didn’t show up on the stat sheet. But since joining, Biyombo has stayed complacent and hasn’t improved at all. He’s been getting far less minutes recently battling with Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, rookie Jonathan Isaac, and soon to be newest rookie Mo Bamba. And the kicker, Biyombo is still on the books until 2020. Ouch! “Big Bank take Lil’ Bank”
Jordan Clarkson
The RFA Jordan Clarkson got a fat offer sheet from the Lakers when he accepted a 4 yr/50 million dollar contract. Contrary to most of the guys on this list, Clarkson was coming off of a pretty productive season in LA, putting up 15.5 PPG. His time in LA would be short lived however, as he was shipped off to Cleveland at the Trade Deadline. Although he’s seen a decline in production, he’ll now get an accurate spot to shine on Cleveland next season, and for the foreseeable future at only 25 years old. He’s on the books until 2020.
Matthew Dellavedova
Delly was also coming off of a pretty solid performance, especially in last year’s NBA Finals, starting in place of the injured Kyrie Irving. The RFA got offered the bag by the Milwaukee Bucks who had young talent and nothing to lose. They gave Delly a 4 yr/38 million dollar contract and unfortunately Dellavedova’s production did not hit an uptake whatsoever and is still under contract until 2020. However, with starting PG Eric Bledsoe in trade rumors, Delly could potentially get more opportunities to show off his bright light from in the Outback.
Luol Deng
I don’t know who in the Lakers Organization thought it was a good idea to pay a 30 year old Luol Deng coming off of his 3rd team in 4 years a grand total of 72 million dollars over the course of 4 years. But, that person needs to get fired immediately. Deng has hit that veteran’s hill and isn’t going anywhere. With the drafting of guys like Brandon Ingram, Sviatoslav Mykhailuk, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, and the signing of LeBron James, Deng has even semi-retired now. However, the Lakers can’t do anything as they still have him locked up until 2020. Deng, you’re a winner sir.
Ian Mahinmi
As a starter in Indiana, Mahinmi was able to put up relatively impressive numbers of 9.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG. He was able to put up those numbers alongside All-Star bigs of David West and Roy Hibbert. That workload was impressive, and ultimately was enough for the Wizards to throw a 4 yr/64 million dollar contract at him. Since the signing, Mahinmi has yet to start a single contest for the Wizards and is still on lock until 2020, and with the entrance of Dwight Howard, the odds aren’t in his favor.
Chandler Parsons
Sometimes the world is just against you. In the case of Chandler Parsons, the world has not been nice to the Grizzlies. Parsons was a 14 PPG scorer in Dallas and the Grizzlies decided to give him a chance. A hefty chance at that, giving him a massive 4 yr/94 million dollar deal to play in Memphis with his lookalike owner Justin Timberlake. Sadly, Parsons has played in 70 games in 2 years and frankly, is averaging 3.8 Instagram posts per game, and the Grizz are stuck with this conundrum for another two seasons. Also, there’s the situation with guys like Dillon Brooks already showing that Parsons’ player type isn’t special.
Timofey Mozgov
The LeBron teammate curse strikes again. Mozgov had a great season and playoffs alongside LeBron and the Cavs putting up 10.6 PPG and 7.3 Boards in the 20 Playoff Games in 2015. The Lakers were feeling generous enough to grant him a 4 yr/64 million dollar contract. Mozgov immediately declined and was sent to Brooklyn a year later as a salary throw in in the D’Angelo Russell trade. Then he was sent to Charlotte this offseason as a salary throw in for Dwight Howard, and immediately shipped to Orlando. He’ll be an UFA in 2020.
Joakim Noah
The New York Knicks were looking to create the All Star Starting Five under Phil Jackson, but they were just 2 seasons late. Joakim Noah was injury prone, aging, and cracking under pressure. And New York decided to apply some more. Noah agreed to a 4 yr/72 million dollar deal and has only played in 53 games as a Knick. For insight, Noah has made around 36 million dollars over the course of 53 games, which averages out to about $679,245 per appearance in a New York uniform. Noah has since been even seen in the G-League. He’ll be an UFA in 2020.
Ryan Anderson
Now the Rockets weren’t in the wrong with this move. Anderson was coming off of his second best season, putting up 17 PPG as well as 6 RPG. Anderson was shining in New Orleans and the Rockets needed that PF slot to be filled. So, they gave Ryan Anderson a 4 yr/80 million dollar contract. Anderson actually played fairly well in his first season, but his efficiency has definitely dipped and he’s slowly deteriorating. Anderson will be an UFA in 2020.
“Big Bank Take Lil’ Bank,” and these guys definitely match that description. These guys, from solid starter to role player to bench warmer to Borderline G-Leaguer, they all got the checks to cement their lives for their children’s children. Thanks for reading, and here’s to hoping your franchise doesn’t give Joakim Noah 72 million dollars!!
