Ranking the 14 Most Overpaid NBA Players in History

The NBA is a league where talent and financial compensation often go hand in hand. While some players live up to their enormous contracts, others have left fans and analysts scratching their heads, wondering how they earned such big paydays.

Whether due to high expectations, injuries, or simply a mismatch between performance and paycheck, some contracts in NBA history stand out for all the wrong reasons. Here’s a look at 14 of the most overpaid players in NBA history.

Allen Houston (2001) – New York Knicks

In 2001, the New York Knicks handed Allen Houston a six-year, $100 million deal, a contract that was met with immediate skepticism. Houston was a talented scorer but had injury issues, and his contract made him one of the highest-paid players in the league. While he was a reliable shooter, he never performed at a level that justified such an enormous salary, and his inability to stay healthy made the contract an albatross for the Knicks.

Joakim Noah (2016) – New York Knicks

The Knicks seemed to have a knack for signing overpaid players in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2016, they offered Joakim Noah a four-year, $72 million contract, which quickly proved to be a massive mistake. Noah, once a dominant defensive force and a former Defensive Player of the Year candidate, was plagued by injuries and never provided the kind of value expected from such a lucrative contract. He appeared in just 53 games during his first two seasons with the Knicks, making his deal one of the worst in recent memory.

Mike Conley (2016) – Memphis Grizzlies

Mike Conley became the NBA’s highest-paid player in 2016 when he signed a five-year, $153 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Conley was a solid point guard, but he was never the superstar his contract suggested. While he was efficient, his contract was heavily criticized, as he wasn’t seen as a true franchise-altering player. The Grizzlies’ failure to make a significant playoff run during Conley’s tenure at this pay level only reinforced the perception that he was overpaid.

Gilbert Arenas (2008) – Washington Wizards

Gilbert Arenas doesn't have many answers — Openverse

In 2008, the Washington Wizards gave Gilbert Arenas a six-year, $111 million contract, hoping he could return to his All-Star form. Unfortunately, Arenas struggled with injuries and legal issues, ultimately never coming close to justifying the massive deal. The contract became infamous when Arenas was suspended for bringing guns into the locker room, and his production never matched his paycheck, making this one of the most infamous deals in NBA history.

Andrew Bynum (2013) – Cleveland Cavaliers

After a career of flashes of brilliance, Andrew Bynum seemed poised for a big payday. The Cleveland Cavaliers took a gamble, giving him a two-year, $24 million contract in 2013. Bynum’s body betrayed him, though, and he barely played in Cleveland, leading to a disastrous outcome for the Cavaliers, who were left with a bloated contract for a player who was simply too injury-prone.

Dwight Howard (2013) – Houston Rockets

Dwight Howard’s 2013 four-year, $88 million deal with the Houston Rockets was expected to make him the cornerstone of their championship aspirations. Instead, Howard’s time with the Rockets was marred by locker room issues, decreased performance, and failure to live up to his previous dominant form. While he was still a capable player, his contract wasn’t justified by his inconsistent play in Houston.

Timofey Mozgov (2016) – Brooklyn Nets

In 2016, Timofey Mozgov signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets, despite his relatively low profile as a player. Mozgov had shown flashes of capability as a backup center but had never been a regular contributor to a contending team. The Nets quickly realized their mistake, as Mozgov played just one season in Brooklyn before being traded.

Travis Outlaw (2010) – New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets, in their search to return to prominence, signed Travis Outlaw to a five-year, $35 million deal in 2010. Outlaw was a decent role player but far from a franchise player. His contract was seen as a huge overpay, as he never delivered the kind of value expected from such a substantial investment.

DeSagana Diop (2005) – Dallas Mavericks

In 2005, the Dallas Mavericks signed DeSagana Diop to a six-year, $31 million contract. While Diop was a good defender, he was far from a game-changer and struggled to provide consistent production. His deal quickly became a burden for the Mavericks, and Diop spent most of his time as a backup, never justifying the large sum of money he was given.

Kwame Brown (2005) – Los Angeles Lakers

Kwame Brown was the first overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, but his career never lived up to the hype. In 2005, the Lakers took a chance by giving him a $9 million per year deal. Brown struggled with consistency and never became the star player that would justify the Lakers’ investment in him. His contract was widely regarded as one of the most disappointing in NBA history.

Carmelo Anthony (2014) – New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony was undoubtedly a talented scorer, but his 2014 five-year, $124 million deal with the Knicks was heavily criticized. At the time, the Knicks were in a rebuilding phase, and it became evident that the team wasn’t going to make a deep playoff run with Anthony at the helm. His contract was a reflection of his individual ability but failed to translate into team success, leaving many to question if the Knicks overpaid for a player past his prime.

Lamar Odom (2009) – Los Angeles Lakers

Lamar Odom was an important piece to the Lakers’ championship run in 2009, but when he signed a four-year, $33 million contract, it was a reflection of his potential rather than his consistent performance. Odom’s later years with the Lakers were marred by inconsistency, and his contract was eventually viewed as an overpay for a player who was no longer playing at an elite level.

Zaza Pachulia (2017) – Golden State Warriors

Zaza Pachulia was a decent role player for the Golden State Warriors, but his 2017 contract was seen as an overpay. The Warriors paid him $3 million per year to be a backup center, which was considered excessive for a player who didn’t bring much to the table other than his toughness. Though Pachulia helped the Warriors secure a title in 2017, the deal remained a questionable one.

Moses Malone (1990) – Washington Bullets

Moses Malone’s contract with the Washington Bullets in 1990 was a huge overpay for a player who was past his prime. The Bullets signed Malone to a four-year, $12 million contract, which was a significant sum at the time, but Malone was no longer the dominant force he once was. The Bullets quickly regretted this contract as Malone’s performance declined sharply.