LockerRoomDaily

Some teams just keep paying for the name, not the game.

NBA contracts aren’t just about what a guy can do. It’s about how often he’s doing it, how much he’s costing you to do it, and whether you’d even get anything back if you tried to trade him tomorrow.

These five deals? Tough scenes. From aging stars to quiet role players cashing loud checks, here are the five worst contracts in the league right now – based on production, health, and just straight-up regret.

5. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics

• Contract Value: 5 years, $285.4 million
• Remaining Value: 4 years, $236 million
• Average Percentage of Salary Cap: 33.02

Jaylen Brown is a good player. He’s an All-Star. He’s a Finals MVP. But let’s be honest – he’s not $285 million good. This was the richest contract in NBA history when he received it, and after Year 1, he’s already looking more like a highly paid sidekick than a true superstar.

He averaged around 22.2 points a night, but the efficiency was shaky, and the three-point percentage fell to a career low 32%. And while his defense was locked in during the Celtics’ title run, it dipped again this season. Boston’s still elite – but that’s more about Tatum, White, and the supporting cast. Jaylen’s deal? It’s fine if you’re the Lakers paying a luxury tax. But for the Celtics? It’s a cap sheet anchor waiting to happen.

With Tatum sidelined for 2025-26 season, it’ll be a real test for Brown next season. If he falters, expect a buyout or a trade.

4. Patrick Williams – Chicago Bulls

• Contract Value: 5 years, $90 million
• Remaining Value: 4 Years, $72 million
• Average Percentage of Salary Cap: 10.14

If you’ve ever watched a Bulls game and completely forgotten Patrick Williams was on the floor, you’re not alone. That’s the problem. He’s supposed to be this switchable 3-and-D wing, but most nights he’s just… there.

The Bulls gave him five years and $90M based on potential, but at this point it’s starting to feel like wishful thinking. He hits a couple open threes, grabs a few boards, and fades into the background. For a guy starting at power forward, averaging under 4 rebounds a game is wild. Chicago essentially paid starter money for a player with the energy of a background extra. At 23, sure, there’s room to grow – but this is looking like a long-term regret.

3. Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers

• Contract Value: 4 years, $242.9 million
• Remaining Value: 4 years, $242.9 million
• Average Percentage of Salary Cap: 35.05

Nobody doubts Joel Embiid’s talent. On a per-minute basis, he’s still one of the most dominant forces in basketball. But contracts aren’t paid per minute — they’re paid per season. And Embiid just isn’t available enough.

He’s played less than a third of Philly’s games this year. His knee’s still bothering him. He’s already hinted at never playing back-to-backs again. And the idea that he’ll suddenly become a 70-games-a-year guy? Not happening. For Philly, tying this much cap space to someone who might only be there half the time is a nightmare.

This isn’t about skill – it’s about whether he’s even there when you need him. Right now, the answer is no. And that’s a disaster if the player is the joint second-highest player in the NBA.

Read More: Highest-Paid NBA Players in 2025

2. Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets

• Contract Value: 5 years, $243.9 million
• Remaining Value: 4 years, $207.8 million
• Average Percentage of Salary Cap: 30

Denver loves Jamal Murray, and fans do too. But love doesn’t win you playoff series when your No. 2 guy disappears for stretches or takes until midseason to find his rhythm. The Nuggets gave him a full max, even though he’s never been an All-Star and has had a rough run of injuries and inconsistency.

Jamal Murray added to his resume of late-game heroics…

Here’s a look at all of his career game-winners from the regular season + playoffs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bzr5sj9EFi

— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024

He still has chemistry with Nikola Jokic, and when he’s hot, he’s awesome to watch. But too often, Murray starts seasons slow, misses time, or goes cold during crucial stretches. Denver basically paid for the version of him we saw in the bubble and in spurts during their title run. That guy just hasn’t shown up enough to make this contract worth it.

1. Paul George – Philadelphia 76ers

• Contract Value: 4 years, $211.6 million
• Remaining Value: 3 Years, $162.4 million
• Average Percentage of Salary Cap:31.82

This one’s already aging like milk in the sun. The Sixers gave Paul George a massive deal thinking they were adding another star next to Embiid – and in theory, it made sense. But here we are after Year 1, and PG already looks like the worst contract in 2025.

He’s still skilled – he can defend and knock down threes – but he’s 35, misses a ton of games, and hasn’t looked like a true difference-maker in a while. Philly is paying him like a top-5 guy. In reality, he’s giving you fourth-option vibes half the time. And with three years left on the deal? Good luck trying to move it. The Clippers saw this coming. Philly’s learning it the hard way.