Spotrac: 20 worst value contracts

5. DEJOUNTE MURRAY - NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Three years, $94.3 million, $31.4 million AAV (player option final season)

This one is really about injuries and lack of any upside. Murray kind of stagnated after being an All-Star in 2022. He was fine with the Hawks, but never fully fit with Trae Young. His first season with the Pelicans was wrecked by injuries, including a torn Achilles’ which Murray hasn’t made it back from yet. Before that injury, he wasn’t shooting well, and his defense had never been as good as his Spurs days. Coming off arguably the worst possible injury for a guard, Murray has a lot to prove to come off this list. And if he does make it back, then that player option in a couple of years means Murray has control. Just bad all around for the Pelicans.

16. JORDAN POOLE - NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Two years, $65.9 million, $35.3 million AAV

Poole’s contract is the shortest deal on this list. That should give you a sense of how rough it is. When Poole signed this contract with the Warriors, he looked like a good scorer, who hit his shots at a decent clip and had some playmaking upside to develop. A really messy year in Washington was followed by a semi-bounce-back year with the Wizards. This year has been a complete mess. Poole can’t make a shot, the playmaking upside never panned out and he offers nothing defensively. The only bright spot? At least this will be an expiring contract next year.

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Embiid is #1