Big Dog NBA Players Who Deserve a Max Contract

It’s no secret that the NBA is a big money business. Players who perform at a high level can command a max contract and deservedly so. But who are the big dog NBA players who currently don’t have a max contract?

Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is an undersized point guard who, despite his lack of stature, has been one of the best and most consistent players in the NBA over the last few years. Lillard is a 6-time All-Star, 2-time All-NBA First Team member, and the only player in NBA history to make a game-winning shot in each of his first four seasons.

Lillard is currently in the midst of a 4-year, $120 million contract extension he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2017. This extension made Lillard the highest paid player in franchise history. At the time, it seemed like a lot of money for a player who had yet to make an All-NBA team or win an NBA title

However, Lillard has more than earned his contract since then. He has continued to be one of the best scorers and most efficient shooters in the league while also carrying a much larger load for the Blazers than he did early in his career. Injuries to other Key Players on Portland’s roster have forced Lillard to play even more minutes and take on an even bigger scoring load. And he has responded by putting up some of the best numbers of his career.

This season, Lillard is averaging 29 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three-point range He is also leading the Blazers in scoring, assists, and minutes played while shouldering the heaviest offensive load of any player in the league. Simply put, Lillard has been vital to Portland’s success this season and he deserves to be paid like one of the best players in the league.

With that said, it’s time for Damian Lillard to be rewarded with a max contract extension from Portland. His production over the last few years has been incredible and he has more than earned a spot among the highest paid players in the NBA.

Kyrie Irving Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving is one of the best point guards in the NBA. He is a 6x All-Star, and was the MVP of the 2014 All-Star game He has averaged 22.2 points and 5.7 assists per game throughout his career. He is also a 2x champion, winning the NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Kyrie Irving is one of the best players in the NBA, and he deserves a max contract.

Bradley Beal Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Florida Gators before being drafted with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Wizards. Wikipedia

Beal has been selected to two All-Star teams and has also been named an All-NBA Third Team twice. He is one of four players in NBA history to average 27 points, five assists, and shoot over 50–40–90 in a season, joining Larry Bird (1986–87), Steph Curry (2015–16), and Kevin Durant (2013–14).

Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz

With the recent outbreak of the coronavirus, the NBA season has been put on hold. This has left many teams and players in limbo, wondering what will happen next. One thing that is certain, however, is that some players will be due for a big pay day when the dust settles. Among those players is Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz

Gobert has been a force to be reckoned with since he entered the league in 2013. He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and has led the Jazz to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. His impact on the defensive end of the court is undeniable, and he has become one of the best rim protectors in the league.

Offensively, Gobert is no slouch either. He averaged 15.9 points per game this season and shot a career-best 68.7% from the field. He is also one of the best rebounders in the league, averaging 12.9 boards per contest.

There is no doubt that Gobert is deserving of a max contract extension. He has proven himself to be one of the best players in the league and has helped transform the Jazz into a contender. Whenthe time comes, Utah would be wise to open up their wallet and pay him what he’s worth.

Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic is a Serbian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for Mega Bemax of the Adriatic League and the Serbian national team in 2016 before being selected by the Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2017. In 2018, he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time and led the Nuggets to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid is a 7-footer from Cameroon who was the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia
76ers. He didn’t play his first NBA game until the 2016-17 season after missing his first two seasons due to injury. In his
rookie year, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team, and he was also named to the All-Star team in just his second season.
In addition to being one of the best centers in the NBA, he is also one of the most popular players in the league. He has endorsement deals with Adidas, mansion Casper Sleep, and Roots Sportswear.

Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He is a 2-Ime Nba champion, 2-time Finals MVP and 2-time Defensive Player of the Year. He has averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game throughout his career. At just 28 years old, Kawhi Leonard is in his prime and is playing some of the best basketball of his career. The Los Angeles Clippers made a big splash in Free agency this offseason by signing Kawhi Leonard to a max contract.

James Harden Houston Rockets

James Harden is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA. In 2017-2018, he averaged 30.4 points per game which was good for second in the league. He also led the league in assists, averaging 8.8 assists per game He is a two-time All-Star and was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2018. There is no doubt that Harden is one of the best players in the league and he deserves a max contract.

Russell Westbrook Houston Rockets

Russell Westbrook Houston Rockets point guard has averaged a triple double for the last three seasons. He is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA and has been rewarded with back-to-back MVP Awards Westbrook is one of the few players who can single-handedly take over a game and will continue to be a force to reckon with for years to come. He is currently in the final year of his contract and is due for a max extension.

Giannis Antetokounmpo- Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA today He’s a two-time NBA All-Star and was named the Most Improved Player in the league in 2017. He’s also just 23 years old, and has already shown that he has the potential to be one of the best players in the league for years to come.

The Milwaukee Bucks have already rewarded Giannis with a contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2021-22 season But his new deal is only worth $100 million, which is significantly less than what other star players around the league are making.

It’s time for the Bucks to step up and give Giannis the max contract he deserves. He’s proven that he’s worth it, and he’s only going to get better as he continues to develop his game. Giannis is a franchise player, and he deserves to be paid like one.