By Tim Bontemps | ESPN, 2026-03-05 20:00:00
在如今的NBA中，薪资管理的重要性达到了前所未有的高度。
由于现行的劳资协议对超过第一和第二奢侈税土豪线的球队规定了严厉的制裁措施，各支球队必须精明地管理其薪资账目，以便在尽可能堆积天赋的同时保持阵容的连续性。
尽管有些球队愿意支付高额奢侈税，但其他球队则将奢侈税线视为事实上的硬工资帽。这正是ESPN第二届“NBA最佳合同阵容”的基础，这一概念于一年前首次亮相。我们的目标是在不超过奢侈税线（本赛季为1.8789亿美元）的前提下，构建出一套最强阵容。理论上，这支球队可以在联盟30个市场中的任何一个（甚至包括不愿交税的球队）存在。
奢侈税线并非构建这套阵容的唯一限制。入选球员还不能拥有顶薪合同（即排除了像MVP热门**谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)或尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic)这样的球员）、新秀规模合同（即排除了像维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)或库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)**这样的球员）或一年期老将底薪合同。
通常会被考虑在内的伤病球员，如阿杰·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell)和伊维察·祖巴茨 (Ivica Zubac)，也不在选择范围内。因为本次练习的目标是构建一支能够立即上场竞争的球队，而非一支基于“如果健康”的理论球队。
下面让我们来看看这支由15名球员组成的阵容，其中包括三位全明星球员以及一些上赛季的老面孔。
快速跳转：
后卫 | 前锋 | 中锋
这支球队能打进季后赛吗？
控球后卫
杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)，纽约尼克斯（队长）
合同：3490万美元
自2022年加盟纽约以来，没有哪位球员比**杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)**更能体现“高性价比合同”的内涵。布伦森已经成为联盟最顶尖的球员之一，同时也是性价比最高的球员之一。他在那个休赛期达成的四年1亿美元协议，是联盟历史上最成功的自由球员签约之一。
布伦森在2024年签署并于本赛季生效的最新续约合同，其价值依然远低于其市场行情，这使得纽约能够围绕他构建一套深厚的阵容，包括OG·阿奴诺比 (OG Anunoby)、米卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges)、乔什·哈特 (Josh Hart)和卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns)。在球场上，布伦森的表现持续证明着自己的价值。他依然是一名高效的产出型得分手，本赛季场均可以为尼克斯贡献26.7分和6.2次助攻。在被评为2025年NBA年度关键球员后，布伦森本赛季的场均关键时刻得分依然稳居联盟前十。
佩顿·普里查德 (Payton Pritchard)，波士顿凯尔特人
合同：720万美元
**佩顿·普里查德 (Payton Pritchard)**再度入选。本赛季在波士顿，他已经从NBA年度最佳第六人成长为一名全职首发球员。
由于**朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday)通过交易离队，且杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum)**因跟腱断裂缺席至今，普里查德在获得更多出场机会后，场均得分（17.1分）、篮板（4.1个）和助攻（5.4次）均创下职业生涯新高。普里查德720万美元的薪水不到工资帽的5%，而且他未来两个赛季的合同金额分别仅为780万美元和830万美元。
瑞安·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)，密尔沃基雄鹿
合同：400万美元
在职业生涯的前两个赛季里，**瑞安·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)在金州勇士、华盛顿奇才和雄鹿队总共只打了25场比赛。而今年，他在密尔沃基打出了名堂。这位身高6英尺3英寸的后卫直到今年7月才满24岁。在达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard)**上赛季遭遇跟腱断裂并于去年夏天被裁掉后，罗林斯已经成长为一名全职首发。
罗林斯在多个统计类别上都创下了生涯新高，包括场均得分（16.8分）、篮板（4.7个）、助攻（5.5次）和抢断（1.5次）。他的合同性价比极高，今明两年的年薪均为400万美元，2027-28赛季还拥有一个400万美元的球员选项。
得分后卫
尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)，亚特兰大老鹰
合同：1510万美元
**尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)**在休赛期获得了1000万美元的涨薪，但依然连续第二年入选该名单。在当今联盟，每支球队都在寻找既能投三分又能防守，还能为队友创造机会的后卫。在去年夏天离开明尼苏达森林狼加盟亚特兰大后，亚历山大-沃克作为首发球员展现了这三方面的能力。
他是这套阵容中又一位在获得更多机会后打出生涯新高的球员，在老鹰队场均贡献19.8分、3.5个篮板、3.7次助攻和1.2次抢断。在他那份四年6200万美元合同的最后三年里，他应该会继续保持极高的性价比。
萨姆·梅里尔 (Sam Merrill)，克利夫兰骑士
合同：840万美元
在职业生涯初期流浪了几年后，**萨姆·梅里尔 (Sam Merrill)在克利夫兰找到了归宿。去年夏天，骑士管理层在梅里尔和泰·杰罗姆 (Ty Jerome)**之间最终选择了前者。尽管梅里尔遭遇了一些伤病困扰，但他用出色的表现证明了球队投资的正确性。
梅里尔将在今年5月年满30岁，他是本赛季联盟最好的三分射手之一，场均三分出手超过7次，命中率高达45.8%。他也是一名可靠的防守者，当他在场时，骑士队的防守表现更加坚韧。他那份四年3600万美元的合同非常划算，为克利夫兰提供了一名可以与**多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell)或詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden)**搭档的宝贵第三后卫。
凯姆·斯宾塞 (Cam Spencer)，孟菲斯灰熊
合同：250万美元
在孟菲斯又一个伤兵满营的赛季中，斯宾塞的成长是一个积极的信号。作为2024年NBA选秀的第53顺位新秀，斯宾塞今年已经成为灰熊队可靠的首发球员，场均贡献11.4分和5.5次助攻，三分命中率达到44%。
斯宾塞的合同金额不到今年工资帽的2%，且还剩两个赛季。合同结束时的球队选项将让灰熊有机会长期留住他。
小前锋
德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)，波特兰开拓者
合同：1440万美元
虽然布伦森可能是这支球队的队长，但有人可能会认为，在从华盛顿奇才被交易到波特兰并成长为全明星后，**德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)**才是全联盟性价比最高的球员。
每支球队都在寻找身高6英尺8英寸、集控球、传球和投篮于一身的侧翼球员，而阿夫迪亚过去一年在开拓者作为核心选择展现了所有这些特质。在本赛季及未来的两个赛季中，他的总薪水还不到4000万美元。如果他在今年夏天成为完全自由球员，他轻而易举就能获得比这更高的年薪。
阿约·多苏穆 (Ayo Dosunmu)，明尼苏达森林狼
合同：750万美元
虽然明尼苏达在亚历山大-沃克以自由球员身份离开后感到了损失，但森林狼篮球运营总裁**蒂姆·康纳利 (Tim Connelly)**在交易截止日找到了合适的替代者——他用一堆二轮选秀权从公牛队换来了多苏穆。
**阿约·多苏穆 (Ayo Dosunmu)已经将自己磨练成一名优秀的三分射手。本赛季在明尼苏达和芝加哥效力期间，他的三分命中率超过44%。他在防守端和持球端的表现也足以让主教练克里斯·芬奇 (Chris Finch)**获得这支球队整季都需要的节奏变换。今年夏天他将成为自由球员，届时他的薪水很可能会从目前的750万美元大幅上涨。
朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie)，圣安东尼奥马刺
合同：300万美元
圣安东尼奥很久以前就赢得了NBA最精明管理层的美誉，而这位身高6英尺7英寸的前锋已成为该球队最新的“低调发掘”。
作为一名完美的3D侧翼，尚帕尼非常适合与马刺队那些拥有大量球权的明星球员搭档。他场均三分出手超过6次，命中率超过38%，并且已经确立了自己作为全职首发侧翼的地位。这使得他目前的薪水——300万美元，且今年夏天拥有同等金额的球队选项——显得更有价值。
大前锋
杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)，亚特兰大老鹰
合同：3000万美元
在2024-25赛季开始前，老鹰队以五年1.5亿美元的续约合同签下约翰逊，这在当时是一场经过计算的博弈。那时他年仅22岁，职业生涯前三个赛季总共只打了148场比赛。但约翰逊用令人印象深刻的2024-25赛季回报了这份信任，虽然该赛季因伤缩短。而在今年，也就是续约合同生效的第一年，他已晋升为全明星球员。
在本赛季的大部分时间里，这位身高6英尺8英寸的前锋一直是主教练**奎因·斯奈德 (Quin Snyder)进攻体系中的主要创造者。他的各项统计数据均创下生涯新高，且效率没有明显下降。老鹰队为了清理薪资空间，将前全明星控卫特雷·杨 (Trae Young)**交易至奇才，这发出了以约翰逊为核心建队的信号。
乔什·哈特 (Josh Hart)，纽约尼克斯
合同：1940万美元
这位无所不能的前锋依然是纽约球迷的宠儿。他是一名稳健的防守者，打球风格比他的实际体型更强悍——在身高6英尺5英寸及以下的球员中，**乔什·哈特 (Josh Hart)**场均7.4个篮板位居NBA首位。此外，他已经成为尼克斯队中仅次于布伦森的第二得分创造者。再加上哈特38.3%的三分命中率，他依然是一位极具价值且全能的球员。
哈特今明两年的合同金额均不到工资帽的15%，且在2027-28赛季拥有球队选项。
纳吉·马绍尔 (Naji Marshall)，达拉斯独行侠
合同：900万美元
2024年**纳吉·马绍尔 (Naji Marshall)从新奥尔良转投达拉斯时是一次低调的签约，但从加盟的那一刻起，他就成为了主教练杰森·基德 (Jason Kidd)**麾下的一名强力轮换球员。马绍尔在三分线外的短板（在独行侠期间命中率低于30%），通过出色的两分球表现（超过60%）得到了弥补。同时，他拥有防守前场两个位置的身材和力量。
这让他完全配得上今明两年分别为900万美元和940万美元的年薪。独行侠希望能够迅速重返季后赛行列，而他将是其中的关键部分。
中锋
米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson)，纽约尼克斯
合同：1290万美元
随着过去几个赛季进攻篮板的重要性日益凸显，**米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson)**统治前场篮板的能力已成为尼克斯队的强大武器。为了管理负荷，他可能最适合担任替补角色——伤病问题使他更像是一名功能型球员，而非场均出战30分钟的铁人。但罗宾逊作为顶级前场篮板手和护筐者的巨大存在感，足以匹配他本赛季1290万美元的薪水。今年夏天也将是一个有趣的自由球员市场期，届时这位27岁的球员将职业生涯首次成为完全自由球员。
以赛亚·斯图尔特 (Isaiah Stewart)，底特律活塞
合同：1500万美元
“牛肉炖菜 (Beef Stew)”最出名的可能是他职业生涯中几次火爆的脾气。但现在已经进入NBA第六个赛季的斯图尔特，已经确立了自己作为联盟顶级内线防守者之一的地位。他与全明星球员**杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)组成的内线搭档，助力主教练J.B.·比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff)**在底特律打造出了联盟顶级的防守体系。
斯图尔特今明两年的年薪均为1500万美元，并拥有2027-28赛季的球员选项。这套合同使他既可以作为高水平替补存在，在合适的情况下，他也有能力担任首发。
尼米亚斯·克塔 (Neemias Queta)，波士顿凯尔特人
合同：230万美元
去年夏天当波士顿送走阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford)、**克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porzingis)和卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet)后，中锋位置出现了空缺。虽然杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)和德里克·怀特 (Derrick White)是波士顿本赛季惊喜表现的最大驱动力，但尼米亚斯·克塔 (Neemias Queta)**在禁区的出色表现也是关键一环。
作为一名名副其实的7英尺长人，克塔几乎在所有统计类别上都创下了生涯新高。在职业生涯的前四个赛季总共只首发过6场比赛后，他在2025-26赛季已经获得了56次首发。他的投篮命中率远超60%，当他在场时，凯尔特人每百回合要多赢接近7分。
阵容深度表
控球后卫
杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)
佩顿·普里查德 (Payton Pritchard)
瑞安·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)
得分后卫
尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)
萨姆·梅里尔 (Sam Merrill)
凯姆·斯宾塞 (Cam Spencer)
小前锋
德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)
阿约·多苏穆 (Ayo Dosunmu)
朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie)
大前锋
杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)
乔什·哈特 (Josh Hart)
纳吉·马绍尔 (Naji Marshall)
中锋
米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson)
以赛亚·斯图尔特 (Isaiah Stewart)
尼米亚斯·克塔 (Neemias Queta)
这支NBA最佳合同阵容本赛季表现会如何？
最佳合同阵容的最大优势在于深度。这支球队有10名球员的预计正负值（EPM）超过每百回合+1分，这比现实中任何一支NBA球队都要多（俄克拉荷马城雷霆队以9人领跑联盟）。
投射也是一大优势。这支球队中有四名球员本赛季的三分命中率超过40%（梅里尔、多苏穆、斯宾塞和罗林斯），另外五名球员（哈特、尚帕尼、布伦森、亚历山大-沃克和普里查德）在拥有不俗出手量的情况下命中率也接近40%。
但阵容中的两个弱点限制了这支球队的潜力。首先是外线防守，因为阵容中大多数后卫和侧翼的防守评价只是“可靠”到“优秀”，而非“精英防守锁”。
第二个担忧是体型不足。哈特和马绍尔如果被列为大前锋，实际上是在跨位置向上摇摆，而中锋罗宾逊和斯图尔特都容易遭遇伤病（斯图尔特还有禁赛风险）。自2021-22赛季以来，这两名大个子合计只有过一个出场数达到60场的赛季。
尽管如此，凭借如此出色的深度、空间拉开能力和高端天赋——布伦森、阿夫迪亚和约翰逊为这支球队提供了三名全明星，比本赛季任何一支真实的NBA球队都多——如果这支最佳合同阵容能加入联盟，它将成为NBA最顶尖的球队之一。
根据深度表、球员在现实中的出勤情况和球员质量，最佳合同阵容的预计净效率约为每百回合+8分。这与活塞和凯尔特人处于同一区间，意味着该球队将有实力争夺季后赛头部种子。
这一预测认为最佳合同阵容将拥有联盟最强的进攻，但防守水平可能接近联盟平均水平。这种不平衡在季后赛中可能会成为问题，因为冠军球队通常在攻防两端都排进前十。总而言之，这支最佳合同阵容会是一支名副其实的竞争者，但并非头号夺冠热门。—— Zach Kram
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA All-Contract Team: Brunson, Avdija, Johnson lead roster
NBA All-Contract Team: Brunson, Avdija, Johnson lead roster
Salary management has never been more critical in the NBA.
With harsh penalties imposed by the current collective bargaining agreement for going past the first and second luxury tax aprons, it is imperative that teams smartly manage their books, both to stack as much talent as possible and maintain continuity.
While some teams are willing to go well above the tax, others see it as a de facto hard cap. That is the basis for the second edition of ESPN’s NBA All-Contract Team, a concept that debuted a year ago. The goal is to create the best possible roster without exceeding the luxury tax, which is $187.89 million this season. That way, this team could theoretically exist in any of the league’s 28 markets.
The tax line isn’t the only constriction on building this roster. There will also be no maximum salaries (no players such as MVP favorites Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Nikola Jokic), rookie-scale contracts (no players such as Victor Wembanyama or Cooper Flagg) or one-year minimum contracts.
Injured players who would normally be under consideration, such as Ajay Mitchell and Ivica Zubac, aren’t available, as the goal of this exercise is to construct a team that could step on the court and compete today, rather than a theoretical “if healthy” team.
Let’s get to the 15-player roster, featuring a trio of All-Stars and some returning names from last season’s group.
Jump to a section:
Guards | Forwards | Centers
Would this team make the playoffs?
Point guards
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Captain)
Contract: $34.9 million
No player has epitomized the idea of a value contract better than Brunson since he arrived in New York in 2022. Brunson has become one of the league’s best players, but also one of its best bargains. The four-year, $100 million deal he agreed to that offseason is one of the best free agent contracts in the history of the league.
Brunson’s newest extension, which was signed in 2024 and kicked in this season, is still way under market as well, which has allowed New York to construct a deep roster around him including OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. On the court, Brunson’s production continues to speak for itself. He continues to be an efficient, volume scorer, averaging 26.7 points and 6.2 assists for New York this season. And after being named the 2025 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson remains in the top 10 in clutch points per game this season.
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Contract: $7.2 million
Pritchard returns having gone from being the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year to a full-time starting role this season in Boston.
Pritchard is averaging career highs in points (17.1), rebounds (4.1) and assists (5.4) per game in an expanded role after the departure of Jrue Holiday via trade and with Jayson Tatum missing the season to date with his torn Achilles. Pritchard’s $7.2 million salary represents less than 5% of the cap, and he’s signed for another two seasons at $7.8 and $8.3 million, respectively.
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks
Contract: $4 million
After playing a combined 25 games across his first two NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards and the Bucks, Rollins has come into his own this year with Milwaukee. The 6-foot-3 guard, who doesn’t turn 24 until July, has blossomed into a full-time starter in the wake of Damian Lillard’s Achilles tear last season and subsequent waiving last summer.
Rollins is putting up career highs in several categories, including points (16.8), rebounds (4.7), assists (5.5) and steals (1.5) per game, and is on a terrific contract worth $4 million both this year and next before a $4 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
Shooting guards
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
Contract: $15.1 million
Alexander-Walker received a $10 million raise in the offseason and still makes this list for the second consecutive season. In a league where every team is searching for guards who can both shoot the three and defend – plus make some plays for others – Alexander-Walker has shown an ability to do all three as a starter in Atlanta, where he signed after leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency this past summer.
He’s yet another player on this roster putting up career highs in points (19.8), rebounds (3.5), assists (3.7) and steals (1.2) in an expanded role in Atlanta, and should remain a bargain over the final three years of his four-year, $62 million deal.
Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers
Contract: $8.4 million
After bouncing around the league for a couple years to begin his career, Merrill has found a home in Cleveland, where the front office essentially chose him over Ty Jerome last summer. While Merrill has had some injury issues, he’s justified that investment with a terrific year.
Merrill, who will turn 30 in May, has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the league this season, shooting 45.8% from 3 on more than seven attempts per game. He is a credible defender, too, as the Cavs’ unit is a few points stingier with him on the court. His four-year, $36 million deal will age nicely and gives Cleveland a valuable third guard to play with either Donovan Mitchell or James Harden.
Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies
Contract: $2.5 million
In another injury-plagued season in Memphis, Spencer’s growth has been a positive. The 53rd pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Spencer has become a reliable starter for the Grizzlies this year, averaging 11.4 points and 5.5 assists while shooting 44% from 3-point range.
Spencer’s deal is worth less than 2% of this year’s salary cap and two more seasons. A team option at the end of the contract will give the Grizzlies the chance to keep him for a long time.
Small forwards
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Contract: $14.4 million
While Brunson might captain this team, an argument could be made that Avdija is the single-best value in the entire league after turning into an All-Star since being traded to Portland from the Washington Wizards.
Every team is searching for a 6-foot-8 wing that can dribble, pass and shoot – all of which Avdija has showcased as the lead option of the Trail Blazers over the past year. Between this season and the next two, he’s making less than $40 million total. He would easily get more than that on a per-year basis if he was an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves
Contract: $7.5 million
While Minnesota has felt the loss of Alexander-Walker after he departed as a free agent this summer, Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly found a suitable replacement for him at the trade deadline when he landed Dosunmu from the Bulls for a collection of second-round picks.
Dosunmu has turned himself into a quality 3-point shooter, hitting over 44% of them this season across his time in Minnesota and Chicago, and can do enough defensively and with the ball to give coach Chris Finch the change of pace this group has needed all season. He is likely due a sizable boost from his $7.5 million as a free agent this summer.
Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs
Contract: $3 million
San Antonio long ago earned its reputation as one of the shrewdest operations in the NBA, and the 6-foot-7 forward has blossomed into the franchise’s latest under-the-radar find.
A perfect 3-and-D wing to play alongside San Antonio’s ball dominant stars, Champagnie is shooting over 38% from 3-point range on more than six attempts per game and has established himself as a full-time starter on the wing. That has made his current salary – $3 million with a team option for the same amount this summer – all the more valuable.
Power forwards
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Contract: $30 million
The Hawks made a bit of a calculated bet when they signed Johnson to a five-year, $150 million extension ahead of the 2024-25 season. At the time, he was just 22 and had played a total of 148 games across his first three seasons. But Johnson rewarded that faith with an impressive 2024-25 season that was cut short by injury before elevating to All-Star status this year in the first season of his extension.
The 6-foot-8 forward has spent much of this season as Atlanta’s primary creator in coach Quin Snyder’s offense, putting up career highs across the board while not seeing much of a drop in efficiency. The Hawks signaled their intention to build around Johnson by trading away former All-Star point guard Trae Young to the Wizards for what amounted to salary relief.
Josh Hart, New York Knicks
Contract: $19.4 million
The do-it-all forward continues to be a fan favorite in New York. He is a solid defender that plays far bigger than his frame – among players 6-5 or shorter, Hart’s 7.4 rebounds per game lead the NBA – and has become the Knicks’ second-best shot creator behind Brunson. Toss in Hart’s 38.3% shooting from 3-point range, and he remains a very valuable and versatile player.
Hart is under contract for less than 15% of the salary cap for this year and next, plus a team option for the 2027-28 season.
Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks
Contract: $9 million
Marshall was an under-the-radar signing when he went from New Orleans to Dallas in 2024, but he has slotted in as a strong rotation player for coach Jason Kidd from the moment he arrived. What Marshall gives back as a 3-point shooter (he’s under 30% as a Maverick) he makes up for as a 2-point shooter (over 60%), and he has the size and strength to guard either forward position.
That makes him more than worth the $9 million he’s owed this year and the $9.4 million he’s owed next season, which should keep him part of what the Mavericks hope will be a speedy return to the playoff mix.
Centers
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
Contract: $12.9 million
As the past few seasons have placed greater emphasis on offensive rebounding, Robinson’s ability to obliterate the offensive glass has become a tremendous weapon for the Knicks. He’s probably best suited to a bench role in order to manage his workload – injury issues have made him more of a specialist than a 30-minute per game player – but Robinson’s massive presence as an elite offensive rebounder and a rim protector is more than enough to justify his $12.9 million salary this season. It will also make for an interesting free agency period this summer, when the 27-year-old will be unrestricted for the first time in his career.
Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
Contract: $15 million
“Beef Stew” might best be known for his hot-tempered outbursts at a few different points in his career. But Stewart, now in his sixth NBA season, has established himself as one of the league’s top interior defenders, and his frontcourt partnership with All-Star Jalen Duren has allowed coach J.B. Bickerstaff to create one of the league’s top defensive units in Detroit.
At $15 million this year and next, plus a player option for the 2027-28 season, Stewart has a deal that allows him to be a luxury as a high-level backup, but in the right situation, he also has the chance to be a starter.
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics
Contract: $2.3 million
When Boston moved on from Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet last summer, it left a vacuum at center. And while Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have been the biggest drivers of this year’s surprising season in Boston, Queta’s impressive play in the paint has also been a critical piece.
A legitimate 7-footer, Queta is putting up career highs in virtually every category. After starting just six games across his first four NBA seasons, he has 56 starts in 2025-26. He is shooting well over 60% from the field, and the Celtics are almost seven points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the court.
Depth chart
Point guard
Jalen Brunson
Payton Pritchard
Ryan Rollins
Shooting guard
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Sam Merrill
Cam Spencer
Small forward
Deni Avdija
Ayo Dosunmu
Julian Champagnie
Power forward
Jalen Johnson
Josh Hart
Naji Marshall
Center
Mitchell Robinson
Isaiah Stewart
Neemias Queta
How would the NBA All-Contract team fare this season?
The greatest strength for the All-Contract Team is depth. It has 10 players with an estimated plus-minus better than plus-1 point per 100 possessions, which is more than any actual NBA roster has. (The Oklahoma City Thunder lead the league with nine.)
Shooting is also a major advantage. Four members of the All-Contract Team are making more than 40% of their 3-pointers this season (Merrill, Dosunmu, Spencer and Rollins), while five more players (Hart, Champagnie, Brunson, Alexander-Walker and Pritchard) are in the high 30s on good volume.
But two roster weaknesses put a ceiling on this squad’s potential. The first is perimeter defense, as most guards and wings on this roster profile as serviceable to good defenders rather than elite stoppers.
The second concern is a lack of size. Hart and Marshall are playing up a position if they’re listed as power forwards, and centers Robinson and Stewart are both prone to injury (or suspension, in Stewart’s case). The two big men have combined for just one season reaching 60 games since 2021-22.
Still, with this much depth, spacing and high-end talent – Brunson, Avdija and Johnson give the All-Contract Team three All-Stars, which is more than any actual NBA team this season – the All-Contract Team would be one of the NBA’s best squads if it slotted into the league.
Based on the depth chart, real-life availability and player quality, the All-Contract Team would project for a net rating of about plus-8 points per 100 possessions. That’s in the same range as the Pistons and Celtics, meaning the All-Contract Team would be in contention for a top playoff seed.
This projection predicts the All-Contract Team would have the league’s best offense but a defense that rates as almost perfectly average. That imbalance could prove an issue in the playoffs, where championship teams typically rate in the top 10 on both ends. In all likelihood, the All-Contract Team would be a bona fide contender, but not the title favorite. – Zach Kram
By Tim Bontemps | ESPN, via ESPN