NBA 2018/19: The 3 worst contracts on the Dallas Mavericks roster
The Dallas Mavericks are currently gearing up to embark on a new era. Dirk Nowitzki is set to retire this summer after an incredible 21-year career with the Dallas team, however, it is also an exciting time for the franchise thanks to the emergence of Luka Doncic.
The 19-year-old was drafted during the summer, and his performances this season have already seen him labelled as a future superstar. The Slovenian has led an unfancied Mavericks team to a 19-22 start to the season, and while the future looks bright, there are still a number of bad contracts on the Mavericks roster. So, here we will look at the three contracts that may ultimately hold the franchise back.
#3 Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes was selected by the Golden State Warriors as the 7th pick of the 2012 NBA draft, and he played a part in the Warriors early years of success. Barnes started all 82 games during the Warriors 2014/15 Championship winning season, averaging 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, although he left the team just one year later.
Barnes career with the Warriors ended with a whimper, as he shot just 16 percent in the last three games of the 2016 NBA Finals, as the Warriors lost three times to the Cavaliers to lose their title. Despite this, Barnes still managed to attract a great deal of interest during free agency and eventually signed a four-year, $94 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
Barnes has performed well for the Mavericks, however, he has failed to justify the $24 million that he is being paid for the 2018/19 season. The 26-year-old is currently averaging 18.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, which are underwhelming numbers for someone who is one of the highest earners in the league. Ultimately, Barnes has been a reliable performer for the Mavs, however, the team should look to trade away his huge deal.