Six Worst NBA Contracts of 2026 Summer

Trade that ties 30% of cap to Trae Young

The Washington Wizards locked up four‑time All‑Star point guard Trae Young for $212.8 million over four years, a deal that consumes roughly 30 percent of the team’s salary cap and also includes the rights to this year’s No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybantsa. Young’s 2025‑26 projections show 17.9 points per game on 46‑percent shooting, 8 assists and only 2 rebounds in just 15 games played. The former Atlanta Hawks leader guided the franchise to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals but has never advanced past the first playoff round. Analysts argue that his defensive deficiencies and inconsistent scoring efficiency make the contract a high‑risk wager for a rebuilding roster.

Young himself downplayed the backlash, telling The Athletic’s Josh Robbins from Las Vegas, “I know if we win, winning takes care of everything… What’s done is done. So I’m going to make sure the people that believe in me are proved right.” The remark sparked immediate debate, with many suggesting the Wizards may have to settle for a play‑in spot rather than a championship push. The Celtics, meanwhile, made a separate splash by moving Jaylen Brown’s max contract, a move that further strained the league’s already stretched salary‑cap environment.

Walker Kessler Arrives in L.A. at Massive Cost

Los Angeles acquired center Walker Kessler via a sign‑and‑trade, surrendering two first‑round picks, two swap rights, and additional future assets that could aid the Luka Dončić‑centric build. Kessler’s new contract totals $129.5 million over four years, projecting 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3 assists per 82‑game season based on a five‑game debut. Over 201 games in Utah he posted 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per outing, but injury history—recently repaired left labrum—has kept him to just 63 appearances in the last two campaigns.

The Lakers also inked Austin Reaves to a four‑year, $180 million pact and added Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton for a combined $131.2 million, inflating the roster’s financial commitments. Franchise legend Magic Johnson warned that the heavy spending could limit flexibility if the core of Dončić, Reaves and Kessler fails to mesh on both ends. With oddsmakers placing the squad around sixth in the Western Conference, the team’s championship hopes now rest heavily on Kessler’s health and development.

Milwaukee’s Overpay for Gary Trent Jr.

Milwaukee signed Gary Trent Jr. to a two‑year, $7.95 million deal, a move that surprised cap analysts and sparked speculation about under‑the‑table negotiations. Trent’s 2025‑26 numbers look modest: 4.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game in just 12 contests, with a true‑shooting percentage dipping to 65 percent. After grinding out near‑minimum contracts in 2024 and 2025, Trent posted his worst season statistically, averaging only 8.1 points per game for a 32‑win Bucks squad.

Bucks president Peter Budding suggested the contract was a “strategic investment” to bolster a wing depth chart that currently includes Brayden Burries and Nate Ament. However, critics argue that the $64 million over‑pay could have been allocated to improve the defensive frontcourt or to retain younger assets for future surplus. If the Bucks fail to qualify for the playoffs, the Trent contract will be viewed as a textbook example of a misguided cap allocation in an era where every dollar must maximize efficiency.

DeAndre Jordan’s Two‑Year Vet Deal Costs Pelicans Extra

New Orleans inked veteran big man DeAndre Jordan for two years, $30.8 million, a pact that forces the franchise to absorb an extra $3 million due to his 18‑year service time. Jordan’s 2025‑26 projections show 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, with a shooting line of 47 percent from the floor. In a season plagued by only 63 games, the 37‑year‑old served as a mentor to young talent like Yves Missi, earning a “Teammate of the Year” nod from peers.

The league’s veteran‑minimum rules normally grant a $1.43 million subsidy for contracts exceeding two years, but the Pelicans’ two‑year commitment eliminates that benefit. Owner Gayle Benson’s small‑market calculus now includes a $6 million hit over the deal’s life, a non‑trivial burden when margins are tight. Should Jordan’s role diminish or injuries curtailing his availability increase, the Pelicans may find themselves paying for a bench player at top‑tier price.

Tobias Harris’ Stateful but Questionable Signing for San Antonio

San Antonio activated Tobias Harris with a three‑year, $51 million contract, hoping the seasoned forward would become the missing piece to clinch a championship. Harris’s 2025‑26 outlook projects 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1 assist per game, supported by a 55 percent field‑goal rate. Over 15 NBA seasons, however, his résumé lacks a deep playoff run; his best postseason stretch was four trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals, all ending in Game 7 defeats.

After the Detroit Pistons let Harris walk, the Spurs viewed him as a stable presence who could anchor a locker room while younger talents like Julian Champagnie develop. Analysts caution that Harris’s minutes may crowd out the 22‑year‑old wing, whose three‑point shooting and defensive versatility could be more valuable in a championship‑contending timeline. If San Antonio misses the play‑in tournament, the Harris contract will be judged as a conservative bet that fails to move the needle.

John Collins’ Arrival in Detroit amidst Roster Shift

Detroit added John Collins to its frontcourt, targeting the former first‑overall pick to fill the void left by Tobias Harris. Collins’s 2025‑26 expectations sit at 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, with a 47 percent shooting efficiency. The 28‑year‑old has bounced between the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers and now the Pistons, never landing on a roster with consistent playoff success beyond a fluky 2021 conference‑final run.

Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon emphasized Collins’s versatility and defensive potential, yet the team’s current championship odds rank seventh in the East, barely above the play‑in line. Meanwhile, Jalen Duren remains in restricted free agency, leaving Detroit without a clear long‑term center solution. If Collins fails to produce at his projected rates, the Pistons may regret shuffling assets for a player whose track record does not include high‑stakes victories.

The summer of 2026 has produced a cascade of ambitious contracts that strain rosters and challenge financial discipline. Executives across the league now face the reality that talent overload does not guarantee wins, and that misallocated capital can erode championship pathways. As the season approaches, the market will be watching closely to see which of these deals prove to be visionary and which dissolve into costly mistakes.