Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors 1st overall pick from the 2006 draft, recently signed an extension to his rookie deal for a reported 5 additional years averaging $10,000,000 per season. Now, that’s a lot of coin!
With analysts and fans coming down on both sides of this debate, and an awful lot of, “this contract could turn out to be a bargain if he develops vs an albatross contract that will hurt the team for years”. What is the value of a young, legitimate 7 ft center who can (did?) actually contribute meaningfully to a team on the court?
No one questions the absolute shortage of legitimate centers playing in the NBA who have the size and the skills to actually do more than just fill a position. There are “centers” in the league who one could question if the main reason they are there is to just give the rest of team someone to practice against so they’ll know what to do in a game.
So, what do ordinary centers, centers fans might actually know the names of, earn.
The NBA’s centers include veteran players like:
- New Jersey’s Tony Battie (4.8ppg, 3.6rpg) $6,600,000/yr
- Charlotte’s DeSagana Diop (2.3ppg, 3.6rpg) $6,000,000/yr
- Dallas’ Erick Dampier (5.7ppg, 7.1rpg) $12,100,000/yr
- Indiana’s Jeff Foster (6.1ppg, 6.9ppg) $6,000,000/yr
- Philadelphia’s Samuel Dalembert (6.4ppg, 8.5rpg) $12,000,000/yr
By no means should anyone believe that these contracts are unusual or that the players signed to them aren’t (or at least when they signed weren’t) valued by their respective teams. Centers that can do the job required are hard to find.
Centers in the NBA who are considered major contributors can be divided into 2 basic groups. Loosely, centers who can score and centers who can rebound. Both groups seem to be able to demand similar money and they are both well paid. Centers that can do both, Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson, Pau Gasol, Yao, Shaq, are rare and their max contracts reflect it.
Some better known rebounding centers include:
- Golden State’s Andris Biedrins (11.9ppg, 11.2rpg) $9,000,000/yr
- Charlotte’s *Tyson Chandler (8.8ppg, 8.7rpg) $11,700,000/yr
- Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut (11.7ppg, 10.3rpg) $10,000,000/yr
- New Orlean’s *Emeka Okafor (13.2ppg, 10.1rpg) $10,600,000
( *Chandler and Okafor were recently traded for each other.)
And scoring centers include:
- Utah’s Mehmet Okur (17ppg, 7.7rpg) $9,000,000
- Chicago’s Brad Miller (11.9ppg, 7.8rpg) $12,200,000
- Denver’s Nene (14.6ppg, 7.8rpg) $10,500,000
- Cleveland’s Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12.9ppg, 7.5rpg) $11,500,000
Last season, Andrea Bargnani averaged 15.4ppg and 5.4rpg which measures up well against the scoring centers in the league, in fact the NBA lists Bargnani at 6th in scoring for all centers last season (argue with them about who a center is). However, rebounds were about 2rpg less than these veteran scoring centres.
But as many have pointed out, there were big changes at the Raptors over the course of last year, changes that could lead someone to believe Bargnani’s numbers are somewhat understated.
So should one rely on what has been oft described as half a good season by the Raptor’s young center when valuing his future services? Okay, but who says it was half a season? Last year Bargnani started 59 games, closer to 3/4ers of a season. In those 59 starts he averaged 17.7ppg and 5.9rpg, which arguably, is very close to what a veteran scoring center would be expected to produce. In that theoretical half a season starting in January, Bargnani averaged 19 and 6. The same ppg as Pau Gasol averaged last season, a veteran all-star. That is an impressive level of scoring for a third year player at the center position.
If you believe in Bargnani’s contributions as a starter last season, it’s hard to argue that the contract offered by Colangelo is out of line with what Bargnani should command as a scoring center. And as some are want to point out, if Bargnani were to develop the skills needed to track down another 3 boards a game, a $10,000,000 per year contract would look like a huge bargain.
As a fan, who has seen Bargnani play, up close, 40 times a season over the past 3 years, the “soft” label has been thrown around far too easily and with little regard for just how hard this young man plays. Least anyone forgets, the decidedly not soft Dwight Howard was dominated by Rasho Nesterovic in Toronto during his first 2 seasons (Dwight figured Rasho out in the playoffs, unfortunately). Young big players come into a league and face men on the other side of the ball. Experienced veterans who like nothing more than playing against boys with less experience and no respect from the referees. Toughness comes as much from experience as desire, now going into his 4th season, expect a tougher young center to show up.
People get off the fence; Andrea Bargnani’s contract is very reflective of market value.
(Note: Player statistics and salaries were obtained from websites run by ESPN and the NBA)
Just to note : being a “soft” player and trying hard are not the same thing. Bargs simply does not have the strength, thoughness or grit… thats why he is soft.
Regardless….I agree that Bargs contract reflects the market place. However, the one thing all those other centers have that AB does not is consistency. Even Tony Battie you know what you will get day in and day out. AB you do not. I know he finished up the year strong but given Bargs history, there is no guarantee that means he starts next year the same way.
I totally agree with your perspective. Nice article.
Random Baller do you see those other players night in and night out? Bargs was consistent as a starter last year, the only thing that wasnt consistent were his minutes under Mitchell. Once Triano took over, Bargs put in a consistent performance. Also to say he doesnt have the grit, strength or toughness is ridiculous becaus you just make the comment and dont go on to explain why you feel that way. Each time last season he was challenged physically by Garnett, Carter and Garcia, he didnt back down. He tossed Carter and dropped Garnett on his ass (check it on youtube) and got right in Garcia’s grill.
You got it John.
Bargs is going to be a player!
I don’t mind the contract so much, as someone will always be lined up to take him off our hands at any given point. What bothers me more is Bargnani as a player, his rebounding and defense are all below average. not disputing his scoring, just that he brings little of anything else.
While I do believe people people are blowing the whole “overpaying Bargnanni” thing out of proportion, the fact of the matter is given how THIS offseason went, he was overpaid. When players like David Lee can’t get the 10 mil/year deal, and other players like Lamar Odom are settling for less money, one has to wonder what the negotiations were like between Bargs and BC.
I’m almost certain we could have had him for less, and when Milsap only gets a 4 year 32 million dollar deal then Bargs should not be making 10 mil/year.
No question this has been a tough year on FAs.
Not certain if treating restricted FA’s like Lee and Milsap like chattel is the best way to build a long term relationship with players and agents. By their actions, I’m sure NY doesn’t care if Lee ends up leaving next season.
Have to wonder what Utah would have done if Millsap hadn’t found a offer sheet for them use.
John… did I see those players play night in and night out…. yes (or atleast alot more than I should have, its amazing what you see when you watch more than just the Raps)… not that it is relevant for the most part.
What I’m saying with Bargs is that until he can have more than a half season of good play then yes I will say he is consistent. The last half of the year was very promising. But I want to see him do that again for a full season. I’m not knocking the guy.. I agree he has potential and could be a real threat in this league. But as raps fan stated… he does need to do more than just score.
As for being tough… one or two moments against guys half your size does not make you tough. The ‘dropping of garnett on his ass’ was not exactly as intentional as you make it out to be. And its not even a matter of “throwing people around”. Its a matter of having the strength to handle the other centers in the league, fighting loose balls, fightng for position etc. Bargs has yet to show me he is willing to do those things. Once he starts doing that then I will agree he is not soft.