Pau Gasol and the 9 Most Untradeable NBA Contracts

Aging, injured and overpaid, Gasol may remain in L.A., whether they want him to or not.
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It may be the season of giving, but for the following NBA players, there probably won't be many takers. Be they overpriced, overvalued, oft-injured or all of the above, each has, at least at this time, become an albatross for his respective team.

With his recent, highly publicized struggles, both on the court and regarding his ability to stay on it, Pau Gasol has become a poster child lately for hamstrung contracts. But, as one will see throughout this slideshow, he is certainly not alone.  

Pau Gasol: Los Angeles Lakers

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Remaining Contract: Two years, $19 million

He’s now in his 12th year in the league but, adding in the amount of postseason and Olympic games he’s tallied, it’s almost like adding an extra couple of years of wear and tear. That’s never been more apparent than this season.

Although he may still be capable of putting up the All-Star-caliber numbers he has for most of his career, is there any team willing to eat that much cash before the contract is in its expiring year?

(For the record, you can get almost nine Serge Ibakas for the same price as one Pau Gasol.)

Amar'e Stoudemire: New York Knicks

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Remaining Contract: Three years, $19,948,799

Fresh off of a season where his stats took a huge hit and fresher off of a significant injury that he has still not returned from, the division-leading Knicks are wondering what to do with Amar'e Stoudemire upon his return.

But considering his baggage, a trade is most likely not one of the options.

Nene: Washington Wizards

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Remaining Contract: Four years, $13 million

He’s an average player and has consistently been that for much of the past decade. So what the Wizards were thinking by taking on his far-above-average contract is beyond anyone’s imagination.

But I guess that’s what makes them the Wizards.

Jeff Green: Boston Celtics

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Remaining Contract: Four years, $8,385,000

Question: What do you do with an undersized power forward coming off of a season that he missed in its entirety due to a serious medical condition?

Answer: If you’re Danny Ainge, you sign him to a long-term deal at more than $8 million per.

Carlos Boozer: Chicago Bulls

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Remaining Contract: Three years, $15 million

An above-average, slightly banged-up 31-year-old with four consecutive years of declining numbers and three years left on a monster contract?

It should probably be a safe time to buy as opposed to rent in Chicagoland for Mr. Boozer.

Hedo Turkoglu: Orlando Magic

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Remaining Contract: Two years, $11,815,850

The epitome of underachieving, Hedo Turkoglu made himself notorious in just one year in Toronto for coasting through the season. Upon his return from injury, he’ll be working on his sixth year of declining numbers (is that even possible?).

Even with just two years remaining on a grossly overpaid contract, those poor snakebitten fans in Orlando are stuck with this dud.

John Salmons: Sacramento Kings

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Remaining Contracts: Three years, $8,083,000

It’s been hard to gauge this well-traveled swingman who took a while to hit his stride, but quickly peaked once he did. Now he’s getting paid close to a million bucks per point scored a game.

At 33 years old, it’s a safe bet that won’t be improving too much over time.

Gerald Wallace: Brooklyn Nets

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Remaining Contract: Four years, $9,682,435

On an underachieving team that went out on a spending spree this past offseason and is now full of seemingly untradeable contracts, Gerald Wallace’s may rise above the rest.

Approaching his fifth consecutive year of declining numbers (with three different teams), it’s safe to assume that: a) the 30-year-old has reached his peak and b) he’ll be making his home in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future.

Andrea Bargnani: Toronto Raptors

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Remaining Contract: Three years, $10 million

Fact No. 1: He’s a starting center who averages slightly more than four rebounds per game and shoots less than 44 percent from the field for his career.

Fact No. 2: The Raptors have won the past five contests he hasn’t played in. Yes, those Raptors.

Fact No. 3: No team can justify taking on three years of a ten-digit contract considering the aforementioned facts.