NBA Player Salaries: The 5 Best Contracts on the Cleveland Cavaliers

Professional athletes are generally overpaid, but some are actually quite nice investments for the franchises they play for. 

For every Rashard Lewis there's a player like Derrick Rose who's still in his rookie contract playing well above what he's paid.

Now, we look at the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Which players are the best bang for the buck?  Who is producing the most under their current contract?

Let's take a look.

Omri Casspi

2011-2012 Salary: $1,341,960

Casspi is entering his third year in the league and is still playing under his rookie contract.  For someone with his potential, this contract could be a steal.

With a plethora of wing minutes available, it wouldn't be out of the question to expect Casspi to average about 14 points and 6 rebounds a game, production the Cavs rarely saw from the small forward position last season.

If Casspi comes close to or even exceeds those numbers this season, his deal could be one of the better ones in the league.

Tristan Thompson

2011-2012 Salary: $3,843,000

It's difficult to predict what to expect out of Thompson this season, but I still assume he'll be worth more than the $4 million he'll be making.

Thompson only spent one year in college, so he can't be expected to come in and produce at an elite level right away.  I expect to see solid defense off the bat and an offensive game that improves as the year goes along.

With the right coaching and experience, Thompson should prove to hold one of the better contracts while under his rookie deal.

Ramon Sessions

2011-2012 Salary:  $4,287,973

Sessions played like an All-Star at times last season, even though he makes about a fourth of the money that Deron Williams and Chris Paul make.

He holds a player option for 2012-2013 at about $4.5 million.  If Sessions is still on the Cavaliers, he is almost certain to opt out and look for better playing time to help score a big extension.

As it stands, Sessions, who is capable of being a starting point guard in the league, is worth every penny he's being paid given his on court production.

Christian Eyenga

2011-2012 Salary: $1,097,520

It was tempting to put Semih Erden or Alonzo Gee on this list due to their smaller contracts and potential, but I'll go with Eyenga due to the length of his low contract.

Eyenga is under team control for the next three seasons at a combined total of just over $4 million.  With his potential and leaping ability, the Cavs may have another steal on their hands.

Already a good wing defender, an improved jump shot and greater overall basketball I.Q. could line Eyenga up for a nice payday in 2014.

Kyrie Irving

2011-2012 Salary: $5,305,080

First overall picks usually make slightly over $5 million, and the majority are usually worth it.

If Irving has a solid rookie season and puts up averages of about 14 points and 7 assists per game, he'll be on track to be a great value.

Assuming he lives up to expectations, Irving could easily hold the best contract on the Cavaliers.