10 NBA Players Who Fumbled Massive Contracts And Left Millions On The Table

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NBA money is no joke. An average contract is worth around $12.3 million, according to Basketball-Reference. Star players earn more, and they could get paid $50 million to $62.5 million annually.

In the 2026-27 season, the top 16 players will earn more than $50 million. The highest-paid player right now is Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors. The two-time MVP will earn $62.5 million this season, as per Basketball-Reference. The Warriors star will be the only player earning $60 million this season.

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However, some players have fumbled massive contracts and left millions on the table. Here are 10 players who miscalculated their market value and missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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#1 James Harden

NBA star James Harden has earned hundreds of millions in salary. The most he has made is $44.3 million during the 2021-22 season with the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers, as per USA Today. However, he turned down a $161 million deal from the Nets in 2021.

The Nets offered him a three-year contract, but he declined. Harden was eligible to sign a four-year, $227 million extension the following offseason. Brooklyn traded him to the 76ers, and he signed a two-year, $68.6 million extension, with a player option in the second year, per Yahoo Sports.

In the summer of 2023, Harden did not receive the massive contract offer. Eventually, he opted in and requested a trade. During that span, the NBA star made $100 million, instead of $161 million.

#2 Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schröder could not recover from the contract he fumbled - Image Source: IMAGN — Dennis Schröder could not recover from the contract he fumbled – Image Source: IMAGN

NBA veteran guard Dennis Schröder famously “fumbled the bag” with the LA Lakers. The team offered a four-year, $84 million contract extension in 2021. However, Schröder declined and bet on himself to receive a bigger deal.

“A source familiar with the negotiations between Schröder’s representative at the time and the Lakers told ESPN that when L.A. broached a conversation about an extension in February 2021, Schroder’s side said they would rather wait until the offseason to discuss a deal when he reached free agency,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.

Unfortunately for Schröder, the market was not kind to him after an underwhelming postseason run. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists through six games. In the 2021 offseason, he signed a one-year, $5.9 million contract with the Boston Celtics, per ESPN.

#3 Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel wanted a bigger contract from the Mavericks - Image Source: IMAGN — Nerlens Noel wanted a bigger contract from the Mavericks – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA big man Nerlens Noel was a restricted free agent in 2017 after 22 games with the Dallas Mavericks. The franchise offered Noel a four-year, $70 million contract, which he declined. Unfortunately for the former Kentucky star, the Mavericks never gave him another offer.

He wound up signing the one-year, $4.2 million qualifying offer with the Mavericks, as per NBA.com. Noel never received an offer that big in his career.

In 2021, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Noel sued his former NBA agent Rich Paul and his firm, Klutch Sports. The former lottery pick claimed he lost $58 million in potential salary during their partnership from 2017 to 2020.

#4 Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell reportedly turned down an offer from the Hornets - Image Source: IMAGN — Montrezl Harrell reportedly turned down an offer from the Hornets – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA star Montrezl Harrell became a free agent in 2020 after winning the Sixth Man of the Year with the LA Clippers. That offseason, he signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Clippers’ longtime rival, the LA Lakers.

ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins reported that the Charlotte Hornets offered Harrell a four-year, $80 million contract. However, the undersized big man opted to join the Purple & Gold rather than take a long-term deal in Charlotte.

Since leaving the Clippers, the NBA big man was never the same player. Harrell later joined the Hornets after the Washington Wizards traded him in February 2022.

#5 Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga settled for a two-year deal with the Timberwolves - Image Source: IMAGN — Jonathan Kuminga settled for a two-year deal with the Timberwolves – Image Source: IMAGN

Before Jonathan Kuminga signed a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was in a standoff with the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN. Kuminga was a restricted free agent in 2025 and wanted a bigger contract, a bigger role, and more security.

The Warriors offered him a three-year, $75 million contract. However, he declined the deal, and it led to a deadlock. Eventually, he signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract (with a team option for Year 2), per ESPN, and he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in February 2026.

The Hawks did not pick up his option, and he signed with the Timberwolves in the offseason.

#6 Latrell Sprewell

Latrell Sprewell's response to the Timberwolves' offer in 2004 became famous - Image Source: IMAGN — Latrell Sprewell’s response to the Timberwolves’ offer in 2004 became famous – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA star Latrell Sprewell was offered a three-year, $21 million contract by the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a massive pay cut for the four-time All-Star, and he did not appreciate the offer. As per Yahoo Finance, he declined it and said these famous words:

“I have a family to feed.”

Minnesota offered him nothing else. The 2004-05 season was his final year in the NBA, and he averaged a career-low 12.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

#7 Lance Stephenson

Lance Stephenson tried to bet on himself - Image Source: IMAGN — Lance Stephenson tried to bet on himself – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA player Lance Stephenson wanted to bet on himself, which was the reason why he signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets. Before he signed with Charlotte, Stephenson had received a five-year, $44 million deal from the Indiana Pacers, as per ESPN.

However, after averaging 13.8 points per game for the Pacers in 2014, his numbers declined with the Hornets. Stephenson averaged 8.2 points per game in his first season with Charlotte, and he was traded to the LA Clippers in June 2015, according to NBA.com.

#8 Caleb Martin

Caleb Martin learned a tough lesson after fumbling a contract - Image Source: IMAGN — Caleb Martin learned a tough lesson after fumbling a contract – Image Source: IMAGN

NBA forward Caleb Martin had a breakout year with the Miami Heat in 2023 when they reached the Finals. During their playoff run, Martin stepped up. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, he averaged 19.3 points and 6.4 rebounds through seven games.

The Heat were impressed and offered him a five-year, $65 million deal in 2024. However, Martin declined and signed a four-year deal guaranteed for more than $32 million with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN. He left roughly $30 million to $33 million on the table.

“It’s part of the game, it’s part of life. You live and learn. You take risks. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Martin said in 2024, per ESPN.

Martin now plays for the Dallas Mavericks.

#9 Bonzi Wells

Bonzi Wells missed out on a massive payday - Image Source: IMAGN — Bonzi Wells missed out on a massive payday – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA player Bonzi Wells had one of the best seasons of his career with the Sacramento Kings. In the 2005-06 season, he appeared in 52 games, averaging 13.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Wells had an even better playoff campaign, averaging 23.2 points and 12.0 rebounds through six games.

That summer, the Kings offered him a five-year, $36 million deal. According to ESPN, Wells rejected the offer and fired his then-agent, William Phillips. Sacramento had already signed John Salmons.

Wells eventually signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Houston Rockets.

#10 Victor Oladipo

Victor Oladipo bet on himself despite the injuries - Image Source: IMAGN — Victor Oladipo bet on himself despite the injuries – Image Source: IMAGN

When Victor Oladipo was with the Houston Rockets, he was already dealing with various injuries. However, Oladipo still appeared in 20 games, averaging 21.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the 2020-21 NBA season.

The Rockets offered him a two-year, $45.2 million max contract extension, which he turned down. Former NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported via ESPN that Oladipo wanted to bet on himself.

“As expected, Oladipo is pursuing a longer-term deal, sources said, something that the collective bargaining agreement doesn’t allow the Rockets to offer him until the offseason,” Woj reported.

He was traded to the Miami Heat in March 2021, re-signed there on a one-year veteran-minimum deal, and the following summer received a two-year contract worth about $18 million, as per NBC Sports.

Edited by Riya Peter

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